1

, -

HOWELL'S FAMILIAR LETTERS.

ft

EPISTOL^E HO-ELIAN&

__^ — ^— — — — •^—— —

The

Familiar Letters

of

•

James Howell

Historiographer Royal to Charles II.

EDITED, ANNOTATED, AND INDEXED

BY

JOSEPH JACOBS

CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE ROYAI. ACADEMY OF HISTORY, MADRID

»

LONDON: PUBLISHED BY DAVID NUTT IN THE STRAND

MDCCCXC

To Mr. (now Dr.) JAMES GQW, at Nottingham.

MY DEAR Gow,

TT is some years ago, you may remember, that you asked me to procure you a Howell, if I chanced upon another copy. Here then at last you have him, tricked out in braver apparel than he ever yet has known, and provided with such aids to the better understanding and enjoying of him as my poor skill could devise.

You were probably attracted to Howell, as I ivas, by our Thackeray1 s perhaps too enthusiastic praise; but, once the ceremony of introduction is over, he wins us to him- self by his own merits. His wide range of experience and of interest, his vicissitudes of travel and of for tune 9 the many cities he visited, the many men he knew, his fund of gossip and anecdote, his quaint yet earnest reflections on life, all combine to make his Letters a more varied literary repast than almost any other collection of the kind in our literature ; and with it all there goes his unabashed self- snti if action in his own cleverness which gives an added piquancy to all he says. In short, he isjirst in point of time of the order of men to which Pepys, Boswell, and IValpole belong. I am hoping that he will take his place by their side as one of the perennial sources, instructive at once and amus- ing, of English " Culturgeschichte.y)

Amid all his vanity and superficiality, there is one note of

sentiment

VI

sentiment which rings true. He could make friends and keep them. I have therefore thought it not inappropriate to connect this attempt to win for him a secure place in English Letters with the name of one of my oldest and truest friends.

I am, my dear Gou>,

Yours very sincerely,

JOSEPH JACOBS.

. tkts tst 0f CY/tffcr,

PREFACE.

T^HE text of the following edition is that of the tenth edition of 1737, with the proper names restored to the form of the original editions. The additional letters and documents in the Supplement have for the most part never appeared in print before. In view of recent events, it may be necessary to state that this volume, including the Supplement, was issued to subscribers in March 1890. The Introduction, biography of Howell, and bibliography of his works, with full notes and an Index of over 40 pp., double columns, will be ready, it is hoped, before the New Year of 1891.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

PAGE

DEDICATION .... . v

PROVISIONAL PREFACE vii

TESTIMONIA xi

HOWELL'S LETTERS —

The Vote, or a Poem-Royal 5

Poetic Epistle on Familiar Letters . . . 1 3

Book I. ... . . .17

Book II 375

Book III . .511

Book IV 555

SUPPLEMENT OF LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS OF AND ABOUT HOWELL, MAINLY FROM UNPUBLISHED SOURCES i . 649

TESTIMON I A.

NOT to know the Author of these Poems, were an ignorance beyond Barbarism . . . He may be called the prodigie of his Age, for the variety of his Volumes ; for from his AmdfoXoy/a or Parly of Trees [1640], to his ©jj^oXoy/a or Parly of Beasts [1660] (not inferior to the other), there hath pass'd the Press above forty of his Works on various subjects ; useful not only to the present times, but to all posterity. And 'tis observed that in all his Writings there is something still New, either in the Matter, Method or Fancy, and in an untrodden Tract Moreover, one may dis- cover a kinde of Vein of Poesie to run through the body of his Prose, in the Continuity and succinctness thereof all along. He teacheth a new way of Epistolizing ; and that Familiar Letters may not only consist of Words and a bombast of Compliments, but that they are capable of the highest Speculations and solidest kind of Knowledge.

PETER FISHER, Preface to Mr. Howefs Poems, 1664.

HE had a singular command of his pen whether in verse or in prose, and was well read in modern Histories, especially in those of the Countries wherein he had travelled, had a parabolical and allusive fancy, according to his motto Senesco non segnesco. But the Reader is to know that his writings, having been only to gain a livelihood, and by their dedications to flatter great and noble persons, are very trite and empty, stolen from other authors with- out acknowledgment, and fitted only to please the humours of novices. . . . Many of the said Letters were never written before the Author of them was in the Fleet, as he pretends they were,

only

xii TESTIMONIA.

only feigned (no time being kept with their dates) and purposely published to gain money to relieve his necessities, yet give a tolerable history of these times. ANTHONY A WOOD, Athena Oxon (1691), iii. 744 (ed. 1817).

HE was master of more modern languages and author of more books than any other Englishman of his time.

J. GRANGER, Biogr. Hist, of Engl (1769)-

I BELIEVE the second published correspondence of this kind and in our own language, at least of any' importance after Hall, will be found to be EPISTOL^E HOELIAN^:, or the letters of James Howell, a great traveller, an intimate friend of Jonson, and the first who bore the office of historiographer, which dis- cover a variety of literature, and abound with much entertaining and useful information.

T. WARTON, Hist, of English Poetry (1781), § Ixiv. ad fin.

HOWELL, the author of Familiar Letters, &c., wrote the chief part of them, and almost all his other works, during his long con- finement in the Fleet Prison; some say for debts which his irregular living had occasioned, and others for political reasons. This is certain, that he used his pen for subsistence in that im- prisonment, and there produced one of the most agreeable works in the English language.

I. D'ISRAELI, Curiosities of Literature.

A WORK containing numberless anecdotes and historical narratives, and forming one of the most amusing and instructive volumes of the seventeenth century.

SIR EGERTON BRYDGES, Censura Literaria (1808), vi. 232.

THE Epist. Ho-Eliancz is one of the 'most amusing volumes extant. And I purpose, God willing, at some future time to give a new and corrected impression of this excellent book, with notes and an appendix, for which work I have for a long time past been making the necessary collections.

PH. BLISS, notes on Athen. Oxon. (1817), iii. 747.

HOWELL

TI-STIMONIA. xiii

HOWELL has no wit, but he has abundance of conceits, flat and commonplace enough. With all this he was a man of some sense and observation. His letters are entertaining.

H. HALLAM, Literature of Europe (1839), iii. 393 (ed. 1872).

WHAT old English work, it might be asked, is there which gives so vivid a picture of the period to which it relates, in so amusing a style, and which so pleasantly varies its subjects, passing " from grave to gay, from lively to severe," as Howell's Letters? If Anthony Wood's statement is true that many of the letters were composed in prison for the press, and were never actually sent to the correspondents whose names are prefixed to them, the volume is entitled to a still higher place in a critical review of the literature of the time. None but a " master of the craft" could have given to a series prepared for such a purpose, so much of " the form and pressure " of the ordinary letters which pass in the social intercourse of life, without a view to any ulterior destination, between man and man.

J. CROSSLEY, Diary of Worthington (1874), p. 349.

MONTAIGNE and " Howel's Letters " are my bedside books. If I wake at night, I have one or other of them to prattle me to sleep again. They talk about themselves for ever and don't weary me. I like to hear them tell their old stories over and over again. I read them in the dozy hours and only half remember them. I am informed that both of them tell coarse stories. I don't heed them. It was the custom of their time, as it is of Highlanders and Hottentots, to dispense with a part of dress which we all wear in cities. ... I love, I say, and scarcely ever tire of hearing, the artless prattle of those two dear old friends, the Perigourdin gentleman and the priggish little Clerk of King Charles's Council.

W. M. THACKERAY, Roundabout Papers : On Two Children in Black.

A THOROUGH Welshman, Howell became a celebrated English author in his day. He was past forty years of age before his first book was published. Then for the remaining twenty odd

years

xiv TESTIMONIA.

years of his life, with an incessant and unwearying industry, he wrote, compiled, or translated book after book, each varying greatly in subject. Lastly, he is one of the earliest instances of a literary man successfully maintaining himself with the fruits of his pen.

E. ARBER, Pref. to Howell's Instructions (1869).

To the list of writers whom it is impossible to use with con- fidence must, I am afraid, be added that agreeable letter-writer Howell. But there can be no doubt that many of his letters are mere products of the bookmaker's skill, drawn up from memory long afterwards [E.g. I. ii. 12]. On the other hand, some of the letters have all the look of being what they purport to be, actually written at the time, but even then, the dates at the end are fre- quently incorrectly given.

S. R. GARDINER.

HOWELL had something of the versatile activity of Defoe ; like Defoe, he travelled on the Continent for commercial purposes, and like Defoe, he was often employed on political missions. Only Howell had less power than the later adventurer, and was less intensely political, observing men good-humouredly, and recording his observations with sparkling liveliness.

W. MINTO, Engl. Prose Lit. (1872), p. 351.

HE may be called the Father of Epistolary Literature, the first writer, that is to say, of letters which, addressed to individuals, were intended for publication. A style animated, racy, and picturesque ; keen powers of observation ; great literary skill ; an eager, restless, curious spirit ; some humour and much wit, and a catholicity of sympathy very unusual with the writers of his age — are his chief claims to distinction.

W. B. SCOONES, English Letters (1880), p. 71.

MY BOOKS.

For the row that I prize is yonder,

Away on the unglazed shelves, The bulged and the bruised octavos,

The dear and the dumpy twelves.

Montaigne

TESTIMONIA. xv

Montaigne with his sheepskin blistered,

And Howell the worse for wear, And the worm-drilled Jesuits' Horace,

And the little old cropped Moliere,

And the Burton I bought for a florin,

And the Rabelais foxed and flea'd.

For the others I never have opened,

But those are the books I read. AUSTIN DOBSON, At the Sign of the Lyre (1885), p. 82.

HE wrote all manner of things, but has chiefly survived as the author of a large collection of Familiar Letters, which have been great favourites with some excellent judges. They have some- thing of the agreeable garrulousness of Walton. But Howell was not only much more of a gossip than Izaak ; he was also a good deal of a coxcomb, while Walton was destitute of even a trace of coxcombry. In one, however, as in the other, the attraction of matter completely outdoes the purely literary attraction. The reader is glad to hear at first hand what men thought of Raleigh's execution ; how Ben Jonson behaved in his cups ; how foreign parts looked to a genuine English traveller early in the seventeenth century, and so forth. Moreover, the book was long a very popular one, and an unusual number of anecdotes and scraps passed from it into the general literary stock of English writers. But Howell's manner of telling his stories is not extraordinarily attractive, and has something self-conscious and artificial about it which detracts from its interest.

G. SAINTSBURY, Elizabethan Literature (1887), p. 441.

D°MESTIC &TOIOEN

tolce Ho-1

L E T T E I

an

BOOKS :

LIIICI

JiOH

Epistolcz Ho-Eliancz:

FAMILIAR

LETTERS

DOMESTICK and FOREIGN,

Divided into Four BOOKS :

( HISTORICAL, Partly - POLITICAL,

( PHILOSOPHICAL:

Upon Emergent Occasions.

By JAMES HO WELL, Esq.;

One of the Clerks of his late Majesty's most Honourable Privy Council.

Ut clavis portam, sic pandit Epistola pectus.

L 0 N D O N:

MDCC XXXVII

TO HIS

MAJESTY

SIR,

\HESE LETTERS address d (most of theni) to your best degrees of Subjects, do as so many Lines drawn from the Circum- ference to the Centre, all meet in your Majesty i who as the Law styles you the Fountain of Honour and Grace, so you shoiild be the Centre of our Happiness. If your Majesty vouchsafe them a gracious Aspect, tJiey may all prove Letters of Credit, if not Credential Letters, which Sovereign Princes use only to authorize: They venture to go abroad into the vast Ocean of the World as Letters of Mart, to try their Fortunes ; and your Majesty ' being the greatest Lord of Sea under Heaven, is fittest to protect them ; and then they will not fear any human Power. Moreover, as this Royal Protection secures them from all danger, so it will infinitely conduce to tlie pros- perity of their Voyage, and bring them to safe Port

with rich Returns.

Nor

THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY.

Nor would these Letters be so Familiar, as to pre- sume upon so high a Patronage, were not many of them Records of your own Royal Actions : And 'tis well known, that Letters can treasure up, and trans- mit Matters of State to Posterity, with as much Faith, and be as authentick Registers, and safe Repositories of Truth, as any Story whatsoever,

This brings them to lie prostrate at your Feet, with their Author, who is,

SIR,

Your Majesty's most Loyal

Subject and Servant,

J. HOWELL.

The

The Vote, or a Poem-Royal,

PRESENTED

To His MAJESTY for a New-Year* s-Gift, by way of Discourse betwixt the Poet and his Muse.

Calendis Januarii^ 1641.

P O E M A.

HE World's bright Eye, Time's measurer, begun Through wat'ry Capricorn his Course to run ; Old Janus hasten'd on, his Temples bound With Ivy, his grey Hairs with Holly crown'd : When in a serious quest my Thoughts did muse What Gift, as best becoming, I should chuse To Britain's Monarch (my dread Sov'reign) bring, Which might supply a New- Year's Offering. I rummag'd all my Stores, and search'd my Cells, Where nought appearM, God-wot, but Bagatels : No far-fetch'd Indian Gem cut out of Rock, Or fish'd in Shells, were trusted under Lock ; No Piece which Angela's strong Fancy hit, Or Titian's Pencil or rare Hillyard^s Wit ; No Ermines, or black Sables, no such Skins, As the grim Tartar hunts or takes in Gins ;

No

A POEM-ROYAL,

No Medals, or rich Stuff of Tyrian Dye ; No costly Bowls of frosted Argentry ; No curious Landskip, or some Marble Piece Digg'd up in Delphos^ or elsewhere in Greece ; No Roman Perfumes, Buffs, or Cordovans, Made drunk with Amber by Moreno's Hands ; No Arras or rich Carpets freighted o'er The surging Seas, from Asia's doubtful Shore ;

No Lion's Cub, or Beast of strange Aspect,

Which in Numidids fiery Womb had slept ;

No old Toledo Blades, or Damaskins ;

No Pistols, or some rare-spring Carabines ;

No Spanish Gennet, or choice Stallion sent

From Naples^ or hot Afrtts Continent :

In fine, I nothing found, I could descry

Worthy the Hands of Casar, or his Eye.

My Wits were at a stand, when, lo, my Muse

(None of the Choir, but such as they do use

For Laundresses or Handmaids of mean Rank,

I knew sometimes on Po and Isis Bank)

Did softly buz,

MUSE.

Then let me something bring,

May handsel the New-Year to CHARLES my King, May usher in bifronted/«««j

POET.

Thou fond fool-hardy Muse, thou silly Thing, Which 'mongst the Shrubs and Reeds do'st use to sing; Dar'st thou perk up, and the tall Cedar climb, And venture on a King with gingling Rhyme ? Tho' all thy Words were Pearls, thy Letters Gold, And cut in Rubies, or cast in a Mould

Of

PRESENTED BY His MAJESTY. 7

Of Diamonds ; yet still thy Lines would be Too mean a Gift for such a Majesty.

MUSE.

I'll try and hope to pass without Disdain, In New- Year-Gifts ) the Mind stands for the Main. The Sophy, finding 'twas well meant, did deign Few Drops of running Water from a Swain : Then sure 'twill please my Liege, if I him bring Some gentle Drops from the Castalian Spring ; Tho' Rarities I want of such Account, Yet have I something on the forked Mount. 'Tis not the first, or third Access I made To Casals Feet, and thence departed glad For as the Sun with his Male Heat doth render Nile's muddy Slime fruitful, and apt t' engender, And daily to produce new kind of Creatures, Of various Shapes, and thousand differing Features ; So is my Fancy quicken'd by the Glance Of his benign Aspect and Countenance ; It makes me pregnant and to superfete ; Such is the Vigor of his Beams and Heat.

Once in a Vocal Forest I did sing, And made the Oak to stand for CHARLES my King : The best of Trees, whereof (it is no vaunt) The greatest Schools of Europe sing and chant. There you also shall find Dame * ARHETINE, Great Henry's Daughter, and Great Britairis Queen, Her Name engraved in a Laurel-Tree, And so transmitted to Eternity. For now I hear that Grove speaks, besides mine, The language of the Loirey the Po and Rhine ;

* Id est, Virtuous, Anagram </ Henrietta.

And

A POEM-ROYAL,

And to my Prince (my sweet black Prince) of late, I did a youthful Subject dedicate. Nor do I doubt but that in time my Trees Will yield me Fruit to pay Apollo's Fees ; To offer up whole Hecatombs of Praise To Cczsar, if on them he casts his Rays : And if my Lamp have Oil, I may compile The Modern Annals of Great Albion's Isle ; To vindicate the Truth of CHARLES s Reign, From scribling Pamphleteers, who Story stain With loose imperfect passages, and thrust Lame things upon the World, ta'en up in trust.

I have had Audience (in another Strain) Of Europe's greatest Kings ; when German Main, And the Cantabrian Waves I cross'd, I drank Of Tagus, Seine, and sat at Tyler's Bank : Thro' Scylla and Charybdis I have steer'd, Where restless ^Etna's belching Flames appear'd. By Greece, once Pallas' Garden, then I pass'd, Now all spread o'er with ignorance and waste ; Nor hath fair Europe, her vast Bounds throughout, An Academy of Note I found not out.

But now I hope, in a successful prore, The Fates have fix'd me on sweet England's Shore ; And by these various Wandrings true I found, Earth is our common Mother, ev'ry Ground May be one's Country : For by Birth each Man Is in this World a Cosmopolitan, A free-born Burgess, and receives thereby His Denization from Nativity : Nor is this lower World but a huge Inn, And Men the rambling Passengers, wherein Some do warm Lodgings find, and that as soon As out of Nature's Closets they see Noon,

And

PRESENTED BY His MAJESTY. 9

And find the Table ready laid \ but some Must for their Commons trot, and trudge, for Room : With easy Pace some climb Promotion's Hill, Some in the Dale, do what they can, stick still ; Some through false Glasses, Fortune smiling spy, Who still keeps off, tho' she appears hard by ; Some like the Ostrich with their Wings do flutter, But cannot fly or soar above the Gutter : Some quickly fetch, and double Good- Hopes Cape ; Some ne'er can do't, tho' the same course they shape. So that poor Mortals are so many Balls Toss'd some o'er Line, some under Fortune's Walls. And it is Heav'n's high Pleasure, Man should lie Obnoxious to his Partiality, That by industrious ways he should contend Nature's short pittance to improve and mend : Now, Industry ne'er fail'd at last t' advance Her patient Sons above the reach of Chance.

POET.

But whither rov'st thou thus ?

Well ; since I see thou art so strongly bent, And of a gracious Look so confident, Go and throw down thyself at Casals Feet, And in thy best Attire thy Sov'reign greet Go, an auspicious and most blissful Year Wish him, as e'er shin'd o'er this Hemisphere. Good may the Entrance, better the Middle be, And the Conclusion best of all the Three : Of Joy ungrudg'd may each Day be a Debtor, And ev'ry Morn still usher in a better : May the soft gliding Nones, and ev'ry Ide, With all the Calends still some good betide ; May Cynthia with kind Looks, and Phaibus? Rays, One clear his Nights, the other gild his Days ;

Free

I0 A POEM-ROYAL,

Free Limbs, unphysick'd Health, due Appetite,

Which no Sauce else but Hunger may excite :

Sound Sleeps, green Dreams be his, which represent

Symptoms of Health, and the next day's content ;

Chearful and vacant Thoughts, not always bound

To Counsel, or in deep Ideas drown'd,

(Tho5 such late Traverses, and Tumults might

Turn to a Lump of Care, the airest Wight)

And since while fragile Flesh doth us array,

The Humours still are combating for sway,

(Which were they free from this reluctancy,

And counterpois'd, Man would immortal be)

May Sanguine o'er the rest predominate

In him, and their malignant Flux abate.

May his great Queen, in whose imperious Eye

Reigns such a world of winning Majesty,

Like the rich Olive or Falernian Vine,

Swell with more Gems of Cyons masculine :

And as her Fruit sprung from the Rose and Luce,

(The best of Stems Earth yet did e'er produce)

Is tied already by a sanguine Lace,

To all the Kings of Europe's high-born Race ;

So may they shoot their youthful Branches o'er

The surging Seas, and graff with every shore.

May Home-commerce and Trade increase from far, Till both the Indies meet within his bar, And bring in Mounts of Coin his Mint to feed, And Banquers (Traffics chief supporters] breed, Which may enrich his Kingdom, Court, and Town, And ballast still the Coffers of the Crown ; For Kingdoms are as Ships, the Prince his Chests The Ballast, which if empty, when distress'd With Storms, their Holds are lightly trimm'd, the Keel Can run no steedy Course, but toss and reel :

May

PRESENTED TO His MAJESTY. 11

May his Imperial Chamber always ply

To his Desires her Wealth to multiply,

That she may praise his Royal Favour more,

Than all the Wares fetch'd from the Great Mogor.

May the Grand Senate,* with the Subjects Right,

Put in the counter-scale the Regal Might,

The Flow'rs o' th' Crown, that they may prop each other,

And like the Grecians Twin, live, love together.

For the chief Glory of a People is,

The Power of their King, as theirs is his :

May he be still within himself at Home,

That no just Passion make the Reason roam ;

Yet Passions have their turns to rouse the Soul,

And stir her slumb'ring Spirits, not controul :

For as the Ocean, besides Ebb and Flood,

(Which f Nature's greatest Clerk ne'er understood)

Is not for Sail, if an impregning Wind

Fill not the flagging Canvas ; so a Mind

Too calm is not for Action, if Desire

Heats not itself at Passion's quick'ning Fire :

For Nature is allow'd sometimes to muster

Her Passions, so they only blow, not bluster.

May Justice still in her true Scales appear, And Honour fix'd in no unworthy Sphere ; Unto whose Palace all Access should have Through Virtues Temple, not through Pluto's Cave.

May his true Subjects' Hearts be his chief Fort, Their Purse his Treasure, and their Love his Port, Their Prayers as sweet Incense, to draw down Myriads of Blessings on his Queen and Crown.

And now that his glad Presence did asswage That fearful Tempest in the North did rage,

* The Parliament. f Hippocrates.

May

12 A POEM-ROYAL, PRESENTED TO HlS MAJESTY.

May those Frog Vapours in the Irish Sky Be scatter'd by the Beams of Majesty ; That the Hybernian Lyre give such a Sound, May on our Coasts with joyful Echoes bound.

And when this fatal Planet leaves to lour, Which too too long on Monarchies doth pour His direful Influence, may Peace once more Descend from Heav'n upon our tottering Shore, And ride in Triumph both in Land and Main, And with her Milk-white Steeds draw Charles his Wain ; That so, for those Saturnian Times of old, An Age of Pearl may come in lieu of Gold.

Virtue still guide his Course ; and if there be A Thing as Fortune, him accompany. May no ill Genius haunt him, but by's side The best protecting Angel ever bide.

May he go on to Vindicate the Right Of holy Things, and make the Temple bright, To keep that Faith, that sacred Truth entire, Which he receiv'd from Solomon * his Sire. And since we all must hence, by th' Iron Decree Stamp'd in the black Records of Destiny, Late may his Life, his Glory ne'er wear out, Till the great Year of Plato wheel about. So prayeth,

The worst of Poets,

to The best of Princes,

yet The most Loyal of

Bis Votaries and Vassals,

JAMES HOWELL.

* King James.

To

To the knowing Reader touching Familiar Letters.

)VE is the Life of Friendship, Litters are The Life of Love, the Loadstones that by rare Attraction make Souls meet, and melt, and mix, As when by Fire exalted Gold we fix. They are those wing'd Postilions that can fly From the Antarctick to the Arctic Sky, The Heralds and swift Harbingers that move From East to West, on Embassies of Love ; They can the Tropics cut, and cross the Line, And swim from Ganges to the Rhone or Rhine, From Thames to Tagus, thence to Tyber run, And terminate their Journey with the Sun.

They can the Cabinets of Kings unscrue, And hardest Intricacies of State undue ; They can the Tartar tell, what the Mogor, Or the Great Turk doth on the Asian Shore : The Knez of them may know what Presterjohn Doth with his Camels in the torrid Zone ; Which made the Indian Inca think they were Spirits, who in white Sheets the Air did tear.

The lucky Goose sav'd/^'j beleagred Hill, Once by her Noise, but oftner by her Quill: It twice prevented, Rome was not o'er-run By the tough Vandal, and the rough-hewn Hun.

Letters can Plots, tho' moulder'd under Ground, Disclose, and their fell Complices confound ;

Witness

14 To THE KNOWING READER

Witness that fiery Pile, which would have blown Up to the Clouds, Prince, People, Peers and Town, Tribunals, Church, and Chapel ; and had dry'd The Thames, tho' swelling in her highest Pride, And parboil'd the poor Fish, which from her Sands Had been toss'd up to the adjoining Lands. Lawyers, as Vultures, had soar'd up and down ; Prelates, like Magpies, in the Air had flown, Had not the Eagle's Letter brought to Light That subterranean horrid Work of Night.

Credential Letters, States and Kingdoms tie, And Monarchs knit in Leagues of Amity ; They are those golden Links that do enchain Whole Nations, tho' discinded by the Main ; They are the Soul of Trade, they make Commerce Expand itself throughout the Universe. Letters may more than History inclose The choicest Learning both for Verse and Prose : They Knowledge can unto our Souls display, By a more gentle, and familiar way ; The highest Points of State and Policy, The most severe Parts of Philosophy May be their Subject, and their Themes enrich, As well as private Businesses, in which Friends use to correspond, and Kindred greet, Merchants negotiat, and the whole World meet.

In Seneca's rich Letters is enshrin'd Whate'er the ancient Sages left behind : Tully makes his the secret Symptoms tell Of those Distempers which proud Jtome befel ; When in her highest Flourish she would make Her Tyber from the Ocean Homage take. Great Antonine the Emperor did gain More Glory by his Letters than his Reign :

His

TOUCHING FAMILIAR LETTERS. 15

His Pen out-lasts his Pike, each golden Line In his Epistles doth his Name enshrine. Aurdius by his Letters did the same, And they in chief immortalise his Fame.

Words vanish soon, and Vapour into Air, While Letters on Record stand fresh and fair ; And tell our Nephews who to us were dear, Who our choice Friends, who our Familiars were.

The bashful Lover, when his stammering Lips Falter, and fear some unadvised Slips, May boldly court his Mistress with the Quill, And his hot Passions to her Breast instil : The Pen can furrow a fond Female's Heart, And pierce it more than Cupid's feigned Dart : Letters a kind of Magic Virtue have, And like strong Philtres human Souls enslave.

Speech is the Index^ Letters Ideas are Of the informing Soul ; they can declare, And shew the inward Man, as we behold A Face reflecting in a Crystal Mould ; They serve the Dead and Living, they become Attorneys and Administers in some. Letters, like Gordian Knots, do Nations tie, Else all Commerce, and Love, 'twixt Men would die.

J.H.

Epistolse Ho-Elianae.

jFamiUar letters

BOOK i. — SECTION I.

I.

To Sir J. S. at Leeds-Castle.

T was a quaint Difference the Ancients did put 'twixt a Letter and an Ora- tion ; that the one should be attired like a Woman, the other like a Man : the latter of the two is allowed large side Robes, as long Periods, Paren- theses, Similes, Examples, and other Parts of Rhetorical Flourishes: But a Letter or Epistle should be short-coated, and closely couched ; a Hungerlin becomes a Letter more hand- somely than a Gown : Indeed we should write as we speak ; and that's a true familiar Letter which expresseth one's Mind, as if he were discoursing with the Party to whom he writes, in succinct and short Terms. The Tonque, and the Pen, are both of them Interpreters of the Mind ; but I hold the Pen to be the more faithful of the two: The Tongue in udo posita, being seated in a moist slippery Place, may fail and faulter in her sudden extemporal Expressions;

B but

i8 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book L

but the Pen having a greater advantage of Premeditation, is not so subject to error, and leaves things behind it upon firm and authentic record. Now, Letters, tho' they be capable of any Subject, yet commonly they are either Narratory, Objurgatory, Consolatory, Monitory, or Con- gratulatory. The first consists of Relations, the second of Reprehensions, the third of Comfort, the two last of Counsel and Joy: There are some, who in lieu of Letters, write Homilies; they preach, when they should epistolize : There are others that turn them to tedious Tractats : This is to make Letters degenerate from their true Nature. Some modern Authors there are who have exposed their Letters to the World, but most of them, I mean among your Latin Epistolizers, go freighted with mere Bartholomew Ware, with trite and trivial Phrases only, listed with pedantic Shreds of School-boy Verses. Others there are among our next transmarine Neighbours Eastward, who write in their own Language, but their Style is soft and easy, that their Letters may be said to be like Bodies of loose Flesh without Sinews, they have neither Joints of Art nor Arteries in them ; they have a kind of simpering and lank hectic Expressions made up of a Bombast of Words, and finical affected Com- pliments only : I cannot well away with such sleazy Stuff, with such Cobweb-compositions, where there is no Strength of Matter, nothing for the Reader to carry away with him, that may enlarge the Notions of his Soul. One shall hardly find an Apothegm, Example, Simile, or anything of Philo- sophy, History, or solid Knowledge, or as much as one new created Phrase, in a hundred of them : and to draw any Observations out of them, were as if one went about to distill Cream out of Froth ; insomuch, that it may be said of them, what was said of the Echo, That she is a mere Sound and nothing else.

I return you your Balzac by this Bearer: and when I found those Letters, wherein he is so familiar with his King, so flat; and those to Richlieu, so puffed with pro- phane Hyperboles, and larded up and down with such gross

Flatteries,

Seel. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 19

Flatteries, with others, besides, which he sends as Urinals up and down the World to look into his Water for discovery of the crazy Condition of his Body, I forbore him further. So I am — Your most most affectionate Servitor, J. H. IVestmin., 25 July 1625.

II.

To my Father upon myjlrst going beyond Sea. SIR,

I SHOULD be much wanting to myself, and to that Obli- gation of Duty, the Law of God, and his Handmaid Nature, hath imposed upon me, if I should not aquaint you with the Course and Quality of my Affairs and Fortunes, especially at this time, that I am upon point of crossing the Seas to eat my bread abroad. Nor is it the common Relation of a Son that only induced me hereunto, but that most indulgent and costly Care you have been pleased (in so extraordinary a manner) to have had of my Breeding (tho' but one Child of fifteen) by placing me in a choice methodi- cal School (so far distant from your Dwelling) under a learned (tho* lashing) Master; and by transplanting me thence to Oxford, to be graduated ; and so holding me still up by the Chin until I could swim without Bladders. This Patrimony of liberal Education you have been pleased to endow me withal, I now carry along with me abroad, as a sure inseparable Treasure; nor do I feel it any Burden or Incumbrance unto me at all : And what Danger soever, my Person, or other things I have about me, do incur, yet I do not fear the losing of this, either by Shipwreck, or Pirates at Sea, nor by Robbers, or Fire, or any other Casualty on shore : and at my Return to England, I hope at least-wise I shall do my endeavour, that you may find this Patrimony improved somewhat to your Comfort.

The main of my Employment is from that gallant Knight Sir Robert Mansell, who, with my Lord of Pembroke, and divers others of the prime Lords of the Court, have got the sole Patent of making all sorts of Glass with Pit-coal,

only

2O

FAMILIAR LETTERS.

Book L

only to save those huge Proportions of Wood which were consumed formerly in the Glass Furnaces : And this Business being of that nature, that the Workmen are to be had from ltd* and the chief Materials from Spain, France, and other foreign Countries; there is need of an Agent abroad for this Use ; (and better than I have offered their service in this kind) so that I believe I shall have employment in all these Countries before I return.

Had I continued still Steward of the Glass-house m Broad-street, where Captain Francis Bacon hath succeeded me, I should in a short time have melted away to nothing amongst those hot Venetians, finding my self too green for such a Charge ; therefore it hath pleased God to dispose of me now to a condition more suitable to my Years, and that will, I hope, prove more advantageous to my future Fortunes.

In this my Peregrination, if I happen, by some accident, to be disappointed of that allowance I am to subsist by, I must make my address to you, for I have no other Rendez- vous to flee unto ; but it shall not be, unless in case of great indigence.

Touching the News of the Time : Sir George Villiers^ the new Favourite, tapers up apace, and grows strong at Court: His Predecessor the Earl of Somerset hath got a Lease of 90 years for his Life, and so hath his Articulate Lady, called so, for articling against the frigidity and impotence of her former Lord. She was afraid that Coke the Lord Chief Justice (who had used such extraordinary art and industry in discovering all the circumstances of the poisoning of Overbury) would have made white Broth of them, but that the Prerogative kept them from the Pot : yet the subservient Instruments, the lesser Flies could not break thorow, but lay entangled in the Cobweb; amongst others Mistress Turner, the first inventress of yellow Starch, was executed in a Cobweb Lawn Ruff of that colour at Tylitrn ; and with her I believe that yellow Starch, which so much disfigured our Nation, and rendered them so ridicu- lous

Sect. j. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 21

lous and fantastic, will receive its Funeral. Sir Gervas Elways, Lieut, of the Tower, was made a notable Example of Justice and Terror to all Officers of Trust: for being accessory, and that in a passive way only, to the murder, yrt be was hang'd on Tower-hill: and the Caveat is very remarkable which he gave upon the Gallows, That People should be very cautious how they make Vows to Heaven, for the breach of them seldom passes without a Judgment, whereof he was a most ruthful Example ; for being in the Low Countries, and much given to Gaming, he once made a solemn Vow, (which he brake afterwards) that if he played above such a Sum, he might be hanged. My Lord (William) of Pembroke did a most noble Act, like himself; for the King having given him all Sir Gervas Elways's Estate, which came to above a thousand pound per An., he freely bestowed it on the Widow and her Children.

The latter end of this Week I am to go a Ship-board, and first for the Low Countries. I humbly pray your Blessing may accompany me in these my Travels by Land and Sea, with a continuance of your Prayers, which will be as so many good Gales to blow me to safe Port ; for I have been taught, That the Parents1 Benedictions contribute I't-nj much, and have a kind of Prophetic Virtue to make the Child prosperous. In this opinion I shall ever rest — Your dutiful Son, J. H.

Broad Street, London^ i March 1618.

III.

To Dr. Francis Mansell, since Principal of Jesus College

in Oxford. SIR,

BEING to take leave of England, and to launch out into the World abroad, to breathe foreign Air a while, I thought it very handsome, and an Act well becoming me, to take my leave also of you, and of my dearly honoured Mother Oxford: Otherwise both of you might have just

grounds

22 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

grounds to exhibit a Bill of Complaint, or rather a Protest against me, and cry me up; You for a forgetful Friend; She for an ungrateful Son, if not some spurious Issue. To prevent this, I salute you both together: You with the best of my most candid affections; Her with my most dutiful observance, and thankfulness for the Milk she pleased to give me in that Exuberance, had I taken it in that measure she offered it me while I slept in her lap : yet that little I have sucked, I carry with me now abroad, and hope that this course of Life will help to concoct it to a greater advantage, having opportunity, by the nature of my employ- ment, to study Men as well as Books. The small time I supervised the Glass-house, I got among those Venetians some smatterings of the Italian Tongue, which besides the little I have, you know, of School-language, is all the Preparatives I have made for travel. I am to go this week down to Gravesend, and so embark for Holland. I have got a warrant from the Lords of the Council to travel for three years any where, Rome and St. Omers excepted. I pray let me retain some room, tho' never so little, in your thoughts, during the time of this our separation; and let our Souls meet sometimes by intercourse of Letters: I promise you that yours shall receive the best entertainment I can make them, for I love you dearly, dearly well, and value your Friendship at a very high rate. So with appre- ciation of as much happiness to you at home, as I shall desire to accompany me abroad, I rest ever— Your friend to serve you, T jj

London, 20 March 1618.

IV.

To Sir James Crofts, Knight, at St. Osith. SIR,

T COULD not shake hands with England, without kiss- J- mg your hands also; and because, in regard of your

distance now from London, I cannot do it in person, I send

this Paper for my Deputy.

The

Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 23

The IH-WS that keeps greatest noise here now, is the return of Sir ll'altcr Raleigh from his Mine of Gold in Guiana, the South parts of America, which at first was like to be such a hopeful boon Voyage, but it seems that that Golden Mine is proved a mere Chimera, an imaginary airy Mine ; and indeed his Majesty had never any other conceit of it : But what will not one in Captivity (as Sir Walter was) promise, to regain his Freedom ? who would not promise, not only Mines, but Mountains of Gold, for Liberty ? and 'tis pity such a knowing well-weigh'd Knight had not had a better Fortune; for the Destiny (I mean that brave Ship which he built himself of that name, that carry 'd him thither) is like to prove a Fatal Destiny to him, and to some of the rest of those gallant Adventurers which con- tributed for the setting forth of thirteen Ships more, who were most of them his Kinsmen and younger Brothers, being led into the said Expedition by a general conceit the World had of the Wisdom of Sir Walter Raleigh; and many of these are like to make Shipwrack of their Estates by this Voyage. Sir Walter landed at Plymouth, whence he thought to make an escape; and some say he hath tampered with his Body by Physick, to make him look sickly, that he may be the more pitied, and permitted to lie in his own House. Count Gondamar the Spanish Ambassador speaks high language; and sending lately to desire Audience of his Majesty, he said he had but one word to tell him: his Majesty wondring what might be delivered in one word, when he came before him, he said only, Pirates, Pirates, Pirates, and so departed.

Tis true that he protested against this Voyage before, and that it could not be but for some predatory design : And that if it be as I hear, I fear it will go very ill with Sir Walter, and that Gondamar will never give him over, till he hath his head off his shoulders; which may quickly be done, without any new Arraignment, by virtue of the old Sentence that lies still dormant against him, which he could never get off by Pardon, notwithstanding that he

mainly

24 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

mainly laboured in it before he went: but his Majesty could never be brought to it, for he said he would keep this as a Curb to hold him within the bounds of his Com- mission, and the good behaviour.

Gondamar cries out, that he hath broke the sacred Peace 'twixt the two Kingdoms; That he hath fired and plundered Santo Thoma, a Colony the Spaniards had planted with so much blood, near under the Line, which made it prove such hot service unto him, and where, besides others, he lost his eldest Son in the Action: And could they have preserved the Magazine of Tobacco only, besides other things in that Town, something might have been had to countervail the charge of the Voyage. Gondamar alledgeth farther, That the enterprize of the Mine failing, he pro- pounded to the rest of his Fleet to go and intercept some of the Plate Galeons, with other Designs which would have drawn after them apparent Acts of Hostility ; and so demands Justice : besides other Disasters which fell out upon the dashing of the first design, Captain Remish, who was the main instrument for discovery of the mine, pistoled himself in a desperate mood of discontent in his Cabin, in the Convertine.

This Return of Sir Walter Raleigh from Guiana, puts me in mind of a facetious tale I read lately in Italian (for I have a little of that language already) how Alphonso King of Naples sent a Moor, who had been his Captive a long time, to Barbary, with a considerable sum of money to buy Horses, and return by such a time. Now there was about the King a kind of Buffoon or Jester, who had a Table-book or Journal, wherein he was used to register any absurdity, or impertinence, or merry passage that happened upon the Court. That day the Moor was dispatched for Barbary, the said Jester waiting upon the King at Supper, the King • calPd for his Journal, and ask'd what he had observ'd that day; thereupon he produc'd his Table-book, and among other things, he read how Alphonso King of Naples had sent Beltram the Moor, who had been a long time his

Prisoner

Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 25

Prisoner, to Morocco (his own Country) with so in.mv thousand Crowns, to buy Horses. The King asked him why he inserted that; Because, said he, I think he will iu-\vr come back to be a Prisoner again, and so you have lost both Man and Money. But if he do come, then your Jest is marr'd, quoth the King: No, Sir; for if he return I nill blot out your Name, and put him in for a Fool.

The Application is easy and obvious: But the World wonders extremely, that so great a wise Man as Sir Walter Raleigh would return to cast himself upon so inevitable a Rock, as I fear he will ; and much more, that such choice Men, and so great a power of Ships, should all come home and do nothing.

The Letter you sent to my Father, I convey'd safely the last week to IVales. I am this week, by God's help, for the Netherlands, and then I think for France. If in this my foreign employment I may be any way serviceable unto you, you know what power you have to dispose of me, for I honour you in a very high degree, and will live and die — Your humble and ready Servant, J. H.

London, 28 March 1618.

V.

To my Brother, after Dr. Howel, and now Bishop of Bristol ;

from Amsterdam. BROTHER,

I AM newly landed at Amsterdam, and it is the first foreign Earth I have ever set foot upon. I was pitifully sick all the Voyage, for the Weather was rough, and the Wind untowards ; and at the mouth of the Texel we were surpriz'd by a furious Tempest, so that the Ship was like to split upon some of those old stumps of trees wherewith that River is full; for in Ages past, as the Skipper told me, there grew a fair Forest in that Channel where the Texel makes now her Bed. Having been so rock'd and shaken at Sea, when I came a-shore, I began to

incline

26 FAMILIAR LETTERS.

incline to Copernicus his Opinion, which hath got such a sway lately in the World, viz. That the Earth as well as the rest of her Fellow-Elements, is in perpetual Motion, for she seemed so to me a good while after I had landed. He that observes the Site and Position of this Country wil never hereafter doubt the Truth of that Philosophical Problem which keeps so great a noise in the Schools, viz. That the Sea is higher than the Earth, because, as I sailed along these Coasts, I visibly found it true; for the Ground here which is all 'twixt Marsh and Moorish, lies not only level but to the apparent Sight of the Eye far lower than the Sea; which made the Duke of Alva say. That the Inhabitants of this Country were the nearest Neighbours to Hell (the greatest Abyss) of any People upon Earth, because they dwell lowest: Most of that ground they tread, is plucked, as it were, out of the very Jaws of Neptune, who is afterwards penn'd out by high Dikes, which are preserved with incredible Charge; insomuch that the chief Dike- Grave here, is one of the greatest Officers of Trust in all the Province, it being in his power to turn the whole Country into a Salt-lough when he list, and so to put Hans to swim for his Life ; which makes it to be one of the chiefest Parts of his Litany, From the Sea, the Spaniard, and the Devil, the Lord deliver me. I need not tell you who preserves him from the last, but, from the Spaniards, his best Friend is the Sea itself, notwithstanding that he fears him as an Enemy another way : for the Sea stretching himself here into divers Arms, and meeting with some of those fresh Rivers that descend from Germany to disgorge themselves into him through these Provinces, most of their Towns are thereby incompassed with Water, which by Sluices they can con- tract or dilate as they list. This makes their Towns inaccessible, and out of the reach of Cannon; so that Water may be said to be one of their best Fences ; other- wise I believe they had not been able to have borne up so ong against the gigantic Power of Spain. This City of Amsterdam, though she be a great Staple of

News

Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 27

News, yet I can impart none unto you at this time, I will defer that till I come to the Hague.

I am lodged here at one Mons. de la Cluze, not far from the Exchange, to make an introduction into the French: hecause I believe I shall steer my course hence next to the Country where that Language is spoken ; but I think I shall sojourn here about two Months longer, therefore I pray direct your Letters accordingly, or any other you have for me. One of the prime Comforts of a Traveller, is to receive Letters from his Friends ; they beget new Spirits in him, a fid present joyful Objects to his Fancy, when his Mind is clouded sometimes with Fogs of Melancholy : therefore I pray make me as happy as often as your Conveniency will serve with yours : you may send or deliver them to Captain Bacon at the Glass-Hotise, who will see them safely sent.

So, my dear Brother, I pray God bless us both, and send us after this large Distance, a joyful Meeting. — Your loving Brother, J. H.

Amsterdam, i April 1617.

VI. To Dan. Caldwell, Esq.; from Amsterdam.

MY DEAR DAN,

I HAVE made your Friendship so necessary unto me for the contentment of my Life, that Happiness itself would be but a kind of Infelicity without it : It is as need- ful to me, as Fire and Water, as the very Air I take in, and breathe out ; it is to me not only necessiludo9 but necessitas: Therefore I pray let me enjoy it in that fair proportion, that I desire to return unto you, by way of correspondence and retaliation. Our first Ligue of Love, you know, was contracted among the Muses in Oxford; for no sooner was I matriculated to her, but I was adopted to you ; I became her Son, and your Friend, at one time : You know I follow'd you then to London, where our Love receiv'd confirmation in the Temple, and elsewhere. We are now

far

28 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book /.

far asunder, for no less than a Sea severs us, and that no narrow one, but the German Ocean : 'Distance sometimes endears Friendship, and Absence sweetneth it ; it much enhanceth the value of it, and makes it more precious. Let this be verify 'd in us ; let that Love which formerly us'd to be nourish'd by personal communication and the Lips, be now fed by Letters ; let the Pen supply the office of the Tongue : Letters have a strong operation, they have a kind of Art like Embraces to mingle Souls, and make them meet, tho' millions of Paces asunder; by them we may con- verse, and know how it fares with each other as it were by intercourse of Spirits. Therefore among your civil Specu- lations, I pray let your Thoughts sometimes reflect on me (your absent self) and wrap those Thoughts in Paper, and so send them me over ; I promise you they shall be very welcome, I shall embrace and hug them with my best Affections.

Commend me to Tom Bowyer, and enjoin him the like : I pray be no Niggard in distributing my Love plentifully among our Friends at the Inns of Court: Let Jack Tol- dervy have my kind Commends, with this Caveat, That the Pot which goes often to the Water, comes home crack' d at last : therefore I hope he will be careful how he makes the Fleece in Cornhill his Thorow-fare too often. So may my dear Daniel live happy and love his J. H.

Amsterdam, 10 April 1619.

VII.

To my Father, from Amsterdam. SIR,

1AM lately arriv'd in Holland in a good plight of Health, and continue yet in this Town of Amsterdam, a Town I believe, that there are few her Fellows, being from a mean Fishing-Dorp, come in a short revolution of time, by a monstrous increase of Commerce and Navigation, to be one of the greatest Marts of Europe : 'Tis admirable to see what various sorts of Buildings, and new Fabricks are now here

erecting

Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 29

erect in <: everywhere ; not in Houses only, but in whole Streets and Suburbs; so that 'tis thought she will in a short time double her proportion in bigness.

I am lodg'd in a Frenchman s House, who is one of the Deacons of our English Brownists Church here ; 'tis not far from the Synagogue of Jews, who have free and open exercise of their Religion here: I believe in this Street where I lodge, there be well near as many Religions as there be Houses ; for one Neighbour knows not, nor cares not much what Religion the other is of, so that the number of Conventicles exceed the number of Churches here. And let this country call itself as long as it will, the United Provinces one way, I am persuaded in this point, there's no Place so Disunited.

The Dog and Rag-Market is hard by, where every Sunday Morning there is a kind of publick Mart for those Commodities, notwithstanding their precise observance of the Sabbath.

Upon Saturday last I happen'd to be in a Gentleman's Company, who shew'd me as I walk'd along in the Streets, a long-bearded old Jew of the Tribe of Aaron : when the other Jews met him, they fell down, and kiss'd his Foot : This was that Rabbi, with whom our Countryman Brough- ton had such a Dispute.

This City, notwithstanding her huge Trade, is far inferior to London for populousness ; and this I infer out of their weekly Bills of Mortality, which come not at most but to fifty or thereabout ; whereas in London, the ordinary number is betwixt two or three hundred, one Week with another : Nor are there such wealthy Men in this Town as in London ; for by reason of the generality of Commerce, the Banks, Adventures, the common Shares and Stocks which most have in the Indian and other Companies, the Wealth doth diffuse itself here in a strange kind of Equality, not one of the Burghers being exceeding rich, or exceeding poor: Insomuch, that I believe our four and twenty Alder- men may buy a hundred of the richest Men in Amsterdam.

It

3o FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

It is a rare thing to meet with a Beggar here, as rare as to see a Horse, they say, upon the Streets of Venice; and this is held to be one of their best pieces of Government : for besides the strictness of their Laws against Mendicants, they have Hospitals of all sorts for young and old, both for the relief of the one, and the employment of the other ; so that there is no Object here to exercise any Act of Charity upon. They are here very neat, tho' not so magnificent in their Buildings, especially in their Frontispieces and first Rooms ; and for Cleanliness, they may serve for a Pattern to all People. They will presently dress half a dozen Dishes of Meat, without any noise or shew at all : for if one goes to the Kitchen, there will be scarce appearance of anything but a few cover'd Pots upon a Turf Fire, which is their prime Fuel; after Dinner they fall a scouring of those Pots, so that the outside will be as bright as the inside, and the Kitchen suddenly so clean, as if no Meat had been dress'd there a Month before. They have neither Well or Fountain, or any Spring of fresh Water, in or about all this City, but their fresh Water is brought to them by Boats; besides, they have Cisterns to receive the Rain-water, which they much use : so that my Landress bringing my Linen to me one day, and I commending the whiteness of them, she answer'd, That they must needs be white and fair, for they were washed in Aqua Ccelestis, meaning Sky-water.

'Twere cheap living here, were it not for the monstrous Excises which are imposed upon all sorts of Commodities, both for Belly and Back ; for the Retailer pays the States almost the one Moiety as much as he paid for the Com- modity at first : nor doth any murmur at it, because it goes not to any Favourite or private Purse, but to preserve them from the Spaniard, their common Enemy, as they term him ; so that the Saying is truly verify 'd here, Defend me, and spend me. With this Excise principally, they maintain all their Armies by Sea and Land, with their Garisons at home and abroad, both here and in the Indies ; and defray all other publick Charges besides.

I

Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 31

I >hull hence shortly for France, and in my way take most of the prime Towns of Holland and Zealand, especially Lci/dcn (the University) where I shall sojourn some days. So humbly craving a continuance of your Blessing "and Prayers, I rest — Your dutiful Son, J. H.

i May 1619.

VIII.

To Dr. Tho. Prichard, at Jesus College in Oxford ;

from Leyden. SIR,

IT is the Royal Prerogative of Love, not to be confin'd to that small local compass which circumscribes the Body, but to make his Sallies and Progresses abroad, to find out and enjoy his desir'd Object, under what Region soever : Nor is it the vast Gulph of Neptune, or any distance of Place, or difference of Clime, can bar him of this Privilege. I never found the Experiment hereof so sensibly, nor felt the Comfort of it so much, as since I shook hands with England: For tho' you be in Oxford, and I at Leyden; albeit you be upon an Island, and I now upon the Conti- nent, (thoj the lowest part of Europe) yet those swift Postilions, my Thoughts, find you out daily, and bring you unto me : I behold you often in my Chamber, and in my Bed; you eat, you drink, you sit down, and walk with me; and my Fantasy enjoys you often in my Sleep, when all my Senses are lock'd up, and my Soul wanders up and down the World, sometimes thro' pleasant Fields and Gardens, sometimes thro' odd uncouth Places, over Mountains and broken confus'd Buildings. As my love to you doth thus exercise his power, so I desire yours to me may not be idle, but rouz'd up sometimes to find me out, and summon me to attend you in Jesus College.

I am now here in Leyden, the only Academy besides Franeker of all the United Provinces : Here are Nations of all sorts, but the Germans swarm more than any. To com- pare

32 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book /.

pare their University to yours, were to cast New-Inn in counterscale with Christ- Church, College, or the Alms- houses on Toiuer-hill to Suttoris Hospital. Here are no Colleges at all, God-wot, (but one for the Dutch) nor scarce the face of an University, only there are general Schools where the Sciences are read by several Professors, but all the Students are Oppidanesi A small Time and less Learning will suffice to make one a Graduate; nor are those For- malities of Habits, and other Decencies here, as with you, much less those Exhibitions and Supports for Scholars, with other Encouragements; insomuch, that the Oxonians and

Cantabrigians' Bona si sua norint, were they sensible

of their own Felicity, are the happiest Academians on Earth: yet Apollo hath a strong influence here; and as Cicero said of them of Athens, Athenis pingue ccelum, tenuia ingenia, The Athenians had a thick Air, and thin Wits; so I may say of these Lugdunensians, They have a gross Air, lut thin subtle Wits, (some of them) witness also Heinsius, Grotius, Arminius, and Baudius. Of the two last I was told a Tale, that Arminius meeting Baudius one Day disiruis'd with Drink (wherewith he would be often) he told him, Tu Baudi dedecoras nostram Academiam ; &• tu Armini nostram Religionem: Thou Baudius disgracest our University, and thou Arm'mius our Religion. The Heaven here has always some Cloud in his Countenance, and from this grossness and spissitude of Air proceeds the slow nature of the Inhabi- tants ; yet this slowness is recompens'd with another Benefit, it makes them patient and constant, as in all other Actions^ so in their Studies and Speculations, tho' they use

Crassos transire Dies, lucemque palustrem.

I pray impart my Love liberally amongst my Friends in Oxford, and when you can make Truce with your more serious Meditations, bestow a Thought drawn into a few Lines upon — Yours, y j^

Ley den, 3 May 1619.

IX.

Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 33

IX. To Mr. Richard Altham, at kis Chamber in Grays-Inn.

DEAR SIR,

THO' you be now a good way out of my Reach, yet you are not out of my Remembrance ; you are still within the Horizon of my Love. Now the Horizon of Love is large and spacious, it is as boundless as that of the Imagination ; and where the Imagination rangeth, the Memory is still busy to usher in, and present the desired Object it fixes upon : It is Love that sets them both on work, and may be said to be the highest Sphere whence they receive their motion. Thus you appear to me often in these foreign Travels; and that you may believe me the better, I send you these Lines as my Ambassadors (and Ambassadors must not lye) to inform you accordingly, and to salute you.

I desire to know how you like Plowden : I heard it often said, that there's no Study requires Patience and Constancy more than the Common Law ; for it is a good while before one comes to any known Perfection in it, and consequently to any gainful Practice. This (I think) made Jack Ckaundler throw away his Littleton, like him that, when he could not catch the Hare, said, A pox upon her, she is but dry tough Meat ; let her go : It is not so with you, for I know you are of that disposition, that when you mind a thing, nothing can frighten you in making constant pursuit after it, till you have obtained it : For if the Mathematics, with their crabbedness and intricacy, could not deter you, but that you waded thro' the very midst of them, and arriv'd to so excellent a Perfection ; I believe it is not in the power of Plowden to dastardize or cow your Spirits, until you have overcome him, at leastwise have so much of him as will serve your turn. I know you were always a quick and pressing Disputant in Logic and Philosophy; which makes me think your Genius is fit for Law, (as the Baron your excellent Father was) for a good Logician makes always a

c good

34 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book L

good Lawyer : And hereby one may give a strong con- jecture of the aptness or inaptitude of one's capacity to that Study and Profession ; and you know as well as I, that Logicians, who went under the name of Sophisters, were the" first Lawyers that ever were.

I shall be upon uncertain removes hence, until I come to Rouen in France, and there I mean to cast Anchor a good while; I shall expect your Letters there with im- patience. I pray present my Service to Sir James Altham, and to my good Lady your Mother, with the rest to whom it is due in Bishopsgate-street, and elsewhere: So I am — Yours in the best degree of friendship, J. H.

Hague, 30 May 1619.

X.

To Sir James Crofts, from the Hague. SIR,

THE same observance that a Father may challenge of his Child, the like you may claim of me, in regard of the extraordinary care you have been pleas'd to have always, since I had the happiness to know you, of the course of my Fortunes.

I am now newly come to the Hague, the Court of the six (and almost seven) Confederated Provinces; the Council of State, with the Prince of Orange, makes his firm Re- sidence here, unless he be upon a March, and in motion for some design abroad. This Prince (Maurice) was cast in a Mould suitable to the temper of this People : He is slow and full of wariness, and not without a mixture of Fear ; I do not mean a pusillanimous but politick Fear : he is the most constant in the quotidian course and carriage of his Life, of any that I have ever heard or read of; for whosoever knows the customs of the Prince of Orange, may tell what he is doing here every hour of the day, tho' he be in Constantinople. In the Morning he awakes about six in Summer, and seven in Winter; the first thing he does, he sends one of his Grooms or Pages to see how the Wind

sits,

Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 35

sits, ami he wears or leaves off his Wastecoat accordingly ; then he is about an hour dressing himself, and about a quarter of an hour in his Closet: Then comes in the Secretary, and if he hath any private or public Letters to write, or any other Dispatches to make, he does it before he stirs from his Chamber; then comes he abroad, and goes to his Stables, if it be no Sermon-day, to see some of his Gentlemen or Pages (of whose Breeding he is very care- ful) ride the great Horse : He is very accessible to any that hath Business with him, and sheweth a winning kind of Familiarity, for he will shake Hands with the meanest Boor of the Country, and he seldom hears any Commander or Gentleman with his Hat on : He dines punctually about twelve, and his Table is free for all Comers, but none under the degree of a Captain uses to sit down at it : After Dinner he stays in the Room a good while, and then any one may accost him, and tell his Tale; then he retires to his Chamber, where he answers all Petitions that were deliver'd him in the Morning ; and towards the Evening, if he goes not to Council, which is seldom, he goes either to make some Visits, or to take the Air abroad. And according to this constant Method he passes his Life.

There are great stirs like to arise 'twixt the Bohemians and the elected King the Emperor ; and they are come already to that height, that they consult of deposing him, and to chuse some Protestant Prince to be their King. Some talk of the Duke of Saxony, others of the Palsgrave ; I believe the States here would rather be for the latter, in regard of conformity of Religion, the other being a Lutheran.

I could not find in Amsterdam a large Ortelius in French to send you ; but from Antwerp I will not fail to serve you.

So wishing you all happiness and health, and that the Sun may make many progresses thro* the Zodiac, before those comely gray Hairs of yours go to the Grave, I rest — Your very humble Servant, J. H.

ijune 1619.

XI.

FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book /.

XL

To Captain Francis Bacon, at the Glass-House in Broad-street.

SIR,

MY last to you was from Amsterdam, since which time I have travers'd the prime parts of the United Provinces ; and I am now in Zealand, being newly come to this Town of Middlelorough, which is much crestfallen since the Staple of English Cloth was remov'd hence, as is Flishing also, her next Neighbour, since the departure of the English Garison. A good intelligent Gentleman told me the manner how Flishing and the Brill, our two cau- tionary Towns here, were redeemed, which were thus : The nine hundred and odd Soldiers at Flishing, and the Ram- makins hard by, being many Weeks without their Pay, they borrowed divers Sums of Money of the States of this Town, who finding no Hopes of Supplies from England, Advice was sent to the States- General at the Hague ; they consulting with Sir Ralph Winwood, our Ambassador (who was a favourable Instrument to them in this Business, as also in the Match with the Palsgrave) sent Instructions to the Lord Caroon, to acquaint the Earl of Suffolk (then Lord Treasurer) herewith ; and in case they could find no Satis- faction there, to make his Address to the King himself, which Caroo?i did. His Majesty being much incens'd that his Subjects and Soldiers should starve for want of their Pay in a foreign Country, sent for the Lord Treasurer, who drawing his Majesty aside, and telling how empty his Exchequer was, his Majesty told the Ambassador, that if his Masters the States would pay the Money they ow'd him upon those Towns, he would deliver them up. The Ambassador returning the next day, to know whether his Majesty persisted in the same Resolution, in regard that at his former Audience he perceiv'd him to be a little transported ; his Majesty answer'd, that he knew the States of Holland to be his good Friends and Confederates, both

in

Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 37

in point of Religion and Policy; therefore be apprehended not the least fear of any difference that should fall out l)ct \\cen them, in contemplation whereof, if they desired to have their Towns again, he would willingly surrender them. Hereupon the States made up the Sum presently, which came in convenient time, for it serv'd to defray the cxpcnceful Progress he made to Scotland the Summer fol- lowing. When that Money was lent by Queen Elizabeth, it was articled, that Interest should be paid upon Interest; and besides, that for every Gentleman who should lose his Life in the States Service, they should make good five Pounds to the Crown of England: All this his Majesty remitted, and only took the Principal ; and this was done in requital of that Princely Entertainment, and great Presents, which my Lady Elizabeth had received in divers of their Towns as she pass'd to Heidelberg.

The Bearer hereof is Sig. Antonio Miotti, who was Master of a Crystal-Glass Furnace here a long time ; and as I have it by good Intelligence, he is one of the ablest and most knowing Men for the guidance of a Glass- Work in Christendom : therefore, according to my Instructions, I send him over, and hope to have done Sir Robert good Service thereby. So with my kind Respects unto you, and my most humble Service where you know it is due, I rest — Your affectionate Servant, J. H.

6 June 1619.

XII.

To Sir James Crofts, from Antwerp. SIR,

I PRESUME that my last to you from the Hague came safe to hand : I am now come to a more chearful Country, and amongst a People somewhat more vigorous and metal'd, being not so heavy as the Hollander, or homely as they of Zealand. This goodly ancient City methinks looks like a disconsolate Widow, or rather some super- annuated Virgin, that hath lost her Lover, being almost

quite

38 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

quite bereft of that flourishing Commerce wherewith before the falling off the rest of the Provinces from Spain she abounded, to the envy of all other Cities and Marts of Europe. There are few Places this side the Alps better built and so well streeted as this; and none at all so well girt with Bastions and Ramparts, which in some places are so spacious, that they usually take the Air in Coaches upon the very Walls, which are beautified with divers rows of Trees and pleasant Walks. The Citadel here, tho' it be an addition to the stateliness and strength of the Town, yet it serves as a shrewd Curb unto her; which makes her chomp upon the Bit, and foam sometimes with anger, but she cannot help it. The Tumults in Bohemia now grow hotter and hotter; they write how the great Council at Prague id\ to such a hurliburly, that some of those Senators who adher'd to the Emperor were thrown out at the Win- dows, where some were maim'd, some broke their Necks. I am shortly to bid farewell to the Netherlands, and to bend my course for France, where I shall be most ready to entertain any Commands of yours. So may all Health and Happiness attend you, according to the Wishes of — Your obliged Servant, J. H.

5 July 1619.

XIII.

To Dr. Tho. Prichard, at Oxford, from Rouen. T HAVE now taken firm footing in France, and tho' 1 France be one of the chiefest Climates of Compliment, yet I can use none towards you, but tell you in plain down- right Language, That in the List of those Friends I left behind me in England, you are one of the prime Rank, one whose Name I have mark'd with the whitest Stone : If you have gain'd such a place amongst the choicest Friends of mine, I hope you will put me somewhere amongst yours, tho' I but fetch up the rear, being contented to be the injirma species, the lowest in the Predicament of your Friends.

I

Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 39

I s^all sojourn a good while in this City of Rouen ; there-- fore I pray make me happy with the comfort of your Letters, which I shall expect with a longing impatience : I pray send me ample advertisement of your welfare, and of the rest of your Friends, as well upon the Banks of his as amongst the British Mountains. I am but a Fresh-man yet in France, therefore I can send you no News but that all is here quiet, and 'Tis no ordinary News that the French should be quiet: But some think this Calm will not last long; for the Queen-Mother (late Regent) is discontented, being restrained from coming to the Court, or to the City of Paris; and the tragical death of her Favourite (and Foster-Brother), the late Marquis of Ancre, lieth yet in her Stomach undigested : She hath the Duke of Espernon, and divers other potent Princes, that would be strongly at her devotion (as 'tis thought) if she would stir. I pray present my Service to Sir Eubule Theloal, and send me word with what pace Jesus- College new Walls go up. I will borrow my Conclusion to you at this time of my Countryman Owen :

Uno non possum quantum te diligo versu Dicere, si satis est Distichon, ecce duos.

I cannot in One Verse my Love declare ; Jf Two will serve the turn, lo here they are.

Whereunto I will add this Sirname Anagram — Yours whole, J. HOWEL.

6 Aug. 1619.

XIV. To Dan. Caldwall, Esq. ; from Rouen.

MY dear Dan, when I came first to this Town, amongst other Objects of Contentment which I found here, whereof there are variety, a Letter of yours was brought to me, and 'twas a She-Letter, for two more were enwomb'd in her Body : she had an easy and quick deliverance of that Twin ; but, besides them, she was big and pregnant of divers sweet Pledges, and lively Evidences of your own Love

towards

4O FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

towards me, whereof I am as fond as any Mother can be of her Child. I shall endeavour to cherish and foster this dear Love of yours with all the tenderness that can be, and warm it at the fuel of my best Affections, to make it grow every day stronger and stronger, until it comes to the state of Perfection ; because I know it is a true and real, it is no spurious or adulterated Love. If I intend to be so indulgent and careful of yours, I hope you will not suffer mine to starve with you ; my Love to you need not much tending, for it is a lusty strong Love, and will not easily miscarry.

I pray, when you write next, to send me a dozen pair of the best white Kid-skin Gloves the Royal-Exchange can afford ; as also two pair of the purest white worsted Stock- ings you can get of Women's size, together with half a dozen of pair of Knives. I pray send your Man with them to Pacandary, the French Post upon Tower-hill, who will bring them me safely. When I go to Paris, I shall send you some curiosities equivalent to these. I have here inclos'd return'd an answer to those two that came in yours; I pray see them safely deliver'd. My kind Respects to your Brother Sergeant at Court, to all at Battersay or anywhere else, where you think my Commendations may be placed.

No more at this time, but that I recommend you to the never-failing Providence of God, desiring you to go on in nourishing still between us that Love, which, for my part, No Traverses ^Chance, </Time, or Fate, Shall e'er extinguish till our Lives last date : But, as the Vine her lovely Elm doth wire, Grasp both our Hearts, and flame with fresh desire. — Yours, T pj

13 Aug. 1619.

XV.

To my Father^/roTTz Rouen. SIR,

YOURS of the third of August came safe to hand in an inclos'd from my Brother; you may make easy con- jecture how welcome it was unto me, and 'to what a height

of

Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 41

of comfort it rais'd my Spirits, in regard it was the first I rrciiv'd from you since I crossed the Seas: I humbly thank you for the Blessing you sent along with it.

I am now upon the fair Continent of France, one of Nature's choicest Master-pieces ; one of Ceres9 chiefest Barns for Corn ; one of Bacchus 's prime Wine-Cellars, and of Nep- tune's best Salt-pits; a compleat self-sufficient Country, where there is rather a Superfluity than Defect of anything, either for Necessity or Pleasure, did the Policy of the Country cor- respond with the Bounty of Nature, in the equal distribution of the Wealth amongst the Inhabitants; for I think there is not upon the Earth a richer Country, and poorer People. Tis true, England hath a good repute abroad for her Fer- tility, yet be our Harvests never so kindly, and our Crops never so plentiful, we have every year commonly some Grain from thence, or from Dantzick, and other Places imported by the Merchant : Besides, there be many more Heaths, Commons, bleak barren Hills, and waste Grounds in England, by many degrees, than I find here ; and I am sorry our Country of Wales should give more Instances hereof than any other Part.

This Province of Normandy, once an Appendix of the Crown of England, tho' it want Wine, yet it yields the King as much Demesnes as any one of the rest ; the Lower Norman hath Cyder for his common Drink ; and I visibly observ'd that they are more plump and replete in their Bodies, and of a clearer Complexion, than those that drink altogether Wine. In this great City of Rouen there be many Monuments of the English Nation yet extant. In the outside of the highest Steeple of the great Church, there is the Word GOD engrav'd in huge golden Characters, every one almost as long as myself, to make them the more visible. In this Steeple hangs also the greatest Bell of Christendom, called tfAmboise, for it weighs near upon forty thousand pound weight. There is also here St. Oen, the greatest Sanctuary of the City, founded by one of our Compatriots, as the Name imports: This Province is also subject to Wardships,

and

42 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

and no other part of France besides; but whether the Con- queror translated that Law to England from hence, or whether he sent it over from England hither, I cannot resolve you. There is a marvellous quick Trade driven in this Town, because of the great navigable River, Sequena (the Seine) that runs hence to Paris, whereon there stands a strange Bridge that ebbs and flows, that rises and falls with the River, it being made of Boats, whereon Coach and Carts may pass over as well as Men : Besides, this is the nearest Mercantile City that stands betwixt Paris and the Sea.

My last to you was from the Low Countries, where I was in motion to and fro above four Months; but I fear it mis- carry'd, in regard you make no mention of it in yours.

I begin more and more to have a sense of the sweetness and advantage of foreign Travel : I pray when you come to London, to find a time to visit Sir Robert, and acknow- ledge his great Favours to me, and desire a continuance thereof, according as I shall endeavour to deserve them. So with my due and daily Prayers for your Health, and a speedy successful issue of all your Law-businesses, I humbly crave your Blessing, and rest — Your dutiful Son, J. H.

7 Sept. 1619.

XVI.

To Capt. Francis Bacon, from Paris. SIR,

I RECEIVED two of yours in Rouen, with the Bills of Exchange there inclos'd; and according to your direc- tions I sent you those things which you wrote for.

I am now newly come to Paris, this huge Magazine of Men, the Epitome of this large populous Kingdom, and Rendezvous of all Foreigners. The Structures here are in- differently fair, tho' the Streets generally foul all the four Seasons of the year ; which I impute first to the Position of the City, being built upon an Isle, (the Isle of France, made so by the branching and serpentine course of the River of Seine) and having some of her Suburbs seated high,

the

Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 43

the Filth runs down the Channel, and settles in many places within the body of the City, which lies upon a Flat; as also for a world of Coaches, Carts, and Horses of all sorts that go to and fro perpetually, so that sometimes one shall meet with a stop half a mile long of those Coaches, Carts, and Horses, that can move neither forward nor backward, by reason of some sudden Encounter of others coming a cross-way ; so that often-times it will be an hour or two before they can disintangle. In such a stop the Great Henry was so fatally slain by Ravillac. Hence comes it to pass, that this Town (for Paris is a Town, a City, and an University) is always dirty, and 'tis such a Dirt, that by perpetual Motion is beaten into such black unctuous Oil, that where it sticks no Art can wash it off of some Colours ; insomuch, that it may be no improper Comparison to say, That an ill Name is like the Crot (the Dirt) of Paris, which is indelible; besides, the Stain this Dirt leaves, it gives also so strong a scent, that it may be smelt many miles off*, if the Wind be in one's Face as he comes from the fresh Air of the Country : this may be one cause why the Plague is always in some corner or other of this vast City, which may be call'd, as once Scythia was, Vagina populorum, or (as Mankind was call'd by a great Philosopher) a great Mole- hill of Ants : yet I believe this City is not so populous as she seems to be, for her Form being round (as the whole Kingdom is) the Passengers wheel about, and meet oftener than they used to do in the long continued Streets of London, which makes London appear less populous than she is indeed; so that London for length (tho' not for latitude) including Westminster, exceeds Paris, and hath in Michaelmas Term more souls moving within her in all places. 'Tis under one hundred years that Paris is become so sumptuous and strong in Buildings; for her Houses were mean, until a Mine of white Stone was discovered hard by, which runs in a continued Vein of Earth, and is digg'd out with ease, being soft, and is between a white Clay and Chalk at first; but beinir pulley'd up with the open Air, it receives a crusty

kind

44

FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

kind of hardness, and so becomes perfect Freestone; and before it is sent up from the Pit, they can reduce it to any form : Of this Stone, the Louvre, the King s Palace, is built, which is a vast Fabrick, for the Gallery wants not much of an Italian Mile in length, and will easily lodge 3000 Men ; which, some told me, was the end for which the last King made it so big, that lying at the Fag-end of this great mutinous City, if she perchance should rise, the King might pour out of the Louvre so many thousand Men unawares into the heart of her.

I am lodg'd here hard by the Bastile, because it is furthest off from those Places where the English resort ; for I would go on to get a little Language as soon as I could. In my next, I shall impart unto you what State-news France affords; in the interim, and always, I am — Your humble Servant, J. H.

Paris , 30 March 1620.

XVII.

To Richard Altham, Esq. ; from Paris. DEAR SIR,

E^E is the Marrow of Friendship, and Letters are the Elixir of Love ; they are the best Fuel of Affection, and cast a sweeter Odour than any Frankincense can do ; such an Odour, such an Aromatic Perfume your late Letter brought with it, proceeding from the fragrancy of those dainty Flowers of Eloquence, which I found blossoming as it were in every Line ; I mean those sweet Expressions of Love and Wit, which in every Period were intermingled with so much Art, that they seem'd to contend for Mastery which was the strongest. I must confess, that you put me to hard shifts to correspond with you in such exquisite Strains and Raptures of Love} which were so lively, that I must needs judge them to proceed from the Motions, from the Diastole and Systole of a Heart truly affected ; certainly your Heart did dictate every Syllable you writ, and guided your Hand all along. Sir, give me leave to tell you, that

not

Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 45

not a dram, nor a dose, nor a scruple of this precious Love of yours is lost, but is safely treasur'd up in my Breast, and answer'd in like proportion to the full : mine to you is as cordial, it is passionate and perfect, as Love can be.

I thank you for the desire you have to know how it fares with me abroad : I thank God I am perfectly well, and well contented with this wandering course of life a while : I never enjoy'd my health better, but I was like to endanger it two Nights ago ; for being in some jovial Company abroad, and coming late to our Lodging, we were suddenly surprized by a Crew of Pilous of Night-Rogues, who drew upon us; and as we had exchanged some Blows, it pleas'd God the Chevalier du Guet> an Officer who goes up and down the Streets all Night a- Horseback to prevent Dis- orders, pass'd by, and so rescu'd us; but Jack White was hurt, and I had two Thrusts in my Cloak. There's never a Night passes but some Robbing or Murder is committed in this Town ; so that it is not safe to go late anywhere, specially about the Pont-Neuf, the New-bridge, tho' Henry the Great himself lies Centinel there in Arms, upon a huge Florentine Horse, and sits bare to every one that passeth ; an improper posture methinks to a King on Horseback. Not long since, one of the Secretaries of State, (whereof there are always four) having been invited to the Suburbs of St. Germains to Supper, left order with one of his Lacqueys to bring him his horse about nine ; it so happen'd that a Mischance befell the Horse, which lam'd him as he went a-watering to the Seine, insomuch that the Secretary was put to beat the Hoof himself, and foot it home; but as he was passing the Pont-Neuf with his Lacquey carrying a Torch before him, he might o'erhear a Noise of clashing of Swords, and fighting, and looking under the Torch, and perceiving they were but two, he bad his Lacquey go on; they had not made many Paces, but two armed Men with their Pistols cock'd and Swords drawn, made puffing towards them, whereof one had a Paper in his Hand, which he said he had casually took up in the Streets, and the

Difference

46 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

Difference between them was about that Paper; therefore they desir'd the Secretary to read it, with a great deal of compliment : The Secretary took out his Spectacles and fell a reading of the said Paper, whereof the substance was, That it should be known to all Men, that whosoever did pass over that Bridge after Nine a Clock at Night in Winter, and Ten in Summer, was to leave his Cloak behind him, and in case of no Cloak, his Hat. The Secretary starting at this, one of the Comrades told him, That he thought that Paper concerned him ; so they unmantled him of a new Plush Cloak, and my Secretary was content to go home quietly, and en cuerpo. This makes me think often of the excellent noctural Government of our City of London, where one may pass and repass securely all hours of the Night, if he gives good words to the Watch. There is a gentle calm of Peace now throughout all France, and the King intends to make a Progress to all the Frontier Towns of the Kingdom, to see how they are fortify'd. The Favourite Luines strengtheneth himself more and more in his Minionship; but he is much murmured at, in regard the access of Suitors to him is so difficult : which made a Lord of this Land say. That three of the hardest things in the World were, To quadrate a Circle, to find out the Philo- sopher's-stone, and to speak with the Duke of Luines.

I have sent you by Facandary the Post, the French Bever and Tweeses you writ for : Bever-hats are grown dearer of late, because the Jesuits have got the Monopoly of them from the King.

Farewel, dear Child of Virtue, and Minion of the Muses and continue to love — Yours, J. H.

Paris, i May 1620.

XVIII.

To Sir James Crofts, from Paris. SIR,

T AM to set forward this Week for Spain, and if I can 1 find no Commodity of Imbarkation at St. Malo's, I

must

Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 47

must be forc'd to journey it all the way by Land, and clamber up the huge Pyreney-Hills ; but I could not bid /V/r/v aclk-ti, till I had convcy'd my true and constant Re- spects to you by this Letter. I was yesterday to wait upon Sir Herbert Crofts at St. Germains, where I met with a French Gentleman, who, amongst other curiosities, which he pleas'd to shew me up and down Paris, brought me to that Place where the late King was slain, and to that where the Marquis of Ancre was shot; and so made me a punctual Relation of all the Circumstances of those two Acts, which in regard they were rare, and I believe two of the notablest Acci- dents that ever happen'd in France, I thought it worth the labour to make you partaker of some part of his Discourse. France, as all Christendom besides (for there was then a Truce betwixt Spain and the Hollanders) was in a profound Peace, and had continued so twenty years together, when Henry IV. fell upon some great martial Design, the Bottom whereof is not known to this day ; and being rich (for he had heap'd up in the Bastile a Mount of Gold that was as high as a Lance) he levy'd a huge Army of 40,000 Men, whence came the Song, The King of France with forty thousand Men; and upon a sudden he put this Army in per- fect Equipage, and some say he invited our Prince Henry to come to him to be a sharer in his Exploits. But going one Afternoon to the Bastile, to see his Treasure and Ammunition, his Coach stopp'd suddenly, by reason of some Colliers' and other Carts that were in that narrow Street ; whereupon one Ravillac, a Lay-Jesuit, (who had a whole twelvemonth watch'd an Opportunity to do the Act) put his Foot boldly upon one of the Wheels of the Coach, and with a long Knife stretch'd himself over their Shoulders who were in the Boot of the Coach, and reach'd the King at the end, and stabb'd him right in the left side to the Heart, and pulling out the fatal Steel, he doubled his Thrust; the King with a ruthful Voice cry'd out, Je suis blesst (I am hurt), and suddenly the Blood issued out at his Mouth. The Regicide Villain was apprehended, and

command

48 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

Command given that no Violence should be ofFerM him, that he might be reserved for the Law, and some exquisite Torture. The Queen grew half distracted hereupon, who had been crown'd Queen of France the Day before in great Triumph ; but a few days after she had something to •countervail,, if not to overmatch her Sorrow : for according to St. Lewis's Law, she was made Queen-Regent of France, during the King's Minority, who was then but about ten years of Age. Many Consultations were held how to punish Ravillac, and there were some Italian Physicians that undertook to prescribe a Torment, that should last a con- stant Torment for three days; but he scap'd only with this, His Body was pull'd between four Horses, that one might hear his Bones crack, and after the Dislocation they were set again; and so he was carry'd in a Cart standing half- naked, with a Torch in that Hand which had committed the Murder: And in the Place where the Act was done, it was cut off, and a Gauntlet of hot Oil was clap'd upon the Stump, to staunch the Blood ; whereat he gave a dole- ful Shriek. Then was he brought upon a Stage, where a new pair of Boots was provided for him, half filled with boiling Oil; then his Body was pincer'd, and hot Oil pour'd into the Holes. In all the extremity of this Torture, he scarce shew'd any sense of Pain ; but when the Gauntlet was clap'd upon his Arm to staunch the Flux at that time of reeking Blood, he gave a Shriek only. He bore up against all these Torments about three hours before he died: All the Confession that could be drawn from him, was, That he thought to have done God good Service, to take away that King which would have embroil' d all Christendom in an endless War.

A fatal thing it was, that France should have three of her Kings come to such violent Deaths, in so short a revolution of time. Henry II. running at Tilt with M. Montgomery was kill'd by a Splinter of a Lance that pierc'd his Eye Henry III., not long after, was kill'd by a young Friar, who in lieu of a letter which he pretended to have for him,

pull'd

Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 49

pul I'd out of his long Sleeve a Knife, and thrust him into the bottom of the Belly, as he was coming from his Close- stool, and so dispatch'd him ; but that Regicide was hack'd to pieces in the Place by the Nobles. The same Destiny attended the King by Ravillac, which is become now a common Name of Reproach and Infamy in France.

Never was King so much lamented as this; there are a world not only of his Pictures, but Statues up and down france; and there's scarce a Market-Town but hath him erected in the Market-place, or o'er some Gate, not upon Sign-posts, as our Henry VIII.; and by a publick Act of Parliament, which was confirmed in the Consistory at Rome, he was entitled Henry the Great, and so plac'd in the Temple of Immortality. A notable Prince he was, and of an admirable Temper of Body and Mind; he had a graceful facetious way to gain both Love and Awe : He would be never transported beyond himself with Choler, but he would pass by anything with some Repartee, some witty Strain, wherein he was excellent. I will instance in a few which were told me from a good Hand. One Day he was charg'd by the Duke of Bouillon to have chang'd his Religion: He answer'd, No, Cousin, I have chang'd no Religion, but an Opinion : And the Cardinal of Perron being by, he enjoin'd him to write a Treatise for his Vindi- cation ; the Cardinal was long about the Work, and when the King ask'd from time to time where his Book was, he would still answer him, That he expected some Manuscripts from Rome, before he could ^finish it. It happen'd, that one Day the King took the Cardinal along with him to look on his Workmen and New-buildings at the Louvre ; and pass- ing by one Corner which had been a long time begun, but left unfinished, the King ask'd the chief Mason why that Corner was not all this while perfected ? Sir, it is because I want some choice Stones. No, no, said the King, looking upon the Cardinal, It is because thou wantest Manuscripts from Rome. Another time, the old Duke of Main, who was used to play the Droll with him, coming softly into his

D Bedchamber,

5O FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

Bedchamber, and thrusting in his bald Head, and long Neck, in a Posture to make the King merry, it happen'd the King was coming from doing his Ease ; and spying him, he took the round Cover of the Close-stool, and clap'd it on his bald Sconce, saying, Ah, Cousin, you thought once to have taken the Crown off of my Head, and wear it on your own:, I at this of my Tail shall now serve your Turn. Another time, when at the Siege of Amiens, he having sent for the Count of Soissons (who had 100,000 Franks a Year Pension from the Crown) to assist him in those Wars, and that the Count excus'd himself, by reason of his Years and Poverty, having exhausted himself in the former Wars, and all that he could do now was to pray for his Majesty, which he would do heartily: This Answer being brought to the King, he reply'd, Will my Cousin, the Count of Soissons, do nothing else but pray for me? Tell him that Prayer without Fasting is not available; therefore I will make my Cousin fast also from his Pension of 100,000 per An.

He was once troubled with a Fit of the Gout ; and the Spanish Ambassador coming then to visit him, and saying he was sorry to see his Majesty so lame ; he answer'd, As lame as I am, if there were Occasion, your Master the King of Spain should no sooner have his Foot in the Stirrup, but he should Jind me on Horseback.

By these few you may guess at the Genius of this spright- ful Prince : I could make many more Instances, but then I should exceed the bounds of a Letter. When I am in Spain, you shall hear further from me; and if you can think on anything wherein I may serve you, believe it, Sir, that any Employment from you shall be welcome to — Your much obliged Servant, J. H.

Parts, 12 May, 1620.

BROTHER.

XIX.

To my Brother, Dr. Howell.

T)EING to-morrow to part with Paris, and begin my •U Journey for Spain, I thought it not amiss to send

you

Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 51

you this, in regard I know not when I shall have Oppor- tunity to write to you again.

This Kingdom, since the young King hath taken the Sceptre into his own hands, doth flourish very much with Quietness and Commerce; nor is there any Motion, or the least tintamar of Trouble in any part of the Country, which is rare in France. 'Tis true, the Queen-Mother is discon- tented since she left her Regency, being confined ; and I know not what it may come to in time, for she hath a strong Party; and the murdering of her Marquis of Ancre will yet bleed, as some fear.

I was lately in Society of a Gentleman, who was a Spectator of that Tragedy ; and he was pleas'd to relate to me the Particulars of it, which was thus : When Henry IV. was slain, the Queen-Dowager took the Reins of the Government into her hands during the young King's Mi- nority ; and amongst others whom she advanc'd, Signior Cone/lino, a Florentine, and her Foster-Brother, was one : Her Countenance came to shine so strongly upon him, that he became her only Confident and Favourite, insomuch that she made him Marquis of Ancre, one of the twelve Mareschals of France, Governor of Normandy; and con- ferr'd divers other Honours and Offices of Trust upon him ; and who but he? The Princes of France could not endure the domineering of a Stranger; therefore they leagu'd together to suppress him by Arms : The Queen-Regent having Intelligence hereof, surpriz'd the Prince of Conde, and clap'd him up in the Bastile ; the Duke of Main fled hereupon to Peronne in Picardy, and other great Men put themselves in an armed Posture to stand upon their guard. The young King being told, that the Marquis of Ancre was the ground of this Discontentment, commanded M. de Vitry, Captain of his Guards, to arrest him, and in case of Resistance to kill him : This Business was carry'd very closely till the next Morning, that the said Marquis was coining to the Louvre with a ruffling Train of Gallants after him ; and passing over the Drawbridge at the Court- Gate,

52 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I

Gate, Vitry stood there with the King's Guard about him ; and as the Marquis enter'd, he told him, that he had a Commission from the King to apprehend him; therefore he demanded his Sword : The Marquis hereupon put his Hand upon his Sword, some thought to yield it up, others to make Opposition ; in the meantime Vitry discharg'd a Pistol at him, and so dispatch'd him. The King being above in his Gallery, ask'd what Noise that was below. One smilingly answer'd, Nothing, Sir, but that the Mareschal of Ancre is slain. Who slew him ? The Captain of your Guard. Why ? Because he would have drawn his Sword at your Majesty's Royal Commission : Then the King reply'd, Vitry hath done well, and I will maintain the Act. Presently the Queen-Mother had all her Guard taken from her, except six Men and sixteen Women, and so she was banish'd Paris, and commanded to retire to Blots : Ancre s Body was bury'd that Night in a Churchyard by the Court ; but the next Morning the Lacqueys and Pages (who are more unhappy here than the Apprentices in ^London] broke open his Grave, tore his Coffin to pieces, rip'd the Winding-sheet, and tied his Body to an Ass's Tail, and so dragg'd him up and down the Gutters of Paris, which are none of the sweetest ; they then slic'd off his Ears, and nail'd them upon the Gates of the City ; they cut off his Genitories (and they say he was hung like an Ass) and sent them for a Present to the Duke of Main; the rest of his Body they carry'd to the New-bridge, and hung him his Heels upwards and Head downwards upon a new Gibbet, that had been set up a little before, to punish them who should speak ill of the present Government ; and it was his Chance to have the Maidenhead of it himself. His Wife was here- upon apprehended, imprison'd, and beheaded for a Witch some few days after, upon a Surmise that she had enchanted the Queen to dote so upon her Husband; and they say the young King's Picture was found in her Closet in Virgin- wax, with one Leg melted away. A little after, a Process was form'd against the Marquis (her Husband) and so he

was

Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 53

was condemned after death. This was a right Act of a French popular Fury, which like an angry Torrent is irre- sistible; nor can any Banks, Boundaries, or Dikes, stop the impetuous Rage of it. How the young King will prosper after so high and an unexampled Act of Violence, by beginning his Reign, and embruing the Walls of his own Court with Blood in that manner, there are divers Censures.

When I am settled in Spain, you shall hear from me; in the interim, I pray let your Prayers accompany me in this long Journey ; and when you write to Wales, I pray acquaint our Friends with my Welfare. So I pray God bless us both, and send us a happy Interview. — Your loving Brother, J. H.

Paris, 8 Sept. 1620.

XX.

To my Cousin, W. Vaughan, Esq. ; from St. Malo. COUSIN,

I AM now in French Britany. I went back from Paris to Rouen, and so thro' all Low Normandy, to a little Port calPd Granville, where I embark'd for this Town of St. Malo; but I did purge so violently at Sea, that it put me into a burning Fever for some few days, whereof (I thank God) I am newly recover' d ; and finding no Opportunity of shipping here, I must be forc'd to turn my intended Sea- Voyage to a long Land- Journey.

Since I came to this Province, I was curious to converse with some of the Lower Britons, who speak no other Lan- guage but our Welsh, for their radical Words are no other; but 'tis no wonder, for they were a Colony of Welsh at first, as the Name of this Province doth imply; as also the Latin Name Armorica, which, tho* it pass for Latin, yet it is pure Welsh, and signifies a Country bordering upon the Sea; as that Arch-Heretick was call'd Pelagius, d Pelago, his Name being Morgan. I was a little curious to peruse

the

54 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

the Annals of this Province; and during the time that it was a Kingdom, there were four Kings of the Name Hoell, whereof one was call'd Hoell the Great.

This Town of St. Malo hath one Rarity in it ; for there is here a perpetual Garison of English, but they are of English Dogs, which are let out in the Night to guard the Ships, and eat the Carrens up and down the Streets, and so they are shut up again in the Morning.

It will be now a good while before I shall have Conveni- ency to send to you, or receive from you ; howsoever, let me retain still some little room in your Memory, and some- times in your Meditations, while I carry you about me per- petually, not only in my Head, but in Heart, and make you travel all along with me thus from Town to Country, from Hill to Dale, from Sea to Land, up and down the World : And you must be contented to be subject to these uncertain Removes and Perambulations, until it shall please God to fix me again in England : nor need you, while you are thus my Concomitant thro' new Places every Day, to fear any ill Usage, as long as I fare well.— Yours xpfaei teal

" j jj. . Malo, 25 Sept. 1620.

XXI.

To Sir John North, Knight; from Rochel. SIR,

T AM newly come to Rochel, nor am I sorry that I went 1 somewhat out of my way to see this Town, not (to tell you true) out of any extraordinary love I bear to the People ; for I do not find them so gentle and debonair to Strangers, nor so hospitable as the rest of France; but I excuse them for it, in regard it is commonly so with all Republic and Hans Towns, whereof this smells very rank : nor indeed hath any Englishman much cause to love this I own, m regard, in Ages pass'd, she play'd the most trea- cherous part with England of any other Place in France.

For

Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 55

For the Story tells us, That this Town having by a per- fidious Stratagem (by forging a Counterfeit Commission from England) induc'd the English Governor to make a jreneral Muster of all his Forces out of the Town; this bring one Day done, they shut their Gates against him, and made him go shake his Ears, and to shift for his Lodging, and so render'd themselves to the French King, who sent them a Blank to write their own Conditions. I think they have the strongest Ramparts by Sea of any Place of Christendom ; nor have I seen the like in any Town of Holland, whose Safety depends upon Water. I am bound To-morrow for Bourdeaux, then thro' Gascogny to Tholouse, so thro' Languedoc o'er the Hills to Spain : I go in the best Season of the Year, for I make an Autumnal Journey of it. I pray let your Prayers accompany me all along; they are the best Offices of Love, and Fruits of Friendship : So God prosper you at home, as me abroad, and send us in good time a joyful Conjuncture. — Yours, J. H.

JRochel, 8 Octob. 1620.

XXII. To Mr. Tho. Porter, after Capt. Porter ; from Barcelona.

MY dear Tom, I had no sooner set foot upon this Soil^ and breath'd Spanish Air, but my Thoughts pre- sently reflected upon you : Of all my Friends in England, you were the first I met here ; you were the prime Object of my Speculation ; methought the very Winds in gentle Whispers did breathe out your Name, and blow it on me ; you seem'd to reverberate upon me with the Beams of the Sun, which you know hath such a powerful influence, and indeed too great a Stroke in this Country. And all this you must ascribe to the Operations of Love, which hath such a strong virtual Force, that when it fastneth upon a pleas- ing Subject, its sets the Imagination in a strange Fit of working, it employs all the Faculties of the Soul, so that

not

56 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book /.

not one Cell in the Brain is idle; it busieth the whole inward Man, it affects the Heart, amuseth the Understanding; it quickneth the Fancy, and leads the Will as it were by a silken Thread to co-operate with 'em all : I have felt these Motions often in me, especially at this time, that my Memory fix'd upon you. But the reason that I fell first upon you in Spain was, that I remember' d I had heard you often discoursing how you have receiv'd part of your Educa- tion here, which brought you to speak the Language so exactly well. I think often of the Relations I have heard you make of this Country, and the good Instruction you pleas' d to give me.

I am now in Barcelona, but the next Week I intend to go on thro' your Town of Valencia to Alicant, and thence you shall be sure to hear from me farther, for I make account to winter there. The Duke of Ossuna pass'd by here lately, and having got leave of Grace to release some Slaves, he went aboard the Cape Gallies, and passing thro* the Churma of Slaves, he ask'd divers of them what their Offences were: Every one excus'd himself; one saying, That he was put in out of Malice, another by Bribery of the Judge, but all of them unjustly: Amongst the rest there was one little sturdy black Man, and the Duke asking him what he was in for, Sir, said he, I cannot deny but I am justly put in here, for I wanted Money, and so took a Purse hard ly Tarragona, to keep me from starving. The Duke, with a little Staff he had in his hand, gave him two or three blows upon the Shoulders, saying, You Rogue, what do you do amongst so many honest innocent Men ? Get you gone out of their Company : So he was freed, and the rest remained still in statu quo prius, to tug at the Oar.

I pray commend me to Signior Camillo, and Mazalao, with the rest of the Venetians with you ; and when you go aboard the Ship behind the Exchange, think upon — Yours, j. H.

Barcelona^ 10 Nov. 1620.

XXIII.

Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 57

XXIII,

To Sir James Crofts. SIR,

1AM now a good way within the Body of Spam, at Barcelona, a proud wealthy City, situated upon the Mediterranean , and is the Metropolis of the Kingdom of Catalunia, call'd of old Hispania Tarraconensis. I had miK-h ado to reach hither; for besides the monstrous abrupt- ness of the way, these Parts of the Pyrenees that border upon the Mediterranean are never without Thieves by Land (called Bandoleros] and Pirates on the Sea-side, which lie sculking in the hollows of the Rocks, and often surprise Passengers unawares, and carry them Slaves to Barbary on the other side. The safest way to pass, is to take a Bordon in the Habit of a Pilgrim, whereof there are abundance that perform their Vows this way to the Lady of Monserrat, one of the prime Places of Pilgrimage in Christendom : It is a stupendous Monastery, built on the top of a huge Land-Rock, whither it is impossible to go up, or come down by a direct way, but a Path is cut out full of Windings and Turnings ; and on the Crown of this Craggy-hill there is a Flat, upon which the Monastery and Pilgrimage place is founded, where there is a Picture of the Virgin Mary Sun- burnt, and tann'd, it seems when she went to Egypt ; and to this Picture, a marvellous confluence of People, from all Parts of Europe, resort.

As I pass'd between some of the Pyreney- Hills, I per- ceiv'd the poor Labradors, some of the Country People, live no better than brute Animals, in point of Food ; for their ordinary Commons is Grass and Water, only they have always within their Houses a Bottle of Vinegar, and another of Oil ; and when Dinner or Supper-time comes, they go abroad and gather their Herds, and so cast Vinegar and Oil upon them, and will pass thus two or three Days with- out Bread or Wine; yet they are strong lusty Men, and will stand stiffly under a Musket.

There

58 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

There is a Tradition, that there were divers Mines of Gold in Ages past amongst those Mountains : And the Shepherds that kept Goats then, having made a small Fire of Rosemary-stubs, with other combustible Stuff to warm themselves, this Fire graz'd along, and grew so outrageous, that it consum'd the very Entrails of the Earth, and melted those Mines; which, growing fluid by Liquefaction, ran down into the small Rivulets that were in the Vallies, and so carry'd all into the Sea, that monstrous Gulph which swal- loweth all, but seldom disgorgeth anything: and in these Brooks to this Day some small Grains of Gold are found.

The Viceroy of this Country hath taken much pains to clear these Hills of Robbers, and there hath been a notable Havock made of them this Year ; for in divers Woods, as I passed, I might spy some Trees laden with dead Carcasses, a better Fruit far than Diogenes 's Tree bore, whereon a Woman had hang'd herself; which the Cynic cry'd out to be the best bearing Tree that ever he saw.

In this Place there lives neither English Merchant or Factor; which I wonder at, considering that it is a mari- time Town, and one of the greatest in Spain, her chiefest Arsenal for Gallies, and the Scale by which she conveys her Monies to Italy; But I believe the Reason is, that there is no commodious Port here for Ships of any Burden, but a large Bay. I will enlarge myself no farther at this time, but leave you to the Guard and Guidance of God, whose sweet Hand of Protection hath brought me thro' so many uncouth Places and Difficulties to this City. So, hoping to meet your Letters in Alicant, where I shall'anchor a good while, I rest— Yours to dispose of, J. H.

Barcelona, 24 Nov. 1620.

XXIV.

Valentia.

SIR *

n^HO' it be the same glorious Sun that shines upon you in England which illuminates also this Part of 'the

Hemisphere ;

Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 59

Hemisphere; tho' it be the Sun that ripcneth your Pippins, and our Pomgranets; your Hops, and our Vineyards here; yet he dispenseth his Heat in different Degrees of Strength: those Rays that do but warm you in England, do half roast us here; those Beams that irradiate only, and gild your Honeysuckle Fields, do scorch and parch this chinky gaping Soil, and so put too many Wrinkles upon the Face of our common Mother the Earth. O blessed Clime, O happy England, where there is such a rare temperature of Heat and Cold, and all the rest of elementary Qualities, that one may pass (and suffer little) all the year long, without either Shade in Summer, or Fire in Winter.

I am now in falentia, one of the noblest Cities in all Spain, situate in a large Vega or Valley, above sixty miles compass : here are the strongest Silks, the sweetest Wines, the excellentest Almonds, the best Oils, and beautiful'st Females of all Spain, for the prime Courtesans in Madrid and elsewhere are had hence. The very brute Animals make themselves Beds of Rosemary, and other fragrant Flowers hereabouts ; and when one is at Sea, if the Wind blow from the Shore, he may smell this Soil before he come in sight of it, many Leagues off, by the strong odoriferous Scent it casts. As it is the most pleasant, so it is also the temperat'st Clime of all Spain; and they commonly call it the second Italy, which made the Moors, whereof many thousands were disterr'd and banish'd hence to Barlary, to think that Paradise was in that part of the Heavens which hung over this City. Some twelve miles off is old Sagunto, call'd now Morviedre, thro' which I pass'd, and saw many Monuments of Roman Antiquities there; amongst others, there is the Temple dedicated to Venus, when the Snake came about her Neck, a little before Hanibal came thither. No more now, but that I heartily wish you were here with me, and I believe you would not desire to be a good while in England. So I am — Yours, J. H.

Valentia, i March 1620.

XXV.

60 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

i

XXV.

To Christopher Jones, Esq., at Gray's-Inn.

AM now (thanks be to God) come to Alicant, the chief Rendezvouz I aim'd at in Spain; for I am to send hence a Commodity call'd Barillia to Sir Robert Mansel, for making of Crystal Glass; and I have treated with Signior Andriottl, a Genoa Merchant, for a good round parcel of it, to the value of 2OOO/. by Letters of Credit from Master Richant ; and upon his Credit, I might have taken many thousand Pounds more, he is so well known in the Kingdom of Valentia. This Barillia is a strange kind of Vegetable, and it grows nowhere upon the Surface of the Earth in that Perfection as here : The Venetians have it hence, and it is a Commodity whereby this Maritime Town doth partly subsist; for it is an Ingredient that goes to the making of the best Castile Soap. It grows thus, Tis a round thick earthy Shrub that bears Berries like Barberries, betwixt blue and green; it lies close to the Ground, and when it is ripe they dig it up by the Roots, and put it together in Cocks, where they leave it to dry many days like Hay ; then they make a Pit of a Fathom deep in the Earth, and with an Instrument like one of our Prongs, they take the Tuffs and put fire to them, and when the Flame comes to the Berries, they melt and dissolve into an Azure Liquor, and fall down into the Pit till it be full; then they dam it up, and some days after they open it, and find this Barillia Juice turn'd to a blue Stone, so hard, that it is scarce malleable; it is sold at one hundred Crowns a Tun, but I had it for less. There is also a spurious Flower call'd Gazull, that grows here, but the Glass that's made of that is not so resplendent and clear. I have been here now these three Months, and most of my Food hath been Grapes and Bread, with other Roots, which have made me so fat, that I think, if you saw me, you would hardly know me, such Nutriture this deep sanguine Allcant Grape gives.

I

Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 61

I have not received a Syllable from you since I was in Antwerp, which transforms me to wonder, and engenders odd thoughts of Jealousy in me, that as my Body grows fatter, your Love grows lanker towards me. I pray take off these Scruples, and let me hear from you, else it will make a Schism in Friendship, which I hold to be a very holy League, and no less than a Piacle to infringe it; in which Opinion I rest — Your constant Friend, J. H.

Alicant, 27 Mar. 1621.

XXVI.

To Sir John North, Knight. SIR,

HAVING endur'd the Brunt of a whole Summer in Spain, and try'd the Temper of all the other three Seasons of the Year, up and down the Kingdoms of Cata- lonia, Valentia, and Marcia, with some parts of Aragon, I am now to direct my course for Italy : I hop'd to have embark'd at Carthagena, the best Port upon the Mediter- ranean; for what Ships and Gallies get in thither, are shut up as it were in a Box from the violence and injury of all Weathers ; which made Andrea Doria, being ask'd by Philip II. which were his best Harbours? he answered, June, July, and Carthagena; meaning that any Port is good in those two Months, but Carthagena was good any time of the year. There was a most ruthful Accident had happen'd there a little before I came: For whereas five Ships had gone thence laden with Soldiers for Naples, amongst whom there was the Flower of the Gentry of the Kingdom of Mercia; those Ships had hardly saiFd three Leagues, but they met with sixteen Sail of Algier Men of War, who had lay skulking in the Creeks thereabout ; and they had the Winds and all things else so favourable, that of those five Ships they took one, sunk another, and burnt a third, and two fled back safe to Harbour. The Report hereof being bruited up and down the Country, the Gentle- women

62 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book L

women came from the Country to have Tidings, some of their Children, others of their Brothers and Kindred, and went tearing their Hair, and houling up and down the Streets in a most piteous Manner. The Admiral of those five Ships, as I heard afterwards, was sent for to Madrid, and hang'd at the Court-Gate, because he did not fight. Had I come time enough to have taken the Opportunity, I might have been made either Food for Haddocks, or turn'd to Cinders, or have been by this time a Slave in the Bannier at Algier, or tugging at an Oar; but I hope God hath reserved me for a better Destiny : So I came back to Alicant, where I lighted upon a lusty Dutchman, who hath carried me safe hither, but we were near upon forty Days in Voyage : we pass'd by Majorca and Minorca, the Baleares Insulcs, by some Ports of Barlary, by Sardinia, Corsica, and all the Islands of the Mediterranean Sea. We were at the Mouth of Tyler, and thence fetch'd our Course for Sicily; we pass'd by those sulphureous fiery Islands, Mongilel and Stromlolo ; and about the Dawn of the Day we shot thro' Scylla and Charybdis, and so into the Phare of Messina; thence we touch'd upon some of the Greek Islands, and so came to our first intended Course, into the Venetian Gulph, and are now here at Malamocco, where we remain yet aboard, and must be content to be so, to make up the Month before we have pratic, that is, before any be permitted to go ashore, and negotiate, in regard we touch'd at some infected Places : For there are no People so fearful of the Plague as the Italians, especially the Venetians, tho' their Neighbours the Greeks hard by, and the Turks, have little or no Apprehension at all of the Danger of it; for they will visit and commerce with the Sick without any Scruple, and will fix their longest Finger in the Midst of their Forehead, and say, Their Destiny and Manner of Death is pointed there. When we have gain'd yon Maiden City, which lieth before us, you shall hear farther from me : So leaving you to His holy Protection, who hath thus graciously vouchsafed to preserve this

Ship

Sect i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 63

Ship, and me, in so long and dangerous a Voyage, I rest — Yours, J. H.

Malamoceo, 30 April 1621.

XXVII.

To wy Brother, Dr. Howell^/fom on Shipboard before Venice.

BROTHER,

IF this Letter fail either in point of Orthography or Style, you must impute the first to the tumbling Posture my Body was in at the writing hereof, being a Shipboard; the second the muddiness of my Brain, which, like Lees in a narrow Vessel, hath been shaken at Sea in divers Tempests near upon forty Days — I mean natural Days, which include the Nights also, and are composed of twenty-four hours, by which number the Italian computes his Time, and tells the Clock ; for at the writing hereof, I heard one from Mala- mocco strike twenty-one hours. When I shall have saluted yonder Virgin City that stands before me, and hath tanta- liz'd me now this Sennight, I hope to cheer my Spirits, and settle my Pericranium again.

In this Voyage we pass'd thro', at least touch'd, all those Seas which Horace and other Poets sing of so often, as the Ionian, the JEgean, the Icarian, the Tyrrhene, with others; and now we are in the Adrian Sea, in the Mouth whereof Venice stands, like a gold Ring in a Bear's Muzzle. We pass'd also by JEtna, by the Infames Scopulos, Acroceraunia, and thro' Scylla and Charybdis, about which the ancient Poets, both Greek and Latin, keep such a Coil ; but they are nothing so horrid or dangerous as they make them to be; they are two white keen-pointed Rocks that lie under Water diametrically opposed, and like two Dragons defying one another; and there are Pilots, that in small Shallops are ready to steer all Ships that pass. This, amongst divers others, may serve for an instance, that the old Poets used to heighten and hoise up things by their airy fancies, above the reality of truth. JE^tna was very furious when we pass'd

by,

64 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

by, as she useth to be sometimes more than other, especially when the Wind is southward, for then she is more subject to belching out flakes of Fire (as Stutterers use to stammer more when the Wind is in that Hole). Some of the Sparkles fell aboard us ; but they would make us believe in Syracusa, now Messina, that j&tna in times past hath eructated such huge gobbets of Fire, that the sparks of them have burnt Houses in Malta above fifty miles off, transported thither by a direct strong Wind. We passM hard by Corinth, now Ragusa ; but I was not so happy as to touch there, for you know :

Non cuivis homini contingit adire Corinthum.

I convers'd with many Greeks, but found none that could understand, much less practically speak, any of the old Dialects of the pristine Greek, it is so adulterated by the Vulgar, as a Bed of Flowers by Weeds ; nor is there any People, either in the Island or on the Continent, that speaks it conversably : yet there are in the Morea seven Parishes call'd Zacones, where the original Greek is not much degenerated, but they confound divers Letters of the Alphabet with one Sound ; for in point of Pronunciation, there is no difference betwixt Upsilon, Iota, and Eta.

The last I received from you was in Latin, whereof I sent you an Answer from Spain in the same Language, tho' in a coarser Dialect. I shall be a Guest to Venice a good while; therefore I desire a frequency of Correspondence between us by Letters, for there will be Conveniency every Week of receiving and sending. When you write to Wales, I pray send Advice that I am come safe to Italy, tho5 not landed there yet. So, my dear Brother, I pray God bless us both, and all our Friends, and reserve me to see you again with Comfort, and you me, who am— Your loving Brother, y jj

5 May 1621.

XXVIII.

Seel. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 65

XXVIII.

To the Honourable Sir Robert Mansell, rice-Admiral of

England ; from Venice. SIR,

A soon as I came to Venice, I apply'd myself to dis- patch your Business according to Instructions, and Mr. Seyrnor was ready to contribute his best furtherance. These two Italians, who are the Bearers hereof, by report here, are the best Gentlemen-workmen that ever blew Crystal ; one is ally'd to Antonio Miotti, the other is Cousin to Mazalao: for other things they shall be sent in the Ship Lion, which rides here at Malamocco, as I shall send you account by conveyance of Mr. Symns. Herewith I have sent a Letter to you from Sir Henry JVotton, the Lord Ambassador here, of whom I have receiv'd some Favours : He wish'd me to write, that you have now a double Interest in him; for whereas before he was only your Servant, he is now your Kinsman by your late Marriage.

I was lately to see the Arsenal of Venice, one of the worthiest things in Christendom ; they say there are as many Gallies and Galeasses of all sorts, belonging to St. Mark, either in Course, at Anchor, in Dock, or upon the Careen, as there be days in the year : here they can build a compleat Galley in half a day, and put her afloat in perfect Equipage, having all the Ingredients fitted before- hand ; as they did in three hours, when Henry III. passed this way to France from Poland, who wish'd, that besides Paris, and his Parliament Towns, he had this Arsenal in ex- change for three of his chiefest Cities. There are 300 People perpetually here at work ; and if one comes young, and grows old in St. Mark's Service, he hath a Pension from the State during Life. Being brought to see one of the Clarissimos that govern this Arsenal, this huge Sea Store- house, among other matters reflecting upon England, he was saying, That if Cavaglier Don Roberto Mansel were

E here,

66 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

here, he thought verily the Republic would make a Proffer to him to be Admiral of that Fleet of Gallies and Galeons, which are now going against the Duke of Ossuna, and the Forces of Naples, you are so well known here.

I was, since I came hither, in Murano, a little Island about the distance of Lamleth from London, where Crystal- Glass is made ; and 'tis a rare sight to see a whole Street, where on the one side there are twenty Furnaces together at work. They say here, That altho' one should transplant a Glass-Furnace from Murano to Venice herself, or to any of the little Assembly of Islands about her, or to any other part of the Earth besides, and use the same Materials, the same Workmen, the same Fuel, the self-same Ingredients every way, yet they cannot make Crystal-Glass in that perfection, for beauty and lustre, as in Murano : Some im- pute it to the quality of the circumambient Air that hangs o'er the Place, which is purify'd and attenuated by the concurrence of so many Fires that are in those Furnaces Night and Day perpetually, for they are like the Vestal-fire, which never goes out. And it is well known, that some Airs make more qualifying Impressions than others; as a Greek told me in Sicily of the Air of Egypt, where there be huge common Furnaces to hatch Eggs by the thousands in Camels' Dung : for during the time of hatching, if the Air happen to come to be overcast, and grow cloudy, it spoils all; if the Sky continue still, serene and clear, not one Egg in an hundred will miscarry.

I met with Camilla, your Consaorman, here lately ; and could he be sure of Entertainment, he would return to serve you again, and I believe for less Salary.

I shall attend your Commands herein by the next, and touching other Particulars, whereof I have written to Capt. Bacon : So I rest — Your most humble and ready Servant,

J.H.

Venice, 30 May 1621.

XXIX.

Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 67

XXIX.

To my Brother, from Venice. BROTHER,

I FOUND a Letter of yours that had lain dormant here a good while in Mr. Sym?is hands, to welcome me to Venice, and I thank you for the variety of News wherewith she went freighted ; for she was to me as a Ship richly laden from London useth to be to our Merchants here, and I esteem her Cargazon at no less a Value, for she enrich'd me with the Knowledge of my Father's Health, and your own, with the rest of my Brothers and Sisters in the Country, with divers other Passages of Contentment : be- sides, she went also ballasted with your good Instructions, which as Merchants use to do of their Commodities, I will turn to the best Advantage, and Italy is no ill Market to improve anything. The only Procede (that I may use the Mercantile Term) you can expect is Thanks, and this way shall not be wanting to make you rich Returns.

Since I came to this Town, I dispatched sundry Businesses of good value for Sir Robert Mansel, which I hope will give content. The Art of Glass-making here is very highly valued ; for whosoever be of that Profession are Gentlemen ipsofactoy and it is not without reason, it being a rare kind of Knowledge and Chymistry to transmute Dust and Sand (for they are the only main Ingredients) to such a diaphanous pellucid dainty Body as you see a Crystal-Glass is, which hath this Property above Gold or Silver, or any other Mineral, to admit no Poison ; as also that it never wastes or loses a whit of its first weight, tho' you use it never so long. When I saw so many sorts of curious Glasses made here, I thought upon the Compliment which a Gentleman put upon a Lady in' England, who having five or six comely Daughters, said, He never saw in his life such a dainty Cup- board of Crystal Glasses. The Compliment proceeds, it seems, from a Saying they have here, That the jirst hand- some Woman that ever was made, was made of Venice

Glass;

68 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book /.

Glass; which implies Beauty, but Brittleness withal (and Venice is not unfurnish'd with some of that Mould, for no place abounds more with Lasses and Glasses) ; but consider- ing the Brittleness of the Stuff, it was an odd kind of melancholy in him that could not be persuaded but he was an Urinal, surely he deserved to be piss'd in the Mouth. But when I pry'd into the Materials, and observ'd the Furnaces and Calcinations, the Transubstantiations, the Liquefactions that are incident to this Art, my Thoughts were rais'd to a higher Speculation ; that if this small Furnace-fire hath vertue to convert such a small lump of dark Dust and Sand into such a precious clear Body as Crystal, surely that grand Universal Fire which shall happen at the Day of Judgment, may by its violent ardor vitrify and turn to one lump of Crystal the whole Body of the Earth ; nor am I the first that fell upon this Conceit.

I will enlarge my self no further to you at this time, but conclude with this Tetrastic, which my Brain ran upon in my Bed this Morning.

Vitrea sunt nostrce commissa negotia curce. Hoc oculis Speculum mittimus ergo tuts : Quod Speculum ? est instar Speculi mea litera, per quod Vivida fraterni cordis imago nitet.

Adieu, my dear Brother, live happily, and love— Your Brother, j jj

Ven., i June 1621.

XXX.

To Mr. Richard Altham, at Gray's-Inn ; from Venice. GENTLE SIR,

• — O dulcior illo

Mille quod in ceris Attica ponit Apis. O thou that dost in sweetness far excel That Juice the Attic Bee stores in her Cell. MY DEAR DICK,

T HAVE now a good while since taken footing in Venice, X this admired Maiden-City, so call'd, because she was

never

Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 69

never defloured by any Enemy since she had a Being, not since her Rlnlto was first erected, which is now above twelve Ages ago.

I protest to you, at my first landing I was for some days ravished with the high Beauty of this Maid, with her lovely Countenance. I admired her magnificent Buildings, her marvellous Situation, her dainty smooth neat Streets, whereon you may walk most days in the year in a Silk Stockin and Sattin-Slippers, without soiling them ; nor can the Streets of Paris be so foul as these are fair. This beau- • teous Maid hath been often attempted to be vitiated; some have courted her, some bribed her, some would h&veforc'd her, yet she hath still preserv'd her Chastity entire : and tho' she hath lived so many Ages, and passed so many shrewd brunts, yet she continueth fresh to this very day without the least Wrinkle of old Age, or any symptoms of Decay, whereunto political Bodies, as well as natural, use to be liable. Beside, she hath wrestled with the greatest Poten- tates upon Earth ; the Emperor, the King of France, and most of the other Princes of Christendom, in that famous League of Cambray, would have sunk her; but she bore up still within her Lakes, and broke that League to pieces by her Wit : The Grand Turk hath been often at her, and tho' he could not have his will of her, yet he took away the richest Jewel she wore in her Coronet, and put it in his Turban; I mean the Kingdom of Cyprus, the only Royal Gem she had ; he hath set upon her Skirts often since, and tho' she clos'd with him sometimes, yet she came off still with her Maidenhead ; tho' some that envy her happiness would brand her to be of late times a kind of Concubine to him, and that she gives him ready Money once a year to lie with her, which she minceth by the name of Present, tho' it be indeed rather a Tribute.

I would I had you here with a wish, and you would not desire in haste to be at Gray's-Inn, tho' I hold your Walks to be the pleasant'st place about London, and that you have there the choicest Society. I pray present my kind Com- mendations

70 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

mendations to all there, and Service at Bishopsgate-slreet, and let me hear from you by the next Post. So I am- Intirely yours, *'

Ven.t $June 1621.

G

XXXI.

To Dr. Fr. Mansell,/rom Venice. I VE me leave to salute you first in these Sapphics :

Insulam tendens iter ad Britannam Charta, de paucis volo, siste gressum, Verba Mansello, bene noscis ilium,

talia perfer.

Finibus longe patriis Hoellus DimoranS) quantis Venetum superba Civitas lends Doroberniensi

distat ab urbe ;

Plurimam mentis tibi vult salutem, Plurimum cordis tibi vult vigorem, Plurimum sortis tibi vult favorem

Regis 6° Aul<z.

These Wishes come to you from Venice, a place where there is nothing wanting that heart can wish : Renowned Venice, the admiredst City in the World ; a City that all Europe is bound unto, for she is her greatest Rampart against that huge Eastern Tyrant the Turk by Sea, else I believe he had over-run all Christendom by this time. Against him this City hath perform'd notable Exploits, and not only against him, but divers others. She hath restored Emperors to their Thrones, and Popes to their Chairs, and with her Gallies often preserved St. Peter's Bark from sink- ing: for which, by way of Reward, one of her Successors espous'd her to the Sea; which Marriage is solemnly renew'd every year in solemn Procession by the Doge and all the Clarissimos, and a Gold Ring cast into the Sea out of the great Galeass call'd the Bucentoro, wherein the first Ceremony was perform'd by the Pope himself above three

hundred

Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 71

hundred years since; and they say it is the self-same Vessel still, tho' often put upon the Careen and trimm'd. This made me think on that famous Ship at Athens; nay, I fell upon an abstracted Notion in Philosophy, and a Speculation touching the Body of Man, which being in perpetual flux, and a kind of succession of decays, and consequently requir- ing ever and anon a restoration of what it loseth of the virtue of the former aliment, and what was converted after the third concoction into blood and fleshly substance, which, as in all other sublunary Bodies that have internal Principles of heat, useth to transpire, breathe out, and waste away thro' invisible pores, by exercise, motion and sleep, to make room still for a supply of new Nouriture; fell, I say, to con- sider whether our Bodies may be said to be of like condition with this Bucentoro ; which, tho' it be reputed still the same Vessel, yet I believe there's not a foot of that Timber re- maining which it had upon the first Dock, having been, as they tell me, so often plank'd and ribb'd, caulk'd and piec'd : In like manner, our Bodies may be said to be daily repair' d by new Sustenance, which begets new Blood, and conse- quently new Spirits, new Humours, and I may say new Flesh, the old by continual deperdition and insensible trans- pirations evaporating still out of us, and giving way to fresh ; so that I make a question, whether by reason of these perpetual preparations and accretions, the Body of Man may be said to be the same numerical Body in his old Age that he had in his Manhood, or the same in his Man- hood that he had in his Youth, the same in his Youth that he carried about him in his Childhood, or the same in his Childhood which he wore first in the Womb; I make a doubt, whether I had the same identical individually nume- rical Body, when I carried a Calf-leather Sachel to School in Hereford, as when I wore a Lambskin Hood in Oxford; or whether I have the same Mass of Blood in my Veins, and the same Flesh now in Venice, which I carry'd about me three years since up and down London Streets, having, in lieu of Beer and Ale, drunk Wine all this while, and fed

upon

72 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

upon different Viands. Now the Stomach is like a Crucible, for it hath a chymical kind of Vertue to transmute one Body into another, to transubstantiate Fish and Fruits into Flesh within, and about us: but tho' it be questionable whether I wear the same Flesh which is fluxible, I am sure my Hair is not the same ; for you may remember I went flaxen-hair'd out of England, but you shall find me return'd with a very dark brown, which I impute not only to the Heat and Air of those hot Countries I have eaten my Bread in, but to the quality and difference of Food. But you will say that Hair is but an excrementitious thing, and makes not to this purpose; moreover, methinks I hear you say, that this may be true, only in the blood and spirits of such fluid Parts, not in the solid and heterogeneal Parts. But I will press no further at this time this philosophical notion, which the fight of Bucentoro infus'd into me, for it hath already made me exceed the bounds of a Letter, and I fear to tres- pass too much upon your patience : I leave the further dis- quisition of this point to your own Contemplations, who are a far riper Philosopher than I, and have waded deeper into, and drank more of, Aristotle's Well. But, to conclude, tho' it be doubtful whether I carry about me the same Body or no in all points that I had in England, I am well assur'd I bear still the same Mind, and therein I verify the old Verse :

Ccelum non animam mutant qui trans mare currunt. The Air but not the Mind they change, Who in Outlandish Countries range.

For what Alterations soever happen in this Microcosm, in this little World, this small bulk and body of mine, you may be confident that nothing shall alter my Affections, specially towards you, but that I will persevere still the same — The very same, T H.

. 1621.

XXXII.

Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 73

XXXII.

To Richard Altham, Esq. DEAR SIR,

I WAS plung'd in a deep Fit of melancholy, Saturn had cast his black Influence o'er all my Intellectuals, me- thought I felt my heart as a lump of dough, and heavy as lead within my Breast; when a Letter of yours of the 3rd of this Month was brought me, which presently begot new Spirits within me, and made such strong Impressions upon my Intellectuals, that it turn'd and transform'd me into another Man. I have read of a Duke of Milan and others, who were poisoned by reading of a Letter; but yours pro- duced contrary Effects in me, it became an Antidote, or rather a most sovereign Cordial to me, more operative than Bezoar, of more Virtue than potable Gold, or the Elixir of Amber, for it wrought a sudden Cure upon me: That fluent and rare Mixture of Love and Wit, which I found up and down therein, were the Ingredients of this Cordial; they were as so many choice Flowers strew'd here and there, which did cast such an odoriferous Scent, that they reviv'd all my Senses and dispell'd those dull Fumes which had formerly o'er-clouded my Brain : Such was the Operation of your most ingenious and affectionate Letter, and so sweet an Entertainment it gave me. If your Letter had that Virtue, what would your Person have done ? and did you know all, you would wish your Person here a-while ; did you know the rare beauty of this Virgin City, you would quickly make love to her, and change your Royal Exchange for the Rialto, and your Gray* s- Inn-Walks for St. Marks- Place for a time. Farewell, dear Child of Vertue, and Minion of the Muses ; and love still — Yours, J. H.

Vert., i July 1621.

XXXIII.

74 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

XXXIII.

To my much honoured Friend, Sir John North, Knight.

NOBLE SIR, . ^

THE first Office of Gratitude is, to receive a good Turn civilly, then to retain it in Memory, and acknowledge if thirdly to endeavour a Requital; for this last Office, it 'is in vain for me to attempt it; especially towards you, who have laden me with such a Variety of Courtesies and weighty Favours, that my poor Stock comes far short of any Retaliation : but for the other two, Reception and Retention, as I am not conscious to have been wanting m the first Act, so I shall never fail in the second, because both these are within the Compass of my Power; for if you could pry into my Memory, you should discover there a huge Magazine of your Favours you have been pleased to do me, present and absent, safely stored up and coacervated, to preserve them from mouldering away in Oblivion; for Courtesies should be no perishable Commodity. Should I at- tempt any other Requital, I should extenuate your Favours, and derogate from the Worth of them ; yet if to this of ^the Memory I can contribute any other act of Body or Mind, to enlarge my acknowledgments towards you, you may be well assur'd that I shall be ever ready to court any Occasion whereby the World may know how much I am — Your thankful Servitor, J. H.

Fen., i^fafy 1621.

XXXIV.

To Dan. Caldwall, Esq. ; from Venice.

MY DEAR DAN,

COULD Letters fly with the same Wings as Love useth to do, and cut the Air with the like swiftness of motion, this Letter of mine should work a Miracle, and be with you in an instant ; nor should she fear interception or

anv

Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 75

any other casualty in the way, or cost you one penny the Post, for she should pass invisibly : But 'tis not fitting, that Paper, which is made hut of old Rags, wherewith Letters are swaddled, should have the same privilege as Love, which is a spiritual thing, having something of Divinity in it, and partakes in celerity with the Imagination, than which there is not anything more swift, you know, no not the motion of the upper Sphere, the primum mobile, which snatcheth all the other nine after, and indeed the whole Macrocosm, all the World besides, except our Earth (the Center), which upper Sphere the Astronomers would have to move so many degrees, so many thousand miles in a moment. Since then Letters are deny'd such a velocity, I allow this of mine twenty days, which is the ordinary time allow'd betwixt Venice and London, to come unto you, and thank you a thousand times over for your last of the tenth of June, and the rich Venison Feast you made, as I understand not long since, to the remembrance of me, at the Ship Tavern: Believe it, Sir, you shall find that this Love of yours is not ill employed, for I esteem it at the highest degree, I value it more than the Treasury of St. Mark, which I lately saw, where among other things there is a huge Iron Chest as tall as myself that hath no Lock, but a Crevice thro' which they cast in the Gold that's bequeath'd to St. Mark in Legacies, whereon there is engraven this proud Motto :

Quando questo scrinio S'apria, Tuttdl mundo tremera.

When this Chest shall open, the whole World shall tremble. The Duke of Ossuna, late Vice-Roy of Naples, did what he could to force them to open it, for he brought St. Mark to waste much of this Treasure in the late Wars, which he made purposely to that end ; which made them have recourse to us, and the Hollander, for Ships, not long since.

Among the rest of Italy, this is call'd the Maiden City

(notwithstanding

76

FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

(notwithstanding her great number of Courtesans), and there is a Prophecy, That she should continue a Maid until her Husband forsake her, meaning the Sea, to whom the Pope marry'd her long since; and the Sea is observed not to love her so deeply as he did, for he begins to shrink, and grows shallower in some places about her : nor doth the Pope also, who was the Father that gave her to the Sea, affect her so much as he formerly did, specially since the extermination of the Jesuits : so that both Husband and Father begin to abandon her.

I am to be a Guest to this Hospital Maid a good while yet, and if you want any Commodity that she can afford (and what cannot she afford for human pleasure or delight ?) do but write, and it shall be sent you.

Farewell, gentle soul, and correspond still in pure love with — Yours, «)• •"•

Wen., 29 July 1621.

XXXV.

To Sir James Crofts, Knight ; from Venice. SIR,

IRECEIV'D one of yours the last Week, that came in my Lord Ambassador PTotlon's Packet; and being now upon point of parting with Venice, I could not do it without acquainting you (as far as the extent of a Letter will permit) with her Power, her Policy, her Wealth and Pedigree. She was built out of the Ruins of Aquileia and Padua; for when those swarms of tough northern People over- ran Italy, under the Conduct of that Scourge of Heaven, Attila, with others, and that this soft voluptuous Nation, after so long a desuetude from Arms, could not repel their Fury, many of the ancient Nobility and Gentry fled into these Lakes and little Islands, amongst the Fishermen, for their Security ; and finding the Air good and commodious for Habitation, they began to build upon those small Islands, whereof there are in all sixty; and in tract of time, they

conjoin' d

Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 77

conjoin'd and leagu'd them together by Bridges, whereof there are now above 800 ; and this makes up the City of Venice, who is now above twelve Ages old, and was contemporary with the Monarchy of France : But the Signory glorieth in one thing above the Monarchy, that she was born a Chris- tian, but the Monarchy not. Tho' this City be thus hem'd in with the Sea, yet she spreads her Wings far and wide upon the Shore ; she hath in Lombardy six considerable Towns, I'adna, Verona, Vicenza, Brescia, Crema, and Bergamo ; she hath in the Marquisat, Bassan and Castelfranco ; she hath all Friuli and Istria ; she commands the Shores of Dalmatia and Sclavonia ; she keeps under the Power of St. Mark the Islands of Corfu (anciently Corcyra) Cephalonia, Zant, Cerigo, Lucerigo, and Candy (Jove's Cradle); she had a long time the Kingdom of Cyprus, but it was quite rent from her by the Turk : which made that high-spirited Bassa, being taken Prisoner at the Battle of Lepanto, where the Grand Signior lost above 200 Gallies, to say, That that Defeat to his great Master was but like the shav'mg of his Beard, or the paring of his Nails ; but the taking of Cyprus was like the cutting off of a Limb, which will never grow again. This mighty Potentate being so near a Neighbour to her, she is forced to comply with him, and give him an annual Present in Gold : She hath about 30 Gallies most part of the Year in course to scour and secure the Gulph; she entertains by Land, in Lombardy) and other Parts, 25,000 Foot, besides some of the Cantons of Suisses, whom she gives Pay to; she hath also in constant Pay 600 Men of Arms, and every of these must keep two Horses a-piece, for which they are allowed 120 Ducats a Year, and they are for the most part Gentlemen of Lombardy. When they have any great Expedition to make, they have always a Stranger for their General, but he is supervised by two Proveditors, without whom he cannot attempt anything, j

Her great Council consists of above 2000 Gentlemen, and some of them meet every Sunday and Holiday to chuse Officers and Magistrates; and every Gentleman being past

78 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

35 Years of Age, is capable to sit in this Council. The Doge, or Duke (their Sovereign Magistrate), is chosen by Lots, which would be too tedious here to demonstrate; and com- monly he is an aged Man, who is created like that Course they hold in the Popedom. When he is dead, there be Inquisitors that examine his Actions, and his Misde- meanours are punishable in his Heirs : There is a Surinten- dent Council of Ten, and six of them may dispatch Business without the Doge : but the Doge never without some of them, not as much as open a Letter from any foreign State, tho' address'd to himself; which makes him to be called by other Princes, Testa di legno, A Head of Wood.

The Wealth of this Republick hath been at a stand, or rather declining, since the Portugal found a Road to the East-Indies, by the Cape of Good-Hope; for this City was used to fetch all those Spices and other Indian Commodities from Grand Cairo down the Nile, being formerly carried to Cairo from the Red Sea upon Camels' and Dromedaries' Backs, sixty Days' Journey : And so Venice us'd to dispense those Commodities thro' all Christendom, which not only the Portugal, but the English and Hollander now transport, and are Masters of the Trade. Yet there is no outward Appear- ance at all of Poverty, or any Decay in this City; but she is still gay, nourishing, and fresh, and flowing with all kind of Bravery and Delight, which may be had at cheap Rates. Much more might be written of this antient wise Republic, which cannot be comprehended within the narrow Inclosure of a Letter. So, with my due and daily Prayers for a Con- tinuance of your Health, and Increase of Honour, I rest — Your most humble and ready Servitor, J. H.

Ven.) i Aug. 1621.

XXXVI.

To Robert Brown, Esq., at the Middle-Temple ; from Venice. ROBIN,

I HAVE now enough of the Maiden- City, and this Week am to go further into Italy : for tho" I have been a good

while

Seel. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 79

while in Venice, yet I cannot say I have been hitherto upon the Continent of Italy ; for this City is nought else but a Knot of Islands in the Adriatic Sea, join'd in one Body by Pi ridges, and a good way distant from the firm Land. I have lighted upon very choice Company, your Cousin LVo/r// and Master Web; and we all take the Road of Lomlardy, but we made an Order among ourselves, that our Discourse be always in the Language of the Country, under Penalty of a Forfeiture, which is to be indispensably paid. Randal ^i/mns made us a curious Feast lately, where, in a Cup of the richest Greek, we had your Health, and I could not tell whether the Wine or the Remembrance of you was sweeter; for it was naturally a kind of Aromatick Wine, which left a fragrant perfuming Kind of Farewel behind it. I have sent you a Runlet of it in the Ship Lion, and if it come safe, and unprick'd, I pray bestow some Bottles upon the Lady (you know) with my humble Service. When you write next to Mr. Symns, I pray acknowledge the good Hospitality and extraordinary Civilities I received from him. Before I con- clude, I will acquaint you with a common Saying that is used of this dainty City of Venice :

Venetia, Venetia, chi non te vede non te Pregia, Ma chi fha troppo veduto te Dispreggia.

English'd and rhym'd thus (tho* I know you need no Trans- lation, you understand so much of the Italian) :

Venice, Venice, none Thee unseen can prize ; Who hath seen too much will Thee despise.

I will conclude with that famous Hexastic which San- nazaro made of this great City, which pleaseth me much better :

Viderat Hadrians Venetam Neptunus in undis

Stare Urbetn, <Sr* toti ponere jura Mari ; Nunc mihi Tarpeias quantum vis, Jupiter, Arces

Objice 6° ilia tui mania Martis ait, Sic Pelago Tibrim prefers, Urbem aspice utramque,

lllam homines dices, hanc posuisse Deos.

When

8o FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book /.

When Neptune saw in Adrian Surges stand • Venice, and give the Sea Laws of Command: Noiu Jove, said he, object thy Capitol, And Mars' proud Walls : this were for to extol Tiber beyond the Main; both Towns behold ; Rome, Men thou'lt say, Venice the Gods did mould.

Sannazaro had given him by St. Mark a hundred Zecchins for every one of these Verses, which amounts to about 300?. It would be long before the City of London would do the like; witness that cold Reward, or rather those cold Drops of Water which were cast upon my Countryman, Sir Hugh Middleton, for bringing Ware River thro' her Streets, the most serviceable and wholesomest Benefit that ever she received.

The Parcel of Italian Books that you write for, you shall receive from Mr. Leat, if it please God to send the Ship to safe Port; and I take it as a Favour, that you employ me in anything that may conduce to your Contentment, because — I am your serious Servitor, J. H.

Ven., 12 Aug. 1621.

XXXVII.

To Captain Thomas Porter, from Venice. MY DEAR CAPTAIN,

AS I was going a-Shipboard in Alicantj a Letter of yours in Spanish came to hand : I discovered two Things in it, first, what a Master you are of that Language; then, how mindful you are of your Friend. For the first, I dare not correspond with you yet: for the second, I shall never come short of you, for I am as mindful of you as possibly you can be of me, and some Hours my Pulse doth not beat more often than my Memory runs on you, which is often enough in Conscience; for the Physicians hold, that in every well-dispos'd Body there be above 4000 Pulsations every Hour, and some Pulses have been known to beat above 30,000 times an Hour in acute Fevers.

I

Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 81

I umln-raml you are bound with a gallant Fleet for the Mfilitt-rniHt'iiti ; if you come to Alicant, I pray comnic-iul me to Fni/idsco Marco, my Landlord; he is a merry Drole and good Company : One Night when I was there, he sent his Boy with a Borracha of Leather under his Cloak for Wine; the Boy coming back about Ten a Clock, and pass- ing by the Guard, one asked him whether he carried any Weapons about him (for none must wear any Weapons there after Ten at Night). No, quoth the Boy, being pleasant, I have but a little Dagger. The Watch came and searched him, and finding the Borracho full of good Wine, drunk it all up, saying, Sirrah, yon know no Man must carry any Weapons so late; but because we know whose Servant you are, there's the Scabbard of your Dagger again ; and so threw him the empty Borracho. But another Passage pleased me better of Don Beltran de Rosa, who being to marry a rich Labrador's (a Yeoman's) Daughter hard-by, who was much importun'd by her Parents to the Match, because their Family should thereby be ennobled, he being a Cavalier of St. Jago ; the young Maid having understood that Don Beltran had been in Naples, and had that Disease about him, answerM wittily, En verdad por adobar me la Sangre, no quiero dannarmi la Carne : Truly, Sir, To better my Blood, I will not hurt my Flesh. I doubt I shall not be in England before you set out to Sea; if not, I take my leave of you in this Paper, and wish you a prosperous Voyage, and an honourable Return. It is the hearty Prayer of— Yours, J. H.

Vcn.> 21 Aug. 1621.

XXXVIII.

To Sir William St. John, Knight, from Rome. SIR,

HAVING seen Antenor's Tomb in Padua, and the Amphitheatre of Flaminius in Verona, with other brave Towns in Lombardyy I am now come to Rome ; and Rome, they say, is every Man's Country; she is called

p Communis

82 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

Communis Patria ; for everyone that is. within the Com- pass of the Latin Church finds himself here, as it were, at home, and in his Mother's House, in regard of Interest in Religion, which is the Cause that for one Native there be five Strangers that sojourn in this City ; and without any Distinction or Mark of Strangeness, they come to Prefer- ments and Offices both in Church and State, according to Merit, which is more valued and sought after here than anywhere.

But whereas I expected to have found Rome elevated upon seven Hills, I met her rather spreading upon a Flat, having humbled herself since she was made a Christian, and descended from those Hills to Campus Martins, with Traslevere, and the Suburbs of St. Peter; she hath yet in compass about fourteen Miles, which is far short of that vast Circuit she had in Claudius's Time : for Vopiscus writes, she was then of fifty Miles circumference, and she had five hundred thousand free Citizens, in a famous Cense that was made; which, allowing but six to every Family, in Women, Children, and Servants, came to three million of Souls: but she is now a Wilderness in comparison of that Number. The Pope is grown to be a great temporal Prince of late Years, for the State of the Church extends above 300 Miles in length, and 300 Miles in breadth ; it con- tains Ferrara, Bologna, Romagnia, the Marquisate of Ancona, Umlria, Sabina, Perugia, with a Part of Tuscany, the Patrimony, Rome herself, and Latium: In these there are above fifty Bishopricks; the Pope hath also the Duchy of Spoleto, and the Exarchate of Ravenna; he hath the Town of Benevento in the Kingdom of Naples, and the Country of Venisse, call'd Avignon in France; he hath title also good enough to Naples itself, but rather than offend his Champion the King of Spain, he is contented with a white Mule, and Purse of Pistoles about the Neck, which he receives every Year for a Herriot or Homage, or what you will call it: he pretends also to be Lord-Paramount of Sicily, Urhn, Parma, and Maseran, of Norway, Ireland,

and

Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 83

and England, since King John did prostrate our Crown at I'tunliilfo his Legate's Feet.

The State of the Apostolic See here in Italy lies betwixt two Seas, the Adriatic and the Tyrrhene ; and it runs thro* the midst of Italy, which makes the Pope powerful to do good or harm, and more capable than any other to be an Umpire or an Enemy. His Authority being mix'd betwixt Temporal and Spiritual, disperseth itself into so many Members, that a young Man may grow old here before he can well understand the Form of Government.

The Consistory of Cardinals meet but once a Week, and once a Week they solemnly wait all upon the Pope. I am told there are now in Christendom but sixty-eight Cardinals, whereof there are six Cardinal-Bishops, fifty-one Cardinal- Priests, and eleven Cardinal-Deacons : the Cardinal-Bishops attend and sit near the Pope, when he celebrates any Festival: the Cardinal-Priests assist him at Mass, and the Cardinal- Deacons attire him. A Cardinal is made by a short Breve or Writ from the Pope, in these Words : Creamus te Socium Re gibus, superior em Ducilus, & fratrem nostrum : We create thee a Companion to Kings, superior to Dukes, and our Brother. If a Cardinal-Bishop should be questioned for any Offence, there must be twenty-four Witnesses produc'd against him.

The Bishop of Ostia hath most Privilege of any other, for he consecrates and instals the Pope, and goes always next to him. All these Cardinals have the repute of Princes, and besides other Incomes, they have the Annats of Benefices to support their greatness.

For point of Power, the Pope is able to put 50,000 Men in the Field, in case of necessity, besides his naval strength in Gallies. We read how Paul III. sent Charles III. 12,000 Foot and 500 Horse. Pius V. sent a greater Aid to Charles IX. and for Riches, besides the temporal Dominions, he hath in all the Countries before-nam'd, the Datary or dis- patching of Bulls. The Triennial Subsidies, Annats, and other Ecclesiastic Rights mount to an unknown Sum ; and it is a common Saying here, That as long as the Pope can

finger

84 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book L

finger a Pen, he can want no Pence. Pius V., notwithstand- ing his Expences in Buildings, left four millions in the Castle of St. Angela, in less than five years, more I believe than this Gregory XV. will, for he hath many Nephews ; and better it is to be the Pope's Nephew than to be Favourite to any Prince in Christendom.

Touching the Temporal Government of Borne, and Op- pidan Affairs, there is a Pretor and some choice Citizens, who sit in the Capitol. Among other pieces of Policy, there is a Synagogue of Jews permitted here (as in other places of Italy) under the Pope's Nose, but they go with a mark of distinction in their Hats; they are tolerated for advantage of Commerce, wherein the Jews are wonderful dexterous, tho' most of them be only Brokers and Lom- lardeers; and they are held to be here, as the Cynic held Women to be, malum necessarium. There be few of the Romans that use to pray heartily for the Pope's long Life, in regard the oftner the Change is, the more advantageous it is for the City, because commonly it brings Strangers and a recruit of new People. The Air of Rome is not so whol- some as of old ; and among other Reasons, one is, because of the burning of Stubble to fatten their Fields. For her Antiquities, it would take up a whole Volume to write them ; those which I hold the chiefest are, Vespasian's Amphi- theatre, where eighty thousand People might sit; the Stoves of Anthony, divers rare Statues at Belveder and St. Peters, especially that of Laocoon, the Obelisk; for the Genius of the Roman hath always been much taken with Imagery, Limning, and Sculptures, insomuch that as in former times, so now, I believe the Statues and Pictures in Rome exceed the number of living People. One Antiquity, among others, is very remarkable, because of the change of Language ; which is an ancient Column erected as a Trophy for Duillius the Consul, after a famous naval Victory obtain'd against the Carthaginians in the second Punic War, where these words are engraven, and remain legible to this day : Exemet leco-inesMacistrates Castreis exf orient pugna?idod cepet enque,

navelos

Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 85

marld Consul, &c., and half a dozim lines after, it is call'd Cnhinum n'slnitit, having the Beaks and Prows of Ships engraven up and down; whereby it appears, that the Latin then spoken was much differing from that which was us'd in Cicero's time 150 years after. Since the dismem- bring of the Empire, Rome hath run thro' many vicissitudes and turns of Fortune ; And had it not been for the Residence of the Pope, I believe she had become a heap of Stones, a mount of Rubbish by this time; and howsoever that she bears up indifferent well, yet one may say:

Qui miseranda videt veteris vestigia Romae, 11U pofest merito dicere Roma fuit.

They who the Ruins of first Rome behold, May say, Rome is not now, but was of old.

Present Rome may be said to be but the Monument of Rome past, when she was in that flourish that St. Austin desir'd to see her in : She who tam'd the World, tam'd her- self at last, and falling under her own weight, fell to be a Prey to Time; yet there is a Providence seems to have a care of her still ; for tho' her Air be not so good, nor her circumjacent Soil so kindly as it was, yet she hath where- with to keep Life and Soul together still, by her Ecclesias- tical Courts, which is the sole cause of her peopling now. So it may be said, When the Pope came to be her Head, she was reduc'd to her first Principles; for as a Shepherd was Founder, so a Shepherd is still her Governor and Preserver. But whereas the French have an odd Saying, That

Jamais Cheval ny Homme, Samenda pour aller a Rome ;

NJer Horse or Man did mend, That unto Rome did wend.

Truly I must confess, that I find myself much better'd by it; for the sight of some of these Ruins did fill me with symptoms of Mortification, and made me more sensible of the frailty of all sublunary things, how all Bodies, as well

inanimate

86 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

inanimate as animate, are subject to dissolution and change, and everything else under the Moon, except the Love of — Your faithful Servitor, J- H.

13 Sept. 1621.

XXXIX.

To Sir T. H. Knight, from Naples. SIR,

I AM now in the gentle City of Naples, a City swelling with all Delight, Gallantry and Wealth; and truly, in my opinion, the King of Spain's Greatness appears here more eminently than in Spain itself. This is a delicate luxurious City, fuller of true-bred Cavaliers than any place I saw yet. The Clime is hot, and the Constitutions of the Inhabitants more hot.

• The Neapolitan is accounted the best Courtier of Ladies, and the greatest embracer of Pleasure of any other People: They say there are no less here than twenty thousand Cour- tesans registered in the Office of Savelli. This Kingdom, with Calabria, may be said to be the one moiety of Italy ; it extends itself 450 miles, and spreads in breadth 112; it contains 2700 Towns, it hath 20 Archbishops, 127 Bishops, 13 Princes, 24 Dukes, 25 Marquisses, and 800 Barons. There are 'three Presidial Castles in this City; and tho' the Kingdom abounds in rich staple Commodities, as Silks, Cottons, and Wine, and that there is a mighty Revenue comes to the Crown ; yet the King of Spain, when he casts up his account at the year's end, makes but little benefit thereof, for it is eaten up betwixt Governors, Garrisons, arid Officers. . He is forc'd to maintain 4000 Spanish Foot, call'd the Tercia of Naples ; in the Castles he hath 1600 in per- petual Garrison; he hath a thousand Men of Arms, 450 Light-Horse ; besides, there are five Footmen enroll'd for every hundred Fire : And he had need to do all this, to keep this voluptuous People in awe ; for the Story musters up seven and twenty famous Rebellions of the Neapolitans in less than 300 years ; but now they pay soundly for it, for

one

Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 87

one shall hear them groan up and down under the Spanish Yoke: And commonly the King of Spain sends some of his Grandees hither to repair their decay'd Fortunes ; whence the Saying sprung, That the Viceroy of Sicily gnaws, the Governor of Milan eats, but the Viceroy of Naples devours. Our English Merchants here bear a considerable Trade, and their Factors live in better Equipage, and in a more splendid manner than in all Italy besides, than their Masters* and Principals in London; they ruffle in Silks and Sattins, and wear good Spanish Leather-shoes, while their Master's Shoes upon our Exchange in London shine with blacking. At Puzzoli, not far off amongst the Grottes, there are so many strange stupendous things, that Nature herself seem'd to have study'd of purpose how to make herself there admir'd : I reserve the discoursing of them, with the nature of the Tarantola and Manna, which is gather'd here, and nowhere else, with other things, till I see you, for they are fitter for Discourses than a Letter. I will conclude with a Proverb they have in Italy for this People :

Napolitano

Largo di bocca, stretto dimano.

The Neapolitans

Have wide Mouths, but narrow Hands. ^

They make strong masculine Promises, but female Perfor- mances (Jof deeds are Men, but words are Women), and if in a wholefood of Compliments one find a drop of Reality, 'tis well. The first acceptance of a Courtesy is accounted the greatest Incivility that can be amongst them, and a ground for a Quarrel ; as I heard of a German Gentleman that was baffled for accepting only one Invitation to a Dinner. So, desiring to be preserved still in your good opinion, and in the rank of your Servants, I rest always most ready — At your disposing, , J. H.

i Octob. 1621.

XL.

88 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book L

XL.

To Christopher Jones, Esq.; at Gray's-Inn ; from Naples.

HONOURED FATHER,

I MUST still style you so, since I was adopted your Son by so good a Mother as Oxford: My Mind lately prompted me, that I should commit a great Solecism, if among the rest of my Friends in England I should leave you unsaluted, whom I love so dearly well, specially having such a fair and pregnant opportunity as the hand of this worthy Gentleman your Cousin Morgan, who is now post- ing hence for England. He will tell you how it fares with me; how any time these thirty odd Months I have been toss'd from shore to shore, and pass'd under various Meri- dians, and am now in this voluptuous and luxuriant City of Naples: And tho' these frequent removes and tumblings under Climes of differing Temper were not without some danger, yet the Delight which accompanied them was far greater ; and it is impossible for any Man to conceive the true pleasure of Peregrination but he who actually enjoys and puts it in practice. Believe it, Sir, that one year well em ploy Jd abroad by one of mature judgment (which you know I want very much) advantageth more in point of useful and solid Knowledge than three in any of our Uni- versities. You know running Waters are the purest, so they that traverse the World up and down have the clearest understanding; being faithful eye-witnesses of those things which others receive but in trust, whereunto they must yield an intuitive consent, and a kind of implicit Faith. When I pass'd thro' some parts of Lomlardy, among other things, I observ'd the Physiognomies and Complexions of the People, Men and Women ; and I thought I was in Wales, for divers of them have a cast of countenance and a nearer resem- blance with our Nation than any I ever saw yet : And the reason is obvious ; for the Romans having been near upon three hundred years among us, where they had four Legions

(before

i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 89

(before the l^n^lish Xation or Language had any being) by so long a coalition and tract of time, the two Nations must needs copulate and mix: insomuch that I believe there is yet remaining in Wales many of the Roman Race, and divers in Italy of the British. Among other resemblances, one was in their Prosody, and vein of Versifying or Rhym- ing, which is like our Bards, who hold Agnominations, and enforcing of consonant Words or Syllables one upon the other, to be the greatest Elegance. As, for Example, in Welsh, Tewgris, todyrris ty'r derryn, gwillt, &c., so have I seen divers old Rhymes in Italian running so: Donne, 0 danno, eke Felo ajfronto affronta : In selva salvo a me : Piu caro cuore, &c.

Being lately in Rome, among other Pasquils, I met with one that was against the Scots ; tho' it had some gaul in't, yet it had a great deal of wit, especially towards the Con- clusion : so that I think if K.James saw it, he would but laugh at it.

As I remember, some years since there was a very abusive Satire in Verse brought to our King ; and as the passages were a-reading before him he often said, That if there were no more Men in England, the Rogue should hang for it : At last being come to the Conclusion, which was (after all his Railing) —

Now God preserve the King, the Queen, the Peers, And grant the Author long may wear his Ears ;

this pleas' d his Majesty so well, that he broke into a laughter, and said, By my sol, so thou shall for me: Thou art a bitter, but thou art a witty Knave.

When you write to Monmouthshire, I pray send my respects to my Tutor, Master Moor Fortune, and my Service to Sir Charles Williams: And according to that Relation which was 'twixt us at Oxford, I rest — Your constant Son to serve you, J. H.

8 Octob. 1621.

XLI.

90 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

XLT.

To Sir J. C.jfrom Florence. SIR, 'THHIS Letter comes to kiss your Hands from fair Florence,

JL a City so beautiful, that the great Emperor Charles V. said, That she was Jilting to be shown and seen only upon Holidays: She marvailously flourisheth with Buildings, with Wealth and Artisans; for it is thought that in Serges, which is but one Commodity, there are made two millions every year. All degrees of People live here not only well, but splendidly well, notwithstanding the manifold Exactions of the Duke upon all things : For none can buy here Lands or Houses, but he must pay eight in the hundred to the Duke; none can hire or build a House, but he must pay the tenth Penny; none can marry or commence a Suit in Law, but there is a Fee to the Duke; none can bring as much as an Egg or Sallet to the Market, but the Duke hath share therein. Moreover, Ligorn, which is the Key of Tuscany, being a Maritime and a great Mercantile Town, hath mightily enrich'd this Country, by being a Frank Port to all Comers, and a safe Rendevouz to Pyrates as well as to Merchants. Add hereunto, that the Duke himself in some respect is a Merchant; for he sometimes ingrosseth all the Corn of the Country, and retails it at what rate he pleaseth. This enables the Duke to have perpetually 20,000 Men enrolPd, train'd up, and paid, and none but they can carry Arms; he hath 400 Light-Horse in constant pay, and 100 Men at Arms besides; and all these quartered in so narrow a compass, that he can command them all to Florence in twenty-fours hours. He hath twelve Gallies, two Galeons, and six Galeasses besides ; and his Gallies are calPd The Black Fleet, because they annoy the Turk more in the bottom of the Straits than any other.

This State is bound to keep good quarter with the Pope more than ethers; for all Tuscany is fenc'd by Nature her- self, I mean with Mountains, except towards the Territories

of

Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 91

of the Apostolic See, and the Sea itself: therefore it is call'd A Country of Iron.

The Duke's Palace is so spacious, that it occupieth the room of fifty Houses at least; yet tho' his Court surpasseth the bounds of a Duke's, it reacheth not to the Magnificence of a King's. The Pope was sollicited to make the Grand Duke a King, and he answered, That he was content he should be King in Tuscany, not of Tuscany; whereupon one of his Counsellors reply'd, That it was a more glorious thing to be a grand Duke, than a petty King.

Among other Cities which I desir'd to see in Italy , Genoa was one, where I lately was, and found her to be the proud- est for Buildings of any I met withal ; yet the People go the plainest of any other, and are also most parsimonious in their Diet: they are the subtillest, I will not say the most subdolous Dealers : they are wonderful wealthy, specially in Money. In the year 1600, the King of Spain owed them eighteen Millions, and they say it is double as much now.

From the time they began to finger the Indian Gold, and that this Town hath been the Scale by which he hath conveyed his Treasure to Flanders, since the Wars in the Netherlands, for the support of his Armies, and that she hath got some Privileges for the exportation of Wools and other Commodities (prohibited to others) out of Spain, she hath improv'd extremely in Riches, and made St. George's Mount swell higher than St. Mark's in Venice.

She hath been often ill-favouredly shaken by the Vene- tian, and hath had other Enemies, which have put her to hard shifts for her own defence, specially in the time of Lewis XI. of France; at which time, when she would have given herself up to him for Protection, K. Lewis being told that Genoa was content to be his, he answer'd, She should not be his long, for he would give her up to the Devil, and rid his hands of her.

Indeed the Genowaies have not the Fortune to be so well belov'd as other People in Italy ; which proceeds, I believe, from their Cunningness and Over-reachings in bargaining,

wherein

92 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

wherein they have something of the Jew. The Duke is there but Biennial, being chang'd every two years : He hath fifty Germans for his Guard. There be four Centurions that have two Men a-piece, which upon occasions attend the Signory abroad, in Velvet Coats ; there be eight Chief Governors, and four hundred Counsellors, among whom there be five Sovereign Syndics, who have authority to cen- sure the Duke himself, his time being expir'd, and punish any Governor else, tho' after Death, upon the Heir.

Among other Customs they have in that Town, one is, That none must carry a pointed Knife about him ; which makes the Hollander, who is us'd to Snik and S?iee, to leave his Horn-sheath and Knife a Ship-board when he comes ashore. I met not with an Englishman in all the Town ; nor could I learn of any Factor of ours that ever resided here.

There is a notable little active Republic towards the midst of Tuscany, call'd Lucca, which in regard she is under the Emperor's Protection, he dares not meddle withal, tho' she lie as a Partridge under a Faulcon's Wings, in relation to the Grand Duke: besides, there is another reason of State, why he meddles not with her, because she is more beneficial to him now that she is free, and more industrious to support this freedom, than if she were become his Vassal ; for then it is probable she would grow more careless and idle, and so could not vent his Commodities so soon, which she buys for ready Money, wherein most of her Wealth consists. There is no State that winds the Penny more nimbly, and makes quicker Returns.

She hath a Council call'd the Discoli, which pries into the profession and life of every one, and once a year they rid the State of all Vagabonds : So that this petty pretty Republic may not be improperly parallel'd to a Hive of Bees, which have been always the emblems of Industry and Order.

In this splendid City of Florence, there be many Rarities, which if I should insert in this Letter, it would make her swell too big ; and indeed they are fitted for Parol

Communication

Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 93

Communication. Here is the prime Dialect of the Italian spoken, tho' the Pronunciation be a little more guttural than that of Sienna, and that of the Court of Rome } which occa- sions the Proverb :

Lingua Toscana in bocca Romana. The Tuscan Tongue sounds best in a Roman Mouth.

The People here generally seem to be more generous, and of a higher comportment than elsewhere, very cautious and circumspect in their Negotiation ; whence ariseth the Proverb:

Chi ha da far con Tosco, Non bisogna che sia Losco.

Who dealeth with a Florentine, Must have the use of both his Ey'n.

I shall bid Italy farewell now very shortly, and make my way o'er the Alps to France, and so home by God's Grace, to make a review of my Friends in England; among whom the sight of yourself will be as gladsome to me as of any other: for I profess myself, and purpose to be ever — Your thrice affectionate Servitor, J. H.

i Nov. 1621.

XLII.

To Capt. Francis Bacon,yrom Turin. SIR,

I AM now upon point of shaking hands with Italy ; for I am come to Turin, having already seen Venice the rich, Padua the Learned, Bologna the Fat, Rome the Holy, Naples the Gentle, Genoa the Proud, Florence the Fair, and Milan the Great; from this last I came hither, and in that City also appears the Grandeur of Spain's Monarchy very much: The Governor of Milan is always Captain-General of the Cavalry to the King of Spain throughout Italy. The Duke of Feria is now Governor; and being brought to kiss his Hands, he us'd me with extraordinary Respect, as he doth all of our Nation, by being by maternal Side a Dormer.

The

94

FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

The Spaniard entertains there also 3000 Foot, 1000 Light- Horse, and 600 Men at Arms in perpetual Pay ; so that I believe the Benefit of that Dutchy also, tho' seated in the richest Soil of Italy, hardly countervails the Charge. Three Things are admir'd in Milan, the Dome or great Church (built all of white Marble, within and without), the Hospital, and the Castle, by which the Citadel of Antwerp was traced, and is the best-condition'd Fortress of Christendom; tho5 Nova Palma, a late Fortress of the Venetian, would go beyond it; which is built according to the exact Rules of the most modern Enginry, being of a round Form, with nine Bastions, and a Street level to every Bastion.

The Duke of Savoy, tho' he pass for one of the Princes of Italy, yet the least Part of his Territories lie there, being squander'd up and down amongst the Alps; but as much as he hath in Italy, which is Piedmont, is as well peopled, and passing good Country.

The Duke of Savoy, Emanuel, is accounted to be of the antientest and purest Extraction of any Prince in Europe ; and his Knights also of the Annunciade to be one of the antientest Orders : tho' this present Duke be little in Stature, yet he is of a lofty Spirit, and one of the best Soldiers now living ; and tho' he be valiant enough, yet he knows how to patch the Lion's Skin with the Fox's Tail. And whosoever is Duke of Savoy had need be cunning, and more than any other Prince; in regard, that lying between two potent Neighbours, the French and the Spaniard, he must comply with both.

Before I wean myself from Italy, a Word or two touching the Genius of the Nation. I find the Italian a Degree higher in Compliment than the French; he is longer and more grave in the Delivery of it, and more prodigal of Words; insomuch, that if one were to be worded to death, Italian is the fittest Language, in regard of the Fluency and Softness of it : for thro'out the whole Body of it, you have not a Word ends with a Consonant, except fome few mono- syllable Conjunctions and Prepositions, and this renders the

Speech

Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 95

Speech more smooth ; which made one say, That when the Confusion of Tongues happened at the hii/ding of the Tower of Baln-1, // ///(• Italian had been there, Nimrod had made him a Plaisterer. They are generally indulgent of them- si-lvcs, and great Embracers of Pleasure, which may proceed from the luscious rich Wines, and luxurious Food, Fruits, and Roots, wherewith the Country abounds; insomuch, that in some Places, Nature may be said to be, Lena sui, A Bawd to herself. The Cardinal de Mediciss Rule is of much Authority among them, That there is no Religion under the Navel. And some of them are of the Opinion ot the Asians, who hold, that touching those natural Passions, Desires, and Motions, which run up and down in the Blood, God Almighty, and his Handmaid Nature, did not intend they should be a Torment to us, but be used with Comfort and Delight. To conclude, in Italy there be Virtutes magnce, nee minora Villa ; Great Virtues, and no less Vices.

So, with a Tender of my most affectionate Respects unto you, I rest — Your humble Servitor, J. H.

30 Nov. 1621.

XLIII.

To Sir J. H.jfrom Lions. SIR,

I AM now got over the Alps, and returned to France ; I had crossed and clambered up the Pyreneans to Spain before; they are not so high and hideous as the Alps ; but for our Mountains in Wales, as Eppint and Penwinmaur, which are so much cry'd up among us, they are Molehills in comparison of these ; they are but Pigmies compared to (Hants, but Blisters compar'd to Imposthumes, or Pimples to Warts. Besides, our Mountains in IVales bear alway something useful to Man or Beast, some Grass at least ; but these uncouth huge monstrous Excrescences of Nature bear nothing (most of them) but craggy Stones : the Tops of some of them are blanched over all the Year long with Snows; and the People who dwell in the Valleys, drinking,

for

96 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

for want of other, this Snow- Water, are subject to a strange Swelling in the Throat, called Goytre, which is common among them.

As I scaPd the Alps, my Thoughts reflected upon Hanni- bal, who with Vinegar and Strong Waters did eat out a Passage thro' those Hills ; but of late Years they have found a speedier Way to do it by Gunpowder.

Being at Turin, I was by some Disaster brought to an extreme low Ebb in Money, so that I was forced to foot it along with some Pilgrims, and with gentle Pace and easy Journeys, to climb up those Hills, till I came to this Town of Lions, where a Countryman of ours, one Mr. Lewis, whom I knew in Alicant, lives Factor; so that now I want not anything for my Accommodation.

This is a stately rich Town, and a renowned Mart for the Silks of Italy, and other Levantine Commodities, and a great Bank for Money, and indeed the greatest of France. Before this Bank was founded, which was by Henry I., France had but little Gold and Silver ; insomuch that we read how King John, their Captive King, could not in four Years raise sixty thousand Crowns to pay his Ransom to our King Edward : And St. Lewis was in the same Case when he was Prisoner in Egypt, where he had left the Sacrament for a Gage. But after this Bank was erected, it fill'd France full of Money ; they of Lucca, Florence, and Genoa, with the Venetian, got quickly over the Hills, and brought their Moneys hither, to get Twelve in the Hundred Profit; which was the Interest at first, tho' it be now much lower.

In this great mercantil Town there be two deep navi- gable Rivers, the Rhone and the Sone ; the one hath a swift rapid Course, the other slow and smooth : And one Day, as I walk'd upon their Banks, and observed so much Differ- ence in their Course, I fell into a Contemplation of the Humours of the French and Spaniard, how they might be not improperly compar'd to these Rivers ; the French to the swift, the Spaniard to the slow River.

I

Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 97

I shall write you no more Letters, until I present myself to you for a speaking Letter, which I shall do as soon as I may tread London Stones. — Your affectionate Servitor,

J. H.

6 Nov. 1621.

XLIV.

To Mr. Tho. Bowyer,yrom Lions.

BEING so near the Lake of Geneva, Curiosity would carry any one to see it: The Inhabitants of that Town, methinks, are made of another Paste, differing from the affable Nature of those People I had convers'd withal formerly; they have one Policy, lest that their petty Re- public should be pester' d with Fugitives ; their Law is, That what Stranger soever flies thither for Sanctuary, he is punish- able there in the same Degree as in the Country where he committed the Offence.

Geneva is governed by four Syndics, and four hundred Senators: She lies like a Bone 'twixt three Mastiffs, the Emperor, the French King, and the Duke of Savoy: they all three look upon the Bone, but neither of them dare touch it singly, for fear the other two would fly upon him. But they say the Savoyard hath the justest Title ; for there are Imperial Records extant, That altho' the Bishops of Geneva were Lords Spiritual and Temporal, yet they should acknow- ledge the Duke of Savoy for their Superior. This Man's Ancestors went frequently to the Town, and the Keys were presently tender'd to them. But since Calvin's Time, who had been once banish'd, and then call'd in again, which made him to apply that Speech to himself, That the Stone which the Builders refused is become the Head-stone of the Corner ; I say, since they were refin'd by Calvin, they seem to shun and scorn all the World besides, being cast, as it were, into another Mould, which hath quite alter'd their very natural Disposition in point of Moral Society.

Before I part with this famous City of Lions, I will relate to you a wonderful strange Accident that happen'd here

G not

98 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book /.

not many Years ago. There is an Officer call'd Le Cheva- lier du Guet, who is a kind of Night-guard here, as well as in Paris ; and his Lieutenant, called Jaquette, having supp'd one Night in a rich Merchant's House, as he was passing the Round afterwards, he said, / wonder what I have eaten and drank at the Merchant's House, for I Jlnd myself so hot, that if I meet with the Devil's Dam to-night, I should not forbear using of her. Hereupon, a little after, he overtook a young Gentlewoman mask'd, whom he would needs usher to her Lodging, but discharged all his Watch, except two; she brought him, to his thinking, to a little low Lodging hard by the City- Wall, where there were only two Rooms: and after he had enjoy'd her, he desir'd that, according to the Custom of French Gentlemen, his two Comrades might partake also of the same Pleasure ; so she admitted them one after the other: And when all this was done, as they sat together, she told them, if they knew who she was, none of them would have ventured upon her ; thereupon she whistled three times, and all vanished. The next Morning, the two Soldiers that had gone with Lieutenant Jaquette were found dead under the City-Wall, amongst the Ordure and Excrements, and Jaquette himself a little way off half- dead, who was taken up, and coming to himself again, con- fess'd all this, but dy'd presently after.

The next Week I am to go down the Loire towards Paris, and thence as soon as I can for England, where, among the rest of my Friends, whom I so much long to see after this triennial Separation, you are like to be one of my first Objects. In the meantime I wish the same Happiness may attend you at home as I desire to attend me homeward; for I am — Truly yours, j £j

5 Dec. 1621.

SECTION

SECTION I I.

I.

To my Father. SIR,

IT hath pleased God, after almost three years' Peregri- nation by Land and Sea, to bring me back safely to London ; but altho' I am come safely, I am come sickly : For when I landed in Venice, after so long a Sea- Voyage from Spain, I was afraid the same Defluxion of salt Rheum which fell from my Temples into my Throat in Oxford, and distilling upon the Uvula impeach'd my Utterance a little to this day, had found the same channel again ; which caused me to have an Issue made in my Left Arm for the Diversion of the Humour. I was well ever after till I came to Rouen, and there I fell sick of a Pain in the Head, which, with the Issue, I have carry'd with me to England. Dr. Harvey, who is my Physician, tells me, that it may turn to a Consumption, therefore he hath stopped the Issue, telling me there is no danger at all in it, in regard I have not worn it a full twelvemonth. My Brother, I thank him, hath been very careful of me in this my sickness, and hath come often to visit me : I thank God I have pass'd the brunt of it, and am recovering and picking up my Crums apace. There is a flaunting French Ambassador come over lately, and I believe his Errand is nought else but Compliment; for the King of France being lately at Calais, and so in sight of England, he sent his Ambassador, M. Cadenet, expresly to visit our King: He had Audience two days since, where he, with his Train of ruffling long- hair'd Monsieurs, carry'd himself in such a light Garb, that after the Audience the King askM my Lord Keeper Bacon what he thought of the French Ambassador: He answered, That he was a tall proper Man. Ay, his Majesty reply'd,

but

ioo FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book /.

but what think you of his Head-piece ? Is he a proper Man for the Office of an Ambassador? Sir, said Bacon, Tall Men are like high Houses of four or jive Stories, wherein commonly the uppermost Room is worst furnish? d.

So, desiring my Brothers and Sisters, with the rest of my Cousins and Friends in the Country, may be acquainted with my safe return to England, and that you would please to let me hear from you by the next Conveniency, I rest — Your dutiful Son, J. H.

Lond., 2 Feb. 1621.

II.

To Rich. Altham, Esq. ; at Norberry. LVE pars animce dimidiata mece ; Hail, half my Soul, my dear Dick, 8cc. I was no sooner return'd to the sweet Bosom of England, and had breath'd the Smoke of this Town, but my Memory ran suddenly on you ; the Idea of you hath almost ever since so fill'd up and engross'd my Imagination, that I can think on nothing else ; the Love of you swells both in my Breast and Brain with such a pregnancy, that nothing can deliver me of this violent high Passion but the sight of you : Let me despair if I lye, there was never Female long'd more after anything by reason of her growing Emlryon than I do for your Presence. Therefore I pray you make haste to save my Longing, and tantalize me no longer ('tis but three hours' riding), for the sight of you will be more precious to me than any one Object I have seen (and I have seen many rare ones) in all my three years' Travel; and if you take this for a Com- pliment (because I am newly come from France) you are much mistaken in — Yours, T jj

Lond., i Feb. 1621.

III.

To D. Caldwall, Esq. ; at Battersay. MY DEAR DAN,

I AM come at last to London, but not without some danger, and thro' divers difficulties; for I fell sick in

France,

Sect. 2. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 101

l-'rance, and came so over to Kent : And my Journey from the Seaside hither was more tedious to me than from Rome to Rouen, where I grew first indisposed ; and in good faith, I cannot remember anything to this hour how I came from Gravesend hither, I was so stupify'd, and had lost the knowledge of all things; but I am come to myself indifferently well since, I thank God for it, and you cannot imagine how much the Sight of you, much more your Society, would revive me : Your Presence would be a Cordial to me more restorative than exalted Gold, more precious than the Powder of Pearl ; whereas your Absence, if it continue long, will prove to me like the dust of Diamonds, which is incurable Poison. I pray be not accessary to my death, but hasten to comfort your so long weather-beaten Friend — Yours, J. H.

Lond., i Feb. 1621.

IV. To Sir James Crofts, at the Lord Darcy's in St. Osith.

SIR,

I AM got again safely to this side of the Sea, and tho* I was in a very sickly case when I first arriv'd, yet thanks be to God I am upon point of perfect recovery, whereunto the sucking in of English Air, and the sight of some Friends, conduc'd not a little.

There is fearful News come from Germany ; you know how the Bohemians shook off the Emperor's Yoke, and how the great Council of Prague fell to such a hurly-burly, that some of the Imperial Counsellors were hurl'd out at the Windows: You heard also, I doubt not, how they offered the Crown to the Duke of Saxony, and he waving it, they sent Ambassadors to the Palsgrave, whom they thought might prove par negotio, and to be able to go thro* stitch with the work, in regard of his powerful Alliance, the King of Great Britain being his Father-in-Law, the K. of Denmark, the Pr. of Orange, the Marq. of Brandenburg, the D. of Bouil- lon his Uncles, the States of Holland his Confederates, the

French

102 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book L

French King his Friend, and the D. of Brunswick his near Ally: The Prince Palsgrave made some difficulty at first, and most of his Counsellors opposed it ; others incited him to it, and among other hortatives, they told him, That if he had the Courage to venture upon a King of England's sole Daughter, he might very well venture upon a sovereign Crown when it was tenderd him. Add hereunto, that the States of Hollanddid mainly advance the Work, and there was good reason in policy for it; for their twelve years' Truce being then upon point of expiring with Spain, and finding our King so wedded to Peace, that nothing could divorce him from it, they lighted upon this design to make him draw his Sword, and engage him against the House of Austria for the defence of his sole Daughter and his Grand- children. What his Majesty will do hereafter I will not presume to foretell ; but hitherto he hath given little counte- nance to the business, nay he utterly mislik'd it at first; for whereas Dr. Hall gave the Prince Palsgrave the title of K. of Bohemia in his Pulpit-Prayer, he had a check for his pains ; for I heard his Majesty should say, That there is an implicit Tie among Kings, which obligeth them, tho' there be no other interest or particular engagement, to stick to and right one another upon an insurrection of Subjects; therefore he had more reason to be against the Bohemians than to adhere to them in the deposition of their Sovereign Prince. The King of Denmark sings the same Note, nor will he also allow him the appellation of King. But the fearful News I told you of at the beginning of this Letter is, that there are fresh Tidings brought how the Prince Palsgrave had a well-appointed Army of about 25,000 Horse and Foot near Prague ; but the Duke of Bavaria came with scarce half the Number, and notwithstanding his long March, gave them a sudden Battle, and utterly routed them : Insomuch that the new King of Bohemia, having not worn the Crown a whole twelvemonth, was forc'd to fly with his Queen and Children; and after many Difficulties, they write, that they are come to the Castle of Castrein,

the

Sect. 2. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 103

the Duke of Brandenburg's Country, his Uncle. This News affects both Court and City here with much heaviness.

I send you my humble thanks for the noble Correspon- dence you were pleased to hold with me Abroad ; and I desire to know by the next when you come to London, that I may have the comfort of the sight of you, after so long an Absence — Your true Servitor, J. H.

i Mar. 1621.

V.

To Dr. Fr. Mansell, at All-Souls' in Oxford.

I AM returned safe from my foreign Employment, from my three years' Travel ; I did my best to make what Advantage I could of the time, tho' not so much as I should ; for I find that Peregrination (well us'd) is a very profitable School ; it is a running Academy, and nothing conduceth more to the building up and perfecting of a Man. Your honourable Uncle Sir Robert Mansel, who is now in the Mediterranean, hath been very notable to me, and I shall ever acknowledge a good part of my Education from him. He hath melted vast Sums of Money in the Glass- business, a Business indeed more proper for a Merchant than a Courtier. I heard the King should say, That he wonder' d Eolin Mansel, being a Seaman, whereby he hath got so much Honour, should fall from Water to tamper with Fire, which are two contrary Elements. My Father fears that this Glass-employment will be too brittle a Foundation for me to build a Fortune upon ; and Sir Robert being now at my coming back so far at Sea, and his Return uncertain, my Father hath advis'd me to hearken after some other Condition. I attempted to go Secretary to Sir John Ayres to Constantinople, but I came too late. You have got your- self a great deal of good Reputation by the voluntary Resignation you made of the Principality of Jesus College to Sir Eulule Theolall, in hope that he will be a consider- able Benefactor to it. I pray God he perform what he

promiseth

. IO4 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

promiseth, and that he be not over-partial to North-Wales Men. Now that I give you the first Summon, I pray you make me happy with your Correspondence by Letters; there is no Excuse or Impediment at all left now, for you are sure where to find me; whereas I was a Landloper, as the Dutchman saith, a wanderer, and subject to incertain removes, and short sojourns in divers places before. So, with Apprecation of all Happiness to you here and hereafter, I rest — At your friendly dispose, J. H.

5 Mar. 1618.

VI.

To Sir Eubule Theolall, Knight, and Principal of

Jesus College in Oxford. SIR,

I SEND you most due and humble thanks, that notwith- standing I have play'd the truant, and been absent so long from Oxford, you have been pleas'd lately to make choice of me to be Fellow of your new Foundation in Jesus College, whereof I was once a Member. As the quality of my Fortunes, and course of Life, run now, I cannot make present use of this your great Favour, or Promotion rather; yet I do highly value it, and humbly accept of it, and intend by your Permission to reserve and lay it by, as a good warm Garment, against rough Weather, if any fall on me. With this my expression of Thankfulness, I do congratulate the great honour you have purchas'd both by your own beneficence, and by your painful endeavour, besides, to perfect that national College, which hereafter is like to be a Monument of your Fame, as well as a Semin- ary of Learning, and will perpetuate your Memory to all Posterity.

God Almighty prosper and perfect your undertakings, and provide for you in Heaven those rewards which such publick works of Piety use to be crown3 d withal ; it is the Appreca- tion of — Your truly devoted Servitor, J. H.

London, idibus Mar. 1621.

VII.

Sect. 2. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 105

VII.

To my Father. SIR,

A CCORDING to the Advice you sent me in your last, Ji\ while I sought after a new course of Employment, a new Employment hath lately sought after me; my Lord Suruge hath two young Gentlemen to his Sons, and I am to go travel with them : Sir James Crofts (who so much respects you) was the main Agent in this business, and I am to go shortly to Long-Melford in Suffolk, and thence to St. Osith in Essex to the Lord Darcy. Q. Anne is lately dead of a Dropsy in Denmark- House; which is held to be one of the fatal Events that follow'd the last fearful Comet that rose in the Tail of the Constellation of Virgo ; which some Ignorant Astronomers that write of it would fix in the Heavens, and that as far above the Orb of the Moon as the Moon is from the Earth : but this is nothing in com- parison of those hideous Fires that are kindled in Germany, blown first by the Bohemians, which is like to be a War without end ; for the whole House of Austria is interested in the Quarrel, and it is not the custom of that House to set by any Affront, or forget it quickly. Q. Anne left a world of brave Jewels behind, but one Piero, an outlandish Man, who had the keeping of them, embezzled many, and is run away ; she left all she had to Prince Charles, whom she ever lov'd best of all her Children; nor do I hear of any Legacy she left at all to her Daughter in Germany : for that Match, some say, lessened something of her Affec- tion towards her ever since, so that she would often call her Goody Palsgrave; nor could she abide Secretary Win- wood ever after, who was one of the chiefest instruments to bring that Match about, as also for the rendition of the Cautionary Towns in the Low Countries, Flushing and Brill, with the Rammakins. I was lately with Sir John Walter and others of your Counsel about Law-business; and some of them told me that Master J. Lloyd, your

Adversary,

io6 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

Adversary, is one of the shrewdest Solicitors in all the thirteen Shires of Wales, being so habituated to Law-suits and Wrangling, that he knows any of the least starting- holes in every Court: I could wish you had made a fair end with him ; for besides the cumber and trouble, especially to those that dwell at such a huge distance from West- minster-Hall as you do, Law is a shrewd Pick-purse, and the Lawyer, as I heard one say wittily not long since, is like a Christmas-box, which is sure to get, whosoever loseth.

So, with the continuance of my due and daily Prayers for your health; with my love to my Brothers and Sisters, I rest — Your dutiful Son, J. H.

20 Mar. 1618.

VIII.

To Dan. Caldwall, Esq. ; from the Lord Savage's House

in Long-Melford. MY DEAR DAN,

THO', considering my former condition of Life, I may now be calPd a Countryman, yet you cannot call me a Rustic (as you would imply in your Letter) as long as I live in so civil and noble a Family, as long as I lodge in so vertuous and regular a House as any I believe in the Land, both for ceconomicall Government, and the choice Company; for I never saw yet such a dainty Race of Children in all my life together ; I never saw yet such an orderly and punctual attendance of Servants, nor a great House so neatly kept ; here one shall see no dog, nor a cat, nor cage to cause any nastiness within the body of the House. The Kitchen and Gutters and other Offices of noise and drudgery are at the fag-end ; there's a Back-gate for the Beggars and the meaner sort of Swains to come in at ; the Stables butt upon the Park, which, for a chearful rising Ground, for Groves and Browsings for the Deer, for rivulets of Water, may compare with any for its highness in the whole Land ; it is opposite to the front of the great

House,

Sect. 2. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 107

House, whence from the Gallery one may see much of the Game when they are a-hunting. Now for the Gardening and costly choice Flowers, for Ponds, for stately large Walks, green and gravelly, for Orchards and choice Fruits of all sorts, there are few the like in England: here you have your Bon Christian Pear and Bergamot in perfection, your Muscadell Grapes in such plenty, that there are some Bottles of Wine sent every year to the King ; and one Mr. Daniel, a worthy Gentleman hard by, who hath been long abroad, makes good store in his Vintage. Truly this House of Long-Melford, tho' it be not so great, yet it is so well compacted and contrived with such dainty Conveniences every way, that if you saw the Landskip of it, you would be mightily taken with it, and it would serve for a choice Pattern to build and contrive a House by. If you come this Summer to your Manor of Sheriff in Essex, you will not be far off hence ; if your occasions will permit, it will be worth your coming hither, tho' it be only to see him who would think it a short Journey to go from St. David's- Head to Dover Cliffs to see and serve you, were there occa- sion : If you would know who the same is, 'tis — Yours,

J.H. 20 May 1619.

IX.

To Robert Brown, Esq. SIR,

one Courtesy is a good Usher to bring on another; therefore it is my Policy at this time to thank you most heartily for your late copious Letter, to draw on a second : I say, I thank you a thousand times over for yours of the 3d of this present, which abounded with such variety of News, and ample well-couch'd Rela- tions, that I made many Friends by it; yet I am sorry for the quality of some of your News, that Sir Robert Mansel being now in the Mediterranean with a considerable naval strength of ours against the Moors, to do the Spaniard a pleasure, Marquis Spinola should, in a hogling way, change

his

io8 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

his Master for the time, and taking Commission from the Emperor, become his Servant for invading the Palatinate with the Forces of the King of Spain in the Netherlands. I am sorry also the Princes of the Union should be so stupid as to suffer him to take Qppenheim by a Parthian kind of back Stratagem, in appearing before the Town, and making semblance afterwards to go to Worms; and then perceiving the Forces of the United Provinces, to go for succouring of that, to turn back and take the Town he intended first, whereby I fear he will be quickly master of the rest. Surely I believe there may be some treachery in't, and that the Marquis of Anspach, the General, was over- come by Pistols made of Indian Ingots, rather than of Steel ; else an Army of 40,000, which he had under his Command, might have made its Party good against Spinolas less than 20,000, tho' never such choice Veterans. But what will not Gold do ? It will make a Pigmy too hard for a Giant. There's no fence or fortress against an Ass laden with Gold. It was the saying, you know, of his Father, whom partial and ignorant Antiquity cries up to have conquered the World, and that he sigh'd there were no more Worlds to conquer, tho7 he had never one of the three old parts of the then known World entirely to himself. I desire to know what is become of that handful of Men his Majesty sent to Germany under Sir Horace Fere, which he was bound to do; as he is one of the Protestant Princes of the Union ; and what's become of Sir Arthur Chichester, who is gone Ambassador to those Parts ?

Dear Sir, I pray make me happy still with your Letters ; it is a mighty pleasure for us Country-folks to hear how matters pass in London and Abroad : You know I have not the Opportunity to correspond with you in like kind, but may happily hereafter when the tables are turned, when I am in London, and you in the West. Whereas you are desirous to hear how it fares with me, I pray know that I live in one of the noblest Houses and best Air of England: There is a dainty Park adjoining, where I often wander up

and

Sect. 2. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 109

and down, and I have my several Walks. I make one to represent the Royal Exchange, the other the middle Isle of Paul's, another Westminister-kail: and when I pass thro' the herd of Deer, methinks I am in Cheapside. So, with a full return of the same measure of Love as you pleas'd to send me, I rest — Yours, J. H.

24 May 1622.

X.

To R. Altham, Esq. ; from St. Osith. SIR,

E"E itself is not so dear to me as your Friendship, nor Virtue in her best Colours as precious as your Love, which was lately so lively pourtrayM unto me in yours of the 5th of this present. Methinks your Letter was like a piece of Tissue richly embroider'd with rare Flowers up and down, with curious Representations, and Landskips: Albeit I have as much stuff as you of this kind (I mean matter of Love), yet I want such a Loom to work it upon ; I cannot draw it to such a curious Web; therefore you must be content with homely Polldavie Ware from me, for you must not expect from us Country-folks such Urbanities and quaint Invention, that you, who are daily conversant with the Wits of the Court, and of the Inns of Court, abound withal.

Touching your Intention to travel beyond the Seas the next Spring, and the Intimation you make how happy you would be in my Company ; I let you know that I am glad of the one, and much thank you for the other, and will think upon it, but I cannot resolve yet upon anything. I am now here at the Earl Rivers', a noble and great-knowing Lord, who hath seen much of the World abroad ; my Lady Savage, his Daughter, is also here with divers of her Chil- dren : I hope this Hilary Term to be merry in London, and among other to re-enjoy your Conversation principally, for I esteem the society of no soul upon Earth more than yours: Till then I bid you farewell, and as the Season

invites

no

FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

invites me, I wish you a merry Christmas, resting— Yours

while J- HOWELL. 20 Dec. 1622.

XL

To Captain Tho. Porter, upon his Return from Algier

Voyage. NOBLE CAPTAIN,

I CONGRATULATE your safe Return from the Straits, but am sorry you were so streightned in your Commis- sion, that you could not attempt what such a brave naval Power of twenty Men of War, such a gallant General, and other choice knowing Commanders might have performed, if they had had Line enough. I know the Lightness and Nimble- ness of Algier Ships ; when I liv'd lately in Alicant and other places upon the Mediterranean, we should every Week hear some of them chas'd, but very seldom taken ; for a great Ship following one of them, may be said to be as a Mastiff Dog running after a Hare. I wonder the Spaniard came short of the promised Supply for furtherance of that noble adventurous Design you had to fire the Ships and Gallies in Algiers Road : And according to the Rela- tion you pleas'd to send me, it was one of the bravest Enter- prizes, and had prov'd such a glorious Exploit that no Story could have parallel'd; but it seems their Hoggies, Magi- cians, and Maribots were tampering with the ill Spirits of the Air all the while, which brought down such a still Cataract of Rain-waters suddenly upon you, to hinder the working of your Fire-works ; such a Disaster the Story tells us, befell Charles the Emperor, but far worse than yours, for he lost Ships and multitudes of Men, who were made Slaves, but you came off with loss of eight Men only, and Algier is anotherghess thing now than she was then, being I believe an hundred degrees stronger by Land and Sea; and for the latter strength we may thank our Countryman Ward, and Danskey the Butterbag Hollander, who may be said to have been two of the fatalest and most infamous Men that ever

Christendom

Sect. 2. FAMILIAR LETTERS. in

Christendom bred ; for the one taking all Englishmen, and the other all Dutchmen, and bringing the Ships and Ord- nance to Algier, they may be said to have been the chief raisers of those Picaroons to be Pirates, who are now come to that height of strength, that they daily endamage and affront all Christendom. When I consider all the circumstances and success of this your Voyage, when I consider the nar- rowness of your Commission, which was as lame as the Clerk that kept it; when I find that you secur'd the Seas and Traffick all the while, for I did not hear of one Ship taken while you were abroad ; when I hear how you brought back all the Fleet without the least disgrace or damage by Foe or foul Weather to any Ship; I conclude, and so do far better Judgments than mine, that you did what possibly could be done: let those that repine at the one in the hundred (which was impos'd upon all the Levant Merchants for the support of this Fleet) mutter what they will, that you went first to Gravesend, then to the Land's-end, and after to no end.

I have sent you for your welcome home (in part) two Barrels of Cole/tester Oysters, which were provided for my Lord Colchester himself; therefore I presume they are good, and all green-finn'd ; I shall shortly follow, but not to stay- long in England, for I think I must over again speedily to push on my Fortunes : So, my dear Tom, I am de todas mis entranas, from the center of my heart, I am — Yours,

J. H. St. Osith, Dec. 1622.

XII.

To my Father, upon my secojid going to travel. SIR,

I AM lately returned to London, having been all this while in a very noble Family in the Country, where I found far greater Respects than I deserv'd; I was to go with two of my Lord Savage's Sons to travel, but finding myself too young for such a Charge, and our Religion differing, I have now made choice to go over Comrade to

a

H2 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

a very worthy Gentleman, Baron Altham's Son, whom I knew in Staines, when my Brother was there. Truly, I hold him to be one of the hopefulest young Men of this Kingdom for Parts and Person ; he is full of excellent solid Knowledge, as the Mathematics, the Law, and other mate- rial Studies : besides, I should have been ty'd to have staid three years abroad in the other Employment at least, but I hope to get back from this by God's Grace before a Year be at an end, at which time I hope the Hand of Providence will settle me in some stable home-fortune.

The News is, that the Prince Palsgrave, with his Lady and Children, are come to the Hague in Holland, having made a long Progress or rather a Pilgrimage about Germany from Prague. The old D. of Bavaria's Uncle is chosen Elec- tor and Arch-sewer of the Roman Empire in his place (but, as they say, in an imperfect Diet], and with this Proviso, that the transferring of this Election upon the Bavarian shall not prejudice the next Heir. There is one Count Mansfelt that begins to get a great Name in Germany, and he, with the D. of Brunswick, who is a Temporal Bishop of Halverstade, have a considerable Army on foot for the Lady Elizabeth, who, in the Low Countries and some parts of Germany, is calPd the Queen of Boheme, and for her winning princely comportment, The Queen of Hearts. Sir Arthur Chichester is come back from the Palatinate, much com- plaining of the small Army that was sent thither under Sir Horace Vere, which should have been greater, or none at all.

My Lord of Buckingham, having been long since Master of the Horse at Court, is now made Master also of all the Wooden-horses in the Kingdom, which indeed are our best Horses, for he is to be High-Admiral of England; so he is become Dominus Equorum & Aquarum. The late Lord Treasurer Cranfield grows also very powerful, but the City hates him for having betrayM their greatest Secrets, which he was capable to know more than another, having been formerly a Merchant.

I

Sect. 2. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 113

I think I shall have no opportunity to write to you again till I be t'other side of the Sea; therefore I humbly take my leave, and ask your Blessing, that I may the beter prosper in my Proceedings : So I am — Your dutiful Son, J. H.

19 Mar. 1622.

XIII.

To Sir John Smith, Knight. SIR,

THE first ground I set foot upon after this my second transmarine Voyage was Trevere (the Scots Staple) in Zealand ; thence we sail'd to Holland, in which Passage we might see divers Steeples and Turrets under Water, of Towns that we were told were swallow'd up by a Deluge within the Memory of Man: we went afterwards to the Hague, where there are hard by, tho' in several Places, two wonderful things to be seen, the one of Art, the other of Nature ; that of Art is a Wagon, or Ship, or a Monster mix'd of both, like the Hippocentaur, who was half Man and half Horse : This Engine hath Wheels and Sails that will hold above twenty People, and goes with the Wind, being drawn or mov'd by nothing else, and will run, the Wind being good and the Sails hois'd up, above fifteen miles an hour upon the even hard Sands. They say this Invention was found out to entertain Spinola when he came hither to treat of the last Truce. That Wonder of Nature is a Church- monument, where an Earl and a Lady are engraven with 365 Children about them, which were all deliver' d at one Birth ; they were half Male, half Female ; the two Basons in which they were christned hang still in the Church, and the Bishop's Name who did it; and the story of this Miracle, with the year and the day of the month mention'd, which is not yet 200 years ago. And the Story is this ; That the Countess walking about her Door after dinner, there came a Beggar-woman with two Children upon her back to beg Alms; the Countess asking whether those Children were her own, she answer'd, She had them both at one Birth,

H and

ii4 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

and by one Father, who was her Husband. The Countess would not only not give her any Alms, but revil'd her bit- terly, saying, It was impossible for one Man to get two Children at once. The Beggar-woman being thus provok'd with ill Words, and without Alms, fell to Imprecations, that it should please God to shew His Judgment upon her, and that she might bear at one Birth as many Children as there be days in the year, which she did before the same year's end, having never born Child before. We are now in North-Holland, where I never saw so many, among so few, sick of Leprosies ; and the reason is, because they com- monly eat abundance of fresh Fish. A Gentleman told me, that the Women of this Country, when they are delivered, there comes out of the Womb a living Creature besides the Child, call'd Zucchie, likest a Bat of any other Creature, which the Midwives throw into the Fire, holding Sheets before the Chimney lest it should fly away. Mr. Altham desires his Service be presented to you and your Lady, to Sir John Franklin, and all at the Hill; the like do I humbly crave at your Hands : The Italian and French Manuscripts you pleas'd to favour me withal I left at Mr. Scil's the Stationer, whence, if you have not them already, you may please to send for them. So in all Affection I kiss your hands, and am — Your humble Servitor, J. H.

Trevere^ 10 April 1623.

XIV.

To the Right Honourable the Lord Viscount Colchester,

after Earl Rivers. RIGHT HONOURABLE,

HHHE Commands your Lordship pleas'd to impose upon -1 me when I left England, and those high Favours wherein I stand bound to your Lordship, call upon me at this time to send your Lordship some small fruits of my foreign Travel. Marquis Spinola is return'd from the Palatinate, where he was so fortunate, -that (like Ccesar] he

came.

Sect. 2. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 115

came, saw, and overcame, notwithstanding that huge Army of the Princes of the Union, consisting of 40,000 Men; whereas his was under 20,000, but made up of old tough Blades and Veteran Commanders. He hath now chang'd his Coat, and taken up his old Commission again from Don Philippo, whereas during that Expedition he call'd himself Ccesars Servant. I hear the Emperor hath transmitted the upper Palatinate to the Duke of Bavaria , as caution for those Moneys he hath expended in those Wars. And the King of Spain is the Emperor's Commissary for the lower Pala- tinate: They both pretend that they were bound to obey the Imperial Summons to assist Ccesar in these Wars; the one as he was Duke of Burgundy, the other of Bavaria, both which Countries are feudatory to the Empire; else they had incur'd the Imperial Ban. It is fear'd this German War will be, as the Frenchman saith, de longue haleine, long- breath'd ; for there are great Powers on both sides, and they say the King of Denmark is arming.

Having made a leisurely sojourn in this Town, I had yours to couch in writing a survey of these Countries, which I have now travers'd the second time ; but in regard it would be a great bulk for a Letter, I send it your Lordship apart, and when I return to England I shall be bold to attend your Lordship for correction of my Faults. In the Interim I rest, my Lord, — Your thrice humble Servitor, J. H.

Antwerp, i May 1623.

XV.

A Survey of the seventeen Provinces.

MY LORD,

TO attempt a precise description of each of the seven- teen Provinces, and of its Progression, Privileges, and primitive Government, were a task of no less confusion than labour : Let it suffice to know, that since Flanders and Holland were erected to Earldoms, and so left to be an Appendix to the Crown of France, some of them have had

absolute

n6 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

absolute and supreme Governors, some subaltern and sub- ject to a superior Power. Among the rest, the Earls of Flanders and Holland were most considerable ; but of them two he of Holland being homageable to none, and having Friesland and Zealand added, was the more potent. In pro- cess of time all the seventeen met in one; some by Conquest, others by Donation and Legacy, but most by Alliance. In the House of Burgundy this Union receiv'd most growth, but in the House of Austria it came to its full perfection ; for in Charles V. they all met as so many Lines drawn from the circumference to the centre; who, lording as supreme Head not only over the fifteen temporal^ but the two spiri- tual, Liege and Utrecht, had a Design to reduce them to a Kingdom, which his Son Philip II. attempted after him : But they could not bring their intents home to their Aim ; the cause is imputed to that multiplicity and difference of privileges which they are so eager to maintain, and whereof some cannot stand with a Monarchy without Incongruity. Philip II. at his Inauguration was sworn to observe them, and at his departure he oblig'd himself by an Oath to send still one of his own Blood to govern them: Moreover, at the Request of the Knights of the Golden Fleece, he promised that all foreign Soldiers should retire, and that he himself would come to visit them once every seventh year; but being once gone, and leaving in lieu of a Sword a Distaff, an unwieldly Woman to govern, he came not only short of his Promise, but procur'd a Dispensation from the Pope to be absolved of his Oath, and all this by the counsel of Cardinal Granvill, who, as the States Chronicler writes, was the first Firebrand that kindled that lamentable and longsome War wherein the Netherlands have traded above fifty years in Blood : For, intending to increase the Number of Bishops, to establish the Decrees of the Council of Trent, and to clip the Power of the Council of State compos'd of the Natives of the Land, by making it appealable to the Council of Spain, and by adding to the former Oath of Allegiance (all which conduc'd to settle the Inquisi- tion,

Sect. 2. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 117

tion and to curb the Conscience), the broils began ; to appease which Ambassadors were dispatch'd to Spain, whereof the two first came to violent deaths, the one ln-in«r beheaded, the other poison'd. But the two last, Egmond and Horn, were nourish'd still with Hopes, until Phiiif) II. had prepared an Army under the conduct of the Duke of Alva, to compose the difference by Arms. For as soon as he came to the Government, he established the Bloetrad, as the Complainants termM it, a Council of Blood, made up most of Spaniards : Egmond and Horn were appre- hended, and afterwards beheaded ; Citadels were erected, and the Oath of Allegiance, with the political Government of the Country, in divers things altered. This pourM Oil on the Fire formerly kindled, and put all in combustion : The Prince of Orange retires; thereupon his eldest Son was surpriz'd, and sent as Hostage to Spain, and above 5000 Families quit the Country ; many Towns revolted, but were afterwards reduced to obedience: which made the Duke of Alva say, That the Netherlands appertain'd to the King of Spain not only by Descent, but Conquest ; and for cumble of his Vic- tories, when he attempted to impose the tenth Penny for maintenance of the Garrisons in the Citadels he had erected at Grave, Utrecht, and Antwerp (where he caus'd his Statue made of Cannon-brass to be erected, trampling the Belgians under his feet), all the Towns withstood this Imposition: So that at last matters succeeding ill with him, and having had his Cousin Pacecio hang'd at Flushing-Gates, after he had trac'd out the Platform of a Citadel in that Town also, he receiv'd Letters of Revocation from Spain. Him succeeded Don Lmjs de Requiluls, who came short of his Predecessor in Exploits; and dying suddenly in the Field, the Govern- ment was invested for a time in the Council of State : The Spanish Soldiers being without a Head, gather'd together to the number of 1600, and committed such Outrages up and down, that they were proclaim'd Enemies to the State. Hereupon the Pacification of Ghent was transacted, whereof among other Articles one was, That all foreign Soldiers

should

n8 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book 1.

should quit the Country. This was ratified by the King, and observ'd by Don John of Austria, who succeeded in the Government ; yet Don John retain'd the Landskneghts at his devotion still for some secret Design, and, as some conjectur'd, for the Invasion of England; he kept the Spaniards also still hovering about the frontiers ready upon all occasions. Certain Letters were intercepted that made a Discovery of some Projects, which made the War to bleed afresh ; Don John was proclaim'd Enemy to the State: So the Archduke Matthias was sent for, who, being a Man of small performance, and improper for the times, was dismiss'd, but upon honourable Terms. Don John a little after dies, and, as some gave out, of the Pox ; then comes in the Duke of Parma, a Man as of a different nation, being an Italian, so of a differing temper and more moderate spirit, and of greater performance than all the rest; for, whereas all the Provinces except Luxemburg and Hainault had revolted, he reduc'd Ghent, Tourney, Bruges, Malines, Brussels, Antwerp (which three last he beleaguer' d at one time), and divers other great Towns to the Spanish obe- dience again. He had 60,000 Men in pay, and the choicest which Spain and Italy could afford. The French and English Ambassadors, interceding for a Peace, had a short Answer of Philip II., who said that he needed not the help of any to reconcile himself to his own Subjects and reduce them to Conformity; but the difference that was he would refer to his Cousin the Emperor : Hereupon the business was agitated at Colen, where the Spaniard stood as high a-tiptoe as ever, and notwithstanding the vast expence of treasure and blood he had been at for so many years, and that matters began to exasperate more and more, which were like to prolong the Wars in infinitum, he would abate nothing in point of Ecclesiastick Government. Hereupon the States perceiv'd that King Philip could not be wrought either by the sollicitations of other Princes, or their own supplications so often reiterated, that they might enjoy the freedom of Religion, with other infranchisements; and

finding

Sect. 2. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 119

finding him inexorable, being incited also by the Ban which was publish'd against the Prince of Orange, that whosoever kill'd him should have 5000 Crowns, they at last absolutely renounc'd and abjured the King of Spain for their Sovereign : Tlu-y broke his Seals, chang'd the Oath of Allegiance, and fled to France for shelter ; they inaugurated the Duke of An] mi (recommended to them by the Queen of England) to whom he was a Suitor) for their Prince, who attempted to render himself absolute, and so thought to surprize Ant- werp, where he received an ill-favour'd repulse; yet neverthe- less the United Provinces, for so they term'd themselves ever after, fearing to distaste their next great Neighbour France, made a second Proffer of their Protection and Sovereignty to that King, who having too many irons in the fire at his own home, the League growing stronger and stronger, he answer'd 'em, That the Shirt was nearer to him than his Doublet. Then had they recourse to Queen Elizabeth, who, partly for her own security, partly for Interest in Religion, reach'd them a supporting hand, and so sent them Men, Money, and a Governor, the Earl of Leicester, who not symbolizing with their humour, was quickly revok'd, yet without any outward dislike on the Queen's side, for she left her Forces still with them, but upon their expence : she lent them afterwards some considerable sums of moneys, and she received Flushing and Brill for caution. Ever since the English have been the best sinews of their war, and achievers of the greatest exploits amongst them. Having thus made sure work with the English, they made young Count Maurice their Governor, who for twenty-five years together held task with the Spaniard, and during those traverses of War was very fortunate : an overture of peace was then propounded, which the States would not hearken to singly with the King of Spain, unless the Provinces that yet re- main'd under him would engage themselves for the per- formance of what was articled; besides, they would not treat either of Peace or Truce, unless they were declared Free States, all which was granted : so by the intervention of the

English

I2O FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

English and French Ambassadors, a Truce was concluded for twelve years.

These Wars did so drain and discommodate the King of Spain, by reason of his distance (every Soldier that he sent either from Spain or Italy costing him near upon 100 Crowns before he could be rendered in Flanders], that not- withstanding his Mines of Mexico and Peru, it plung'd him so deeply in debt, that, having taken up Moneys in all the chief Banks of Christendom, he was forced to publish a Diploma, wherein he dispensed with himself (as the Holland Story hath it) from payment, alledging that he had employed those Moneys for the publick Peace of Christendom : this broke many great Bankers, and they say his credit was not current in Sevil or Lisbon, his own Towns ; and which was worse, while he stood wrestling thus with his own Subjects, the Turk took his opportunity to take from him Tunis and the Goletta, the Trophies of Charles V., his Father. So eager he was in this quarrel, that he employ'd the utmost of his strength and industry to reduce his People to his Will ; in regard he had an intent to make these Provinces his main Randevous and Magazine of Men of War; which his Neighbours perceiving, and that he had a kind of aim to be Western Monarch, being led not so much for love as reasons of State, they stuck close to the revolted Provinces ; and this was the Bone that Secretary Walsingham told Q,. Elizabeth he would cast the K. of Spain, that should last him twenty years, and perhaps make his teeth shake in his head.

But to return to my first discourse, whence this Digres- sion hath snatch'd me: The Netherlands, who had been formerly knit and concentred under one Sovereign Prince, were thus dismember'd ; and as they subsist now, they are a State and a Province: The Province, having ten of the seventeen at least, is far greater, more populous, better soiled, and more stor'd with Gentry. The State is the richer and stronger, the one proceeding from their vast Navigation and Commerce, the other from the quality of their Country,

being

Sect. 2. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 121

being defensible by Rivers and Sluices, by means whereof they can suddenly overwhelm all the whole Country : wit- ness that stupendous Siege of Leyden and Haerlem ; for most of their Towns, the marks being taken away, are iii.iccessible, by reason of shelves of Sands. Touching the transaction of these Provinces, which the K. of Spain made as a Dowry to the Archduke ALbertus, upon marriage with the Infanta (who thereupon left his red Hat and Toledo Mitre, the chiefest spiritual Dignity in Christendom for revenue, after the Papacy), it was fringed with such cautelous restraints, that he was sure to keep the better end of the staff still to himself; for he was to have the tutele and ward of his Children, that they were to marry with one of the Austrian Family recommended by Spain, and in default of Issue, and in case Albert us should survive the Infanta, he should be but Governor only : add hereunto, that K. Philip reserved still to himself all the Citadels and Castles, with the Order of the Golden Fleece, whereof he is Master, as he is Duke of Burgundy.

The Archduke for the Time hath a very princely Com- mand; all Coins bear his Stamp, all Placarts or Edicts are published in his Name; he hath the Election of all civil Officers and Magistrates ; he nominates also Bishops and Abbots, for the Pope hath only the confirmation of them here; nor can he adjourn any out of the Country to answer anything, neither are his Bulls of any strength without the Prince's Placet, which makes him have always some Commissioners to execute his Authority. The People here grow hotter and hotter in the Roman Cause, by reason of the mixture with Spaniards and Italians ; and also by the example of the Archduke and the Infanta, who are devout in an intense degree. There are two supreme Councils, the Privy-Council and that of the State; this treats of Confederations and Intelligence with foreign Princes, of Peace and War, of entertaining or of dismissing Colonels and Captains, of Fortifications ; and they have the Super- intendency of the highest Affairs that concern the Prince

and

122 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book L

and the Policy of the Provinces: The Primate hath the granting of all Patents and Requests, the publishing of all Edicts and Proclamations, the prizing of Coin, the looking to the Confines and Extent of the Provinces, and the enact- ing of all new Ordinances. Of these two Councils there is never a Spaniard, but in the actual Council of War their Voices are predominant: There is also a Court of Finances or Exchequer, whence all they that have the fmgring of the King's Money must draw a Discharge. Touching matters of Justice, their Law is mixM betwixt Civil and Common, with some Clauses of Canonical. The High Court of Parliament is at Malines, whither all civil Causes may be brought by Appeal from other Towns, except some that have municipal Privileges and are Sovereign in their own Jurisdictions, as Mons in Hainalt, and a few more.

The prime Province for Dignity is Brabant, which, among many other Privileges it enjoys, hath this for one, not to appear upon any Summons out of its own Precinct; which is one of the reasons why the Prince makes his residence there: but the prime, for extent and fame, is Flanders, the chiefest Earldom in Christendom, which is three days' journey in length; Ghent, its Metropolis, is reputed the greatest Town of Europe, whence arose the Proverb, Les flamene tient un Gan, qui tiendra Paris dedans. But the beautifullest, richest, strongest, and most privileged City is Antwerp in Brabant, being the Marquisate of° the Holy Empire, and drawing near to the nature of a Hans Town, for she pays the Prince no other Tax but the Impost. Before the Dissociation of the seventeen Provinces, this Town was one of the greatest Marts of Europe and greatest Bank this side the Alps; most Princes having their Factors here, to take up or let out Moneys : and here our Gresham got all his Wealth, and built out' Royal Exchange by model of that here. The Merchandize brought hither from Germany, France, and Italy by Land, and from England, Spain, and the Hans-Towns by Sea, was estimated at above twenty Millions of Crowns every year: but as no violent

thing

Sect. 2. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 123

thing is long lasting, and as 'tis fatal to all Kingdoms, States, Towns, and Languages to have their period, so this renown'd Mart hath sufler'd a shrewd Eclipse, yet no utter downfal ; the exchange of the King of Spain's Money and some small Land-traffic keeping still Life in her, tho' nothing so full of Vigor as it was. Therefore there is no Town under the Archduke where the States have more conceal'd Friends than in Antwerp, who would willingly make them her Masters, in hope to recover her former Com- merce; which after the last twelve years' Truce began to revive a little, the States permitting to pass by Lillo's Sconce, which commands the River Scheld, and lieth in the teeth of the Town, some small cross-saiPd Ships to pass hither : There is no place hath been more passive than this, and more often pillaged ; among other times she was once plun- der'd most miserably by the Spaniards under the conduct of a Priest, immediately on Don John of Austria's death; she had then her Stadt-house burnt, which had cost a few years before above 20,000 Crowns the building; and the spoils that were carried away thence amounted to forty tuns of gold : thus she was reduced not only to poverty, but a kind of captivity, being commanded by a Citadel, which she pre- ferr'd before a Garrison. This made the merchants retire and seek a more free Randevous, some in Zealand, some in Holland, especially in Amsterdam, which rose upon the fall of this Town, as Lisbon did from Venice upon the discovery of the Cape of Good Hope, tho' Venice be not near so much crestfallen.

I will now steer my discourse to the United Provinces, as they term themselves, which are six in number, viz., Hol- land, Zealand, Friesland, Overyssel, Gronnighen, and Utrecht, three parts of Gelderland, and some Frontier Towns and Places of contribution in Brabant and Flanders : In all these there is no innovation at all introduced, notwithstanding this great change in point of Government, except that the College of States represent the Duke or Earl in times past ; which College consists of the chiefest Gentry of the Country,

Superintendants

124 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

Superintendants of Towns, and the principal Magistrates : Every Province and great Town chuse yearly certain De- puties, to whom they give plenary power to deliberate with the other States of all affairs touching the publick welfare of the whole Province ; and what they vote stands for Law. These being assembled, consult all matters of State, Justice, and War; the Advocate who is prime in the Assembly propounds the business, and after collects the suffrages, first of the Provinces, then of the Towns; which being put in form, he delivers in pregnant and moving speeches; and in case there be a dissonance and reluctancy of opinions, he labours to accord and reconcile them ; con- cluding always with the major Voices.

Touching the administration of Justice, the President, who is monthly changed, with the great Council, have the supreme Judicature ; from whose Decrees there is no appeal, but a revision; and then some of the choicest Lawyers among them are appointed.

For their Oppidan Government, they have variety of Officers, a Scout, Burgmasters, a Balue, and Vroetschoppens : The Scout is chosen by the States, who with the Balues have the judging of all criminal matters in last resort without appeal ; they have also the determining of civil Causes, but those are appealable to the Hague. Touching their chiefest Governor (or General rather now), having made proof of the Spaniard, German, French, and English, and agreeing with none of them, they alighted at last upon a Man of their own mould, Prince Maurice, now their General ; in whom concurr'd divers parts suitable to such a charge, having been trained up in the Wars by his Father, who, with three of his Uncles and divers of his Kindred, sacrificed their Lives in the States Quarrel : he hath thriven well since he came to the Government; he clear'd Friesland, Overyssel, and Gro- ningen in less than eighteen months : He hath now continued their Governor and General by Sea and Land above thirty- three years; he hath the election of Magistrates, the pardoning of Malefactors, and divers other Prerogatives ; yet they are

short

Sect. 2. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 125

short of the reach of Sovereignty, and of the Authority of the antient Counts of Holland: Tho' I cannot say 'tis a im'iTenary employment, yet he hath a limited allowance; nor hath he any implicit command when he goes to the field, for either the Council of War marcheth with him, or else he receives daily directions from them : moreover, the States themselves reserve the power of nominating all Com- manders in the Army, which being of sundry Nations, de- prive him of those advantages he might have to make him- self absolute. Martial Discipline is nowhere so regular as among the States; nowhere are there lesser insolences com- mitted upon the Burgher, nor robberies upon the Country Boors ; nor are the Officers permitted to insult over the common Soldier: When the Army marcheth, not one dares take so much as an apple off a tree or a root out of the earth in their Passage ; and the reason is, they are punctu- ally paid their Pay, or else I believe they would be insolent enough; and were not the Pay so certain, I think few or none would serve them. They speak of 60,000 they have in perpetual Pay by Land and Sea, at home, and in the Indies: The King of France was used to maintain a Regi- ment, but since Henry the Great's death the Payment hath been neglected. The means they have to maintain these Forces, to pay their Governor, to discharge all other ex- pence, as the preservation of their Dikes, which comes to a vast expence yearly, is the antient revenue of the Counts of Holland, the impropriate Church-livings, Imposts upon all Merchandise, which is greater upon exported than imported Goods ; Excise upon all Commodities, as well for necessity as pleasure; Taxes upon every Acre of Ground, which is such, that the whole Country returns into their hands every three years: Add hereunto the Art they use in their Bank by the rise and fall of Money, the fishing upon our Coasts, whither they send every Autumn above 700 Hulks or Busses, which in the Voyages they make return above a Million in Herrings ; moreover, their fishing for green Fish and Salmon amounts to so much more; and for their Cheese and Butter,

'tis

126 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book L

'tis thought they vent as much every year as Lisbon doth Spices. This keeps the common Treasury always full, that upon any extraordinary service or design there is seldom any new Tax upon the People. Traffic is their general Pro- fession, being all either Merchants or Mariners ; and having no Land to manure, they furrow the Sea for their living : and this universality of Trade, and their Banks of Adven- tures, distributes the Wealth so equally, that few among them are exceeding rich or exceeding poor ; Gentry among them is very thin, and as in all Democracies, little respected, and coming to dwell in Towns, they soon mingle with the Merchant, and so degenerate : Their Soil being all 'twixt Marsh and Meadow, is so fat in pasturage that one Cow will give eight Quarts of Milk a day; so that, as a Boor told me, in four little dorps near Harlem 'tis thought there is as much Milk milk'd in the year as there is Rhenish-Wine brought to Dortj which is the sole Staple of it. Their Towns are beautiful and neatly built, and with uniformity, that who sees one, sees all : In some Places, as in Amsterdam, the Foundation costs more than the Superstructure, for the Ground being soft, they are constrained to ram in huge Stakes of Timber (with Wool about it to preserve it from Putrefaction) till they come to a firm Basis ; so that, as one said, Whosoever could see Amsterdam under ground should see a huge Winter-Forest.

Among all the confederate Provinces, Holland is most predominant, which, being but six hours' Journey in breadth, contains forty-nine walPd Towns, and all these within a day's Journey one of another. Amsterdam for the present is one of the greatest mercantil Towns in Europe. To her is appropriated the East and West-India Trade, whither she sends yearly forty great Ships, with another Fleet to the Baltic Sea; but they send not near so many to the Mediterranean as England : Other Towns are passably rich, and stor'd with Shipping, but not one very poor; which proceeds from the wholesome Policy they use, to assign every Town some firm Staple Commodity; as to (their

Maiden-Town

Seel. 2. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 127

Maiden-Town) Dort the Gcnunn Wines and Corn, to M'nltlelourgh the French and Spanish Wines, to Trevere (the Prince of Orange's Town) the Scots Trade : Leyden, in recompense of her long Siege, was erected to an University, which with Franiker in Friesland is all they have ; Harlem for Knitting and Weaving hath some Privilege ; Rotterdam hath the English Cloth : and this renders their Towns so equally rich and populous. They allow free harbour to all Nations, with liberty of Religion (the Roman only excepted) as far as the Jew, who hath two Synagogues allow'd him, but only in Amsterdam; which piece of Policy they borrow of the Venetian, with whom they have very intimate intelligence: only the Jews in Venice, in Rome, and other places go with some outward Mark of Distinc- tion, but here they wear none : and these two Republics, that in the East and this in the West, are the two Remora's, that stick to the great Vessel of Spain, that it cannot sail to the Western Monarchy.

I have been long in the Survey of these Provinces, yet not long enough, for much more might be said, which is fitter for a Story than a Survey : I will conclude with a mot or two of the People, whereof some have been renown'd in time past for Feats of War. Among the States, the Hollander or Batavian hath been most known, for some of the Roman Emperors have had a selected Guard of them about their Persons for their Fidelity and Valour, as now the King of France hath of the Swisse. The Frisians also have been famous for those large Privileges wherewith Charlemain endow'd them ; the Flemins also have been illustrious for the martial Exploits they achiev'd in the East, where two of the Earls of Flanders were crown'd Emperors. They have all a Genius inclined to Commerce, very intentive and witty in Manufactures, witness the Art of Printing, Painting, and Colouring in Glass ; those curious Quadrants, Chimes, and Dials, those kind of Waggons which are used up and down Christendom, were first used by them ; and for the Mariner's Compass, tho' the matter be disputable 'twixt

the

i28 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

the Neapolitan, the Portugal, and them, yet there is a strong argument on their side, in regard they were the first that subdivided the four Cardinal Winds to two and thirty, others naming them in their Language.

There is no part of Europe so haunted with all sorts of Foreigners as the Netherlands, which makes the Inhabitants, as well Women as Men, so well vers'd in all sorts of Lan- guages, so that in Exchange-time one may hear seven or eight sorts of Tongues spoken upon their Bourses : nor are the Men only expert herein, but the Women and Maids also in their common Hostries ; and in Holland the Wives are so well vers'd in Bargaining, Cyphering, and Writing, that in the absence of their Husbands in long Sea-voyages they beat the Trade at home, and their Words will pass in equal Credit : These Women are wonderfully sober, thoj their Husbands make commonly their Bargains in drink, and then are they more cautelous. This confluence of Strangers makes them very populous, which was the cause that Charles the Emperor said, That all the Netherlands seem'd to him but as one continued Town. He and his Grandfather Maximilian, notwithstanding the choice of Kingdoms they had, kept their Courts most frequently in them, which shew'd how highly they esteemed them ; and I believe, if Philip II. had visited them sometimes, Matters had not gone so ill.

There is no part of the Earth, considering the small Cir- cuit of Country, which is estimated to be but as big as the fifth part of Italy, where one may find more differing Cus- toms, Tempers and Humours of People than in the Nether- lands : The Walloon is quick and sprightful, accostable and full of Compliment, and gaudy in Apparel, like his next Neighbour the French: The Fleming and Bralanter, some- what more slow and more sparing of Speech : The Hollander slower than he, more surly and respectless of Gentry and Strangers, homely in his clothing, of very few words, and heavy in action ; which may be well imputed to the quality of the Soil, which works so strongly upon the Humours,

that

Sect. 2. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 129

that when People of a more vivacious and nimble Temper come to mingle with them, their Children are observed to partake rather of the Soil than the Sire : and so it is in all Animals besides.

Thus have I huddled up some Observations of the Low- Countries, beseeching your Lordship would be pleased to pardon the Imperfections, and correct the Errors of them; for I know none so capable to do it as your Lordship, to whom I am — A most humble and ready Servitor, J. H.

Antwerp, i May, 1622.

XVI.

To my Brother , Mr. Hugh Penry, upon his Marriage. SIR,

YOU have had a good while the Interest of a Friend in me, but you have me now in a straiter Tie, for I am your Brother by your late Marriage, which hath turn'd Friendship into an Alliance ; you h?ve in your Arms one of my dearest Sisters, who I hope, nay I know will make a good Wife. I heartily congratulate this Marriage, and pray that a Blessing may descend upon it from that Place where all Marriages are made, which is from Heaven, the Fountain of all Felicity : to this Prayer, I think it no Pro- phaness to add the Saying of the Lyric Poet Horace, in whom I know you delight much ; and I send it you as a kind of Epithalamium, and wish it may be verify'd in you both : —

Fcelices ter dr» amplius

Quos irrupta tenet copula, nee ma/is Divutsus querimoniis

Suprema citius solvet amor die.

Thus English'd :—

That Couple's more than trebly blest, Which nuptial Bonds do so combine, That no distaste can them untwine,

Till the last day send both to rest.

So, my dear Brother, I much rejoice for this Alliance,

I and

130 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

and wish you may increase and multiply to your Heart's content. — Your affectionate Brother, J. H.

20 May 1622.

XVII.

To my Brother, Doctor Howell,/rora Brussels. SIR,

I HAD yours in Latin at Rotterdam, whence I cor- responded with you in the same Language ; I heard, tho* not from you, since I came to Brussels, that our Sister Anne is lately marry'd to Mr. Hugh Penry : I am heartily glad of it, and wish the rest of our Sisters were so well bestow'd; for I know Mr. Penry to be a Gentleman of a great deal of solid Worth and Integrity, and one that will prove a great Husband and a good Oeconomist.

Here is News that Mansfelt hath received a foil lately in Germany, and that the Duke of Brunswick, alias Bishop of Halverstadt, hath lost one of his Arms: this makes them vapour here extremely, and the last Week I heard of a Play the Jesuits of Antwerp made, in derogation, or rather de- rision of the Proceedings of the Prince Palsgrave, where, among divers other Passages, they feign' d a Post to come puffing upon the Stage; and being ask'd what news, he answer'd, how the Palsgrave was like to have shortly a huge formidable Army, for the King of Denmark was to send him 100,000, the Hollanders 100,000, and the King of Great Britain 100,000 ; but being ask'd thousands of what ? he reply'd,The first would send 100,000 Red Herrings, the second 100,000 Cheeses, and the last 100,000 Ambassadors; allud- ing to Sir Richard Weston, and Sir Edward Conway, my Lord Carlisle, Sir Arthur Okie/tester, and lastly the Lord Digly, who have been all employed in quality of Ambassadors in less than two years, since the beginning of these German Broils. Touching the last, having been with the Emperor and the Duke of Bavaria, and carry'd himself with such high Wisdom in his Negotiations with the one, and Stout- ness with the other, and having preserved Count Mansfetfs

Troops

Sect. 2. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 131

Troops from disbanding, by pawning his own Argentry and Jewels, he pass'd this way, where they say the Arch- duke did esteem him more than any Ambassador that ever was in this Court; and the Report yet is very fresh of his high Abilities.

We are to remove hence in Coach towards Paris the next week, where we intend to winter, or hard by. When you have opportunity to write to Wales, I pray present my duty to my Father, and my love to the rest ; and pray remember me also to all at the Hill and the Dale, especially to that most virtuous Gentleman, Sir John Franklin. So, my dear Brother, I pray God continue and improve His Bless- ings to us both, and bring us again together with comfort. — Your Brother, J. H.

10 June 1622.

XVIII.

To Dr. Tho. Prichard, at Worcester-House. SIR,

Z^RIENDSHIP is the great Chain of human Society, and intercourse of Letters is one of the chief est links of that Chain: you know this as well as I ; therefore I pray let our Friendship, let our Love, that nationality of British Love, that virtuous tie of Academic Love, be still strengthened (as heretofore) and receive daily more and more Vigor. I am now in Paris, and there is weekly opportunity to receive and send : and if you please to send, you shall be sure to receive, for I make it a kind of Religion to be punctual in this kind of Payment. I am heartily glad to hear that you are become a domestic Member to that most noble Family of the Worcesters, and I hold it to be a very good Founda- tion for future Preferment; I wish you may be as happy in them, as I know they will be happy in you. France is now barren of News, only there was a shrewd Brush lately 'twixt the young King and his Mother, who having the Duke of Epernon and others for her Champions, met him in open Field about Pont de Ce*9 but she went away with the

worst

132 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

worst; such was the rare dutifulness of the King, that he forgave her upon his Knees, and pardon'd all her Complices : and now there is an universal Peace in this Country, which 'tis thought will not last long, for there is a War intended against them of the Reformed Religion ; for this King, tho' he be slow in Speech, yet he is active in Spirit, and loves Motion. I am here comrade to a gallant young Gentle- man, my old Acquaintance, who is full of excellent Parts, which he hath acquired by a choice breeding, the Baron his Father gave him, both in the University, and in the Inns of Court; so that, for the time, I envy no Man's happiness. So, with my hearty Commends, and much endear'd Love unto you, I rest — Yours whiles JAM. HOWELL.

Paris, 3 Aug. 1621.

XIX.

To the Honourable Sir Tho. Savage (after Lord Savage), at his House upon Tower-Hill.

HONOURABLE SIR,

THOSE many undeserved Favours for which I stand obliged to your self and my noble Lady, since the time I had the happiness to come first under your roof, and the command you pleased to lay upon me at my departure thence, call upon me at this time to give you account how Matters pass in France.

That which for the present affords most plenty of News, is Rochell, which the King threateneth to block up this Spring with an Army by Sea, under the Command of the Duke of Nevers, and by a Land Army under his own Con- duct: both sides prepare, he to assault, the Rochellers to defend. The King declares that he proceeds not against them for their Religion, which he is still contented to tolerate, but for holding an Assembly against his Declara- tions. They answer, That their Assembly is grounded upon His Majesty's Royal Warrant, given at the dissolution of the last Assembly at Lodun, where he solemnly gave his

word,

Sect. 2. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 133

word, to permit them to re-assemble when they would six months after, if the Breaches of their Liberty and Grievances which they then propounded were not redressM ; and they say, this being unperform'd, it stands not with the sacred Person of a King to violate his Promise, being the first that ever he made them. The King is so incens'd against them, that their Deputies can have neither access to his Person, nor audience of his Council, as they stile themselves the Deputies of the Assembly at Rochell ; but if they say they come from the whole Body of them of the pretended Reformed Religion, he will hear them. The Breach between them is grown so wide, that the King resolves on a Siege. This Resolution of the King is much fomented by the Roman Clergy; especially by the Celestines, who have 200,000 Crowns of Gold in the Arsenal of Paris, which they would sacrifice all to this Service; besides, the Pope sent him a Bull to levy what Sums he would of the Galilean Church, for the advancement of his Design. This Resolution also is much push'd on by the Gentry, who, besides the particular Employments and Pay they shall receive hereby, are glad to have their young King train'd up in Arms, to make him a martial Man : but for the Merchant and poor Peasant, they tremble at the Name of this War, fearing their Teeth should be set on edge with those soure Grapes their Fathers tasted in the time of the League; for if the King begins with Rochell, 'tis fear'd all the four Corners of the Kingdom will be set on fire.

Of all the Towns of surety which they of the Religion hold, Rochell is the chiefest, a Place strong by Nature, but stronger by Art. It is a maritime Town, and landward they can by Sluices drown a League's distance; 'tis fortify'd with mighty thick Walls, Bastions, and Counterscarps, and those according to the modern Rules of Enginry. This, among other cautionary Towns, was granted by Henry IV. to them of the Religion for a certain term of years; which being expired, the King saith they are devolv'd again to the Crown, and so demands them. They of the Religion

pretend

134

FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book /.

pretend to have divers Grievances ; first, they have not been paid these two years the 160,000 Crowns which the last King gave them annually, to maintain their Ministers and Garrisons: They complain of the King's Carriage lately at Beam (Henry the Great's Country), which was merely Protestant, where he hath introduced two years since the publick Exercise of the Mass, which had not been sung there fifty years before; he alter'd also there the Govern- ment of the Country, and in lieu of a Viceroy, left a Governor only: And whereas Navarrin was formerly a Court of Parliament for the whole Kingdom of Navar (that's under France), he hath put it down and publish'd an Edict, That the Navarrois should come to Toulouse, the chief Town of Langue doc ; and lastly, he left behind him a Garrison in the said Town of Navarrin. These and other Grievances they of the Religion proposed to the King lately, desiring His Majesty would let them enjoy still those Pri- vileges his Predecessor Henry III. and his Father Henry IV. afforded them by Act of Pacification : But he made them a short Answer, That what the one did in this Point, he did it out of fear ; what the other did, he did it out of love; but he would have them know, that he neither lov'd them norfeard them : so the business is like to bleed sore on both sides ; nor is there yet any appearance of prevention.

There was a Scuffle lately here 'twixt the D. of Nevers and the Cardinal of Guise, who have had a long Suit in Law about an Abbey ; and meeting the last Week about the Palace, from Words they fell to Blows, the Cardinal struck the Duke first, and so were parted; but in the Afternoon there appeared on both sides no less than 3000 Horse in a Field hard by, which shews the populousness and sudden strength of this huge City : but the Matter was taken up by the King himself and the Cardinal clapt up in the Bastile, where the King saith he shall abide to ripen ; for he is but young, and they speak of a Bull that is to come from Rome to decardinalize him. I fear to have trespass'd too much upon your Patience, therefore I will

conclude

Sect. 2. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 135

conclude for the present, but will never cease to profess my self — Your thrice humble and ready Servitor, J. H.

Jhris, 1 8 Aug. 1622.

XX.

To D. Caldwall, Esq., from Poissy.

MY DEAR D.,

TO be free from English, and to have the more con- veniency to fall close to our business, Mr. Altham and I are lately retir'd from Paris to this Town of Poissy, a pretty genteel place at the Foot of the great Forest of St. Germain upon the River Sequana, and within a mile of one of the King's chiefest standing Houses, and about fifteen miles from Paris. Here is one of the prime Nunneries of all France. Lewis IX., who in the Catalogue of the French Kings, is call'd St. Lewis, which Title was confirm'd by the Pope, was baptiz'd in this little Town ; and after his return from Egypt and other places against the Saracens, being ask'd by what Title he would be distinguished from the rest of his Predecessors after his death, he answered, That he desir'd to be call'd Lewis of Poissy. Reply being made, that there were divers other Places and Cities of renown, where he had performed brave Exploits, and obtain'd famous Victories, therefore it was more fitting that some of those places should denominate him : No, said he, I desire to be call'd Lewis of Poissy, because there I got the most glorious Victory that ever I had, for there I overcame the Devil ; meaning he was christen'd there.

I sent you from Antwerp a silver Dutch Table-book, I desire to hear of the receipt of it in your next: I must desire you (as I did once at Rouen) to send me a dozen pair of the whitest Kidskin gloves for Women, and half a dozen pair of Knives, by the Merchant's Post ; and if you want anything that France can afford, I hope you know what Power you have to dispose of — Yours, J. H.

7 Sef. 1622.

XXI.

136 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

s

' % ,- XXI.

To my Father, from Paris.

IR, I was afraid I should never have had Ability to write to you again, I had lately such a dangerous Fit of Sickness; -but I have now pass'd the Brunt of it, God hath been pleas'd to reprieve me, and reserve me for more days, which I hope to have Grace to number better. Mr. Altham and I having retir'd to a small Town from Paris, for more privacy, and sole conversation with the nation, I ty'd myself to a task for the reading of so many books in such a compass of time; and thereupon, to make good my word to myself, I us'd to watch many nights together, tho' it was in the depth of Winter ; but returning to this Town, I took cold in the head, and so that mass of rheum which had gathered by my former watching, returned to an impos- thume in my head, whereof I was sick above forty days : at the end they cauteriz'd and made an issue in my cheek, to make vent for the imposthume, and that sav'd my life. At first they let me blood, and I parted with above fifty ounces in less than a fortnight; for Phlelotomy is so much practis'd here, that if one's little finger ache, they presently open a vein ; and to balance the blood on both sides, they usually let blood in both arms. And the commonness of the thing seems to take away all fear, insomuch that the very Women, when they find themselves indispos'd, will open a vein themselves; for they hold, that the blood, which hath a circulation, and fetcheth a round every twenty-four hours about the body, is quickly repair'd again. I was eighteen days and nights that I had no sleep, but short imperfect slumbers, and those too procur'd by potions : the tumor at last came so about the throat, that I had scarce vent left for respiration ; and my body was brought so low with all sorts of Physic, that I appear' d like a mere Skeleton. When I was indifferently well recovered, some of the Doctors and Chirurgeons that tended me, gave me a

visit;

Sect. 2. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 137

vi>it; and among other things, they fell into discourse of \Vines which was the best, and so by degrees they fell upon other beverages; and one Doctor in the company who had been in England, told me that we have a Drink in England call'd Ale, which he thought was the wholsomest liquor that could go into one's Guts; for whereas the body of Man is supported by two columns, viz., the natural heat and the radical moisture, he said, there is no Drink conduceth more to the preservation of the one, and the increase of the other, than Ale : for while the Englishmen drank only Ale, they were strong, brawny, able Men, and could draw an arrow an ell long; but when they fell to wine and beer, they are found to be much impaired in their strength and age : so the Ale bore away the bell among the Doctors.

The next week we advance our course further into France, towards the river of Loire to Orleans, whence I shall continue to convey my duty to you. In the meantime I humbly crave your blessing, and your acknowledgment to God Almighty for my recovery ; be pleas'd further to im- part my love among my brothers and sisters, with all my kinsmen and friends in the Country: So I rest — Your dutiful Son, J. H.

10 Dee. 1622.

XXII.

To Sir Tho. Savage, Knight and Baronet.

HONOURABLE SIR,

THAT of the 5th of this present which you pleas'd to send me was received, and I begin to think myself something more than I was, that you value so much the slender endeavours of my pen to do you service : I shall continue to improve your good opinion of me as opportunity shall serve.

Touching the great threats against Rochell, whereof I gave you an ample relation in my last, matters are become now more calm, and rather inclining to an accommodation, for 'tis thought a sum of money will make up the breach;

and

138 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

and to this end some think all these bravado's were made. The D. of Luynes is at last made Ld. High Constable of France, the prime Officer of the Crown ; he hath a peculiar Court to himself, a guard of 100 Men in rich liveries, and 100,000 livres a year Pension. The old D. of Lesdiguieres, one of the ancientest Soldiers in France, and a Protestant, is made his Lieutenant.

But in regard all Christendom rings of this Favourite, being the greatest that ever was in France, since the Moires of the Palace^ who came to be Kings afterwards, I will send you herein this Legend : He was born in Provence, and is a Gentleman by descent, tho' of a petty Extractipn ; in the last King's time he was preferr'd to be one of his Pages, who, finding him industrious, and a good waiter, allow'd him 300 Crowns Pension per an., which he husbanded so well, that he maintain'd himself and his two brothers in passable good fashion therewith. The King observing that, doubled his Pension, and taking notice that he was a serviceable Instrument and apt to please, he thought him fit to be about his Son, in whose service he hath continued above fifteen years ; and he hath flown so high into his Favour by singular dexterity and art he hath in Faulconry, and by shooting at birds flying, wherein the King took great pleasure, that he hath soar'd to this pitch of honour. He is a Man of a passable good understanding and forecast, of a mild comportment, humble and debonair to all, and of a winning conversation ; he hath about him choice and solid heads, who prescribe to him rules of Policy, by whose Com- pass he steers his course, which it's likely will make him subsist long : He is now come to that transcendent altitude, that he seems to have mounted above the reach of Envy, and made all hopes of supplanting him frustrate, both by the politic guidance of his own actions, and the powerful alliances he hath got for himself and his two brothers : He is marry'd to the Duke of Montlazon's Daughter, one of the prime Peers of France; his second Brother Cadenet (who is reputed the wisest of the three) marry'd the Heiress

of

Sect. 2. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 139

of Picardy, with whom he had ^9000 lands a year ; his third Brother Brand to the great Heiress of Luxemlnrgh, of which House there have been five Emperors: so that these three Brothers and tlu-ir Allies would be able to counterbalance any one Faction in France, the eldest and youngest being made Dukes and Peers of France, the other Marshal. There are lately two Ambassadors extraordinary come hither from I'cuice about the Valtolin, but their negotiation is at a stand, until the return of an Ambassador extraordinary who is gone to Spain. Ambassadors also are come from the Hague for payment of the French Regiment there, which hath been neglected these ten years; and to know whether his Majesty will be pleas'd to continue their Pay any longer ; but their Answer is yet suspended : They have brought news that the seven ships which were built for His Majesty in the Tessel are ready ; to this he answered, that he desires to have ten more built ; for he intends to finish that design which his Father had a- foot a little before his Death, to establish a Royal Company of Merchants.

This is all the News that France affords for the present, the relation whereof, if it proves as acceptable as my endea- vours to serve you herein are pleasing unto me, I shall esteem myself happy: so, wishing you and my noble Lady con- tinuance of health, and increase of Honour, I rest — Your humble Servitor, J. H.

Paris > 15 Dec. 1622.

XXIII.

To Sir John North, Knight. SIR,

I CONFESS you have made a perfect conquest of me by your late Favours, and I yield myself your Captive : a day may come that will enable me to pay my ransom ; in the interim, let a most thankful acknowledgment be my Bail and Mainprise.

I am now remov'd from off the Sein to the Loire, to the fair Town of Orleans : there was here lately a mixt Proces- sion

140

FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

sion 'twixt Military and Ecclesiastic for the Maid of Orleans, which is perform'd every year very solemnly; her Statue stands upon the Bridge, and her Clothes are preserved to this day, which a young Man wore in the Procession; which makes me think that her Story, tho' it sound like a Romance, is very true. And I read it thus in two or three Chronicles : When the English had made such firm In- vasions in France, that their Armies had march'd into the heart of the Country, besieged Orleans, and driven Charles VII. to Bourges in Berry, which made him to be call'd, for the time, King of Berry ; there came to his Army a Shep- herdess, one Anne de Arque, who with a confident look and language told the King, that she was design'd by Heaven to beat the English, and drive them out of France. Therefore she desired a Command in the Army, which by her extra- ordinary confidence and importunity she obtained ; and putting on Man's apparel, she proved so prosperous, that the Siege was rais'd from before Orleans, and the English were pursu'd to Paris, and forced to quit that, and driven to Normandy : She us'd to go on with marvellous courage and resolution, and her word was Hara ha : but in Normandy she was taken Prisoner, and the English had a fair revenge upon her, for by an Arrest of the Parliament of Rouen she was burnt for a Witch. There is a great business now a-foot in Paris, call'd the Polette, which, if it take effect, will tend to correct, at leastwise to cover a great Error in the French Government : the custom is, that all the chief places of Justice thro'out all the eight Courts of Parliament in France, besides a great number of other Offices are set to sale by the King, and they return to him, unless the Buyer liveth forty days after his resignation to another. It is now propounded that these casual Offices shall be absolutely hereditary, provided that every Officer pay a yearly revenue to the King, according to the valuation of and perquisites of the Office: this business is now in hot agitation, but the issue is yet doubtful.

The last you sent I receiv'd by Vacandary in Paris : So

highly

Sect. 2. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 141

highly honouring your excellent Parts and Merit, I rest, now that I understand French indifferently well, no more your (she) Sen-nut, hut — Your most faithful Servitor, J. H. Orleans, 3 Mar. 1622.

XXIV.

To Sir James Crofts, Knight. SIR,

WERE I to freight a Letter with Compliments, this Country would furnish me with variety, but of News a small store at this present; and for Compliment, it is dangerous to use any to you, who have such a piercing Judgment to discern semblances from realities.

The Queen-Mother is come at last to Paris, where she hath not been since AncrJs death ; the King is also return' d post from Bourdeaux, having traversed most part of his King- dom : he settled Peace everywhere he pass'd, and quashM divers Insurrections; and by his obedience to his Mother, and his lenity towards all his Partisans at Pont de Ce, where above 400 were slain, and notwithstanding that he was victorious, yet he gave a general Pardon ; he hath gain'd much upon the affections of his People. His Council of State went ambulatory always with him, and as they say here, never did Men manage things with more wisdom. There is a War questionless a fermenting against the Protestants ; the Duke of Epernon, in a kind of a Rodomon- tado way, desir'd leave of the King to block up Rochell, and in six weeks he would undertake to deliver her to his hands ; but I believe he reckons without his Host. I was told a merry Passage of this little Gascon Duke, who is now the oldest Soldier in France; having come lately to Paris, he treated with a Pander to procure him a Courtesan, and if she was a Damolsel (a Gentlewoman) he would give so much, and if a Citizen, he would give so much: The Pander did his Office, but brought him a Citizen clad in DamoiseVs apparel, so she and her Maquerel were paid accordingly.

The

142 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

The next day after, some of his Familiars having understood hereof, began to be pleasant with the Duke, and to jeer him, that he being a Fieil Routier, an old try'd Soldier, should suffer himself to be so cozen'd, as to pay for a Citizen after the rate of a Gentlewoman : The little Duke grew half wild hereupon, and commenced an Action of Fraud against the Pander; but what became of it I cannot tell you, but all Paris rang of it. I hope to return now very shortly to England, where, among the rest of my noble Friends, I shall much rejoice to see and serve you, whom I honour with no vulgar affection : So I am — Your true Servitor, J. H. Orleans, 5 Mar. 1622.

XXV.

To my Cousin, Mr. Will. Martin, at Brussels.

DEAR COUSIN,

I FIND you are very punctual in your performances, and a precise observer of the promise you made here to cor- respond with Mr. Altham and me by Letters. I thank you for the variety of German News you imparted to me, which was so neatly couch'd and curiously knit together, that your Letter might serve for a pattern to the best Intelligencer. I am sorry the Affairs of the Prince Palsgrave go so un- towardly ; the wheel of War may turn, and that spoke which is now up may down again. For French Occurrences, there is a War certainly intended against them of the Religion here, and there are visible preparations a-foot already : Among others that shrink in the Shoulders at it, the King's Servants are not very well pleas'd with it, in regard, besides Scots and Swissers, there are divers of the King's Servants that are Protestants. If a Man go to ragiart di stato, to reason of State, the French King hath something to justify this design ; for the Protestants being so numerous, and having near upon fifty presidiary wall'd Towns in their hands for caution, they have power to disturb France when they please, and being abetted by a foreign Prince, to give the

King

Sect. 2. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 143

King Law ; and you know as well as I, how they have been made use of to kindle a Fire in France: Therefore rather than they should be utterly suppressed, I believe the Spaniard himself would reach them his Ragged-staff to defend them.

I send you here inclos'd another from Master Altham, who respects you dearly, and we remember'd you lately at la pomme dit pin in the best Liquor of the French Grape. I shall be shortly for London, where I shall not rejoice a little to meet you. The English air may confirm what foreign begun, I mean our Friendship and Affections; and in Me (that I may return you in English the Latin Verses You sent me) : —

As soon a little Ant

Shall bib the Ocean dry, A Snail shall creep about the World,

E'er these Affections die.

So, my dear Cousin, may Virtue be your Guide, and Fortune your Companion. — Yours while

JAM. HOWELL. fans, 1 8 Mar. 1622.

SECTION

SECTION III.

I.

To my Father. SIR,

I AM safely return'd now the second time from beyond the Seas, but I have yet no Employment : God and good Friends, I hope, will shortly provide one for me.

The Spanish Ambassador, Count Gondomar, doth strongly negotiate a Match 'twixt our Prince and the Infanta of Spain; but at his first Audience there happen'd an ill- favour'd accident (pray God it prove no ill augury), for my Lord of Arundel being sent to accompany him to Whitehall, upon a Sunday in the afternoon, as they were going over the Terrass, it broke under them, but only one was hurt in the Arm. Gondomar said, that he had not car'd to have dy'd in so good Company : He saith, there is no other way to regain the Palatinate but by this Match, and to settle an eternal Peace in Christendom.

The Marquis of Buckingham continueth still in fulness of grace and favour; the Countess his Mother sways also much at Court : she brought Sir Henry Montague from delivering Law on the King's-Bench, to look to his Bags in the Exchequer, for she made him Lord High-Treasurer of England; but he parted with his white Staff before, the year's end, tho' his Purse had bled deeply for it (above ^20,000), which made a Lord of this Land to ask him at his return from Court, Whether he did not Jind that Wood was extreme dear at Newmarket, for there he received the white Staff. There is now a notable stirring Man in the Place, my Lord Cranfield, who, from walking about the Exchange, is come to sit Chief-Justice in the Chequer- Chamber,

Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 145

Clinml't-r, and to have one of the highest Places at the Council-Table : He is marry'd to one of the Tribe of For- tune, a Kinswoman of the Marquis of Buckingham. Thus tliL-re is rising and falling at Court; and as in our natural pace one foot cannot be up till the other be down, so it is in the affairs of the World commonly, one Man riseth at the fall of another.

I have no more to write at this time, but that with tender of my duty to you, I desire a continuance of your Blessing and Prayers. — Your dutiful Son, J. H.

Lond.i 22 Mar. 1622.

II.

To the Honourable Mr. John Savage (now Earl of Rivers)

at Florence. SIR,

MY love is not so short but it can reach as far as Florence to find you out, and farther too if occa- sion required ; nor are these affections I have to serve you so dull, but they can clamber o'er the Alps and Appenin to wait upon you, as they have adventur'd to do now in this paper. I am sorry I was not in London to kiss your hands before you set to Sea, and much more sorry that I had not the happiness to meet you in Holland or Bralant, for we went the very same road, and lay in Dort and Antwerp, in the same lodgings you had lain in a fortnight before. I presume you have by this time tasted of the sweetness of Travel, and that you have wean'd your affections from England for a good while ; you must now think upon home, as (one said) good men think upon Heaven, aiming still to go thither, but not till they finish their course; and yours, I understand, will be three years: in the meantime you must not suffer any melting tenderness of thoughts, or longing desires, to distract or interrupt you in that fair road you are in to Virtue, and to beautify within that comely Edifice which Nature hath built without you. I

K know

146 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

know your Reputation is precious to you, as it should be to every noble Mind ; you have expos'd it now to the hazard, therefore you must be careful it receive no taint at your return, by not answering that expectation which your Prince and noble Parents have of you. You are now under the chiefest clime of Wisdom, fair Italy, the Darling of Nature, the Nurse of Policy, the Theatre of Virtue : But tho' Italy give milk to Virtue with one dug, she often suffers Vice to suck at the other; therefore you must take heed you mistake not the dug: for there is an ill-favour' d Saying, That Inglese Italionato £ Diavolo incarnato ; an Englishman Italianate is a Devil incarnate. I fear no such thing of you, I have had such pregnant proofs of your in- genuity, and noble inclinations to virtue and honour: I know you have a mind to both, but I must tell you that you will hardly get the good-will of the latter, unless the Jirst speak a good word for you. When you go to Rome, you may haply see the ruins of two Temples, one dedicated to Virtue, the other to Honour ; and there was no way to enter into the last but thro' the first. Noble Sir, I wish your good very seriously, and if you please to call to memory, and examine the circumstance of things, and my carriage towards you since I had the happiness to be known first to your honourable Family, I know you will conclude that I love and honour you in no vulgar way.

My Lord, your Grandfather was complaining lately that he had not heard from you a good while: By the next Shipping to Leghorn, among other things, he intends to send you a whole Brawn in collars. I pray be pleased to remember my affectionate service to Mr. Thomas Savage, and my kind respects to Mr. Bold. For English News, I know this packet comes freighted to you, therefore I forbear at this time to send any. Farewell, noble Heir of Honour, and command always. — Your true Servitor, J. H.

Lond., 24 Mar. 1622.

III.

Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 147

III. To Sir James Crofts, Knight, at St. Osith in Essex.

SIR,

I HAD yours upon Tuesday last, and whereas you are desirous to know the proceedings of the Parliament I am sorry I must write to you that matters begin to grow boisterous ; the King retir'd not long since to Newmarket, not very well pleased, and this week there went thither twelve from the House of Commons, to whom Sir Richard Westonwas the mouth: the King not liking the Message they brought, calPd them his Ambassadors, and in the large Answer which he hath sent to the Speaker, he saith, that he must apply to them a Speech of Queen Elizabeth's to an Ambassador of Poland, Legatum expectavimus, Heraldum accepimus ; We expected an Ambassador, we have receivd a Herald: he takes it not well that they should meddle with the Match 'twixt his Son and the Infanta, alleging an example of one of the Kings of France, who would not marry his Son without the advice of his Parliament; but afterwards the King grew so despicable abroad, that no foreign State would treat with him about anything with- out his Parliament. Sundry other high passages there were as a caveat he gave them, not to touch the honour of the King of Spain, with whom he was so far engaged in a matri- monial Treaty, that he could not go back : he gave them also a check for taking cognisance of those things which had their motion in the ordinary Courts of Justice, and that Sir Edward Coke (thoj these words were not inserted in the Answer), whom he thought to be the Jittest Instrument for a Tyrant that ever was in England, should be so bold as to call the Prerogative of the Crown a great Monster. The Parliament after this was not long-liv'd, but broke up in discontent; and upon the point of dissolution, they made a Protest against divers particulars in the aforesaid Answer of His Majesty's. My Lord Digly is preparing for Spain in quality of Ambassador Extraordinary, to perfect the Match

'twixt

148 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

'twixt our Prince and the Lady Infanta; in which business Gondomar hath waded already very deep, and been very active, and ingratiated himself with divers Persons of Quality, Ladies especially : yet he could do no good upon the Lady Hatton, whom he desir'd lately, that in regard he was her next Neighbour (at Ely-House) he might have the Benefit of her Back-gate to go abroad into the Fields; but she put him off with a Compliment: whereupon in a private Audience lately with the King, among other passages of merriment, he told him, that my Lady Hatton was a strange Lady, for she would not suffer her Husland, Sir Ed. Coke, to come in at her fore-door, nor him to go out at her back- door ; and so related the whole business. He was also dis- patching a Post lately for Spain; and the Post having re- ceiv'd his Packet, and kiss'd his hands, he call'd him back, and told him he had forgot one thing, which was, That when he came to Spain, he should commend him to the Sim, for he had not seen him a great while, and in Spain he should be sure tojlnd him. So, with my humble service to my Lord of Colchester, I rest — Your most humble Servitor, J. H. Lond., 24 Mar. 1622.

IV.

To my Brother, Mr. Hugh Penry. SIR,

I^HE Welsh Nag you sent me was deliver'd me in a very good plight, and I give you a thousand thanks for him; I had occasion lately to try his mettle and his lungs, and every one tells me he is right, and of no mongrel Race, but a true Mountaineer; for besides his toughness and strength of Lungs up a Hill, he is quickly curry'd, and content with short Commons : I believe he hath not been long a highway traveller ; for whereas other Horses, when they pass by an Inn or Alehouse, use to make towards them to give them a friendly visit, this Nag roundly goes on, and scorns to cast as much as a glance upon any of them ; which I know not whether I shall impute it to his ignorance, or

height

Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 149

height of Spirit ; hut conversing with the soft Horses in \\nglaml, I believe he will quickly be brought to be more courteous.

The greatest News we have now, is the return of the Lord Bishop of Landajf, Darcna/it, Ward, and Belcanfjiicll, from the Synod of Dor/, where the Bishop had precedence given him according to his episcopal dignity. Armirims and Vorstius were sore baited there concerning Predestination, Election, and Reprobation; as also touching Christ's Death, and Man's Redemption by it; then concerning Man's Cor- ruption and Conversion ; lastly, concerning the Persever- ance of the Saints. I shall have shortly the transaction of the Synod. The Jesuits have put out a jeering Libel against it, and these two Verses I remember in't : —

Dordrecti Sy nodus ? nodus; chorus integer 1 ager ; Conventus ? renlus ; Scssio stramen ? Amen.

But I will confront this Distich with another I read in France of the Jesuits in the Town of Dole, towards Lorain ; they had a great House given them calFd Uarc (arcum) and upon the River of Loire, Henri/ IV. gave them Lajleche, Sagittam in Latin, where they have two stately Convents, that is, Bow and Arrow ; whereupon one made these Verses : —

Arcum Dola dedit, dedit illis alma sagittam Francia ; quis chordam, quam meruere, dabit ?

Fair France the Arrow, Dole gave them the Bow ; Who shall the String, which they deserve, bestow ?

No more now, but that with my dear Love to my Sister, I rest — Your most affectionate Brother, J. H.

Lend., 1 6 Apr. 1622.

V.

To the Lord Viscount Colchester. MY GOOD LORD,

I RECEIVED your Lordship's of the last Week, and according to your command I send here inclos'd the

Venetian

150 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

Venetian Gazette : for foreign Aviso's they write that Mans- felt hath been beaten out of Germany, and is come to Sedan, and 'tis thought the Duke of Bovillon will set him up again with a new Army : Marquis Spinola hath newly sat down before Berghen op zoom; Your Lordship knows well what consequence that Town is of, therefore it is likely this will be a hot Summer in the Netherlands. The French King is in open War against them of the Religion; he hath already clear'd the Loire, by taking Jerseau and Saumur, where Monsieur Du Plessis sent him the Keys, which are promis'd to be deliver' d him again, but I think ad Grcecas Calendas. He hath been also before St. John d'Angeli, where the young Cardinal of Guise died, being struck down by the puff of a Cannon-bullet, which put him in a burning fever, and made an end of him. The last Town that's taken was Clerac, which was put to 50,000 Crowns ransom ; many were put to the Sword, and divers Gentlemen drown'd as they thought to scape; this is the fifteenth cautionary Town the King hath taken : And now they say hemarcheth towards Montaulan, and so to Montpellier and Nismes, and then have at Rochel. My Lord Hays is by this time, 'tis thought, with the Army ; for Sir Edward Herbert is re- turn'd, having had some clashings and counterbufFs with the Favourite Luynes, wherein he comported himself gallantly. There is a fresh Report blown over, that Luynes is lately dead in the Army of the Plague, some say of the Purples, the next Cousen-german to it; which the Protestants give out to be the just Judgment of Heaven fallen upon him, because he incited his Master to these Wars against them. If he be not dead, let him die when he will, he will leave a fame behind him, to have been the greatest Favourite for the time that ever was in France, having from a simple Falconer come to be High Constable, and made himself and his younger Brother Grand Dukes and Peers; and his second Brother Cadenet Marshal ; and all three married to Princely Families.

No more now, but that I most humbly kiss your Lord- ship's

Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 151

ship's hands, and shall be always most ready and chearful to receive your Commandments, because I am — Your Lord- ship's obliged Servitor, J. H. Lond.) 12 Aug. 1623.

VI.

To my Father, from London. SIR,

I WAS at a dead stand in the course of my Fortunes, when it pleas'd God to provide me lately an Employ- ment to Spain, whence I hope there may arise both Repute and Profit. Some of the Cape Merchants of the Turky Company, among whom the chiefest were Sir Robert Nap- per and Captain Leat, propos'd to me, that they had a great business in the Court of Spain in Agitation many years, nor was it now their business, but the King's, in whose name it is followed : They could have Gentlemen of good Quality that would undertake it, yet if I would take it upon me, they would employ no other, and assur'd me that the Employment should tend both to my benefit and credit. Now the business is this : There was a great Turky Ship call'd the Vineyard, sailing thro' the Straits towards Con- stantinople, but by distress of weather she was forc'd to put into a little Port call'd Milo in Sardinia; the Searchers came aboard of her, and finding her richly laden, for her cargazon of broad-cloth was worth the first penny near upon ^30,000, they cavill'd at some small proportion of Lead and Tin which they had only for the use of the Ship; which the Searchers alledgM to be ropa de contrabando, pro- hibited Goods ; for by Article of Peace, nothing is to be carry'd to Turky that may arm or victual. The Viceroy of Sardinia hereupon seized upon the whole Ship, and all her Goods, landed the Master and Men in Spain, who coming to Sir Charles Cornwallis, the Ambassador at that Court, Sir Charles could do them little good at present ; therefore they came to England, and complain'd to the King and Council : His Majesty was so sensible hereof, that he sent a

particular

152 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

particular Commission in his own Royal Name, to demand a restitution of the Ship and Goods, and Justice upon the Viceroy of Sardinia, who had so apparently broke the Peace, and wrong' d his Subjects. Sir Charles (with Sir Paul Pindar a-while) labour'd in the business, and commenced a Suit in Law, but he was callM home before he could do anything to purpose. After him Sir John Digly (now Lord Digly} went Ambassador to Spain, and among other things he had that particular Commission from His Majesty invested in him, to prosecute the Suit in his own Royal Name: There- upon he sent a well-qualify'd Gentleman, Mr. IValsingham Gresly, to Sardinia, who unfortunately meeting with some Men of War in the passage, was carry'd prisoner to Algler. My Lord Digly being remanded home, left the business in Mr. Cottington's hands, then Agent, but resum'd it at his return ; yet it prov'd such a tedious intricate Suit, that he return'd again without finishing the work, in regard of the remoteness of the Island of Sardinia, whence the Witnesses and other Dispatches were to be fetch'd. The Lord Digly is going now Ambassador Extraordinary to the Court of Spain, upon the business of the Match, the restitution of the Palatinate, and other high Affairs of State; therefore he is desirous to transmit the King's Commission touching this particular business to any Gentleman that is capable to follow it, and promiseth to assist him with the utmost of his power; and i'faith he hath good reason to do so, in regard he hath now a good round share himself in it. About this business I am now preparing to go to Spain, in company of the Ambassador ; and I shall kiss the King's hands as his Agent touching this particular Commission. I humbly intreat that your Blessing and Prayers may accompany me in this my new Employment, which I have undertaken upon very good terms, touching expences and reward : So, with my dear love to my brothers and sisters, with other kindred and friends in the Country, I rest — Your dutiful Son, j. H.

8 Sept. 1622.

VII.

Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 153

VII.

To Sir Tho. Savage, Knight and Baronet, at his House in

Long-Melford. HONOURABLE SIR,

IRECEIV'D your commands in a letter which you sent me by Sir John North, and I shall not fail to answer you in those particulars. It hath pleas'd God to dispose of me once more for Spain, upon a business which I hope will make me good returns : there have two Ambassadors and a Royal Agent followM it hitherto, and I am the fourth that is employed in it : I defer to trouble you with the parti- culars of it, in regard I hope to have the happiness to kiss your hand at Tower-Hill before my departure, which will not be till my Lord Digly sets forward. He goes in a gallant splendid Equipage, and one of the King's Ships is to take him in at Plymouth, and transport him to the Corunna or St. Anderas.

Since that sad disaster which befel Archbishop Allot, to kill the man by the glancing of an arrow as he was shooting at a Deer (which kind of death befel one of our Kings once in New Forest) there hath been a Commission awarded to debate whether upon this fact, whereby he hath shed human blood, he be not to be deprived of his Archbishoprick, and pronounced irregular: some were against him; but Bishop Andrews and Sir Henry Martin stood stiffly for him, that in regard it was no spontaneous act, but a mere contin- gency, and that there is no degree of men but is subject to misfortunes and casualties, they declar'd positively that he was not to fall from his dignity or function, but should still remain a Regular, and in statu quo prius. During this Debate, he petitioned the King that he might be permitted to retire to his Alms-house at Guilford where he was born, to pass the remainder of his life; but he is now come to be again rectus in curia, absolutely quitted, and restored to all things : But for the wife of him who was kilPd, it was no misfortune to her, for he hath endowed herself, and her

children

154 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

children with such an estate, that they say her husband could never have got. So I humbly kiss your hands, and rest — Your most obliged Servitor, J. H.

Lond.) 9 Nov. 1622.

VIII.

To Capt. Nich. Leat, at his House in London.

SIR,

I AM safely come to the Court of Spain; and altho' by reason of that misfortune which befel Mr. slltham and me, of wounding the Serjeants in Lombard- Street, we stay'd three weeks behind my Lord Ambassador, yet we came hither time enough to attend him to Court at his first Audience.

The English Nation is better looked on now in Spai?i than ordinary, because of the hopes there are of a Match, which the Merchants and Commonalty much desire, tho' the Nobility and Gentry be not so forward for it : So that in this point the pulse of Spain beats quite contrary to that of England, where the People are averse to this Match, and the Nobility with most part of the Gentry inclinable.

I have perus'd all the Papers I could get into my hands, touching the business of the Ship Vineyard, and I find that they are higher than I in bulk, tho' closely press'd together: I have cast up what is awarded by all the sentences of view, and review, by the Council of State and War; and I find the whole sum, as well principal as interest upon interest, all sorts of damages, and processal charges, come to above two hundred and fifty thousand Crowns. The Conde del Real, quondam Viceroy of Sardinia, who is adjudg'd to pay most part of this money, is here ; and he is Major-domo, Lord Steward to the Infanta Cardinal : If he hath where- with, I doubt not but to recover the money, for I hope to have come in a favourable conjuncture of time, and my Lord Ambassador, who is so highly esteem'd here, doth assure me of his best furtherance. So, praying I may prove

as

Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 155

as successful as I shall be faithful in this great business, I rest — Yours to dispose of, J. H.

Madrid, 28 Dec. 1622.

IX.

To Mr. Arthur Hopton,yrom Madrid. SIR,

SINCE I was made happy with your Acquaintance, I have received sundry strong evidences of your Love and good Wishes unto me, which have ty'd me to you in no common obligation of thanks : I am in despair ever to cancel this bond, nor would I do it, but rather endear the engagement more and more.

The Treaty of the Match 'twixt our Prince and the Lady Infanta is now strongly a-foot : she is a very comely Lady, rather of a Flemish complexion than Spanish, fair- hair'd, and carrieth a most pure mixture of red and white in her Face : She is full and big-lipp'd ; which is held a Beauty rather than a Blemish, or any Excess, in the Austrian Family; it being a thing incident to most of that Race; she goes now upon sixteen, and is of a tallness agree- able to those years. The King is also of such a complexion, and is under twenty; he hath two Brothers, Don Carlos and Don Hernando, who, tho' a Youth of twelve, yet he is Cardinal and Archbishop of Toledo ; which, in regard it hath the Chancellorship of Castile annexed to it, is the greatest spiritual Dignity in Christendom after the Papacy, for it is valued at 300,000 Crowns per annum. Don Carlos is of a differing complexion from all the rest, for he is black-hair'd and of a Spanish hue; he hath neither Office, Command, Dignity, nor Title, but is an individual Com- panion to the King; and what Clothes soever are provided for the King, he hath [the very same, and as often, from top to toe : he is the better belov'd of his People for his com- plexion ; for one shall hear the Spaniard sigh and lament, saying, O when shall we have a King again of our own Colour!

I

156 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

I pray recommend me kindly to all at your House, and send me word when the young Gentlemen return from Italy. So with my most affectionate Respects to yourself, I rest — Your true friend to serve you, J. H.

$Jan. 1622.

X.

To Capt. Nic. Leat,yrora Madrid. SIR,

YOURS of the loth of this present I receiv'd by Mr. Simoji Digly, with the inclos'd to your Son in Ali- cant, which is safely sent. Since my last to you, I had access to Qlivares, the Favourite that rules all ; I had also audience of the King, to whom I deliver'd two Memorials since, in His Majesty's Name of Great Britain, that a particular Junta of some of the Council of State and War might be appointed to determine the business. The last Memorial had so good success, that the Referees are nominated, whereof the chiefest is the Duke of Infantado. Here it is not the stile to claw and compliment with the King, or idolize him by Sacred Sovereign, and Most Excellent Majesty ; but the Spaniard, when he petitions to his King, gives him no other Character but Sir, and so relating his business, at the end doth ask and demand Justice of him. When I have done with the Viceroy here, I shall hasten my dispatches for Sardinia. Since my last I went to liquidate the account more particularly, and I find that of the 250,000 Crowns, there are above forty thousand due to you ; which might serve for a good Alderman's Estate.

Your Son in Alicant writes to me of another mischance that is befallen the Ship Amity about Majorca, whereof you were one of the Proprietaries ; I am very sorry to hear of it, and touching any dispatches that are to be had hence, I shall endeavour to procure you them according to in- structions.

Your cousin Richard Altham remembers his kind respects to you, and sends you many Thanks for the pains you took

in

Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 157

in freeing us from that trouble which the Scuffle with the Serjeants brought upon us. So I rest — Yours ready to serve you, J. H.

$Jan. 1622.

XI.

To the Lord Viscount Colchester,yrow Madrid.

RIGHT HONOURABLE,

THE grand business of the Match goes so fairly on, that a special Junta is appointed to treat of it, the Names whereof I send you here enclosed : they have proceeded so far, that most of the Articles are agreed upon. Mr. George Gage is lately come hither from Rome, a polite and prudent Gentleman, who hath negotiated some things in that Court for the advance of the business, with the Cardinals Bandino, Ludovisio and la Susanna, who are the main Men there, to whom the drawing of the Dispensation is referred.

The late taking of Ormus by the Persian from the Crown of Portugal keeps a great noise here, and the rather be- cause the Exploit was done by the assistance of the English Ships that were then thereabouts. My Lord Digby went to Court, and gave a round satisfaction in this point ; for it was no voluntary but a constrained act in the English, who being in the Persians Port, were suddenly embargu'd for the Service : and the Persian herein did no more than what is usual among Christian Princes themselves, and which is oftener put in practice by the King of Spain and his Viceroys than by any other, viz., to make an Embargue of any stranger's ship that rides within his Ports upon all occasions. It was fear'd this surprisal of Ormus, which was the greatest Mart in all the Orient for all sorts of Jewels, would have bred ill blood, and prejudiced the proceedings of the Match; but the Spaniard is a rational Man, and will be satisfy'd with Reason. Count Olivares is the main Man who sways all, and 'tis thought he is not so much affected to an Alliance with England as his Predecessor the Duke of Lerma was, who set it first a-foot twixt Prince

Henry

158 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

Henry and this Queen of France : The Duke of Lerma was the greatest Privado, the greatest Favourite that ever was in Spain, since Don Alvaro de Luna; he brought himself, the Duke of Uzeda his Son, and the Duke of Cea his Grandchild, to be all Grandees of Spain; which is the greatest Title that a Spanish Subject is capable of: they have a Privilege to stand cover'd before the King, and at their Election there's no other Ceremony but only these three words by the King, Colrese por Grande, Cover your- self for a Grandee ; and that's all. The Cardinal-Duke of Lerma lives at Valladolid, he officiates and sings Mass, and passes his old Age in Devotion and Exercises of Piety. It is a common, and indeed a commendable Custom among the Spaniards, when he hath passed his Grand Climacteric, and is grown decrepit, to make a voluntary resignation of Offices, be they never so great and profitable (tho' I cannot say Lerma did so), and sequestring and weaning themselves, as it were, from all mundan Negotiations and Incumbrances, to retire to some place of Devotion and spend the residue of their days in Meditation, and in preparing themselves for another World. Charles the Emperor shew'd them the way, who left the Empire to his Brother, and all the rest of his Dominions to his Son Philip II., and so taking with him his two Sisters, he retir'd into a Monastery, they into a Nunnery. This does not suit with the Genius of an Englishman, who loves not to pull off his Clothes till he goes to bed. I will conclude with some Verses I saw under a huge Rodomontade Picture of the Duke of Lerma, wherein he is painted like a Giant, bearing up the Monarchy of Spain, that of France, and the Popedom upon his Shoulders, with this Stanza :

Sobre los ombres cTcste Atlanta Yazen en aquestos dias Estas ires Monarquias.

Upon the Shoulders of this Atlas lies The Popedom, and two mighty Monarchies.

So

Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 159

So I most humbly kiss your Lordship's hands, and rest ever most ready — At your Lordship's Command, J. H. 3 Feb. 1622.

XII.

To my Father. SIR,

A.L Affairs went on fairly here, 'specially that of the Match, when Master Endymion Porter brought lately my Lord of Bristol a Dispatch from England of a high nature, wherein the Earl is commanded to represent to this King, how much His Majesty of Great Britain since the beginning of these German Wars hath laboured to merit well of this Crown, and of the whole House of Austria, by a long and lingring patience, grounded still upon assurances hence, that care should be had of his Honour, his Daugh- ter's Jointure, and Grand-children's Patrimony ; yet how crosly all things had proceeded in the Treaty at Brussels, managed by Sir Rich. Weston, as also that in the ~Pala.tina.te, by the Lord Chichester ; how in Treating-time the Town and Castle of Heidelberg were taken, Manheim besieged, and all Acts of Hostility used, notwithstanding the fair Pro- fessions made by this King, the Infanta at Brussels, and other his Ministers ; how merely out of respect to this King he had neglected all martial means, which probably might have preserv'd the Palatinate ; those thin Garrisons which he had sent thither, being rather for Honour's sake to keep a footing until a general accommodation, than that he rely'd any way upon their strength : And since that there are no other fruits of all this but reproach and scorn, and that those good Offices which he used towards the Emperor on the behalf of his Son-in-law, which he was so much en- couraged by Letters from hence should take effect, have not sorted to any other issue than to a plain Affront, and a high injuring of both their Majesties, tho* in a differing degree: The Earl is to tell him, That His Majesty of Great Britain hopes and desires, that out of a true apprehension of these

wrongs

160 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

wrongs oflfer'd unto them both, he will, as his dear and loving Brother, faithfully promise and undertake upon his Honour, confirming the same under his Hand and Seal, either that Heidelberg shall be within seventy days render'd into his hands ; as also that there shall be within the said term of seventy days a Suspension of Arms in the Palatinate, and that a Treaty shall recommence upon such terms as he propounded in November last, which this King then held to be reasonable : And in case that this be not yielded to by the Emperor, that then this King join forces with His Majesty of England for the recovery of the Palatinate, which upon this trust hath been lost ; or in case his Forces at this time be other- wise employed, that they cannot give His Majesty that Assistance he desires and deserves, that at least he will permit a free and friendly passage thro' his Territories, such Forces as His Majesty of Great Britain shall employ in Germany; Of all which, if the Earl of Bristol hath not from the King of Spain a direct Assurance under his Hand and Seal ten days after his Audience, that then he take his Leave, and return to England to His Majsty's presence; also, to proceed in the negotiation of the Match, according to former instructions.

This was the main substance of His Majesty's late Letter, yet there was a Postil added, that in case a rupture happen 'twixt the two Crowns, the Earl should not come instantly and abruptly away, but that he should send Advice first to England, and carry the Business so, that the World should not presently know of it.

Notwithstanding all these Traverses, we are confident here that the Match will take, otherwise my Cake is Dow. There was a great difference in one of the Capitulations ^twixt the two Kings, how long the Children which should issue of this Marriage were to continue sub regimine Matris, under the tutele of the Mother. This King demanded four- teen years at first, then twelve ; but now he is come to nine, which is newly condescended unto. I receive! yours of the first of September, in another from Sir James Crofts, wherein

it

Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 161

it was no small comfort to me to hear of your health. I am to go hence shortly for Sardinia, a dangerous Voyage, by reason of Algier Pirates. I humbly desire your prayers may accompany — Your dutiful Son, J. H.

Madrid, 23 Feb. 1622.

XIII.

To Sir James Crofts, Knight. SIR,

"\/OURS of the ad of October came to safe hand with JL the inclos'd : You write that there came Dispatches lately from Rome, wherein the Pope seems to endeavour to insinuate himself into a direct Treaty with England, and to negotiate immediately with our King touching the Dispen- sation, which he not only labours to evade, but utterly dis- claims, it being by Article the task of this King to procure all Dispatches thence. I thank you for sending me this news. You shall understand there came lately an Express from Rome also to this Court, touching the business of the Match, which gave very good content; but the Dispatch and new Instructions which Mr. Endymion Porter brought my Lord of Bristol lately from England touching the Prince Palatine, fills us with apprehensions of fear: Our Ambas- sadors here have had audience of this King already about those Propositions, and we hope that Master Porter will carry back such thing as will satisfy. Touching the two points in the Treaty wherein the two Kings differ'd most, viz., about the eduration of the Children, and the exemption of the Infanta's ecclesiastic servants from secular Jurisdic- tion ; both these Points are clear'd ; for the Spaniard is come from fourteen years to ten, and for so long time the Infant Princes shall remain under the Mother's Government. And for the other Point, the ecclesiastical Superior shall first take notice of the offence that shall be committed by any spiritual person belonging to the Infanta's family, and according to the merit thereof, either deliver him by degradation to the secular Justice, or banish him the Kingdom, according to

L the

162 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

the quality of the delict : and it is the same that is practis'd in this Kingdom, and other parts that adhere to Rome.

The Conde de Monterre goes Viceroy to Naples, the Mar- quis de Montesclaros being put by, the gallanter Man of the two. I was told of a witty saying of his, when the Duke of Lerma had the vogue in this Court : for going one morning to speak with the Duke, and having danc'd attend- ance a long time, he peep'd thro' a slit in the hanging, and spy'd Don Rodrigo Calderon, a great Man (who was lately beheaded here for poisoning the late Queen-Dowager), de- livering the Duke a paper upon his knees; whereat the Marquis smil'd, and said, Voto a tal aquel homlre sube mas a las rodillas, que yo no hago a los pies ; — 7 swear that Man climbs higher upon his knees, than lean upon my feet. Indeed I have read it to be a true Court Rule, that descendendo ascen- dendum est in Aula, descending is the way to ascend at Court. There is a kind of humility and compliance that is far from any servile baseness or sordid flattery, and may be termed discretion rather than adulation. I intend, God willing, to go for Sardinia this Spring; I hope to have better luck than Master Walsmgham Gresley had, who some few years since, in his passage thither upon the same business that I have in agitation, met with some Turks Men of War, and so was carried slave to Algier. So, with my due respects to you, I rest — Your faithful Servant, J. H.

Madrid, 12 March 1622.

XIV.

To Sir Francis Cottington, Secretary to His Highness the

Prince o/ Wales, at St. James's. SIR,

BELIEVE it will not be unpleasing to you to hear of 1 the procedure and success of that business wherein yourself hath been so long vers'd, I mean the great Suit against the quondam Viceroy of Sardinia, the Conde del Real. Count Gondomar's coming was a great Advantage unto me,

who

Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 163

who hath done me many favours; besides a confirmation of the two Sentences of View and Review, and of the execution against the Viceroy, I have procured a Royal Ccdule which I caus'd to be printed, and whereof I send you here inclos'd a Copy, by which Cedule I have power to arrest his very Person ; and my Lawyer tells me there was never such a Cedule granted before. I have also by virtue of it priority of all other his Creditors; he hath made an imperfect overture of a Composition, and show'd me some trivial old-fashion'd Jewels, but nothing equivalent to the debt. And now that I speak of Jewels, the late surprizal of Ormus by the Assistance of our Ships sinks deep in their stomachs here, and we were afraid it would have spoiPd all proceedings; but my Lord Digby, now Earl of Bristol (for Count Gondomar brought him o'er his Patent), hath calm'd all things at his last Audience.

There were luminaries of joy lately here for the Victory that Don Gonzalez de Cordova got over Count Mansfelt in the Netherlands, with that Army which the D. of Bovillon had levied for him; but some say they have not much reason to rejoice, for tho' the Infantry suffered, yet Mansfelt got clear with all his Horse by a notable retreat ; and they say here it was the greatest piece of Service and Art he ever did ; it being a Maxim, That there is nothing so difficult in the Art of War as an honourable Retreat. Besides, the report of his coming to Breda caus'd Marquis Sphiola to raise the Siege before Berghen, to burn his tents, and to pack away suddenly, for which he is much censur'd here.

Capt. Leat and others have written to me of the favour- able report you pleas' d to make of my Endeavours here, for which I return you humble thanks : And altho' you have left behind you a multitude of Servants in this Court, yet if occasion were offered, none should be more forward to go on your Errand than — Your humble and faithful Servitor, J. H.

Madrid, 15 Mar. 1622.

XV.

164 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

XV.

To the Honourable Sir Tho. Savage, Kt. and Bar.

HONOURABLE SIR,

THE great business of the Match was tending to a period, the Articles reflecting both upon Church and State being capitulated, and interchangeably accorded on both sides ; and there wanted nothing to consummate all Things, when, to the wonderment of the World, the Prince and the Marquis of Buckingham arriv'd at this Court on Friday last, upon the close of the Evening : They alighted at my Lord of Bristol's House, and the Marquis (Mr. Thomas Smith) came in first with a Portmanteau under his Arm ; then (Mr. John Smith) the Prince was sent for, who stay'd a while on t'other side of the Street in the dark. My Lord of Bristol, in a kind of Astonishment, brought him up to his Bed-chamber, where he presently callM for Pen and Ink, and dispatch' d a Post that night to England, to acquaint His Majesty how in less than sixteen days he was come safely to the Court of Spain; that Post went lightly laden, for he carried but three Letters. The next day came Sir Francis Cottington and Mr. Porter, and dark rumours ran in every corner how some great Man was come from England; and some would not stick to say among the vulgar it was the King : but towards the evening on Saturday the Marquis went in a close Coach to Court, where he had private Audience of this King, who sent Olivares to accompany him back to the Prince, where he kneel'd and kiss'd his hands, and hugg'd his thighs, and delivered how unmeasurably glad his Catholick Majesty was of his coming, with other high Compliments, which Mr. Porter did interpret. About ten aclock that night the King himself came in a close Coach with intent to visit the Prince, who hearing of it, met him half-way ; and after salutations and divers embraces which passed in the first Interview, they parted late. I forgot to tell you that Count Gondomar being sworn Counsellor of

State

Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 165

State that morning, having been before but one of the Council of War, he came in great haste to visit the Prince, saying he had strange news to tell him, which was, that an r*nglishman was sworn Privy Counsellor of Spain, meaning himself, who he said was an Englishman in his heart. On Sunday following the King in the Afternoon came abroad to take the Air, with the Queen, his two Brothers, and the InJ'diita, who were all in one Coach ; but the Infanta sat in the Boot with a blue ribbon about her Arm, of purpose that the Prince might distinguish her: There were above twenty Coaches besides, of Grandees, Noblemen, and Ladies, that attended them. And now it was publickly known among the vulgar, that it was the Prince of Wales who was come ; and the confluence of People before my Lord of Bristol's House was so great and greedy to see the Prince, that to clear the way, Sir Lewis Dives went out and took coach, and all the crowd of People went after him : so the Prince himself a little after took coach, wherein there were the Earl of Bristol, Sir Walter Ashton, and Count Gondomar; and so went to the Prado, a place hard by, of purpose to take the Air, where they stayed till the King pass'd by. As soon as the Infanta saw the Prince, her colour rose very high, which we hold to be an impression of Love and Affection ; for the Face is oftentimes a true Index of the Heart. Upon Monday morning after, the King sent some of his prime Nobles, and other Gentlemen, to attend the Prince in quality of Officers, as one to be his Major-domo (his Steward), another to be Master of the Horse, and so to inferior Officers; so that there is a compleat Court now at my Lord of Bristol's House: but upon Swiday next the Prince is to remove to the King's Palace, where there is one of the chief Quarters of the House providing for him. By the next opportunity you shall hear more. In the interim I take my leave, and rest — Your most humble and ready Servitor, J. H.

Madrid^ 27 Afar. 1623.

XVI.

i66 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

XVI.

To Sir Eubule Theolall, Knight, at Gray's-Inn.

SIR,

I KNOW the eyes of all England are earnestly fix'd now upon Spain, her best Jewel being here; but his journey was like to be spoiPd in France, for if he had staid but a little longer at Bayonne, the last Town of that Kingdom hitherwards, he had been discovered ; for Mons. Gramond, the Governor, had notice of him not long after he had taken Post. The People here do mightily magnify the Gallantry of the Journey, and cry out that he deserved to have the Infanta thrown into his Arms the first night he came; he hath been entertain'd with all the magnificence that possibly could be devised. On Sunday last in the morning betimes he went to St. Hierom's Monastery, whence the Kings of Spain use to be fetch'd the day they are crown'd; and thither the King came in person with his two Brothers, his eight Councils, and the flower of the Nobility; he rid upon the King's right hand thro' the heart of the Town under a great Canopy, and was brought so into his Lodgings in the King's Palace,, and the King himself accompany'd him to his very Bedchamber. It was a very glorious sight to behold ; for the custom of the Spaniard is, tho' he go plain in his ordi- nary habit, yet upon some Festival or cause of Triumph there's none goes beyond him in gaudiness.

We daily hope for the Pope's Breve or Dispensation to perfect the business, tho' there be dark whispers abroad that it is come already ; but that upon this unexpected coming of the Prince, it was sent back to Rome, and some new Clauses thrust in for their further advantage. Till this dispatch comes, matters are at a kind of stand ; yet His Highness makes account to be back in England about the latter end of May. God Almighty turn all to the best, and to what shall be most conducible to His Glory. So with

my

Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 167

my due Respects unto you, I rest — Your much obliged Servitor, J. H.

Madrid, i April 1623.

XVII.

To Captain Leat. SIR,

HAVING brought up the Law to the highest point against the Viceroy of Sardinia, and that in an extraordinary manner, as may appear unto you by that printed Cedule I sent you in my last, and finding an apparent disability in him to satisfy the debt, I thought upon a new design, and fram'd a Memorial to the King, and wrought good strong means to have it seconded, that in regard that predatory act of seizing upon the Ship Vineyard in Sardinia, with all her goods, was done by His Majesty's Viceroy, his Sovereign Minister of State, one that immediately represented his own Royal Person, and that the said Viceroy was in- solvent, I dcsir'd His Majesty would be pleas' d to grant a Warrant for the relief of both Parties, to lade so many thousand Sterils, or measures of Corn, out of Sardinia and Sicily custom-free. I had gone far in the business, when Sir Francis Cottington sent for me, and required me in the Prince's Name to proceed no further herein till he was departed : so his Highness's presence here hath turn'd rather to my disadvantage than otherwise. Among other Grandezas which the King of Spain conferred upon our Prince, one was the releasement of Prisoners, and that all Petitions of grace should come to him for the first month ; but he hath been wonderfully sparing in receiving any, especially from any English, Irish, or Scot. Your Son Nicholas is come hither from Alicant about the Ship Amity, and I shall be ready to second him in getting satisfaction : so I rest — Yours ready to serve you, J. H.

Madrid, $June 1623.

XVIII.

i68 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

XVIII.

To Captain Tho. Porter.

NOBLE CAPTAIN,

MY last to you was in Spanish, in answer to one of yours in the same Language; and among that confluence of English Gallants who, upon the occasion of His Highness being here, are come to this Court, I fed my- self with hopes a long while to have seen you; but I find now that those hopes were impM with false feathers. I know your heart is here, and your best affections ; therefore I wonder what keeps back your Person : but I conceive the reason to be, that you intend to come like yourself, to come Commander-in-chief of one of the Castles of the Crown, one of the Ships Royal : If you come to this Shore-side, I hope you will have time to come to the Court ; I have at any time a good Lodging for you, and my Landlady is none of the meanest, and her Husband hath many good parts : I heard her setting him forth one day, and giving this Character of him : Mi marido es luen musico, luen esgrimidoTj luen escrivano, excellent e arithmetico, salvo que no mulliplica; — My Husband is a good Musician, a good Fencer, a good Horseman, a good Penman, and an excellent Arith- metician, only he cannot multiply. For outward usage, there is all industry used to give the Prince and his Servants all possible contentment; and some of the King's own Ser- vants wait upon them at Table in the Palace, where, I am sorry to hear, some of them jeer at the Spanish fare, and use other slighting speeches and demeanor. There are many excellent Poems made here since the Prince's arrival, which are too long to couch in a Letter; yet I will venture to send you this one Stanza of Lope de Vegas : —

Carlos Estuardo Soy

Que siendo Amor mi guia, Al cielo d'Espana voy

For ver mi Estrella Maria.

There

Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 169

There are Comedians once a week come to the Palace, where, under a great Canopy, the Queen and the Infunta sit in the middle, our Prince and Don Carlos on the Queen's right hand, the King and the little Cardinal on the Infanta's left hand. I have seen the Prince have his Eyes immove- ably fix'd upon the Infant a half an hour together in a thoughtful speculative posture, which sure would needs be tedious, unless affection did sweeten it : it was no handsome comparison of Olivares, that he watch'd her as a cat doth a Mouse. Not long since the Prince, understanding that the Infanta was used to go some mornings to the Casa de Campo, a Summer-house the King hath on t'other side the River, to gather May-dew, he rose betimes and went thither, taking your Brother with him ; they were let into the House, and into the Garden, but the Infanta was in the Orchard : and there being a high partition-wall between, and the door doubly bolted, the Prince got on the top of the wall, and sprung down a great height, and so made towards her; but she spying him first of all the rest, gave a shriek, and ran back : the old Marquis that was then her Guardian came towards the Prince, and fell on his knees, conjuring His Highness to retire, in regard he hazarded his Head if he admitted any to her company ; so the door was open'd, and he came out under that wall over which he had got in. I have seen him watch a long hour together in a close Coach, in the open street, to see her as she went abroad : I cannot say that the Prince did ever talk with her privatly, yet publickly often, my Lord of Bristol being Interpreter; but the King always sat hard by to overhear all. Our Cousin Archy hath more privilege than any, for he often goes with his Fool's-coat where the Infanta is with her Menina's and Ladies of Honour, and keeps a-blowing and blustering among them, and flurts out what he lists.

One day they were discoursing what a marvellous thing it was that the D. of Bavaria with less than 15,000 Men, after a long toilsome March, should dare to encounter the Palsgrave's Army, consisting of above 25,000, and to give

them

170 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

them an utter discomfiture, and take Prague presently after: Whereunto Archy answer'd, that he would tell them a stranger thing than that: Was it not a strange thing, quoth he, that in the Year 88 there should come a Fleet of 140 Sail from Spain to invade England, and that ten of these could not go back to tell what became of the rest ? By the next opportunity I will send you the Cordouan Pockets and Gloves you writ for of Francisco Moreno's per- fuming. So may my dear Captain live long, and love his —

J.H. Madrid, lojttly 1623.

XIX.

To my Cousin, Tho. Guin, Esq., at his House at Trecastle.

COUSIN,

I RECEIVED lately one of yours, which I cannot compare more properly than to a Posie of curious flowers, there was therein such variety of sweet strains and dainty expres- sions of Love : and tho' it bore an old date, for it was forty days before it came safe to hand, yet the flowers were still fresh, and not a whit faded, but did cast as strong and fragrant a scent as when your hands bound them up first together, only there was one flower that did not savour so well, which was the undeserved Character you please to give of my small abilities, which in regard you look upon, me thro' the prospective of affection, appear greater to you than they are of themselves; yet, as small as they are, I would be glad to employ them all to serve you upon any occasion.

Whereas you desire to know how matters pass here, you shall understand that we are rather in assurance, than hopes, that the Match will take effect, when one dispatch more is brought from Rome, which we greedily expect. The Spaniards generally desire it ; they are much taken with our Prince, with the bravery of his journey, and his discreet comportment since; and they confess there was never Princess courted with more gallantry. The Wits of the Court here have made divers Encomiums of him, and of his

affection

Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 171

affection to the L. Infanta. Among others, I send you a Latin Poem of one Mumicr'nis, a Valencian^ to which I add this ensuing Hexastic ; which, in regard of the difficulty of the Verse, consisting of all Ternaries (which is the hardest way of versifying), and of the exactness of the translation, I believe will give you content: —

Fax grata tst, gratum est vulnus, mihi grata catena est,

Me quibus astringit, ladit dr* urit Amor ; Sed flammam extingui, sanari vulnera^ solvi

Vinda, etiam ut possem non ego posse vclim : Mirum equidem genus hoc morbi est, incendia 6* ictus

Vinclaque, vinctus adhuc, Icesus 6- ustus, amo.

Grateful's to me the fire, the wound, the chain, By which Love burns, Love binds and giveth pain ; But for to quench this fire, these bonds to lose, These wounds to heal, I would not could I choose : Strange sickness, where the wounds, the bonds, the fire That burns, that bind, that hurt, I must desire.

In your next, I pray, send me your opinion of these Verses, for I know you are a Critic in Poetry. Mr. Vaughan of the Golden-Grove and I were Comrades and Bedfellows here many months together : his Father, Sir John Vaughan, the Prince his Controller, is lately come to attend his Master. My Lord Carlisle, my Lord of Holland, my Lord of Rochfort, my Lord of Denbigh, and divers others are here ; so that we have a very flourishing Court, and I could wish you were here to make one of the number. So, my dear Cousin, I wish you all happiness, and our noble Prince a safe and successful return to England. — Your most affectionate Cousin, J. H.

Madrid, 13 Aug. 1623.

XX.

To my noble Friend, Sir John North.

SIR,

THE long-look'd-for Dispensation is come from Rome, but I hear it is clogg'd with new Clauses ; and one

is,

172 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

is, That the Pope, who allegeth that the only aim of the Apostolicall See in granting this Dispensation was the ad- vantage and ease of the Catholics in the King of Great Britain s Dominions, therefore he desired a valuable Caution for the performance of those Articles which were stipulated in their favour; this hath much puzzled the business, and Sir Francis Cottington comes now over about it : Besides, there is some distaste taken at the Duke of Buckingham here, and I heard this King should say he would treat no more with him, but with the Ambassadors, who, he saith, have a more plenary Commission, and understand the business better. As there is some darkness happen'd 'twixt the two Favourites, so matters stand not right 'twixt the Duke and the Earl of Bristol ; but God forbid that a business of so high a consequence as this, which is likely to tend so much to the universal good of Christendom, to the restitution of the Palatinate and the composing those broils in Germany, should be ranvers'd by differences 'twixt a few private Sub- jects, though now public Ministers.

Mr. Washington, the Prince his Page, is lately dead of a Calenture, and I was at his burial under a Fig-tree behind my Lord of Bristol's House. A little before his death one Ballard, an English Priest, went to tamper with him; and Sir Edmund Varney meeting him coming down the stairs, out of Washington's Chamber, they fell from words to blows, but they were parted. The business was like to gather very ill blood, and to come to a great height, had not Count Gondomar quash'd it, which I believe he could not have done, unless the times had been favourable ; for such is the reverence they bear to the Church here, and so holy a conceit they have of all Ecclesiastics, that the greatest Don in Spain will tremble to offer the meanest of them any outrage or affront. Count Gondomar hath also help'd to free some English that were in the Inquisition in Toledo and Sevill ; and I could allege many instances how ready and chearful he is to assist any Englishman whatsoever, not- withstanding the base affronts he hath often received of the

London

Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 173

London Buys, as he calls them. At his last return hither, I heard of a merry Saying of his to the Queen, who dis- coursing with him about the greatness of London, and whether it was as populous as Madrid ; Yes, Madame, and more populous when I came away, tho' I believe there's scarce a Man left there now but all Women and Children; for all the Men both in Court and City were ready booted and spurred to go away. And I am sorry to hear how other Nations do much tax the English of their incivility to public Ministers of State, and what Ballads and Pasquils, and Fopperies and Plays, were made against Gondomar for doing his Master's business. My Lord of Bristol coming from Ger- uuunj to Brussels, notwithstanding that at his arrival thither the news was fresh that he had relieved Frankindale as he pass'd, yet he was not a whit the less welcome, but valued the more both by the Archdutchess her self and Spinola, with all the rest ; as also that they knew well that the said Earl had been the sole adviser of keeping Sir Robert Mansel abroad with that Fleet upon the Coast of Spain, till the Palsgrave should be restor'd. I pray, Sir, when you go to London-Wall, and Tower-Hill, be pleased to remember my humble Service, where you know it is due. So I am — Your most faithful Servitor, J. H.

Madrid \ 15 Aug. 1623.

XXI.

To the Right Honourable the Lord Viscount Colchester.

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

I RECEIVED the Letter and Commands your Lordship pleased to send me by Mr. Walsingham Gresley ; and House of the West-Indies in Sevill, I cannot procure it for love or money, upon any terms; tho' I have done all pos- sible diligence therein : And some tell me it is dangerous, and no less than Treason in him that gives the copy of them

to

174 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

to any, in regard 'tis counted the greatest Mystery of all the Spanish Government.

That difficulty which happened in the business of the Match of giving caution to the Pope is now overcome : for whereas our King answer'd, That he could give no other caution than his Royal Word and his Son's, exemplify'd under the Great Seal of England, and confirmed by his Council of State, it being impossible to have it done by Parliament, in regard of the averseness the Common People have to the Alliance; and whereas this gave no satisfaction to Rome, the King of Spain now offers himself for caution, for putting in execution what is stipulated in behalf of the Roman Catholics, thro'out His Majesty of Great Britain's Dominions. But he desires to consult his Ghostly Fathers, to know whether he may do it without wronging his Con- science : hereupon there hath been a Junta formed of Bishops and Jesuits, who have been already a good while about it; and the Bishop of Segovia, who is, as it were, Lord-Trea- surer, having written a Treatise lately against the Match, was outed of his Office, banish'd the Court, and confin'd to his Diocese. The Duke of Buckingham hath been ill-indis- pos'd a good while, and lies sick at Court, where the Prince hath no public exercise of Devotion, but only Bedchamber Prayers; and some think that his Lodging in the King's House is like to prove a disadvantage to the main business : for whereas most sorts of People here hardly hold us to be Christians, if the Prince had a Palace of his own, and been permitted to have used a room for an open Chapel to exer- cise the Liturgy of the Church of England, it would have brought them to have a better opinion of us ; and to this end there were some of our best Church-plate and Vest- ments brought hither, but never us'd. The slow pace of this Junta troubles us a little, and to the Divines there are some Civilians admitted lately : and the quaere is this, Whether the King of Spain may bind himself by Oath in the behalf of the King of England, to perform such and such Articles that are agreed on in favour of the Roman

Catholicks

Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 175

Catholicks by virtue of this Match, whether the King may do this salvd conscientld.

There was a great Show lately here of baiting of Bulls with Men, for the entertainment of the Prince; it is the chiefest of all Spanish Sports ; commonly there are Men kill'cl at it, therefore there are Priests appointed to be there ready to confess them. It hath happen'd oftentimes that a Bull hath taken up two men upon his horns with their guts dangling about them ; the horsemen run with lances and swords, the foot with goads. As I am told, the Pope hath sent divers Bulls against this sport of Bulling, yet it will not be left, the Nation hath taken such an habitual delight in it. There was an ill-favoured accident like to have happen'd lately at the King's House, in that part where my Lord of Carlisle and my Lord Denbigh were lodg'd ; for my Lord Denbigh late at night taking a pipe of Tobacco in a Balcony, which hung over the King^s Garden, he blew down the ashes, which falling upon some parch'd combustible matter, began to flame and spread : but Mr. Davis, my Lord of Carlisle's Barber, leap'd down a great height and quench'd it. So, with my continuance of my most humble Service, I rest ever ready — At your Lordship's Command, J. H.

Madrid^ 16 Aug. 1623.

XXII.

To Sir James Crofts,yrom Madrid. SIR,

r I ^HE Court of Spain affords now little news; for there JL is a Eemora sticks to the business of the Match, till the Junta of Divines give up their Opinion : But from Turky there came a Letter this week, wherein there is the strangest and almost tragical news, that in my small reading no Story can parallel, or shew with more pregnancy the instability and tottering estate of human Greatness, and the sandy Foundation whereon the vast Ottoman Empire is rear'd : for Sultan Osman, the Grand Turk, a Man according to the

humour

176 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

humour of that Nation, warlike and fleshed in blood, and a violent hater of Christians, was in the flower of his years, in the heat and height of his courage, knocked in the head by one of his own Slaves, and one of the meanest of them, with a Battle-axe, and the Murderer never after proceeded against or questioned.

The ground of this Tragedy was the late ill success he had against the Pole, wherein he lost about 100,000 Horse for want of forage, and 80,000 Men for want of fighting; which he imputed to the cowardice of his Janizaries, who rather than bear the brunt of the Battell, were more willing to return home to their Wives and merchandizing ; which they are now permitted to do, contrary to their first Institution, which makes them more worldly, and less venturous. This disgraceful return from Poland stuck in Osman's stomach, and so he studied a way to be reveng'd of the Janizaries ; therefore by the Advice of his Grand Visier (a stout gallant Man, who had been one of the chief Beglerlegs in the East), he intended to erect a new Soldiery in Asia about Damasco, of the Coords, a frontier People, and consequently hardy and inur'd to Arms. Of these he proposed to entertain 40,000 as a Lifeguard for his Person, tho' the main design was to suppress his lazy and lustful Janizaries, with Men of fresh new Spirits.

To disguise this Plot, he pretended a Pilgrimage to Mecca, to visit Mahomet's Tomb, and reconcile himself to the Prophet, who he thought was angry with him, because of his late ill success in Poland; but this colour was not specious enough, in regard he might have performed this Pilgrimage with a smaller Train and Charge ; therefore it was propounded that the Emir of Sidon should be made to rise up in Arms, that so he might go with a greater Power and Treasure ; but this Plot was held disadvantageous to him, in regard his Janizaries must then have attended him : so he pretends and prepares only for the Pilgrimage, yet he makes ready as much Treasure as he could make, and to that end he melts his Plate, and furniture of Horses, with

divers

Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 177

divers Church-lamps: this fomented some jealousy in the Janizdrif.'i, with certain words which should drop from him, that he would find Soldiers shortly should whip them. Here- upon he had sent over to Asia's side his Pavilions, many of his Servants, with his Jewels and Treasure, resolving upon the Voyage ; notwithstanding that divers Petitions were delivered him from the Clergy, the Civil Magistrate, and the Soldiery, that he should desist from the Voyage, but all would not do : thereupon, on the point of his departure, the Janizaries and Spahies came in a tumultuary manner to his Seraglio, and in a high insolent language dissuaded him from the Pilgrimage, and demanded of him his ill Coun- sellors. The first he granted, but for the second, he said that it stood not with his Honour to have his nearest Servants torn from him so, without any legal proceeding ; but he assur'd them that they should appear in the Divan the next day, to answer for themselves : but this not satis- fying, they went away in a fury, and plunder'd the Grand fitter's Palace, with divers others. Osman hereupon was advised to go from his private Gardens that night to the Asian Shore, but his destiny kept him from it : so the next morning they came arm'd to the Court (but having made a Covenant not to violate the Imperial Throne) and cut in pieces the Grand Fisier, with divers other great Officers; and not finding Osman, who had hid himself in a small lodge in one of his Gardens, they cryM out, they must have a Musitlman Emperor : therefore they broke into a Dungeon, and brought out Mustapha, Osman's Uncle, whom he had clappM there at the beginning of the Tumult, and who had been King before, but was depos'd for his simplicity, being a kind of Santon, or holy Man, that is, 'twixt an Innocent and an Idiot ; this Mustapha they did reinthronize, and place in the Ottoman Empire.

The next day they found out Osman, and brought him before Mustapha, who excused himself with Tears in his Eyes for his rash attempts, which wrought tenderness in some, but more scorn and fury in others; who fell upon

M the

178 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

the Capi Aga, with other Officers, and cut them in pieces before his Eyes. Osman thence was carried to Prison, and as he was getting on horseback, a common Soldier took off his Turban, and clapp'd his upon Osman's Head, who in his passage begg'd a draught of Water at a Fountain. The next day, the new Vmer went with an Executioner to strangle him, in regard there were two younger Brothers more of his to preserve the Ottoman's Race; where, after they had rush'd in, he being newly awak'd, and staring upon them, and thinking to defend himself, a robust bois- terous Rogue knock'd him down, and so the rest fell upon him, and strangled him with much ado.

Thus fell one of the greatest Potentates upon Earth, by the hands of a contemptible Slave, for there is not a free- born Subject in all that vast Empire: Thus fell he that entitles himself Most Puissant and Highest Monarch of the Turks, King above all Kings, a King that dwelleth upon the earthly Paradise, Son of Mahomet, Keeper of the Grave of the Christian God, Lord of the Tree of Life, and of the River Flisky, Prior of the Earthly Paradise, Conqueror of the Macedonians, the Seed of Great Alexander, Prince of the Kingdoms of Tartary, Mesopotamia, Media, and of the Martial Mammalucks, Anatolia, Bithynia, Asia, Armenia, Servia, Thracia, Morea, Valachia, Moldavia, and of all War- like Hungary, Sovereign Lord and Commander of all Greece, Persia, both the Aralias, the most noble Kingdom of Egypt, Tremisen, and African Empire of Tralesond, and the most glorious Constantinople, Lord of all the White and Black Seas, of the Holy City Mecca and Medina, shining with divine Glory; Commander of all things that are to be com- manded, and the strongest and mightiest Champion of the wide World ; a Warrior appointed by Heaven in the edge of the Sword, a Persecutor of his Enemies, a most perfect Jewel of the Blessed Tree, the Chiefest Keeper of the Crucify'd God, &c., with other such bombastical Titles.

This Osman was a man of goodly constitution, an amiable aspect, and of excess of Courage, but sordidly covetous;

which

Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 179

which drove him to violate the Church, and to melt the Lamps thereof, which made the Mufti say, That this was a due judgment fallen upon him from Heaven for his Sacri- lege. He us'd also to make his Person too cheap, for he would go ordinarily in the night-time with two Men after him, like a Petty-constable, and peep into the Cauph-houses and Cabarets, and apprehend Soldiers there: And these two things, it seems, were the cause, that when he was so assaulted in the Seraglio, not one of his domestick Servants, whereof he had 3000, would lift up an arm to help him.

Some few days before his death he had a strange dream, for he dreamed that he was mounted upon a great Camel, who would not go neither by fair nor foul means ; and light- ing off him, and thinking to strike him with his Scimiter, the body of the Beast vanish'd, leaving the head and the bridle only in his hands. When the Mufti and the Hoggies could not interpret this dream, Mustapka his Uncle did it; for he said, the Camel signify'd his Empire, his mounting of him his excess in Government, his lighting down his depos- ing. Another kind of prophetic Speech dropt from the Grand Visier to Sir Tho. Roe, our Ambassador there, who having gone a little before this Tragedy to visit the said Visier, told him what whisperings and mutterings there were in every corner for this Asiatic Voyage, and what ill consequences might ensue from it : therefore it might well stand with his great wisdom to stay it; but if it held, he dcsir'd him to leave a charge with the Chimacham, his Deputy, that the English Nation in the Port should be free from outrages : whereunto the Grand Visier answer'd, Trouble not yourself about that, for I will not remove so far from Constantinople, but I will leave one of my Legs behind to serve you ; which prov'd too true ; for he was murder'd afterwards, and one of his Legs was hung up in the Hippodrome.

This fresh Tragedy makes me give over wondering at any- thing; that ever I heard or read, to shew the lubricity of mundan Greatness, as also the fury of the Vulgar, which,

like

180 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

like an impetuous Torrent, gathers strength by degrees as it meets with divers Dams, and being come to the height, cannot stop itself: for when this rage of the Soldiers began first, there was no design at all to violate or hurt the Emperor, but to take from him his ill Counsellors; but being once a-foot, it grew by insensible degrees to the utmost of outrages.

The bringing out of Mustapha from the Dungeon where he was prisoner, to be Emperor of the Musulmans, put me in mind of what I read in Mr. Camden of our late Queen Elizabeth, how she was brought from the Scaffold to the English Throne.

They who profess to be Criticks in Policy here, hope that this murdering of Osman may in time breed good blood, and prove advantageous to Christendom : for tho' this be the first Emperor of the Turks that was dispatched so, he is not like to be the last, now that the Soldiers have this Precedent: others think that if that design in Asia had taken, it had been very probable the Constantinopolitans had hois'd up another King, and so the Empire had been dis- membred, and by this division had lost strength, as the Roman Empire did, when it was broken into East and West.

Excuse me that this my Letter is become such a Monster, I mean that it hath pass'd the size and ordinary proportion of a Letter; for the matter it treats of is monstrous; be- sides, it is a rule, that Historical Letters have more liberty to be long than others. In my next you shall hear how matters pass here; and in the meantime, and always, I rest — Your Honour's most devoted Servitor, J. H.

17 Aug. 1623.

XXTTI.

To the Right Honourable Sir Tho. Savage, Kt. and Bar. HONOURABLE SIR,

THE procedure of things in relation to the grand business of the Match was at a kind of stand, when the long winded Junta deliver'd their opinions, and fell at last upon

this

Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 181

this result, that his Catholick Majesty, for the satisfaction of St. Peter, might oblige himself in the behalf of England, for the performance of those Capitulations which related to the Roman Catholicks in that Kingdom ; and in case of non-performance, then to right himself by war; since that the matrimonial Articles were solemnly sworn to by the K. of Spain and His Highness, the two Favourites, our two Ambassadors, the Duke of InfantadOj and other Counsellors of State being present : Hereupon the 8th of September next is appointed to be the day of Desposorios, the day of djpance, or the Betrothing-day. There was much gladness expressed here, and Luminaries of Joy were in every great Street thro'out the City : But there is an unlucky Accident hath intervened, for the King gave the Prince a solemn visit since, and told him Pope Gregory was dead, who was so great a friend to the Match ; but in regard the business was not yet come to perfection, he could not proceed further in it till the former Dispensation were ratified by the new Pope Urlan, which to procure he would make it his own task, and that all possible expedition should be us'd in't, and therefore desir'd his patience in the interim. The Prince answer'd, and pressed the necessity of his speedy return with divers reasons; he said there was a general kind of murmuring in England for his so long Absence, that the King his Father was old and sickly, that the Fleet of his Ships were already, he thought, at Sea to fetch him, the winter drew on, and withal, that the Articles of the Match were sign'd in England with this Proviso, That if he be not come back by such a month, they should be of no validity. The King reply'd, That since His Highness was resolv'd upon so sudden a departure, he would please to leave a Proxy behind to finish the Marriage, and he would take it for a favour if he would depute Him to personate him ; and ten days after the Ratification shall come from Home the business shall be done, and afterwards he might send for his Wife when he pleas'd. The Prince rejoin'd, that among those multitudes of royal Favours which he

had

182 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

had receiv'd from His Majesty, this transcended all the rest; therefore he would most willingly leave a Proxy for His Majesty, and another for Don Carlos to this effect : So they parted for that Time without the least umbrage of discontent, nor do I hear of any engendered since. The last month, 'tis true, the Junta of Divines dwelt so long upon the business, that there were whisperings that the Prince intended to go away disguis'd as he came ; and the Question being ask'd by a Person of Quality, there was a brave Answer made. That if Love brought him thither, it is not Fear shall drive him away.

There are preparations already afoot for his return, and the two Proxies are drawn and left in my Lord of Bristol's hands. Notwithstanding this ill-favour'd stop, yet we are all here confident the business will take effect : In which hopes I rest — Your most humble and ready Servitor, J. H.

Madrid, 18 Aug. 1623.

XXIV.

To Capt. Nich. Leat, at his House in London. SIR,

THIS Letter comes to you by Mr. Richard Altham; of whose sudden departure hence I am very sorry, it being the late death of his Brother Sir James Altham. I have been at a stand in the business a good while, for His Highnesses coming hither was no Advantage to me in the Earth. He hath done the Spaniards divers courtesies, but he hath been very sparing in doing the English any. It may be, perhaps, because it may be a diminution of honour to be beholden to any foreign Prince to do his own Subjects favours; but my business requires no favour; all I desire is Justice, which I have not obtained yet in reality.

The Prince is preparing for his Journey; I shall to it again closely when he is gone, or make a shaft or a bolt of it. The Pope's death hath retarded the proceedings of the Match, but we are so far from despairing of it, that one may have wagers 30 to i it will take effect still. He that

deals

Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 183

deals with this Nation must have a great deal of phlegm ; and if this grand business of State, the Match, suffer such protractions and puttings off, you need not wonder that private Negotiations, as mine is, should be subject to the same inconveniences. There shall be no means left unat- tempted that my best industry can find out to put a period to it; and when His Highness is gone, I hope to find my Lord of Bristol more at leisure to continue his favour and furtherance, which hath been much already : So I rest — Yours ready to serve you, J. H.

Madrid, 19 Aug. 1623.

XXV.

To Sir James Crofts. SIR,

THE Prince is now upon his Journey to the Sea-side, where my Lord of Rutland attends for him with a Royal Fleet: There are many here shrink in their shoulders, and are very sensible of his departure, and the Lady Infanta resents it more than any; she hath caus'd a Mass to be sung every day ever since for his good Voyage : The Spaniards themselves confess there was never Princess so bravely woo'd. The King and his two Brothers accom- pany'd His Highness to the Escurial, some twenty miles off, and would have brought him to the Sea-side, but that the Queen is big, and hath not many days to go. When the King and he parted, there pass'd wonderful great Endear- ments and Embraces in divers postures between them a long Time ; and in that place there is a Pillar to be erected as a Monument to Posterity. There are some Grandees, and Count Gondomar with a great Train besides, gone with him to the Marine, to the Sea-side, which will be many days' journey, and must needs put the King of Spain to a mighty Expense, besides his seven months' Entertainment here. We hear that when he pass'd thro' falladolid, the D. of Lerma was retired thence for the Time by special command from the King, lest he might have discourse with the Prince,

whom

1 84 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book /.

whom he extremely desired to see; this sunk deep into the old Duke, insomuch that he said, that of all the Acts of Malice which Olivares had ever done him, he resented this more than any. He bears up yet under his Cardinal's Habit, which hath kept him from many a foul storm that might have fallen upon him else' from the temporal Power. The Duke of Uzeda, his Son, finding himself decline in favour at Court, hath retir'd to the Country, and dy'd soon after of discontentment : during his sickness th« Cardinal wrote this short weighty Letter unto him : Dizen me, que Mareys de necio ; por mi, mas temo mis attos que mis Ene- migos.—Lerma.. I shall not need to English it to you, who is so great a Master of the Language. Since I began this Letter we understand the Prince is safely embark'd, but not without some danger of being cast away, had not Sir Sackvil Trever taken hinj up ; I pray God send him a good Voyage, and us no ill news from England. My most humble Service at Tower-hill, so I am— Your humble Servitor, J- H.

Madrid^ 21 Aug. 1623.

XXVI.

To my Brother, Dr. How el. MY BROTHER,

SINCE our Prince's departure hence the Lady Infanta studieth English apace, and one Mr. Wadsworth and Father Boniface, two Englishmen, are appointed her Teachers, and have Access to her every Day : We account her, as it were, our Princess now ; and as we give, so she takes that Title. Our Ambassadors, my Lord of Bristol and Sir Walter Ashton, will not stand now cover' d before her when they have Audience, because they hold her to be their Princess: She is preparing divers Suits of rich Clothes for His Highness of perfum'd Amber Leather, some em- broider'd with Pearl, some with Gold, some with Silver : Her Family is a settling apace, and most of her Ladies and Officers are known already. We want nothing now but

one

Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 185

one Dispatch more from Rome, and then the Marriage will be solemniz'd, and all Things consummated : Yet there is one Mr. Clerk (with the lame Arm) that came hither from the Sea-side as soon as the Prince was gone ; he is one of the D. of Buckingham's Creatures, yet he lies at the E. of ttriitij?s House, which we wonder at, considering the dark- ness that happened 'twixt the Duke and the Earl : We fear that this Clerk hath brought something that may puzzle the business. Besides, having occasion to make my Address lately, to the Venetian Ambassador, who is interested in some part of that great Business for which I am here, he told me confidently it would be no Match, nor did he think it was ever intended. But I want faith to Relieve him yet, for I know St. Mark is no friend to it, nor France, nor any other Prince or State besides the King of Denmark, whose Grandmother was of the House of Austria, being Sister to Charles the Emperor. Touching the Business of the Pala- tinate, our Ambassadors were lately assur'd by Olivares and all the Counsellors here, and that in this King's Name, that he would procure His Majesty of Great Britain entire satis- faction herein ; and Olivares giving them the joy, intreated them to assure their King upon their honour, and upon their lives, of the reality hereof: For the Infanta herself (said he) hath stirr'd in it, and makes it now her own busi- ness; for it was a firm Peace and Amity (which he con- fess'd could never be without the Accommodation of Things in Germany) as much as an Alliance, which his Catholick Majesty aim'd at. But we shall know shortly now what to trust to, we shall walk no more in mists, tho' some give out yet that our Prince shall embrace a Cloud for Juno at last.

I pray present my Service to Sir John Franklin and Sir John Smith, with all at the Hill and Dale ; and when you send to Wales I pray convey the inclos'd to my Father. So, my dear Brother, I pray God bless us both, and bring us again joyfully together — Your very loving Brother,

J.H.

Madrid^ 12 Aug. 1623.

XXVII.

i86 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

XXVII.

To my noble Friend Sir John North, Knight. SIR,

I RECEIVED lately one of yours, but it was of a very old date : We have our Eyes here now all fixM upon Rome, greedily expecting the Ratification; and lately a strong rumour ran it was come, insomuch that Mr. Clerk, who was sent hither from the Prince, being a-shipboard (and now lies sick at my Lord of Bristol's House of a Calenture), hearing of it, he desir'd to speak with him, for he had something to deliver him from the Prince; my Lord Am- bassador being come to him, Mr. Clerk deliver'd a Letter from the Prince, the contents whereof were, That whereas he had left certain Proxies in his hand to be delivered to the King of Spain after the Ratification was come, he desir'd and requir'd him not to do it till he should receive further order from England. My Lord of Bristol hereupon went to Sir Walter Aston, who was in joint Commission with him for concluding the Match ; and shewing him the Letter, what my Lord Aston said I know not, but my Lord of Bristol told him, That they had a Commission-Royal under the Broad Seal of England to conclude the Match ; he knew as well as he how earnest the King their Master hath been any time these ten years to have it done, how there could not be a better pawn for the surrendry of the Palatinate, than the Infanta in the Prince's Arms, who could never rest till she did the work, to merit the love of our Nation : he told him also how their own particular Fortunes depended upon it; besides, if he should delay one moment to deliver the Proxy after the Ratification was come, according to agreement, the Infanta would hold herself so blemish'd in her honour, that it might overthrow all things. Lastly, he told him, That they incurr'd the hazard of their heads, if they should suspend the executing His Majesty's Commision upon any order but from that Power which gave it, who was the King himself. Hereupon both the Ambassadors

proceeded

Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 187

proceeded still in preparing matters for the solemnizing of the Marriage ; the Earl of Bristol had caused above thirty rich Liveries to be made of watched Velvet, with silver Lace up to the very Capes of the Cloaks, the best sorts whereof were valued at ^P8o a Livery : My Lord Aston had also provided new Liveries ; and a fortnight after the said politick Report was blown up, the Ratification came indeed complete and full ; so the Marriage-day was appointed, a Terras cover'd all over with Tapestry was raised from the King's Palace to the next Church, which might be about the same extent as from White-Hall to Westminster- Alley ; and the King intended to make his Sister a Wife, and his Daughter (whereof the Queen was delivered a little before) a Christian upon the same day ; the Grandees and great Ladies had been invited to the Marriage, and order was sent to all the Port- Towns to discharge their great Ordnance, and sundry other things were prepaid to honour the Solemnity : but when we were thus at the height of our hopes, a day or two before, there came Mr. Killegree, Gresley, Wood, and Davies, one upon the neck of another, with a new Commission to my Lord of Bristol immediately from His Majesty, counter- manding him to deliver the Proxy aforesaid, until a full and absolute satisfaction were had for the surrendry of the Palatinate under this King's Hand and Seal, in regard he desirM his Son should be marry'd to Spain, and his Son-in- law re-marry'd to the Palatinate at one time. Hereupon all was dash'd in pieces, and that frame which was rearing so many years was ruin'd in a moment. This News struck a damp in the hearts of all People here, and they wish'd that the Postilions that brought it had all broke their necks in the way.

My Lord of Bristol hereupon went to Court to acquaint the King with his new Commission, and so proposed the restitution of the Palatinate: The King answered, 'Twas none of his to give ; 'tis true, he had a few Towns there, but he held them as Commissioner only for the Emperor, and he could not command an Emperor ; yet if His Majesty

of

i88 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

of Great Britain would put a Treaty a-foot, he would send his own Ambassador to join. In the Interim the Earl was commanded not to deliver the aforesaid Proxy of the Prince, for the Desposorios or Espousal, until Christmas (and herein it seems His Majesty with you was not well informed, for those Powers of Proxies expir'd before). The King here said further, That if his Uncle the Emperor, or the Duke of Bavaria, would not be conformable to reason, he would raise as great an Army for the Prince Palsgrave as he did under Spinola, when he first invaded the Palatinate ; and to secure this, he would engage his Contratation-house of the West-Indies, with his Plate-Fleet, and give the most binding Instrument that could be under his Hand and Seal. But this gave no satisfaction ; therefore my Lord of Bristol, I believe, hath not long to stay here, for he is commanded to deliver no more Letters to the Infanta, nor demand any more audience, and that she should be no more stiled Prin- cess of England or Wales. The aforesaid Caution which this King offer'd to my Lord of Bristol made me think of what I read of his Grandfather Philip II., who having been marry'd to our Q. Mary, and it being thought she was with child of him, and was accordingly pray'd for at Paul's Cross, tho' it prov'd afterwards but a tympany, K. Philip proposed to our Parliament, that they would pass an Act that he might be Regent during his or her Minority that should be born, and would give good caution to surrender the Crown when he or she should come to age. The motion was hotly canvass'd in the House of Peers, and like to pass, when the Lord Paget rose up and said, I, but who shall sue the King's Bond? So the business was dash'd. I have no more news to send you now, and I am sorry I have so much, unless it were better ; for we that have business to negotiate here are like to suffer much by this rupture : Welcome be the will of God, to whose benediction I commend you, and rest — Your most humble Servitor, J. H.

Madrid \ 25 Aug. 1623.

XXVIII.

Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 189

XXVIII. To the Eight Honourable the Lord Clifford.

MY GOOD LORD,

/npNHO> this Court cannot afford now such comfortable -L news in relation to England as I could wish, yet such as it is, you shall receive. My Lord of Bristol is preparing for England. I waited upon him lately when he went to take his leave at Court ; and the King washing his hands, took a ring from off his own finger, and put upon his, which was the greatest honour that ever he did any Ambassador, as they say here; he gave him also a Cupboard of Plate, valued at 20,000 Crowns : There were also large and high promises made him, that in case he feared to fall upon any rock in England, by reason of the Power of those who malign'd him, if he would stay in any of his Dominions, he would give him means and honour equal to the highest of his Enemies. The Earl did not only wave, but disdain'd these Propositions made to him by Olivares, and said he was so confident of the King his Master's Justice and high Judgment, and of his own innocency, that he conceiv'd no Power could be able to do him hurt. There hath occurr'd nothing lately in this Court worth the Advertisement: They speak much of the strange carriage of that boisterous Bishop of Halverstadt (for so they term him here), that having taken a place where there were two Monasteries of Nuns and Friars, he caus'd divers Feather-beds to be ripp'd, and all the feathers to be thrown in a great Hall whither the Nuns and Friars were thrust naked with their bodies oil'd and pitch'd, and to tumble among these feathers ; which makes them here presage him an ill death. So I most affectionately kiss your hands, and rest — Your very humble Servitor, J. H.

Madrid, 26 Aug. 1623.

XXIX.

igo FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

XXIX.

To Sir John North. SIR,

I HAVE many thanks to render you for the favour you lately did to a Kinsman of mine, Mr. Vaughan, and for divers others, which I defer till I return to that Court, and that I hope will not be long. Touching the procedure of matters here, you shall understand, that my Lord Aston had special audience lately of the King of Spain, and after- wards presented a Memorial, wherein there was a high com- plaint against the miscarriage of the two Spanish Ambas- sadors now in England, the Marquis of Inojosa and Don Carlos Coloma; the substance of it was, That the said Ambassadors, in a private audience His Majesty of Great Britain had given them, inform'd him of a pernicious Plot against his Person and Royal Authority, which was, That at the beginning of your now Parliament the Duke of Buckingham, with other his complices, often met and con- sulted in a clandestine way, how to break the Treaty both of Match and Palatinate; and in case His Majesty was unwilling thereunto, he should have a Country-house or two to retire unto for his recreation and health, in regard the Prince is now of years and judgment fit to govern. His Majesty so resented this, that the next day he sent them many thanks for the care they had of him, and desir'd them to perfect the work, and now that they had detected the Treason, to discover also the Traitors; but they were shy in that point. The King sent again, desiring them to send the names of the Conspirators in a paper sealed up by one of their own Confidents, which he should receive with his own hands and no soul should see it else ; advising them withal, that they should not prefer this discovery before their own honours, to be accounted false Accusers : they reply'd, That they had done enough already by instancing in the Duke of Buckingham, and it might easily be guess' d who were his Confidents and Creatures. Hereupon His Majesty put those

whom

Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 191

whom he had any grounds to suspect to their Oaths : And afterwards sent my Lord Conwaij and Sir Francis Cotting- ton to tell the Ambassadors that he had left no means unessay'd to discover the Conspiration ; that he had found upon Oath such a clearness of ingenuity in the Duke of Buckingham, that satisfy'd him of his innocency : Therefore he had just cause to conceive that this information of theirs proceeded rather from malice, and some political ends, than from truth; and in regard they would not produce the Authors of so dangerous a Treason, they made themselves to be justly thought the Authors of it: And therefore, tho' he might by his own Royal Justice and the Law of Nations, punish this excess and insolence of theirs, and high wrong they had done to his best Servants, yea to the Prince his Son, for thro' the sides of the Duke they wounded him, in regard it was impossible that such a design should be at- tempted without his privity, yet he would not be his own Judge herein, but would refer them to the King their Master, whom he conceived to be so just, that he doubted not but he would see him satisfy'd ; and therefore he would send an Express to him thereabouts, to demand Justice and Repara- tion. This business is now in agitation, but we know not what will become of it. We are all here in a sad discon- solate condition, and the Merchants shake their heads up and down out of an apprehension of some fearful War to follow: So I most affectionately kiss your handstand rest — Your very humble and ready Servitor, J. H.

Madrid \ 26 Aug. 1623.

XXX.

To Sir Kenelme Digby, Knight. SIR,

YOU have had knowledge (none better) of the progres- sion and growings of the Spanish Match from time to time; I must acquaint you now with the Rupture and utter Dissolution of it, which was not long a doing: for it was done in one Audience that my Lord of Bristol had lately

at

I92 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

at Court, whence it may be inferred, that 'tis far more easy to pull down than rear up ; for that Structure which was so many years a rearing was dash'd, as it were, in a trice: Dissolution goeth a faster pace than Composition. And it may be said, that the civil actions of men, 'specially great affairs of Monarchs (as this was) have much analogy, in degrees of progression, with the natural production of man. To make man, there are many acts must precede ; first a meeting and copulation of the Sexes, then Conception, which requires a well-disposed Womb to retain the prolifical Seed, by the constriction and occlusion of the orifice of the Matrix; which Seed being first, and afterwards Cream, is by a gentle ebullition coagulated, and turn'd to a crudded lump, which the Womb by virtue of its natural heat pre- pares to be capable to receive form, and to be organiz'd : whereupon Nature falls a-working to delineate all the Members, beginning with those that are most noble ; as the Heart, the Brain, the Liver, whereof Galen would have the Liver, which is the shop and source of the blood, and Aris- totle the Heart, to be the first fram'd, in regard 'tis primum vivens & ultimum moriens. Nature continues in this labour, until a perfect shape be introduced ; and this is call'd For- mation, which is the third act, and is a production of an organical Body out of the spermatick Substance, caus'd by the plastick virtue of the vital Spirits : and sometimes this act is finished thirty days after the conception, sometimes fifty^ but most commonly in forty-two or forty-five, and is, sooner done in the Male. This being done, the Embryo is animated with three Souls; the first with that of Plants called the vegetable Soul, then with a sensitive, which all brute Animals have, and lastly the rational Soul is infus'd ; and these three in Man are like Trigonus in Tetragono ; the two first are generated ex Traduce, from the seed of the Parents, but the last is by immediate infusion from God : and 'tis controverted 'twixt Philosophers and Divines when this infusion is made.

This is the fourth act that goeth to make a Man, and is

called

Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 193

called Animatittu : and as the Naturalists allow Animation double the time that Formation had from the Conception, so they allow to the ripening of the Embryo in the Womb, and to the birth thereof, treble the time which Animation had ; which happeneth sometimes in nine, sometimes in ten months. This Grand business of the Spanish Match may be said to have had such degrees of progression ; first there was a meeting and coupling on both sides, for a Junta in Spain, and some select Counsellors of State were appointed in England. After this Conjunction the business was con- ceiv'd, then it receiv'd form, then life (tho* the quickening was slow), but having had near upon ten years in lieu of ten months to be perfected, it was unfortunately strangled when it was ripe ready for birth; and I would they had never been born that did it, for it is like to be out of my way .^3000. And as the Embryo in the Womb is wrapp'd in three membranes or tunicles, so this great business, you know better than I, was involv'd in many difficulties, and died so entangled before it could break thro* them.

There is a buzz here of a Match 'twixt England and France ; I pray God send it a speedier Formation and Ani- mation than this had, and that it may not prove an abortive.

I send you herewith a Letter from the Paragon of the Spanish Court, Donna Anna Maria Manrique, the Duke of Marquedas's sister, who respects you in a high degree ; she told me this was the first Letter she ever writ to Man in her life, except the Duke her brother; she was much solicited to write to Mr. Thomas Gary, but she would not. I did also your Message to the Marquesa d'Imyosa, who put me to sit a good while with her upon Estrado, which was no simple favour : you are much in both these Ladies' books, and much spoken of by divers others in this Court. I could not recover your Diamond Hatband which the Picaroon snatch'd from you in the Coach, tho' I us'd all means pos- sible, as far as book, bell, and candle, in point of Excom- munication against the party in all the Churches of Madrid, by which means you know divers things are recovered. So

N I

194 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

I most affectionately kiss your hands, and rest— Your most faithful Servitor, J- H-

post. — Yours of Mar. 2 came safe to hand.

Madrid.

XXXI.

To my Cousin, Mr. J. Price (now Knight], at the Middle- Temple, from Madrid.

USIN, suffer my Letter to salute you first in this

Distich : A Thamesi Tagus quot leucis flumine distat>

Oscula tot manibus porto, Pricsee tuts. As many miles Thames lies from Tagus Strands, I bring so many kisses to thy hands.

MY DEAR JACK,

IN the large Register or Almanack of my Friends in England, you are one of the chiefest Red Letters, you are one of my Festival Rubriques: for whenever you fall upon my Mind, or my Mind falls upon you, I keep Holiday all the while ; and this happens so often, that you leave me but a few Working-days thro'out the whole year, fewer far than this Country affords; for in their Kalendar above five months of the twelve are dedicated to some Saint or other, and kept Festival ; a religion that the London Apprentices would like well.

I thank you for yours of the third current, and the ample Relations you give me of London Occurrences, but princi- pally for the powerful and sweet assurances you give me of your Love, both in Verse and Prose. All businesses here are off the hinges; for one late Audience of my Lord of Bristol pull'd down what was so many years a raising. And as Thomas Aquinas told an Artist of a costly curious Statue in Rom,e, that by some accident while he was a trimming it, fell down, and so broke to pieces, Opus triginta annorum destruxisti, Thou hast destroy'd the work of thirty years ; so it may be said, that a work near upon ten years is now

suddenly

Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 195

suddenly shattered to peices. I hope by God's Grace to be now speedily in England, and to re-enjoy your most dear Society : In the meantime may all happiness attend you.

Ad Litteram. Ocius /// grandirc gradus oratio, possis

Prosa, tibi binos jungimus ecce pedes : That in thy journey thou may'st be more fleet, To thy dull Prose I add these Metric feet.

Resp.

Ad mare cum vcnio> quid agam ? RepL turn pr&pete penna Teferat, est lator nam levis ignis, Amor.

But when I come to Sea, how shall I shift ? Let Love transport thee then, for Fire is swift.

— Your most affectionate Cousin,

J. H. 30 Mar. 1624.

XXXII.

To the Lord Viscount Colchester, from Madrid. RIGHT HONOURABLE,

YOUR Lordship's of the third current came to safe hand, and being now upon point of parting with this Court, I thought it worth the labour to send your Lordship a short Survey of the Monarchy of Spain; a bold undertaking, your Lordship will say, to comprehend within the narrow bounds of a Letter such a huge bulk ; but as in the boss of a small Diamond-ring one may discern the image of a mighty Mountain, so I will endeavour that your Lord- ship may behold the power of this great King in this Paper. Spain hath been always esteemed a Country of ancient renown ; and as it is incident to all other, she hath had her vicissitudes and turns of Fortune: She hath been thrice o'ercome ; by the Romans, by the Goths, and by the Moors : The middle Conquest continueth to this day; for this King and most of the Nobility profess themselves to have descended of the Goths : The Moors kept here about 700 years ; and it is a remarkable Story how they got in first, which was

thus

196

FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

thus upon good Record. There reign'd in Spain Don Rodrigo, who kept his Court then at Malaga; he employ'd the Conde Don Julian Ambassador to Barlary, who had a Daughter (a young beautiful Lady), that was Maid of Honour to the Queen: The King spying her one Day refreshing herself under an Arbor, fell enamour'd with her, and never left till he had deflowered her. She resenting much the dishonour, writ a Letter to her Father in Barlary under this Allegory, That there was a fair green Apple upon the Table, and the King's Poniard fell upont and cleft it in two. Don Julian, apprehending the meaning, got Letters of revocation and came back to Spain, where he so comply'd with the King, that he became his Favourite : Among other Things he advis'd the King, That in regard he was now in Peace with all the World, he would dismiss his Gallies and Garrisons that were up and down the Sea-coasts, because it was a superfluous charge. This being done, and the Country left open to any to invade, he prevail'd with the King to have leave to go with his Lady to see their friends in Tarragona, which was 300 miles off. Having been there a while, his Lady made semblance to be sick, and so sent to petition the King that her Daughter Donna Cava (whom they had left at Court to satiate the King's lust) might come to comfort her a while : Cava came, and the Gate thro' which she went forth is call'd after her name to this day in Malaga : Don Julian having all his chief Kindred there, he sail'd over to Barlary, and afterwards brought over the King of Morocco, and others with an Army, who suddenly invaded Spain, lying armless and open, and so conquer'd it. Don Rodrigo died gallantly in the Field, but what became of Don Julian, who for a particular Revenge betray'd his own Country, no Story makes mention. A few years before this happen'd, Rodrigo came to Toledo, where under the great Church there was a Vault with huge Iron-doors, and none of his Predecessors durst open it, because there was an old Prophecy, That when that Vault was opened Spain should le conquer d. Rodrigo, slighting the Prophecy,

caus'd

Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 197

caus'd the doors to be broke open, hoping to find there some Treasure ; but when he enter'd, there was nothing found but the Pictures of Moors, of such Men that a little after fulfill'd the Prophecy.

Yet this last Conquest of Spain was not perfect, for divers parts North-west kept still under Christian Kings, specially Biscay, which was never conquer'd, as Wales in Brit any; and the Biscayners have much Analogy with the Welsh in divers Things : They retain to this day the original Language of Spain, they are the most mountainous People, and they are reputed the ancientest Gentry ; so that when any is to take the Order of Knighthood, there are no Inquisitors appointed to find whether he be clear of the blood of the Moors, as in other places. The King, when he comes upon the confines, pulls off one shoe before he can tread upon any Biscay Ground : And he hath good reason to esteem that Province, in regard of divers Advantages he hath by it; for he hath his best Timber to build Ships, his best Marines, and all his Iron thence.

There were divers bloody Battels 'twixt the remnant of Christians and the Moors, for 700 years together; and the Spaniards getting ground more and more, drave them at last to Granada, and thence also, in the time of Ferdinand and Isabella) quite over to Barlary : Their last King was C/iico, who when he fled from Granada crying and weeping, the People upbraided him, That he might well weep like a IVoman, who could not defend himself and them like a Man. This was that Ferdinand who obtain'd from Rome the Title of Catholick, tho* some Stories say, that many Ages before Ricarediis, the first Orthodox King of the Goths, was stil'd Catholicus in a Provincial Synod held at Toledo, which was continued by Alphonsus I., and then made hereditary by this Ferdinand. This absolute Conquest of the Moors happen'd about Henry VI I. 's Time, when the foresaid Ferdinand and Isabella had by Alliance join'd Castile and Aragon; which with the discovery of the West-Indies, which happen'd a little after, was the first foundation of that Greatness where-

unto

198 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

unto Spain is now mounted. Afterwards there was an Alliance with Burgundy and Austria; by the first House seventeen Provinces fell to Spain ; by the second Charles V. came to be Emperor : And remarkable it is how the House of Austria came to that height from a mean Earl ; the Earl of Hapslurg in Germany, who having been one day a-hunt- ing, he overtook a Priest who had been with the Sacra- ment to visit a poor sick body ; the Priest being tir'd, the Earl lighted off his Horse, help'd up the Priest, and so waited upon him a-foot all the while, till he brought him to the Church : The Priest giving him his Benediction at his going away, told him, that for this great Act of humility and piety, His Grace should be one of the greatest that ever the world had; and ever since, which is some 340 years ago, the Empire hath continued in that house, which after- wards was call'd the House of Austria.

In Philip I I/s Time the Spanish Monarchy came to its highest pitch, by the conquest of Portugal, whereby the East-Indies, sundry Islands in the Atlantick Sea, and divers places in Barbary, were added to the Crown of Spain. By these steps this Crown came to this Grandeur; and truly, give the Spaniard his due, he is a mighty Monarch ; he hath Dominions in all parts of the World (which none of the four Monarchies had), both in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America (which he hath solely to himself), tho' our Henry VII. had the first proffer made him : So the Sun shines all the four-and-twenty hours of the natural day upon some part or other of his Countries, for part of the Antipodes are subject to him. He hath eight Viceroys in Europe, two in the East-Indies, two in the West, two in Africk, and about thirty Provincial Sovereign Commanders more; yet, as I was told lately, in a Discourse 'twixt him and our Prince at his being here, when the Prince fell to magnify his spacious Dominions, the King answer'd, Sir, 'tis true, it hath pleased God to trust me with divers Nations and Countries, but of all these there are but two which yield me any clear revenues, viz., Spain and my West-Indies ; nor all

Spain

Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 199

Spain neither, but Castile only ; the rest do scarce quit cost, for ail /.v drunk up 'twixt Governors and Garrisons : yet my advantage />• tn have the opportunity to propagate the Christian Religion, and to employ my Subjects. For the last, it must be granted that no Prince hath better means to breed brave Men, and more variety of Commands to heighten their Spirits with no petty but princely Employments.

This King, besides, hath other means to oblige the Gentry to him, by such a huge number of Commendams, which he hath in his gift to bestow on whom he pleases of any of the three Orders of Knighthood ; which England and France want. Some Noblemen in Spam can spend ^50,000, some forty, some thirty, and divers ^20,000 per ann. The Church here is exceeding rich, both in revenues, plate, and build- ings; one cannot go to the meanest Country Chapel but he will find Chalices, Lamps, and Candlesticks of Silver. There are some Bishopricks of ,3^30,000 per ann. and divers of ^10,000, and Toledo is ^100,000 yearly revenue. As the Church is rich, so it is mightily reverenc'd here, and very powerful ; which made Philip II. rather depend upon the Clergy than the secular Power. Therefore I do not see how Spain can be called a poor Country, considering the revenues aforesaid of Princes and Prelates ; nor is it so thin of People as the World makes it, and one reason may be that there are sixteen Universities in Spain, and in one of these there were 15,000 Students at one time when I was there, I mean Salamanca; and in this Village of Madrid (for the King of Spam cannot keep his constant Court in any City) there are ordinarily 600,000 Souls. *Tis true, that the Colonizing of the Indies and the Wars of Flanders have much drained this Country of People ; since the expulsion of the Moors it is also grown thinner, and not so full of Corn ; for those Moors would grub up Wheat out of the very Tops of the craggy Hills ; yet they us'd another Grain for their Bread : So that the Spaniard had nought else to do but to go with his Ass to the Market, and buy Corn of the Moors. There liv'd here also in Times past

200 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

a great number of Jews, till they were expell'd by Fer- dinand; and, as I have read in an old Spanish Legend, the cause was this : The King had a young Prince to his Son,, who was us'd to play with a Jewish Doctor that was about the Court, who had a ball of gold in a string hanging down his breast : The little Prince one day snatch' d away the said golden ball, and carried it to the next room ; the ball being hollow, open'd, and within there was painted our Saviour kissing a Jew's tail. Hereupon they were all suddenly dis- terr'd and exterminated ; yet I believe in Portugal there lurks yet good store of them.

For the Soil of Spain, the fruitfulness of their Vallies recompences the sterility of their Hills; Corn is their greatest want, and want of Rain is the cause of that, which makes them have need of their Neighbours : Yet as much as Spain bears is passing good, and so is everything else for the quality ; nor hath any one a better horse under him, a better cloak on his back, a better sword by his side, better shoes on his feet, than the Spaniard : Nor doth any drink better wine, or eat better fruit than he, nor flesh for the quantity.

Touching the People, the Spaniard looks as high, tho' not so big as a German ; his excess is in too much gravity, which some, who know him not well, hold to be pride ; he cares not how little he labours, for poor Gascons and Morisco slaves do most of his work in field and vineyard : He can endure much in the war, yet he loves not to fight in the dark, but in open day, or upon a stage, that all the world might be witnesses of his valour; so that you shall seldom hear of Spaniards employ'd in Night-service, nor shall one hear of a Duel here in an Age. He hath one good quality, that he is wonderfully obedient to Government; for the proudest Don of Spai?i, when he is prancing upon his Ginnet in the street, if an Alguazil (a Sergeant) shew him his Vare, that is, a little white stafT he carrieth as a badge of his Office, my Don will down presently off his horse, and yield himself his prisoner. He hath another commendable

quality

Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 201

quality, that when he giveth Alms he pulls off his Hat, and puts it in the beggar's hand with a great deal of humility. His gravity is much lessen'd since the late Proclamation tMine out against ruffs, and the King himself shcw'd the first example ; they were come to that height of excess herein, that twenty shillings were us'd to be paid for starching of a ruff: And some, tho' perhaps he had never a shirt to his back, yet he would have a toting huge swell- ing ruff about his neck. He is sparing in his ordinary diet, but when he makes a feast he is free and bountiful. As to temporal Authority, specially Martial, so is he very obedient to the Church, and believes all with an implicit faith. He is a great servant of Ladies, nor can he be blam'd, for, as I said before, he comes of a Goatish race; yet he never brags of, nor blazes abroad his doings that way, but is ex- ceedingly careful of the repute of any Woman (a Civility that we much want in England). He will speak high words of Don Philippo his King, but will not endure a stranger should do so: I have heard a Biscayner make a Rodomantado, that he was as good a Gentleman as Don Philippo himself, for Don Philippo was half a Spaniard, half a German, half an Italian, half a Frenchman, half I know not what, but he was a pure Biscayner without mixture. The Spaniard is not so smooth and oily in his Compliment as the Italian; and tho' he will make strong protestations, yet he will not swear out Compliments like the French and English: As I heard when my Lord of Carlisle was Ambassador in France, there came a great Monsieur to see him, and having a long time banded, and sworn Compliments one to another who should go first out at a door, at last my Lord of Carlisle said, 6 Monseigneur, ayez pitie de mon ame, O my Lord, have pity upon my soul.

The Spaniard is generally given to gaming, and that in excess ; he will say his Prayers before, and if he win he will thank God for his good fortune after. Their common game at Cards (for they very seldom play at Dice) is Primera, at which the King never shews his game, but

throws

202 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

throws his cards with their faces down on the table. He is merchant of all the Cards and Dice thro' all the King- dom ; he hath them made for a penny a pair, and he retails them for twelvepence; so that 'tis thought he hath ^30,000 a year by this trick at Cards. The Spaniard is very devout in his way, for I have seen him kneel in the very dirt when the Ave Mary bell rings ; and some, if they spy two straws or sticks lie cross-wise in the street, they will take them up and kiss them, and lay them down again. He walks as if he march'd, and seldom looks on the ground, as if he contemn'd it. I was told of a Spaniard, who having got a a fall by a stumble, and broke his nose, rose up, and in a disdainful manner said, Voto a tal esto es caminar por la tierra; This it is to walk upon earth. The Labradors and Country Swains here are sturdy and Rational Men, nothing so simple or servile as the French Peasant who is born in chains. ;Tis true, the Spaniard is not so conversable as other Nations (unless he hath travelPd), else he is like Mars among the Planets, impatient of Conjunction: Nor is he so free in his gifts and rewards ; as the last Summer it happen'd that Count Gondomar, with Sir Francis Cottington, went to see a curious House of the Constable of Castile's, which had been newly built here ; the Keeper of the House was very officious to shew him every room, with the Garden, Grottos, and Aqueducts, and presented him with some Fruit; Gondomar having been a long time in the House, coming out, put many Compliments of thanks upon the Man, and so was going away ; Sir Francis whisper5 d him in the Ear, and ask'd him whether he would give the Man anything that took such pains: Oh, quoth Gondomar, well remember'd; Don Francisco, have you ever a double Pistole about you ? If you have, you may give it him, and then you pay him after the English manner ; I have paid him already after the Spanish. The Spaniard is much improved in Policy since he took footing in Italy, and there is no Nation agrees with him better. I will conclude this Character with a saying that he hath—

No

Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 203

No ay hombre debaxo a" el Sol, Como d Italiano y el Espanol.

Whereunto a Frenchman answer'd —

Dizes la verdad, y tienes razon, El uno es puto, el otro ladron.

English'd thus—

Beneath the Sun there's no such Man, As is the Spaniard and Italian.

TJie Frenchman answers —

Thou tell'st the truth, and reason hast, The first's a Thief, a Buggerer the last.

Touching their Women, Nature hath made a more visible distinction 'twixt the two Sexes here than elsewhere; for the Men for the most part are swarthy and rough, but the Women are of a far finer mould ; they are commonly little : And whereas there is a Saying that makes a compleat Woman, let her be English to the neck, French to the waste, and Dutch below ; I may add, for hands and feet let her be Spanish, for they have the least of any. They have another Saying, A Frenchwoman in a dance, a Dutchwoman in the kitchen, an Italian in a window, an England-woman at board, and the Spanish a-bed. When they are married, they have a privilege to wear high shoes, and to paint, which is generally practised here ; and the Queen useth it herself. They are coy enough, but not so froward as our English; for if a Lady go along the street (and all Women going here veil'd, and their habit so generally alike, one can hardly distinguish a Countess from a Cooler's Wife), if one should cast out an odd ill-sounding word, and ask her a favour, she will not take it ill, but put it off, and answer you with some witty retort. After thirty they are commonly past Child-bearing, and I have seen Women in England look as youthful at fifty as some here at twenty-five. Money will do miracles here in purchasing the favour of Ladies, or anything else; tho' this be the Country of Money, for it furnisheth well near all the World besides, yea their very Enemies, as

the

2O4

FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

the Turk and Hollander; insomuch that one may say, the Coin of Spain is as Catholic as her King. Yet tho' he be the greatest King of gold and silver Mines in the World (I think), yet the common current Coin here is Copper: And herein'l believe the Hollander hath done him more mischief by counterfeiting his Copper Coins than by their Arms, bringing it in by strange surreptitious ways, as in hollow Sows of Tin and Lead, hollow Masts, in Pitch Buckets under water, and other ways. But I fear to be injurious to this great King, to speak of him in so narrow a compass; a great King indeed, tho' the French in a slighting way com- pare his Monarchy to a Beggar's Cloak made up of Patches : They are Patches indeed, but such as he hath not the like : The East-Indies is a Patch embroider'd with Pearls, Rubies, and Diamonds: Peru is a Patch embroider'd with massy Gold, Mexico with Silver, Naples and Milan are Patches of Cloth of Tissue; and if these Patches were in one piece, what would become of his Cloak embroider'd with Flower- de-luces ?

So, desiring your Lordship to pardon this poor imperfect Paper, considering the high quality of the Subject, 1 rest — Your Lordship's most humble Servitor, J. H.

Madrid, i Feb. 1623.

XXXIII.

To Mr. Walsingham Gresley,/rom Madrid.

DON BALCHASAR,

I THANK you for your Letter in my Lord's last Packet, wherein, among other passages, you write to me the circumstances of Marquis Spinola's raising his Leaguer, by flatting and firing his works before Berghen. He is much tax'd here, to have attempted it, and to have bury'd so much of the King's Treasure before that Town in such costly Trenches. A Gentleman came hither lately, who was at the Siege all the while, and he told me one strange Passage ; how Sir Ferdinando Gary, a huge corpulent Knight, was shot thro' his Body ; the Bullet entring at the Navel, and coming

out

Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 205

out at his Back, kill'tl his Man behind him ; yet he lives still, and is like to recover. With this miraculous Accident, he told me also a merry one ; how a Captain that had a wooden Leg booted over, had it shatter'd to pieces by a Cannon-bullet : His Soldiers crying, A Surgeon, a Surgeon, for the Captain ; No, no, said he, A Carpenter, a Carpenter will serve the turn. To this pleasant Tale I'll add another that happen' d lately in Alcala hard by, of a Dominican Fryar, who in a solemn Procession which was held there upon Ascension-day last, had his Stones dangling under his habit cut off instead of his Pocket by a Cut-purse.

Before you return hither, which I understand will be speedily, I pray bestow a visit on our Friends in Bishops- gate-street. So I am — Your faithful Servitor, J. H.

3 Feb. 1623.

XXXIV.

To Sir Robert Napier, Kt., at his House in Bishopsgate-

street. SIR,

THE late breach of the Match hath broke the neck of all businesses here, and mine suffers as much as any : I had Access lately to Olivares, once or twice ; I had Audience also of the King, to whom I presented a Memorial that intimated Letters of Mart, unless satisfaction were had from his yiceroy, the Conde del Real. The King gave me a gracious Answer, but Olivares a churlish one, viz., That when the Spaniards had justice in England, we should have justice here. So that notwithstanding I have brought it to the highest point and pitch of perfection in Law that could be, and procur'd some dispatches, the like whereof were never granted in this Court before, yet I am in despair now to do any good. I hope to be shortly in England, by God's grace, to give you and the rest of the Proprietaries a punctual Account of all things : And you may easily conceive how sorry I am that matters succeeded not according to your

expectation

206 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

expectation, and my endeavours: But I hope you are none of those that measure things by the Event. The Earl of Bristol, Count Gondomar, and my Lord Ambassador Aston did not only do courtesies, but they did co-operate with me in it, and contribute their utmost endeavours. So I rest — Yours to serve you, J. H.

Madrid, 18 Feb. 1623.

XXXV.

To Mr. A. S., in Alicant.

MUCH endear' d Sir, Fire, you know, is the common Emblem of Love ; but without any disparagement to so noble a Passion, methinks it might be compared also to Tinder, and Letters are the properest matter whereof to make this Tinder: Letters again are fittest to kindle, and re-accend this Tinder ; they may serve both for Flint, Steel, and Match. This Letter of mine comes therefore of set pur- pose to strike some sparkles into yours^ that it may glow and burn, and receive ignition, and not lie dead, as it hath done a great while. I make my Pen to serve for an in- strument to stir the Cinders wherewith your old Love to me hath been cover' d a long time ; therefore I pray let no Couvrez-feu-~Be\\ have power hereafter to rake up, and choke with the Ashes of Oblivion, that clear Flame wherewith our Affections did use to sparkle so long by correspondence of Letters, and other Offices of Love.

I think I shall sojourn yet in this Court these three months ; for I will not give over this great business while there is the least breath of hope remaining.

I know you have choice matters of Intelligence sometimes from thence; therefore I pray impart some unto us, and you shall not fail to know how matters pass here weekly. So, with my Besamanos to Francisco Imperial, I rest — Yours most affectionately to serve you, J. H.

Madrid, 3 Mar. 1623.

XXXVI.

Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 207

XXXVI.

To the Honourable Sir T. S., at Tower-hill.

SIR,

I WAS yesterday at the Escurial to see the Monastery of St. Laurence, the eighth wonder of the World ; and truly, considering the Site of the place, the State of the thing, and the Symmetry of the structure, with divers other rari- ties, it may be call'd so ; for what I have seen in Italy and other places are but baubles to it. It is built amongst a company of craggy barren hills, which makes the Air the hungrier and wholsomer : It is all built of Free-stone and Marble, and that with such solidity and moderate height, that surely Philip II.'s chief design was to make a sacrifice of it to Eternity, and to contest with the Meteors, and Time itself. It cost eight Millions, it was twenty-four years a building, and the Founder himself saw it finished, and en- joy'd it twelve years after, and carry'd his Bones himself thither to be buried.

The reason that mov'd King Philip to waste so much Treasure, was a vow he had made at the battell of St. Qnintin, where he was forc'd to batter a Monastery of St. Laurence Friers, and if he had the Victory, he would erect such a Monastery to St. Laurence, that the World had not the like; therefore the form of it is like a Gridiron, the handle is a huge Royal Palace, and the body a vast Monastery or Assembly of quadrangular Cloysters ; for there are as many as there be months in the year. There be a hundred Monks, and every one hath his man and his mule, and a multitude of Officers. Besides, there are three Libraries there full of the choicest Books for all Sciences. It is beyond expression what Grots, Gardens, Walks, and Aqueducts there are there, and what curious Fountains in the upper Cloysters, for there be two stages of Cloysters : In fine, there is nothing that's vulgar there. To take a view of every Room in the House, one must make account to go ten miles ; there is a Vault call'd the Pantheon under the

highest

208 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

highest Altar, which is all pav'd, wall'd, and arch'd with Marble; there be a number of huge silver Candlesticks, taller than I am ; Lamps three yards' compass, and divers Chalices and Crosses of massy Gold : There is one Quire made all of burnish'd Brass, Pictures and Statues like Giants, and a world of glorious things, that purely ravish'd me. By this mighty Monument, it may be inferred, that Philip II., tho' he was a little man, yet had he vast gigantick thoughts in him, to leave such a huge Pile for posterity to gaze upon, and admire his memory. No more now, but that I rest — Your humble Servitor, J. H.

Madrid, 9 Mar. 1623.

XXXVII.

To the Lord discount Co\jfrom Madrid.

MY LORD,

YOU writ to me not long since, to send you an Account of the Duke of Ossuna's death, a little man, but of great fame and fortunes, and much cried up, and known up and down the World. He was revoked from being Viceroy of Naples (the best employment the K. of Spain hath for a Subject) upon some disgust : And being come to this Court, when he was brought to give an Account of his Government, being troubled with the Gout, he carry'd his sword in his hand instead of a staff; the King misliking of the manner of his posture, turn'd his back to him, and so went away : Thereupon he was overheard to mutter, Esto es para servir muchachos ; This it is to serve loys. This coming to the King's ear, he was apprehended and com- mitted prisoner to a Monastery not far off, where he con- tinued some years, until his beard came to his girdle; then growing very ill, he was permitted to come to his house in this Town, being carry'd in a bed upon men's shoulders, and so died some years ago. There were divers Accusations against him ; amongst the rest, I remember these, That he had kept the Marquis de Campolataro's wife, sending her

husband

Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 209

husband out of the way upon employment: That he had got a bastard of a Turkish woman, and suffered the child to be brought up in the Mahometan religion : That being one day at High-Mass, when the Host was elevated, he drew out of his pocket a piece of Gold, and held it up, in- timating that that was his God : That he had invited some of the prime Courtesans of Naples to a Feast, and after dinner made a Banquet for them in his Garden, where he commanded them to strip themselves stark naked, and go up and down, while he shot Sugar-plums at them out of a Trunk, which they were to take up from off their high Chapins ; and such like extravagancies. One (among divers others) witty passage was told me of him, which was, that when he was Viceroy of Sicily, there died a great rich Duke, who left but one Son, whom, with his whole estate, he bequeath'd to the Tutele of the Jesuits ; and the words of the Will were, When he is passd his minority (Darete al miojlgliuolo quel que voi volete), you shall give my Son what you will. It seems the Jesuits took to themselves two parts of three of the estate, and gave the rest to the heir. The young Duke complaining hereof to the Duke of Ossuna, then Viceroy, he commanded the Jesuits to appear before him : He ask'd them how much of the Estate they would have; they answer'd, two parts of three, which they had almost employed already to build Monasteries and an Hospital, to erect particular Altars, and Masses, to sing Dirges, and Refrigeriums for the Soul of the deceased Duke. Hereupon the Duke of Ossuna caus'd the Will to be produc'd, and found therein the words afore recited, When he is pass'd his minority, you shall give my Son of my Estate what you will. Then he told the Jesuits, You must, by vcrtue and tenor of these words, give what you will to the Son, which by your own confession is two parts of three. And so he determin'd the business.

Thus have I in part satisfied your Lordship's desire, which I shall do more amply when I shall be made happy to attend you in Person, which I hope will be ere it be

o long

2io FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

long. In the interim, I take my leave of you from Spain, and rest — Your Lordship's most ready and humble Servitor, J. H.

Madrid, 13 Mar. 1623.

XXXVIII.

To Simon Digby, Esq. SIR,

I THANK you for the several sorts of Cyphers you sent me to write by, which were very choice ones, and curious. Crytology, or epistolizing in a clandestine way, is very ancient : I read in A. Gellius, that C. Ccesar in his Letters to Cains Oppius and Ballus Cornelius, who were two of his greatest Confidents in managing his private Affairs, did write in Cyphers by a various transportation of the Alphabet; whereof Proclus Grammaticus, de occulta litera- rum significatione Epistolarum C. Ccesaris, writes a curious Commentary. But methinks that certain kind of Hiero- glyphics, the celestial Signs, the seven Planets, and other Constellations, might make a curious kind of Cypher, as I will more particularly demonstrate to you in a Scheme, when I shall be happy with your Conversation. So I rest — Your assured Servitor, J. H.

Madrid, 15 Mar. 1623.

XXXIX.

To Sir James Crofts, from Bilboa. SIR,

TOEING safely come to the Marine, in convoy of His J-> Majesty's Jewels, and being to sojourn here some days, the conveniency of this Gentleman (who knows, and much honoureth you), he being to ride Post thro' France, invited me to send you this.

We were but five Horsemen in all our seven days' jour- ney, from Madrid hither, and the charge Mr. Wiches had is

valued

Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 211

valued at 400,000 Crowns; but 'tis such safe travelling in Spain, that one may carry Gold in the palm of his hand, the Government is so good. When we had gain'd Biscay Ground, we pass'd one day thro' a Forest; and lighting off our Mules to take a little Repast under a Tree, we took down our Alforjas, and some bottles of wine (and you know 'tis ordinary here to ride with one's victuals about him), but as we were eating, we spy'd two huge Wolves, who stared upon us a while, but had the good manners to go away. It put me in mind of a pleasant Tale I heard Sir Tko. Fair- fax relate of a Soldier in Ireland, who having got his Pass- port to go for England, as he pass'd thro' the Wood with his Knapsack upon his back, being weary, he sat down under a Tree, where he open'd his Knapsack, and fell to some victuals he had ; but on a sudden he was surpriz'd with two or three Wolves, who coming towards him, he threw them scraps of bread and cheese, till all was gone ; then the Wolves making a nearer Approach to him, he knew not what shift to make, but by taking a pair of Bag-pipes which he had, and as soon as he began to play upon them the Wolves ran all away as if they had been scar'd out of their wits ; Whereupon the Soldier said, A pox take you all, if I had known you had lov'd Mustek so well, you should have had it before dinner.

If there be a Lodging void at the three Halbards-heads, I pray be pleas'd to cause it to be reserved for me. So I rest — Your humble Servitor,

J.H.

6 Sept. 1624.

SECTION

SECTION IV.

I.

To my Father, /rora London. SIR,

I AM newly returned from Spain. I came over in convoy of the Prince's Jewels, for which one of the Ships- Royal with the Catch were sent under the command of Captain Love: We landed at Plymouth, whence I came by Post to Theobalds in less than two nights and a day, to bring His Majesty news of their safe Arrival. The Prince had newly got a fall off a Horse, and kept his Chamber. The Jewels were valued at above £\ 00,000. Some of them a little before the Prince's departure had been presented to the Infanta, but she waving to receive them, yet with a civil Compliment, they were left in the hands of one of the Secretaries of State for her use upon the Wedding-day ; and it was no unworthy thing in the Spaniard to deliver them back, notwithstanding that the Treaties both of Match and Palatinate had been dissolved a pretty while before by Act of Parliament, that a War was threaten'd, and Ambas- sadors revok'd. There were Jewels also among them to be presented to the King and Queen of Spain, to most of the Ladies of Honour, and the Grandees. There was a great Table-Diamond for Olivares of eighteen Carrats weight ; but the richest of all was to the Infanta herself, which was a chain of great Orient Pearl, to the number of 276, weigh- ing nine Ounces. The Spaniards, notwithstanding they are the Masters of the Staple of Jewels, stood astonished at the beauty of these, and confessed themselves to be put down.

Touching the Employment upon which I went to Spain, I had my charges born all the while, and that was all ; had it taken effect, I had made a good business of it : But 'tis no

wonder

Sect. 4. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 213

wonder (nor can it be, I hope, any disrepute to me) that I could not bring to pass what three Ambassadors could not do before me.

I am now casting about for another Fortune, and some hopes I have of Employment about the D. of Buckingham. He sways more than ever ; for whereas he was before a Favourite to the King, he is now a Favourite to Parliament, People, and City, for breaking the Match with Spain. Touching his own Interest, he had reason to do it, for the Spaniards love him not: But whether the public Interest of the State will suffer in it or no, I dare not determine ; for my part, I hold the Spanish Match to be better than their Powder, and their Wares better than their Wars; and I shall be ever of that mind, That no Country is able to do England less hurt, and more good than Spain, considering the large Trafic and Treasure that is to be got thereby.

I shall continue to give you Account of my Courses when opportunity serves, and to dispose of matters so, that I may attend you this Summer in the country. So, desiring still your Blessing and Prayers, I rest — Your dutiful Son,

J. H.

10 Dec. 1624.

II. To R. Brown, Esq., from London.

DEAR SIR,

THERE is no Seed so fruitful as that of Love : I do not mean that gross carnal Love which propagates the World, but that which preserves it ; to wit, Seeds of Friend- ship, which hath little commerce with the Body, but is a thing divine and spiritual. There cannot be a more preg- nant proof hereof than those Seeds of Love, which I have long since cast into your Breast, which have thriven so well, and in that exuberance, that they have been more fruitful to me than that Field in Sicily call'd Le trecente cariche, The Field of 300 Loads, so call'd because it returns the Sower 300 for one yearly ; so plentiful hath your Love been to me. But among other sweet Fruits it hath born,

those

214 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

those precious Letters which you have sent me from time to time, both at home and abroad, are not of the least value : I did always hug and highly esteem them, and you in them, for they yielded me both Profit and Pleasure.

That Seed which you have also sown in me hath fructify'd something, but it hath not been able to make you such rich returns, or afford so plentiful a crop ; yet I dare say this crop, how thin soever, was pure and free from tares, from cockle or darnel, from flattery or falsehood, and what it shall produce hereafter shall be so; nor shall any injury of the Heavens, as Tempest, or Thunder and Lightning (I mean no cross or affliction whatsoever), be able to blast and smut it, or hinder it to grow up and fructify still.

This is the third time God Almighty hath been pleasM to bring me back to the sweet bosom of my dear Country from beyond the Seas ; I have been already comforted with the sight of many of my choice Friends, but I miss you ex- tremely : Therefore I pray make haste, for London streets, which you and I have trod together so often, will prove tedious to me else. Among other things, Black-Friars will entertain you with a Play spick and span new, and the Cockpit with another; nor, I believe, after so long Absence, will it be an unpleasing object for you to see — Your

20 Jan. 1624.

III.

To the Lord Viscount Colchester. RIGHT HONOURABLE,

MY last to your Lordship was in Italian, with the Venetian Gazetta inclos'd. Count Mansfelt is upon point of parting, having obtained, it seems, the sum of his desires: He was lodg'd all the while in the same Quarter of St. James's which was appointed for the Infanta : He supp'd yesternight with the Council of War, and he hath a grant of ^13,000 Men English and Scots, whom he will have ready in the Body of an Army against the next Spring;

and

Sect. 4. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 215

and they say that England, France, Venice, and Savoy do contribute for the maintenance thereof ^60,000 a month. There can be no conjecture, much less any judgment, made yet of his design ; most think it will be for relieving Breda, which is straitly begirt by Spinola, who gives out, that he hath her already as a bird in a cage, and will have her, maugre all the opposition in Christendom; yet there is fresh news come over, that Prince Maurice hath got on the back of him, and hath beleaguered him, as he hath done the Town, which I want faith to believe yet, in regard of the huge cir- cuit of Spinolas Works, for his circumvallations are cry'd up to be near upon twenty miles. But while the Spaniard is spending Millions here for getting small Towns, the Hollander gets Kingdoms of him elsewhere; he hath invaded and taken lately from the Portugal part of Brazil, a rich Country for Sugars, Cottons, Balsams, Dying-wood, and divers Commodities besides.

The Treaty of Marriage 'twixt our Prince and the youngest Daughter of France goes on apace, and my Lords of Carlisle and Holland are in Paris about it ; we shall see now what difference there is 'twixt the French and Spanish pace. The two Spanish Ambassadors have been gone hence long since ; they say they are both in prison, one in Burgos in Spain, the other in Flanders, for the scandalous informa- tion they made here against the D. of Buckingham ; about which, the day before their departure hence, they desir'd to have one private Audience more, but His Majesty deny'd them. I believe they will not continue long in disgrace, for matters grow daily worse and worse 'twixt us and Spain : For divers Letters of Mart are granted our Merchants, and Letters of Mart are commonly the forerunners of a War. Yet they say Gondomar will be on his way hither again about the Palatinate; for the K. of Denmark appears now in his Niece's quarrel, and arms apace.

No more now, but that I kiss your Lordship's hands, and rest — Your most humble and ready Servitor, J. H.

London •, 5 Feb. 1624.

IV.

216 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

IV.

To my Cousin, Mr. Rowland Gwin. COUSIN,

I WAS lately sorry, and I was lately glad, that I heard you were ill, that I heard you are well. — Your affec- tionate Cousin, J- H.

V.

To Thomas Jones, Esq. TOM,

IF you are in health 'tis well ; we are here all so ; and we should be better had we your company : Therefore I pray leave the smutty Air of London, and come hither to breathe sweeter, where you may pluck a Rose, and drink a Cillibub.— Your faithful Friend, J. H.

Kentis, i June 1625.

VI.

To D. C.

THE bearer hereof hath no other Errand but to know how you do in the Country, and this Paper is his cre- dential Letter ; Therefore I pray hasten his dispatch, and, if you please, send him back, like the Man in the Moon, with a basket of your Fruit on his back. — Your true Friend, J. H.

Lond.) 10 Aug. 1625.

VII.

To my Father, from London. SIR,

IRECEIV'D yours of the third of February, by the hands of my Cousin Thomas Gwin of Trecastle. It was my fortune to be on Sunday fortnight at Theo- lalds, where his late Majesty K. James departed this life, and went to his last rest upon the day of rest, presently after Sermon was done. A little before break of day he sent for the Prince, who rose out of his Bed, and came in his Night- gown.

Sect. 4. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 217

gown. The King scem'd to have some earnest thing to say to him, and so endeavour'd to raise himself upon his Pillow ; but his Spirits were so spent, that he had not strength to make his words audible. He died of a Fever which began with an Ague, and some Scotch Doctors mutter at a Plaister the Countess of Buckingham applied at the outside of his Stomach : 'Tis thought the last breach of the Match with Spain which for many years he had so vehemently desir'd, took too deep an impression in him ; and that he was forc'd to rush into a War now in his declining Age, having liv'd in a continual uninterrupted Peace his whole life, except some collateral Aids he had sent his Son-in-law. As soon as he expir'd the Privy Council sat, and in less than a quarter of an hour King Charles was proclaim'd at Theobalds Court-gate, by Sir Edw. Zouch Knight Marshal, Mr. Secretary Conway dictating to him, That whereas it had pleased God to take to his mercy our most gracious Sovereign K. James of famous memory, We proclaim Prince Charles, his rightful and indu- bitable Heir, to be King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, &c. The Knight Marshal mistook, saying his right- ful and dubitable Heir, but he was rectify'd by the Secretary. This being done, I took my Horse instantly, and came to London first except one, who was come a little before me, insomuch that I found the Gates shut. His now Majesty took Coach, and the D. of Buckingham with him, and came to St. James's ; in the evening he was proclaim'd at Whitehall-gate in Cheapside, and other places in a sad shower of Rain : And the Weather was suitable to the condition wherein he finds the Kingdom, which is cloudy : for he is left engag'd in a War with a potent Prince, the People by long desuetude unapt for Arms, the Fleet-Royal in quarter repair, himself without a Queen, his Sister without a Country, the Crown pitifully laden with Debts, and the Purse of the State lightly bal- lasted, tho' it never had better opportunity to be rich than it had these last twenty years. But God Almighty, I hope, will make him emerge, and pull this Island out of all the plunges, and preserve us from worser times.

The

2i8 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book L

The Plague is begun in White -chap el, and, as they^say, in the same house, on the same day of the month, with the same number that dy'd twenty-two years since, when Q. Elizabeth departed.

There are great Preparations for the Funeral, and there is a design to buy all the Cloth for Mourning white, and then to put it to the Dyers in gross, which is like to save the Crown a good deal of Money; the Drapers murmur ex- tremely at the Lord Cranfield for it.

I am not settled yet in any stable Condition, but I lie wind-bound at the Cape of good Hope, expecting some gentle gale to launch out into any Employment.

So, with my Love to all my Brothers and Sisters at the Bryn, and near Brecknock, I humbly crave a continuance of your Prayers and Blessing to — Your dutiful Son, J. H.

ii Dec. 1625.

VIII.

To Dr. Prichard.

SIR,

SINCE I was beholden to you for your many Favours in Oxford I have not heard from you (ne gry quidem) ; I pray let the wonted Correspondence be now reviv'd, and receive new vigour between us.

My Lord Chancellor Bacon is lately dead of a long languishing weakness ; he died so poor that he scarce left money to bury him, which, tho* he had a great Wit, did argue no great Wisdom; it being one of the essential Properties of a wise Man, to provide for the main chance. I have read, that it had been the fortunes of all Poets commonly to die beggars ; but for an Orator, a Lawyer, and Philosopher, as he was, to die so, 'tis rare. It seems the same fate befel him that attended Demosthenes, Seneca, and Cicero (all great Men), of whom, the two first fell by Cor- ruption. The fairest Diamond may have a flaw in it, but I believe he died poor out of a contempt of the Pelf of Fortune, as also out of an excess of Generosity, which

appeared

Sect. 4. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 219

appeared, as in divers other passages, so once when the King had sent him a Stag, he sent up for the Under-keeper, and having drunk the King's health to him in a great Silver-gilt bowl, he gave it him for his Fee.

He wrote a pitiful letter to K. James, not long before his death, and concludes, Help me, dear Sovereign Lord and Master, and pity me so far, that I, who have been born to a Bag, be not now in my Age forc'd in effect to bear a Wallet; nor that I, who desire to live to study, may be driven to study to live. Which words, in my opinion, argu'd a little Abjection of Spirit, as his former Letter to the Prince did of Profaneness ; wherein he hop'd, that as the Father was his Creator, the Son will be his Redeemer. I write not this to derogate from the noble worth of the Lord Viscount Verulam, who was a rare Man; a Man Reconditce scientice, & ad salutem literarum natus, and I think the eloquentest that was born in this Isle. They say he shall be the last Lord Chancellor, as Sir Edward Coke was the last Lord Chief Justice of England; for ever since they have been term'd Lord Chief Justices of the King's- bench : So hereafter they shall be only Keepers of the Great Seal, which, for Title and Office, are deposable; but they say the Lord Chancellors Title is indelible.

I was lately at Gray's-Inn with Sir Eubule, and he desir'd me to remember him to you, as I do also salute Meum Prichardum ex imis praecordiis, Vale K€(f>a\t) fjLoi 7rpoo-</>i\e- ffTarrj. — Yours affectionately, while J. H.

London, 6 Jan. 1625.

IX.

To my Well-beloved Cousin, Mr. T. V. COUSIN,

YOU have a great Work in hand, for you write to me, that you are upon a Treaty of Marriage ; a great work indeed, and a work of such consequence, that it may make you or mar you ; it may make the whole remainder of your life uncouth, or comfortable to you : For all civil

Actions

220 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

Actions that are incident to Man, there's not any that tends more to his infelicity or happiness; therefore it concerns you not to be over-hasty herein, nor to take the Ball before the Bound: You must be cautious how you thrust your neck into such a yoke, whence you will never have power to withdraw it again ; for the Tongue useth to tie so hard a knot, that the Teeth can never untie, no not Alexanders Sword can cut asunder amongst us Christians. If you are resolvM to marry, Choose where you love, and resolve to love your Choice; let Love rather than Lucre be your guide in this Election, tho' a concurrence of both be good, yet for my part I had rather the latter should be wanting than the first : The one is the Pilot, the other but the Ballast of the Ship, which should carry us to the Harbour of a happy life. If you are bent to wed, I wi&h you anothergess Wife than Socrates had ; who when she had scolded him out of doors, as he was going thro' the Portal, threw a Chamber-pot of stale Urine upon his Head ; whereat the Philosopher, having been silent all the while, smilingly said, I thought after so much Thunder we should have Rain. And as I wish you may not light upon such a Xantippe (as the wisest Men have had ill luck in this kind, as I could instance in two of our most eminent Lawyers, C. B.), so I pray that God may deliver you from a Wife of such a generation, that Strowd, our Cook here at Westminster, said his Wife was of, who, when (out of a mislike of the Preacher) he had on Sunday, in the Afternoon, gone out of the Church to a Tavern, and return- ing towards the evening pretty well heated with Canary, to look to his Roast, and his Wife falling to read him a loud lesson in so furious a manner, as if she would have basted him instead of the Mutton, and among other revilings, tell- ing him often, That the Devil, the Devil would fetch him, at last he broke out of a long silence, and told her, I prithee, good Wife, hold thyself content ; for I know the Devil will do me no hurt, for I have marry'd his Kinswoman. If you light upon such a Wife (a Wife that hath more bone than flesh), I wish you may have the same measure of patience

that

Sect. 4. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 221

that Socrates and Strowd had, to suffer the grey Mare some- times to be the better Horse. I remember a French proverb :

La Maison est miserabile ft mlchantc, Oii la Pouk plus haut qut U Cocq chante.

That House doth every day more wretched grow, Where the Hen louder than the Cock doth crow.

Yet we have another English Proverb almost counter to this, That it is better to marry a Shrew than a Sheep ; for tho* silence be the dumb Orator of Beauty, and the best Ornament of a Woman, yet a phlegmatic dull Wife is fulsome and fastidious.

Excuse me, Cousin, that I jest with you in so serious a business: I know you need no Counsel of mine herein: you are discreet enough of yourself; nor, I presume, do you want Advice of Parents, which by all means must go along with you. So, wishing you all conjugal Joy, and an happy Confarreation, I rest — Your affectionate Cousin,

J.H.

London, 5 Feb. 1625.

X.

To my nolle Lord, the Lord Clifford, from London. MY LORD,

THE Duke of Buckingham is lately returned from Hol- land, having renew'd the Peace with the States, and articled with them for a continuation of some Naval Forces for an expedition against Spain, as also having taken up some money upon private Jewels (not any of the Crown's), and lastly, having comforted the Lady Elizabeth for the decease of his late Majesty her Father, and of Prince Frederick her eldest Son, whose disastrous manner of death, among the rest of her sad Afflictions, is not the least: For, passing over Haerlem Mere, a huge Insland Slough, in company of his Father, who had been at Amsterdam, to look how his Bank of Money did thrive, and coming (for

more

222 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

more frugality) in the common Boat, which was o'erset with Merchandize, and other Passengers, in a thick Fog, the Vessel turn'd o'er, and so many perish'd ; the Prince Palsgrave sav'd himself by swimming, but the young Prince clinging to the Mast, and being entangled among the Tacklings, was half drown'd, and half frozen to death : A sad destiny !

There is an open Rupture 'twixt us and the Spaniard, tho' he gives out that he never broke with us to this day. Count Gondomar was on his way to Flanders, and thence to England (as they say), with a large Commission to treat for a surrender of the Palatinate, and so to piece matters together again ; but he died in the Journey, at a place call'd Bunnol, of pure Apprehensions of Grief, it is given out.

The Match 'twixt His Majesty and the Lady Henrietta Maria, youngest Daughter to Henry the Great (the eldest being married to the K. of Spain, and the second to the D. of Savoy), goes roundly on, and is in a manner concluded ; whereat the Count of Soissons is much discontented, who gave himself hopes to have her, but the hand of Heaven had predestin'd her for a higher Condition.

The French Ambassadors who were sent hither to con- clude the business, having private Audience of his late Majesty a little before his death, he told them pleasantly, that he would make war against the Lady Henrietta, be- cause she would not receive the two Letters which were sent her, one from himself, and the other from his Son, but sent them to her Mother ; yet he thought he should easily make Peace with her, because he understood she had after- wards put the latter Letter in her Bosom, and the first in her Coshionet; whereby he gather'd, that she intended to reserve his Son for her Affection, and him for Counsel.

The Bishop of Lucon, now Cardinal de Richlieu, is grown to be the sole Favourite of the King of France, being brought in by the Queen-Mother, who hath been very active in ad- vancing the Match ; but 'tis thought the Wars will break

out

Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 223

out afresh against them of the Religion, notwithstanding the ill fortune the King had before Montauban few years since, where he lost above 500 of his Nobles, whereof the great Duke of Main was one : And having lain in Person before the Town many months, and receiv'd some Affronts, as that inscription upon their Gates shews, Roy sans foy, ville sans peur ; A King without faith , a Town without fear; yet he was forc'd to raise his Works, and raise his Siege.

The Letter which Mr. Ellis Hicks brought them of Mountaulan from Rochell, thro* so much danger, and with so much gallantry, was an infinite Advantage to them ; for whereas there was a politic report rais'd in the King's Army, and blown into Mountaulan, that Rochell was yielded to the Count of Soissons, who lay then before her, this Letter did inform the contrary, and that Rochel was in as good a plight as ever: Whereupon they made a sally the next day upon the King's Forces, and did him a great deal of spoil.

There be Summons out for a Parliament. I pray God it may prove more prosperous than the former.

I have been lately recommended to the D. of Buckingham, by some noble Friends of mine that have intimacy with him ; about whom, tho5 he hath three Secretaries already, I hope to have some employment; for I am weary of walking up and down so idly upon London Streets.

The Plague begins to rage mightily. God avert his Judg- ments, that menace so great a Mortality, and turn not away his Face from this poor Island : So I kiss your Lord- ship's hand, in quality of — Your Lordship's most humble Servitor, J. H.

25 Feb. 1625.

XI.

To Rich. Altham, Esq. SIR,

THE Echo wants but a Face, and the Looking-glass a Voice, to make them both living creatures, and to be- come the same bodies they represent; the one by repercus- sion of sound, the other by reflection of sight. Your most

ingenious

224 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

ingenious Letters to me from time to time do far more lively represent you than either Echo or Chrystal can do ; I mean, they represent the better and nobler part of you, to wit, the inward Man ; they clearly set forth the notions of your mind, and the motions of your soul, with the strength of your imagination : For, as I know your exterior Person by your lineaments, so I know you as well inwardly by your lines, and by those lively expressions you give of yourself; insomuch that I believe if the interior Man within you were as visible as the outward (as once Plato wish'd, that Virtue might be seen with the corporeal eyes), you would draw all the World after you ; or if your well-born thoughts, and the words of your Letters, were echo'd in any place, where they might rebound and be made audible, they are compos'd of such sweet and charming strains of Ingenuity and Elo- quence, that all the Nymphs of the Woods and the Valleys, the Dryades, yea, the Graces and Muses would pitch their Pavilions there ; nay, Apollo himself would dwell longer in that place with Rays, and make them reverberate more strongly than either upon Pindus, or Parnassus, or Rhodes itself, whence he never removes his Eye, as long as he is above this Hemisphere. I confess my Letters to you, which I send by way of correspondence, come far short of such Virtue ; yet are they the true Ideas of my Mind, and that real and inbred Affection I bear you. One should never teach his Letter or his Lacquey to lye; I observe that rule ; but besides my Letters, I wish there were a Crystal-case- ment in my Breast, thro' which you might behold the motions of my Heart.

Utinamq. oculos in pectore posses incessere ; then

should you clearly see without any deception of sight how truly I am, and how intirely — Yours, J. H.

27 Feb. 1625.

And to answer you in the same strain of verse you sent me:

First, shall the Heavens' bright Lamp forget to shim, The Stars shall from the azuSdSky decline ;

First,

Seel. 4. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 225

First, shall the Orient with the West shake hand,

The Centre oftJie World shall cease to stand :

First Wolves shall league with Lambs, the Dolphins fly ',

The Lawyer and Physician Fees deny,

The Thames with Tagus shall exchange her Bed,

My Mistress* locks, with mine, shall first turn red ;

First, Heaven sJiall lie below, and Hell above,

Ere I inconstant to my Altham prove.

XII.

To the Right Hon. my Lord of Carlingford, after Earl of

Carberry, at Golden-Grove, 28 May 1625. MY LORD,

WE have gallant news now abroad, for we are sure to have a new Queen ere it be long ; both the Con- tract and Marriage was lately solemnized in France, the one the 2d of this Month in the Louvre, the other the nth day following in the great Church of Paris, by the Cardinal of Rochefoucault : there was some clashing 'twixt him and the Archbishop of Paris, who alleged 'twas his duty to offi- ciate in that Church ; but the dignity of Cardinal, and the Quality of his Office, being the King's great Almoner, which makes him chief Curate of the Court, gave him the Prerogative. I doubt not but your Lordship hath heard of the Capitulations ; but for better assurance, I will run them over briefly.

The King of France obliged himself to procure the Dis- pensation ; the Marriage should be celebrated in the same form as that of Queen Margaret, and of the Duchess of Bar ; her Dowry should be 40,000 Crowns, six Shillings a- piece, the one Moiety to be paid the day of the Contract, the other twelve months after. The Queen shall have a Chapel in all the King's Royal Houses, and anywhere else, where she shall reside within the Dominions of His Majesty of Great Britain, with free exercise of the Roman Religion, for herself, her Officers, and all her Household, for the Cele- bration of the Mass, the Predication of the Word, Adminis-

p tration

226 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

tration of the Sacraments, and power to procure Indulgences from the Holy Father. To this end she shall be allow'd twenty-eight Priests, or Ecclesiastics in her House, and a Bishop in quality of Almoner, who shall have jurisdiction over all the rest, and that none of the King's Officers shall have power over them, unless in case of Treason ; therefore all her Ecclesiastics shall take the Oath of Fidelity to His Majesty of Great Britain : there shall be a Cemetery or Church-yard clos'd about to bury those of her Family. That in consideration of this Marriage, all English Catho- licks, as well Ecclesiastics as Lay, who shall be in any Prison merely for Religion, since the last Edict, shall be set at liberty.

This is the eighth Alliance we have had with France since the Conquest; and as it is the best that could be made in Christendom, so I hope it will prove the happiest. So I kiss your hands, being — Your Lordship's most humble Servitor,

J.H.

London, i Mar. 1625.

XIII.

To the Honourable Sir Tho. Sa. SIR,

I CONVERSED lately with a Gentleman that came from 'France, who among other things discoursed much of the Favourite Richelieu, who is like to be an active Man, and hath great designs. The two first things he did was to make sure of England, and the Hollander : he thinks to have us safe enough by this Marriage; and Holland, by a late League, which was bought with a great Sum of Money; for he hath furnish'd the States with a Million of Livres, at two Shillings a-piece in present, and 600,000 Livres every year of these two that are to come; provided that the States repay these sums two years after they are in peace or truce. The King press'd much for Liberty of Conscience to Roman Catholicks among them, and the Deputies promised to do all they could with the States-General about it; they articled likewise for the French to be associated with them in the Trade to the Indies.

Monsieur

Sect. 4. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 227

Monsieur is lately marry'd to Mary of Bourbon, the Duke of Montpensier's Daughter ; he told her, That he would be a better Husband than he had been a Suitor to her ; for he hung off a good while. This Marriage was made by the King, and Monsieur hath for his Appenage 100,000 Livres annual Rent from Chartres and Blois, 100,000 Livres Pension, and 500,000 to be charged yearly upon the General Receipts of Orleans, in all about 70,000 pounds. There was much ado before this Match could be brought about ; for there were many Opposers, and there be dark whispers, that there was a deep Plot to confine the King to a Monastery, and that Monsieur should govern; and divers great ones have suffer'd for it, and more are like to be discovered. So I take my leave for the present, and rest — Your very humble and ready Servitor, J. H.

Lond., 10 Mar. 1626.

XIV.

To the Lady Jane Savage, Marchioness of Winchester.

EXCELLENT LADY,

I MAY say of your Grace, as it was said once of a rare Italian Princess, that you are the greatest Tyrant in the World, because you make all those that see you your slaves, much more them that know you, I mean those that are acquainted with your inward disposition, and with the Faculties of your Soul, as well as the Phisnomy of your Face; for Virtue took as much pains to adorn the one, as Nature did to perfect the other. I have had the happiness to know both, when your Grace took pleasure to learn Spanish: at which time, when my Betters far had offer'd their service in this kind, I had the honour to be commanded by you often. He that hath as much experience of you as I have had will confess, that the Handmaid of God Almighty was never so prodigal of her Gifts to any, or labour'd more to frame an exact model of female Perfection: nor was Dame Nature only busied in this Work, but all the Graces did consult and co-operate with her; and they wasted so

much

228 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

much of their Treasure to enrich this one Piece, that it may be a good reason why so many lame and defective fragments of Women-kind are daily thrust into the World.

I return you here inclos'd the Sonnet your Grace pleas'd to send me lately, rendred into Spanish, and fitted for the same Air it had in English, both for cadence and number of feet. With it I send my most humble thanks, that your Grace would descend to command me in anything that might conduce to your contentment and service; for there is nothing I desire with a great Ambition (and herein I have all the World my Rival) than to be accounted, Madam — Your Grace's most humble and ready Servitor, J. H.

Land., 15 Mar. 1626.

XV.

To the Rt. Hon. the Lord Clifford. MY LORD,

I PRAY be pleas'd to dispense with this slowness of mine in answering yours of the first of this present.

Touching the domestick Occurrences, the Gentleman who is Bearer hereof, is more capable to give you Account by Discourse than I can in Paper.

For foreign tidings, your Lordship may understand, that the Town of Breda hath been a good while making her last Will and Testament ; but now there is certain news come, that she hath yielded up the ghost to Spinola's hands after a tough siege of thirteen months, and a circumvallation of near upon twenty miles' compass.

My Lord of Southampton and his eldest Son sicken'd at the siege, and died at Berghen ; the adventurous Earl Henry of Oxford, seeming to tax the Prince of Orange of slackness to fight, was set upon a desperate work, where he melted his grease, and so being carry'd to the Hague, he died also. I doubt not but you have heard of Grave Maurice's death^ which happen' d when the Town was past cure, which was his more than the States ; for he was Marquis of Breda, and had near upon 30,000 Dollars annual rent from her: There- fore

Sect. 4. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 229

fore he seem'd in a kind of sympathy to sicken with this Town, and died before her. He had provided plentifully for his natural Children ; but could not, tho' much impor- tun'd by Dr. Rosens, and other Divines, upon his Death- bed, be indtic'd to make them legitimate by marrying the Mother of them : For the Law there is, that if one hath got Children of any Woman, tho' unmarry'd to her, yet if he marry her never so little before his death, he makes her honest and them all legitimate. But it seems the Prince postponed the love he bore to this Woman and Children, to that which he bore to his Brother Henry ; for had he made the Children legitimate, it had prejudiced the Brother in point of Command and Fortunes : Yet he had provided plentifully for them and the Mother.

Grave Henry hath succeeded him in all things, and is a gallant Gentleman, of a French Education and Temper; he charg'd him at his death to marry a young Lady, the Count of Solme's Daughter attending the Queen of Bohe- mia, whom he had long courted : which is thought will take speedy effect.

When the Siege before Breda had grown hot, Sir Edw. Vere being one day attending Prince Maurice, he pointed at a rising Place call'd Terhay, where the Enemy had built a Fort (which might have been prevented). Sir Edw. told him, he fear'd that Fort would be the cause of the loss of the Town : the Grave spatter'd and shook his Head, saying, 'Twas the greatest error he had committed since he knew what belonged to a Soldier ; as also in managing the Plot for surprizing the Citadel of Antwerp; for he repented that he had not employed English and French in lieu of the slow Dutch, who aim'd to have the sole honour of it, and were not so fit instruments for such a nimble piece of service. As soon as Sir Charles Morgan gave up the Town, Spinola caus'd a new Gate to be erected, with this inscription in great golden Characters :

Philippe quarto regnantf,

Clara Eugenia Isabella gubernante,

Ambrosio

230

FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

Ambrosio Spinola obsidente, Quatuor Regibus contra conantibus, Breda captafuit Idibus, &c.

'Tis thought Spinola, now that he hath recovered the Honour that he lost before Berghen op Zoom three years since, will not long stay in Flanders, but retire. No more now, but that I am resolvM to continue ever— Your Lord- ship's most humble Servitor, J. H.

Lond., 19 Mar. 1626.

XVI.

To Mr. R. Sc., at York. SIR,

I SENT you one of the 3d current, but 'twas not answered ; I sent another of the I3th like a second Arrow, to find out the first, but I know not what's become of either : I send this to find out the other two ; and if this fail, there shall go no more out of my Quiver. If you forget me, I have cause to complain, and more if you remember me : To forget, may proceed from the frailty of Memory; not to answer me when you mind me is pure neglect, and no less than a piacle. So I rest — Yours easily to be recover'd,

J.H.

Ira furor brevis, brevis est mea lift era, cogor, Ira correptus, corripuissc stylum.

Lond.) igfufy, the ist of the Dogdays^ 1626.

XVII.

To Dr. Field, Lord Bishop o/LandafF. MY LORD,

IS END youmy humble Thanks for those worthy hospi- table Favours you were pleased to give me at your Lodgings in Westminster. I had yours of the 5th of this present, by the hand of Mr. Jonath. Field. The News which fills every corner of the Town at this time, is the sorry and unsuccessful return that Wimbledon s Fleet hath made from Spain : it was a Fleet that deserved to have had

a

Sect. 4. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 231

a better destiny, considering the strength of it, and the huge charge the Crown was at : for besides a Squadron of sixteen Hollanders, whereof Count William, one of Prince Manners natural Sons, was Admiral, there were above eighty of ours, the greatest joint naval Power (of ships with- out Gallies) that ever spread sail upon Salt-water; which makes the World abroad to stand astonished how so huge a Fleet could be so suddenly made ready. The sinking of the Long Robin with 1 70 Souls in her, in the Bay of Biscay, ere she had gone half the Voyage, was no good Augury : And the Critics of the Time say, there were many other things that promis'd no good fortune to this Fleet ; besides, they would point at divers errors committed in the conduct of the main design : first, the odd choice that was made of the Admiral, who was a mere Landman ; which made the Seamen much slight him, it belonging properly to Sir Robert Manselj Vice-Admiral of England, to have gone, in case the High-Admiral went not : then they speak of the uncertainty of the Enterprize, and that no place was pitch'd upon to be invaded, till they came to the height of the South Cape, and in sight of shore, where the Lord IVimlle- don first called a Council of War, where some would be for Malaga, others for St. Mary-Port, others for Gibraltar, but most for Coles; and while they were thus consulting, the Country had an Alarm given them. Add hereunto the blazing abroad of this Expedition ere the Fleet went out of the Downs ; for Mercurius Gallobelgicus had it in print, that it was for the Sir eights-Mouth ; Now, 'tis a Rule, that great designs of State should be Mysteries till they come to the very act of performance, and then they should turn to Exploits. Moreover, when the local attempt was resolved on, there were seven Ships (by the advice of one Capt. Love) suffered to go up the River, which might have been easily taken ; and being rich, 'tis thought they would have defrayed well-near the charge of our Fleet ; which Ships did much infest us afterwards with their Ordnance, when we had taken the Fort of Puntall. Moreover, the dis- orderly

232 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book L

orderly carriage and excess of our Landmen (whereof there were i 0,000) when they were put ashore, who broke into the Fryars' Caves, and other Cellars of sweet Wines, where many hundreds of them being surprized, and found dead- drunk, the Spaniards came and tore off their Ears and Noses, and pluck'd out their Eyes: And I was told of one merry Fellow escaping, that kill'd an Ass for a Buck. Lastly, it is laid to the Admiral's charge, that my Lord De la Wares Ship being infected, he gave order that the sick Men should be scatter'd into divers Ships, which dispersed the Contagion exceedingly, so that some thousands died before the Fleet returned, which was done in a confused manner, without any observance of Sea-orders. Yet I do not hear of any that will be punish'd for these miscar- riages, which will make the dishonour fall more foully upon the State. But the most fortunate Passage of all was, that tho' we did nothing by Land that was considerable, yet if we had stayed but a day or two longer, and spent time at Sea, the whole Fleet of Galeons from Nova Hispania had fallen into our own mouths, which came presently in, close along the Coasts of Barlary ; and in all likelihood we might have had the opportunity to have taken the richest Prize that ever was taken on salt Water. Add hereunto, that while we were thus Masters of those Seas, a Fleet of fifty Sail of Brasil Men got safe into Lisbon, with four of the richest Caracks that ever came from the East-Indies.

I hear my Lord of St. David's is to be remov'd to Bath and Wells, and it were worth your Lordship's coming up to endeavour the succeeding of him. So I humbly rest — Your Lordship's most ready Servitor, J. H.

Lond.j 20 Nov. 1626

XVIII.

To my Lord D. of Buckingham's Grace at New-market.

MAY it please your Grace to peruse and pardon these few Advertisements, which I would not dare to

present

Sect. 4. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 233

present, had I not hopes that the Goodness which is con- comitant with your Greatness would make them venial.

My Lord, a Parliament is at hand; the last was boisterous ; God grant that this may prove more calm : A rumour runs that there are Clouds already ingendred, which will break out into a storm in the lower Region, and most of the drops are like to fall upon your Grace. This, tho' it be but vulgar Astrology, is not altogether to be contemn'd ; tho' I believe that His Majesty's Countenance reflecting so strongly upon your Grace, with the brightness of your own Innocency, may be able to dispel and scatter them to nothing.

My Lord, you are a great Prince, and all Eyes are upon your Actions ; this makes you more subject to envy, which like the Sun-beams beats always upon Rising-grounds. I know your Grace hath many sage and solid Heads about you ; yet I trust it will prove no offence, if out of the late relation I have to your Grace by the recommendation of such noble Personages, I put in also my Mite.

My Lord, under favour, it were not amiss if your Grace would be pleased to part with some of those Places you hold, which have least relation to the Court ; and it would take away the mutterings that run of multiplicity of Offices ; and in my shallow apprehension, your Grace might stand more firm without an Anchor: The Office of High-Admiral, in these times of action, requires one whole Man to execute it; your Grace hath another Sea of business to wade thro', and the voluntary resigning of this Office would fill all Men, yea, even your Enemies, with admiration and affection, and make you more a Prince than detract from your Greatness. If any ill Successes happen at Sea (as that of the Lord Wimlledon's lately), or if there be any murmur for Pay, your Grace will be free from all imputations; besides, it will afford your Grace more leisure to look into your own affairs, which lie confus'd and unsettled. Lastly (which is not the least thing) this act will be so plausible, that it may much advantage His Majesty in point of Subsidy.

Secondly,

234 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book /.

Secondly, It were expedient (under correction) that your Grace would be pleased to allot some set Hours for audience and access of Suitors ; and it would be less cumber to your- self and your servants, and give more content to the World, which often mutters for difficulty of access.

Lastly, It were not amiss that your Grace would settle a standing Mansion-house and Family, that Suitors may know whither to repair constantly, and that your Servants, every one in his Place, might know what belongs to his place, and attend accordingly : for tho' confusion in a great Family carry a kind of State with it, yet Order and Regu- larity gains a greater opinion of Virtue and Wisdom : I know your Grace doth not (nor needs not) affect Popularity. It is true that the People's love is the strongest Citadel of a sovereign Prince, but to a great Subject it hath often prov'd fatal ; for he who pulleth off his Hat to the People, giveth his Head to the Prince ; and it is remarkable what was said of a late unfortunate Earl, who, a little before Q. Elizabeth's death, had drawn the Axe upon his own neck, That he was grown so popular, that he was too dangerous for the Times, and the Times for him,

My Lord, now that your Grace is threatened to be heav'd at, it should behove every one that oweth you duty and good-will, to reach out his hand some way or other to serve you : Among these, I am one that presumes to do it, in this poor impertinent Paper; for which I implore pardon, be- cause I am, my Lord — Your Grace's most humble and faithful Servant, J. H.

London, 1 3 Feb. 1626.

XIX.

To Sir J. S., Knight. SIR,

THERE is a Saying which carries no little weight with it, that Parvus amor loquitur, ingens stupet ; Small love speaks, while great love stands astonished with silence : The one keeps a tattling, while the other is struck dumb with

amazement

Sect. 4. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 235

amazement ; like deep Rivers, which to the eye of the be- holder seem to stand still, while small shallow Rivulets keep a noise ; or like empty Casks, that make an obstreperous hollow sound, which they would not do were they re- plenished and full of substance. 'Tis the condition of my love to you, which is so great, and of that profoundness, that it hath been silent all this while, being stupify'd with the contemplation of those high Favours, and sundry sorts of Civilities, wherewith I may say you have overwhelmed me. This deep Ford of my affection and gratitude to you, I in- tend to cut out hereafter into small currents (I mean into Letters), that the course of it may be heard, tho' it make but a small bubbling noise, as also that the clearness of it may appear more visible.

I desire my service be presented to my noble Lady, whose fair hands I humbly kiss; and if she want anything that London can afford, she need but command her and — Your most faithful and ready Servitor, J. H.

Lend., ii Feb. 1626.

XX.

To the Right Honourable the Earl R.

MY LORD,

A CCORDING to promise, and that portion of Obedience JL\. I owe to your commands, I send your Lordship these few Avisos, some whereof I doubt not but you have received before, and that by abler Pens than mine; yet your Lord- ship may happily find herein something that was omitted by others, or the former news made clearer by circumstance.

I hear Count Mansfelt is in Paris, having now received three routings in Germany ; 'tis thought the French King will piece him up again with new recruits. I was told, that as he was seeing the two Queens one day at dinner, the Queen-Mother said, They say, Count Mansfelt is here among this Crowd ; I do not believe it, quoth the young Queen, for whensoever he seeth a Spaniard, he runs away.

Matters go untowardly on our side in Germany, but the

King

236 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book /.

King of Denmark will shortly be in the field in person ; and Bethlem Gabor hath been long expected to do some- thing, but some think he will prove but a Bugbear. Sir Ch. Morgan is to go to Germany with 6000 Auxiliaries to join with the Danish Army.

The Parliament is adjourn'd to Oxford, by reason of the sickness, which increaseth exceedingly ; and before the King went out of Town, there dy'd 1500 that very week, and two out of Whitehall it self.

There is high clashing again 'twixt my Lord Duke and the Earl of Bristol; they recriminate one another of divers things: the Earl accuseth him, among other matters, of certain Letters from Rome, of putting His Majesty upon that hazardous Journey to Spain, and of some miscarriages at his being in that Court. There be Articles also against the Lord Conway, which I send your Lordship here inclos'd.

I am for Oxford the next week, and thence for Wales, to fetch my good old Father's Blessing: at my return, if it shall please God to reprieve me in these dangerous times of Contagion, I shall continue my wonted Service to your Lordship, if it may be done with safety. So I rest — Your Lordship's most humble Servitor, J. H.

Lond., 15 Mar. 1626.

XXI.

To the Right Honourable the Lord Viscount C. MY LORD,

SIR John North deliver'd me one lately from your Lord- ship, and I send my humble thanks for the Venison you intend me. I acquainted your Lordship, as oppor- tunity serv'd, with the nimble Pace the French Match went on, by the successful negotiation of the Earls of Carlisle and Holland (who out-went the Monsieurs themselves in Courtship), and how in less than nine Moons, this great Business was propos'd, pursu'd, and perfected ; whereas the Sun had leisure enough to finish his annual Progress from one end of the Zodiac to the other so many years, before

that

Sect. 4. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 237

that of Spain could come to any shape of perfection. This may serve to shew the difference 'twixt the two Nations, tlu- leaden-heel9 d pace of the one, and the quicksilvered motions of the other: It shews also how the French is more generous in his proceedings, and not so full of scruples, reservations, and jealous as the Spaniard, but deals more frankly, and with a greater confidence and gallantry.

The Lord D. of Buckingham is now in Paris , accompanied with the Earl of Montgomery, and he went in a very splen- did Equipage: The Venetian and Hollander, with other States that are no Friends to Spain, did some good offices to advance this Alliance ; and the new Pope propounded much towards it : But Richelieu, the new Favourite of France, was the Cardinal Instrument in it.

This Pope Urban grows very active, not only in things present, but ripping up of old matters, for which there is a select Committee appointed to examine Accounts and Errors past, not only in the time of his immediate pre- decessor, but others. And one told me of a merry Pasquil lately in Rome ; That whereas there are two great Statues, one of Peter, the other of Paul, opposite one to the other upon a Bridge, one had clapp'd a pair of Spurs upon St. Peter's heels; and St. Paul asking him whither he was bound, he answered, I apprehend some danger to stay now in Rome, because of this new Commission, for I fear they will question me for denying my Master. Truly, brother Peter, I shall not stay long after you, for I have as much cause to doubt that they will question me for persecuting the Christians before I was converted. So I take my leave, and rest — Your Lordship's most humble Servitor, J. H.

Lond., 3 May 1626.

i

XXII.

To my Brother, Mr. Hugh Penry. SIR,

THANK you for your late Letter, and the several good Tidings sent me from Wales : In requital I can send

you

238 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

you gallant news, for we have now a most noble new Queen of England, who in true Beauty is beyond the long-woo'd Infanta ; for she was of a fading flaxen-hair, big-lipp'd, and somewhat heavy-ey'd ; but this Daughter of France, this youngest Branch of Bourbon (being but in her Cradle when the great Henry her Father was put out of the world), is of a more lovely and lasting Complexion, a dark brown ; she hath Eyes that sparkle like Stars; and for her Physiog- nomy, she may be said to be a Mirror of Perfection : She had a rough Passage in her transfretation to Dover Castle, and in Canterbury the King bedded first with her ; there were a goodly train of choice Ladies attended her coming upon the Bowling-green on Barham Downs upon the way, who divided themselves into two rows, and they appear'd like so many Constellations; but methought the Country Ladies out-shined the Courtiers. She brought over with her two hundred thousand Crowns in gold and silver, as half her Portion, and the other Moiety is to be paid at the year's end. Her first suit of Servants (by Article) are to be French, and as they die English are to succeed ; she is also allow'd twenty-eight Ecclesiasticks of any Order, except Jesuits; a Bishop for her Almoner, and to have private exercise of her Religion for her and her Servants.

I pray convey the inclos'd to my Father by the next conveniency, and pray present my dear love to my Sister ; I hope to see you at Dyvinnock about Michaelmas, for I intend to wait upon my Father, and I will take my Mother in the way, I mean Oxford. In the interim I rest — Your most affectionate Brother, J. H.

Lond., 16 May 1626.

XXIII.

To my Uncle, Sir Sackvill Trevor, from Oxford. SIR,

I AM sorry I must write to you the sad tidings of the dis- solution of the Parliament here, which was done suddenly. Sir John Elliot was in the heat of a high Speech against

the

Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 239

the D. of Buckingham, when the Usher of the Black Rod knocked at the door, and signify'd the King's pleasure, which struck a kind of consternation in all the House. My Lord Keeper Williams hath parted with the Broad Seal, because, as some say, he went about to cut down the Scale by which he rose; for some, it seems, did ill offices 'twixt the Duke and him. Sir Thomas Coventry hath it now ; I pray God he be tender of the King's Conscience, whereof he is Keeper rather than of the Seal.

I am bound to-morrow upon a journey towards the Mountains, to see some Friends in Wales, and to bring back my Father's blessing: For better Assurance of Lodging where I pass, in regard of the Plague, I have a Post-warrant as far as St. David's, which is far enough, you'll say, for the King hath no ground further on this Island. If the Sick- ness rage in such extremity at London, the Term will be held at Reading.

All your Friends here are well, but many look blank because of the sudden rupture of the Parliament. God Almighty turn all to the best, and stay the fury of this Contagion, and preserve us from further judgments. So I rest — Your most affectionate Nephew, J. H.

Oxford^ 6 Aug. 1626.

XXIV.

To my Father, from London. SIR,

I WAS now the fourth time at a dead stand in the course of my Fortune: for tho' I was recommended to the Duke, and received many noble Respects from him; yet I was told by some who are nearest him, that somebody hath done me ill offices, by whispering in his ear that I was too much Digbyfied ; and so they told me positively, that I must never expect any Employment about him of any Trust. While I was in this suspense, Mr. Secretary Conway sent for me, and proposed to me that the King had occasion to send a Gentleman to Italy in nature of a moving Agent ;

and

240 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

and tho' he might have choice of Persons of good Quality that would willingly undertake this Employment, yet understand- ing of my Breeding, he made the first proffer to me, and that I should go as the King's Servant, and have an Allowance accordingly. I humbly thank' d him for the good opinion he pleased to conceive of me, being a stranger to him, desir'd some time to consider of the proposition, and of the nature of the Employment ; so he granted me four days to think upon't, and two of them are pass'd already. If I may have a Support accordingly, I intend by God's Grace (desiring your Consent and Blessing to go along) to apply myself to this Course, but before I part with England, I intend to send you further notice.

The Sickness is miraculously decreased in this City and Suburbs; for from 5200, which was the greatest number that dy'd in one Week, and that was some forty days since, they are now fallen to 300. It was the violent'st fit of Contagion that ever was for the time in this Island, and such as no Story can' parallel : but the Ebb of it was more swift than the Tide. My Brother is well, and so are all your Friends here, for I do not know any of your Ac- quaintance that is dead of this furious Infection. Sir John Walter ask'd me lately how you did, and wish'd me to re- member him to you. So, with my love to all my Brothers and Sisters, and the rest of my Friends who made so much of me lately in the Country, I rest — Your dutiful Son, j. H.

7 Aug. 1626.

XXV.

To the Right Hon. the Lord Conway, Principal Secretary of

State to His Majesty, at Hampton-Court. RIGHT HONOURABLE,

SINCE I last attended your Lordship here, I summon'd ^ my thoughts to Council, and convass'd to and fro within myself the business you pleas' d to impart to me, for going upon the King's Service into Italy; I considered

therein

Sect. 4. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 241

therein many particulars : First, The weight of the Employ- ment, and what maturity of judgment, discretion, and parts are requir'd in him that will personate such a Man. Next, The difficulties of it; for one must send sometimes light out of darkness, and, like the Bee, suck Honey out of bad, as out of good Flowers. Thirdly, The danger which the Undertaker must converse withal, and which may fall upon him by interception of Letters, or other cross Casualties. Lastly, The great expence it will require, being not to re- main sedentary in one place as other Agents, but to be often in itinerary motion.

Touching the first, I refer myself to your Honour's favourable opinion, and the character which my Lord S. and others shall give of me : For the second, I hope to over- come it : For the third, I weigh it not, so I may merit of my King and Country: For the last, I crave leave to deal plainly with your Lordship, that I am a Cadet, and have no other patrimony or support but my Breeding; there- fore I must breathe by the Employment. And, my Lord, I shall not be able to perform what shall be expected at my hands under ^100 a quarter, and to have Bills of Credit accordingly. Upon these terms, my Lord, I shall apply myself to this Service, and by God's blessing hope to answer all expectations. So, referring the premises to your noble consideration, I rest, my Lord — Your very humble and ready Servitor, J. H.

Lend., 8 Sept. 1626.

XXVI.

To my Brother, Dr. Howell, after Bishop of Bristol.

MY BROTHER,

NEXT to my Father, 'tis fitting you should have cogni- zance of my Affairs and Fortunes. You heard how I was in Agitation for an Employment in Italy, but my Lord Conway demurr'd upon the Salary I propounded: I have now wav'd this course, yet I came ofT fairly with my

Q. Lord ;

242 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

Lord; for I have a stable Home Employment proffer'd me by my Lord Scroop, Lord President of the North, who sent for me lately to Worcester -house, tho' I never saw him before; and there the Bargain was quickly made that I should go down with him to York for Secretary, and his Lordship has promised me fairly. I will see you at your House in Horsley before I go, and leave the particular cir- cumstances of this business till then.

The French that came over with Her Majesty, for their petulancy, and some misdemeanors, and imposing some odd penances upon the Queen, are all cashier' d this week, about a matter of sixscore, whereof the Bishop of Mende was one, who had stood to be Steward of Her Majesty's Courts, which Office my Lord of Holland hath. It was a thing suddenly done; for about one of the clock, as they were at dinner, my Lord Conway and Sir Thomas Edmonds came with an Order from the King, that they must instantly away to Somerset-house, for there were Barges and Coaches staying for them ; and there they should have all their wages paid them to a penny, and so they must be content to quit the Kingdom. This sudden undream'd-of Order struck an Astonishment into them all, both Men and Women ; and running to complain to the Queen, His Majesty had taken her before into his Bed-chamber, and lock'd the doors upon them until he had told her how matters stood : The Queen fell into a violent passion, broke the Glass-windows, and tore her Hair, but she was calm'd afterwards. Just such a destiny happened in France some years since to the Queen's Spanish Servants there, who were all dismissed in like manner for some miscarriages; the like was done in Spain to the French ; therefore 'tis no new thing.

They are all now on their way to Dover, but I fear this will breed ill blood 'twixt us and France, and may break out into an ill-favour' d Quarrel.

Master Montague is preparing to go to Paris as a Mes- senger of Honour, to prepossess the King and Council there

with

Sect. 4. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 243

with the truth of things. So, with my very kind Respects to my Sister, I rest — Your loving Brother, J. H.

Lond.) 15 Mar. 1626.

XXVIL

To the Right Honourable the Lord S.

o

MY LORD,

I AM bound shortly for York, where I am hopeful of a profitable Employment. There's fearful news come from Germany, that since Sir Charles Morgan went thither with 6000 Men for the Assistance of the King of Denmark, the King hath received an utter Overthrow by Tilly ; he had receiv'd a fall off a horse from a wall five yards high a little before, yet it did him little hurt.

Tilly pursueth his victory strongly, and is got o'er the Elve to Holsteinland, insomuch that they write from Ham- lurgh, that Denmark is in danger to be utterly lost. The Dajies and Germans seem to lay some fault upon our King, the King upon the Parliament, that would not supply him with Subsidies to assist his Uncle, and the Prince Pa/s- grave ; both which was promis'd upon the rupture of the Treaties with Spain, which was done by the Advice of both Houses.

This is the ground that His Majesty hath lately sent out Privy Seals for Loan-moneys until a Parliament may be call'd, in regard that the K. of Denmark is distress'd, the Sound like to be lost, the East land Trade, and the Staple at Hamburghj in danger to be destroy'd, and the English Garri- son under Sir Cha. Morgan at Stoad ready to be starv'd.

These Loan-moneys keep a great noise, and they are im- prison'd that deny to conform themselves.

I fear I shall have no more opportunity to send to your Lordship till I go to York ; therefore I humbly take leave, and kiss your hands, being ever, my Lord — Your obedient and ready Servitor, J. H.

XXVIII.

244

FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

XXVIII. To Mr. R. L., Merchant.

I MET lately with J. Harris in London, and I had not seen him two years before ; and then I took him, and knew him to be a Man of thirty, but now one would take him by his hair to be near sixty, for he is all turn'd grey. I wonder'd at. such a Metamorphosis in so short a time; he told me, 'twas for the death of his Wife that Nature had thus ante- dated his years. ;Tis true, that a weighty settled Sorrow is of that force, that besides the contraction of the Spirits, it will work upon the radical moisture, and dry it up, so that the hair can have no moisture at the root. This made me re- member a Story that a Spanish Advocate told me, which is a thing very remarkable.

When the D. of Alva went to Brussels, about the begin- ning of the Tumults in the Netherlands, he had sat down before Hulst in Flanders, and there was a Provost-Marshal in his Army, who was a Favourite of his ; and this Provost had put some to death by secret Commission from the Duke. There was one Capt. Bolea in the Army, who was an inti- mate friend of the Provost, and one evening late he went to the said Captain's Terit, and brought with him a Confessor and an Executioner, as it was his custom ; he told the Captain that he was come to execute his Excellency's Commission and Martial-Law upon him : The Captain started up sud- denly, his hair standing at an end, and being struck with amazement, asked him wherein he had offended the Duke : The Provost answer'd, Sir, I come not to expostulate the business with you, but to execute my Commission ; there- fore, I pray, prepare yourself, for there's your ghostly Father and Executioner : So he fell upon his knees before the Priest, and, having done, the Hangman going to put the Halter about his neck, the Provost threw it away, and break- ing into a laughter, told him, There was no such thing, and that he had done this to try his Courage, how he could bear the terror of death. The Captain look'd ghastly upon him,

and

Sect. 4. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 245

and said, Then, Sir, get you out of my Tent, for you have done me a very ill office. The next morning the said Cap- tain Bolea, tho' a young man of about thirty, had his hair all turn'd grey, to the Admiration of all the World, and the D. of Alva himself, who question'd him about it, but he would confess nothing. The next year the Duke was revoked, and in his journey to the Court of Spain he was to pass by Saragossa, and this Capt. Bolea and the Provost went along with him as his Domesticks. The Duke being to repose some days in Saragossa, the young-old Capt. Bolea told him that there was a thing in that Town worthy to be seen by his Excellency, which was a Casa de locos, a Bedlam- house, for there was not the like in Christendom : Well, said the Duke, go and tell the Warden I will be there To-morrow in the Afternoon, and wish him to be in the way. The Captain having obtain'd this, went to the Warden, and told him, that the Duke would come to visit the House the next day ; and the chiefest occasion that mov'd him to it was, that he had an unruly Provost about him, who was subject oftentimes to Fits of Frenzy; and because he wisheth him well, he had try'd divers means to cure him, but all would not do ; therefore he would try whether keeping him close in Bedlam for some days would do him any good. The next day the Duke came with a ruffling train of Captains after him, among whom was the said Provost very shining brave; being enter'd into the House, about the Duke's Person, Capt. Bolea told the Warden (pointing at the Provost) that's the Man ; so he took him aside into a dark Lobby, where he had plac'd some of his Men, who muffled him in his Cloak, seiz'd upon his gilt Sword with his Hat and Feather, and so hurry'd him down into a Dungeon. My Provost had lain there two nights and a day, and afterwards it happened that a Gentleman coming out of curiosity to see the House, peep'd in at a small grate where the Provost was : the Provost conjur'd him as he was a Christian, to go and tell the Duke of Alva his Provost was there clapp'd up, nor could he imagine why. The Gentleman did the Errand ;

whereat

246 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book /.

whereat the Duke being astonish'd, sent for the Warden with his Prisoner : so he brought my Provost en querpo, Madman- like, full of straws and feathers, before the Duke, who at the sight of him breaking out into a laughter, asked the Warden why he had made him his prisoner. Sir, said the Warden, 'twas by virtue of your Excellency's Commission brought me by Capt. Bolea : Bolea stepp'd forth, and told the Duke, Sir, you have ask'd me oft how these hairs of mine grew so suddenly grey; I have not revealed it yet to any Soul breath- ing, but now I'll tell your Excellency, and so fell a relating the Passage in Flanders: and, Sir, I have been ever since beating my Brains how to get an equal revenge of him, and I thought no revenge to be more equal or corresponding, now that you see he hath made me old before my time, than to make him mad if I could; and had he staied some days longer close Prisoner in the Bedlam-house, it might haply have wrought some impressions upon his Pericranium. The Duke was so well pleased with the Story, and the wittiness of the revenge, that he made them both friends; and the Gentleman who told me this Passage said, that the said Capt. Bolea was yet alive, so that he could not be less than ninety years of age.

I thank you a thousand times for the Cephalonia Muscadel and Botargo you sent me ; I hope to be shortly quit with you for all courtesies : in the interim I am — Your obliged Friend to serve you, J. H.

York, this i of May 1626.

Postscript.

I AM sorry to hear of the trick that Sir John Ayres put upon the Company by the Box of Hail-shot, sign'd with the Ambassador's Seal, that he had sent so solemnly from Constantinople, which he made the world believe to be full of Chequins and Turky Gold.

SECTION

SECTION V.

I.

To Dan. Calclwall, Esq. ; from York.

MY DEAR D.,

O> I may be term'd a right Northern Man, being a good way this side Trent, yet my love is as Southern as ever it was, I mean it continueth still in the same degree of heat ; nor can this bleaker Air, or Boreas' s chilling blasts, cool it a whit. I am the same to you this side Trent, as I was the last time we cross' d the Thames together to see Smug the Smith, and so back to the Still-yard: But I fear that your Love to me doth not continue in so constant and intense a degree, and I have good grounds for this fear, because I never receiv'd one syllable from you since I left London. If you rid me not of this scruple, and send to me speedily, I shall think, tho' you live under a hotter clime in the South, that your former love is not only cool'd, but frozen.

For this present condition of |life, I thank God I live well contented ; I have a fee from the King, diet for myself and two servants, livery for a horse, and a part of the King's house for my lodging, and other privileges which I am told no Secretary before me had ; but I must tell you, the per- quisites are nothing answerable to my expectation yet. I have built me a new study since I came, wherein I shall among others meditate sometimes on you, and whence this present Letter comes. So, with a thousand thanks for the plentiful hospitality and jovial farewell you gave me at your House in Essex, I rest — Yours, yours, yours, J. H.

York, 13/tf/y 1627.

II.

248 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

II.

To Mr. Richard Leat.

CIGNOR mio, It is now a great while, methinks, since ^ any Act of Friendship, or other interchangeable offices of love have pass'd between us, either by Letters, or other accustom'd ways of correspondence; and as I will not ac- cuse, so I go not about to clear myself in this point : Let this long silence be term'd therefore a Cessation rather than Neglect on both sides. A Bow that lies a while unbent, and a Field that remains fallow for a time, grow never the worse, but afterwards the one sends forth an Arrow more strongly, the other yields a better Crop, being recultivated : Let this be also verify'd in us, let our Friendship grow more fruitful after this pause, let it be more active for the future : You see I begin and shoot the first shaft. I send you here- with a couple of red Deer Pies, the one Sir Arthur Ingram gave me, the other my Lord President's Cook; I could not tell where to bestow them better. In your next let me know which is the best seasoned ; I pray let the Sydonian Merchant, Jo. Bruckhurst, be at the eating of them, and then I know they will be well soak'd. If you please to send me a barrel or two of Oysters which we want here, I promise you they shall be well eaten with a Cup of the best Claret, and the best Sherry (to which Wine this Town is altogether addicted) shall not be wanting.

I understand the Lord Weston is Lord Treasurer; we may say now, that we have Treasurers of all tenses, for there are four living, to wit, the Lords Manchester, Middle- sex, Marllorough, and the newly chosen. I hear also that the good old Man (the last) hath retir'd to his Lodgings in Lincoln's- Inn, and so reducM himself to his first principles ; which makes me think that he cannot bear up long, now that the Staff is taken from him. I pray in your next send me the Venetian Gazetta. So, with my kind Respects to your Father, I rest — Yours, J. H.

York, 9 fitly 1627.

III.

Sect. 5. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 249

III.

To Sir Ed. Sa., Knight.

SIR, ""T^WAS no great matter to be a Prophet, and to have

JL foretold this rupture 'twixt us and France upon the the sudden renvoy of Her Majesty's Servants ; for many of them had sold their Estates in France, given Money for their Places, and so thought to live and die in England in the Queen's Service, and so have pitifully complain'd to that King; thereupon he hath arrested above 100 of our Merchant-men that went to the Vintage at Bourdeaux. We also take some stragglers of theirs, for there are Letters of Mart given on both sides.

There are Writs issued out for a Parliament, and the Town of Richmond in Richmondshire hath made choice of me for their Burgess, tho* Master Christopher Wandesford, and other powerful Men, and more deserving than I, stood for it. I pray God send me fair Weather in the House of Commons, for there is much murmuring about the restraint of those that would not conform to Loan Moneys. There is a great Fleet preparing, and an Army of Landmen ; but the design is uncertain, whether it be against Spain, or France, for we are now in enmity with both those Crowns. The French Cardinal hath been lately t'other side the Alps, and settled the Duke of Nevers in the Duchy of Mantua, notwithstanding the opposition of the King of Spain and the Emperor, who alleg'd, That he was to receive his In- vestiture from him, and that was the chief ground of the War; but the French Arms have done the work, and come triumphantly back over the Hills again. No more now, but that I am, as always — Your true Friend, J. H.

2 March 1627.

IV.

250 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

IV.

To the Worshipful Mr. Alderman of the Town of Richmond, and the rest of the worthy Members of that ancient Corporation.

SIR,

I RECEIVED a public Instrument from you lately, subscribed by yourself and divers others, wherein I find that you have made choice of me to be one of your Burgesses for this now approaching Parliament; I could have wish'd that you had not put by Master IVandesford, and other worthy Gentlemen that stood so earnestly for it, who being your Neighbours, had better means and more abilities to serve you. Yet since you have cast these high respects upon me, I will endeavour to acquit myself of the Trust, and to answer your expectation accordingly : And as I account this Election an honour to me, so I esteem it a greater advantage, that so worthy and well- experienced a Knight as Sir Tallot Bows is to be my Collegue and Fellow-Burgess ; I shall steer by his compass, and follow his directions in anything that may concern the welfare of your Town, and the Precincts thereof, either for redress of any grievance, or by proposing some new thing that may conduce to the further benefit and advantage thereof; and this I take to be the true duty of a Parlia- mentary Burgess, without roving at random to generals. I hope to learn of Sir Tallot what's fitting to be done, and I shall apply myself accordingly to join with him to serve you with my best Abilities. So I rest — Your most assured and ready Friend to do you Service, J. H.

Land., 24 Mar. 1627.

V.

To the Right Hon. the Lord Clifford, at Knaresborough. MY LORD,

THE news that fills all mouths at present, is the return of the Duke of Buckingham from the Isle ofRee, or, as some

call

Sect. 5. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 251

call it, the Isle of Rue, for the bitter success we had there ; for we had but a tart entertainment in that Salt Island. Our first Invasion was magnanimous and brave, whereat near upon 200 French Gentlemen perish'd, and divers Barons of Quality. My Lord of Newport had ill luck to disorder our Cavalry with an unruly horse he had : His Brother Sir Charles Rich was slain, and divers more upon retreat; among others, great Col. Gray fell into a Salt-pit, and being ready to be drown'd, he cry'd out, Cent mille escus pour ma ran f on ; A hundred thousand Crowns for my ransom : the Frenchmen hearing that, preserved him, tho' he was not worth a hundred thousand pence. A merry passage a Captain told me, that when they were rifling the dead Bodies of the French Gentlemen after the first Invasion, they found that many of them had their Mistresses' Favours ty'd about their Genitories. The French do much glory to have repell'd us thus, and they have reason ; for the truth is, they comported themselves gallantly : yet they confess our landing was a notable piece of Courage, and if our Retreat had been answerable to the Invasion, we had lost no Honour at all. A great number of gallant Gentlemen fell on our side, as Sir John Heydon, Sir Jo. BurroweSj Sir John Blundel, Sir Alex. Bret, with divers Veteran Commanders, who came from the Netherlajids to this Service.

God send us better success the next time, for there is another Fleet preparing to be sent under the command of the Lord Denbigh. So I kiss your hand, and am — Your humble Servitor, J. H.

Lond., 24 Sept. 1627.

VI.

To the Rt. Honourable the Lord Scroop, Earl q/*Sunderland,

Lord President of the North. MY LORD,

MY Lord Denbigh is returned from attempting to re- lieve Rochellj which is reduced to extreme exigence ; and now the Duke is preparing to go again, with as great

Power

252 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

Power as was yet rais'd, notwithstanding that the Parlia- ment hath flown higher at him than ever : which makes the People here hardly wish any good success to the Expedition, because he is General. The Spaniard stands at a gaze all this while, hoping that we may do the work ; otherwise I think he would find some way to relieve the Town ; for there is nothing conduceth more to the uniting and strength- ning of the French Monarchy, than the reduction of Rochell. The King hath been there long in Person with his Cardinal ; and the stupendous works they have rais'd by Sea and Land are beyond belief, as they say. The Sea-works and Booms were trac'd out by Marquis Spinola, as he was passing that way for Spain from Flanders.

The Parliament is prorogued till Michaelmas Term ; there were five Subsidies granted, the greatest gift that ever Subjects gave their King at once; and it was in requital that His Majesty pass'd the Petition of Right, whereby the Liberty of the free born Subject is so strongly and clearly vindicated. So that there is a fair correspondence like to be 'twixt His Majesty and the two Houses. The Duke made a notable Speech at the Council-Table in joy hereof; among other passages, one was, That hereafter His Majesty would please to make the Parliament his Favourite, and he to have the honour to remain still his Servant. No more now, but that I continue — Your Lordship's most dutiful Servant,

J.H.

Lond.j 25 Sept. 1628.

VII.

To the Right Hon. the Lady Scroop, Countess o/Sunderland;

from Stamford. MADAM,

T LAY yesternight at the Post-house at Stilton, and this -L morning betimes the Post-master came to my Bed's-head and told me the D. of Buckingham was slain : My Faith was not then strong enough to believe it, till an hour ago I met in the way with my Lord of Rutland (your Brother) riding

Post

Sect. 5. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 253

Post towards London; it pleas'cl him to alight, and shew me a Letter, wherein there was an exact relation of all the circumstances of this sad Tragedy.

Upon Saturday last, which was but next before yesterday, being Bartholomew Eve, the Duke did rise up in a well- dispos'd humour out of his bed, and cut a Caper or two, and being ready, and having been under the Barber's hand, (where the murderer had thought to have done the deed, for he was leaning upon the window all the while), he went to breakfast, attended by a great company of Commanders, where Mons. Soubize came to him, and whisper'd him in the ear that Rochel was relieved : The Duke seem'd to slight the news, which made some think that Soubize went away discontented. After breakfast, the Duke going out, Col. Fryer stept before him, and stopping him upon some busi- ness, and Lieut Felton being behind, made a thrust with a common tenpenny knife over Fryer's arm at the Duke, which lighted so fatally, that he slit his heart in two, leav- ing the knife sticking in the body. The Duke took out the knife, and threw it away; and laying his hand on his Sword, and drawn it half out, said, The Villain hath kill'cl me (meaning, as some think, Col. Fryer)f for there had been some difference 'twixt them ; so, reeling against a chimney, he fell down dead. The Dutchess being with Child, hearing the noise below, came in her night-geers from her Bed-chamber, which was in an upper room, to a kind of rail, and thence beheld him weltering in his own blood. Felton had lost his hat in the croud, wherein there was a Paper sow'd, wherein he declared, that the reason which mov'd him to this Act was no grudge of his own, tho' he had been far behind for his pay, and had been put by his Captain's place twice, but in regard he thought the Duke an Enemy to the State, because he was branded in Parliament ; therefore what he did was for the publick'good of his Country. Yet he got clearly down, and so might have gone to his horse, which was ty'd to a hedge hard by ; but he was so amaz'd that he miss'd his way, and so struck

into

254 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

into the pastry, where, altho' the cry went that some French- man had done't, he thinking the word was Felton, boldly confess'd, 'twas he that had done the deed, and so he was in their hands. Jack Stamford would have run at him, but he was kept off by Mr. Nicholas ; so being carry'd up to a Tower, Capt. Mince tore off his Spurs, and asking how he durst attempt such an Act, making him believe the Duke was not dead, he answer'd boldly, that he knew he was dispatch'd, for 'twas not he, but the hand of Heaven that gave the stroke ; and tho' his whole body had been cover' d over with Armour of Proof, he could not have avoided it. Capt. Cha. Price went post presently to the King four miles off, who being at prayers on his knees when it was told him, yet never stirr'd, nor was he disturbed a whit till all divine service was done. This was the relation, as far as my memory could bear, in my Lord of Rutland's Letter, who wilPd me to remember him to your Ladyship, and tell you that he was going to comfort your niece (the Dutchess) as fast as he could. And so I have sent the truth of this sad story to your Ladyship, as fast as I could by this Post, because I cannot make that speed myself, in regard of some business I have to dispatch for my Lord in the way : So 1 humbly take my leave, and rest — Your Ladyship's most dutiful Servant, J. H.

Stamford 5 Aug. 1628.

VIII.

To the Right Hon. Sir Peter Wichts, His Majesty's

Ambassador at Constantinople. MY LORD,

•\7OURS of the 2d of July came to safe hand, and I did JL all those particular Recaudo's you enjoin'd me to do to some of your Friends here.

The Town of Rochell hath been fatal and unfortunate to England, for this is the third time that we have attempted to relieve her; but our Fleets and Forces returned without doing anything. My Lord of Lindsey went thither with

the

Sect. 5. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 255

the same Fleet the Duke intended to go on, but is re- turn'd without doing any good ; he made some shots at the great Boom and other Barricadoes at Sea, but at such a distance, that they could do no hurt: insomuch that the Town is now given for lost, and to be past cure, and they cry out, we have betray'd them. At the return of this Fleet, two of the Whelps were cast away, and three Ships more, and some five Ships which had some of those great Stones that were brought to build Paul's, for ballast and for other uses, within them ; which could promise no good success ; for I never heard of anything that prosper'd, which being once designed for the Honour of God, was alienated from that use. The Queen interposeth for the releasement of my Lord of Newport and others, who are Prisoners of War. I hear that all the Colours they took from us are hung up in the great Church of Nostre-Dame, as tropheys in Paris. Since I began this Letter, there is news brought that Rochell hath yielded, and that the King hath dismantled the Town, and razed all the Fortifications landward, but leaves those standing which are toward the Sea* It is a mighty exploit the French King hath done, for Rochell was the chiefest propugnacle of the Protestants there ; and now, questionless, all the rest of their cautionary Towns which they kept for their own defence will yield ; so that they must depend hereafter upon the King's mere mercy. I hear of an overture of Peace 'twixt us and Spain, and that my Lord Cottington is to go thither, and Don Carlos Coloma to come to us. God grant it, for you know the Saying in Spanish, Nunca vi tan mala pax, que nofuera mejor, que la mejor guerra. It was a bold thing in England, to fall out with the two greatest Monarchs of Christendom, and to have them both Enemies at one time ; and as glorious a thing it was to bear up against them. God turn all to the best, and dispose of things to his Glory : so I rest — Your Lordship's ready Servitor, J. H.

.) i Sept. 1628.

IX.

256 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

IX.

To my Cousin, Mr. St. Geon, at Christ-Church College in Oxford.

, ThoJ you want no incitements to go on in v_/ that fair Road of Virtue where you are now running your course, yet being lately in your noble Father's Com- pany, he did intimate to me, that anything which came from me would take with you very much. I hear so well of your Proceedings, that I should rather commend than encourage you. I know you were remov'd to Oxford in full maturity, you were a good Orator, a good Poet, and a good Linguist for your time; I would not have that fate light upon you, which useth to befal some, who from golden Students, become silver Bachelors, and leaden Masters : I am far from entertaining such thought of you, that Logic with her quiddities, and Quce la vel Hipps, can any way unpolish your humane Studies. As Logic is clubfisted and crabbed, so she is terrible at first sight ; she is like a Gorgon's head to a young Student, but after a twelve- month's constancy and patience, this Gorgo?i's head will prove a mere bugbear ; when you have devour'd the Organon, you will find Philosophy far more delightful and pleasing to your Palate. In feeding the Soul with Knowledge, the Understanding requireth the same consecutive Acts which Nature useth in nourishing the Body. To the nutrition of the Body, there are two essential conditions requir'd, Assumption and Retention; then there follows two more, 776^9 and TrposTaTfns, Concoction and Agglutination, or Adfuzsion : So in feeding your Soul with Science, you must first assume and suck in the matter into your Apprehension, then must the memory retain and keep it in ; afterwards by disputation, discourse, and meditation, it must be well concocted; then must it be agglutinated, and converted to nutriment. All this may be reduc'd to these two heads, teneri Jideliter) & uti fceliciter, which are two of the happiest properties in a Student. There is another Act

requir'd

Sect. 5. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 257

required to good concoction, call'd the Act of Expulsion, which puts off all that is unsound and noxious ; so in Study there must be an expulsive virtue to shun all that is erroneous ; and there is no Science but is full of such stuff, which by direction of Tutor, and choice of good Books, must be excern'd. Do not confound yourself with multiplicity of Authors; two is enough upon any Science, provided they be plenary and orthodox ; Pkilosophy should be your substan- tial food, Poetry your banqueting stuff; Philosophy hath more of reality in it than any Knowledge, the Philosopher can fathom the deep, measure Mountains, reach the Stars with a staff, and bless Heaven with a girdle.

But among these Studies you must not forget the unicum necessarium ; on Sundays and Holidays, let Divinity be the sole object of your speculation, in comparison whereof all other Knowledge is but Cobweb-learning; prce qud quisqui- lice ccetera.

When you can make truce with Study, I should be glad you would employ some superfluous hour or other to write to me, for I much covet your good, because I am — Your affectionate Cousin, J. H.

Lond., 25 Oct. 1627.

X.

To Sir Sackvil Trevor, Knight.

NOBLE UNCLE,

I SEND you my humble thanks for the curious Sea-chest of Glasses you pleas'd to bestow on me, which I shall be very chary to keep as a Monument of your Love. I congratulate also the great honour you have got lately by taking away the Spirit of France, I mean by taking the third great Vessel of her Sea-Trinity, her Holy Spirit, which had been built in the mouth of the Texel for the service of her King. Without complimenting with you, it was one of the best Exploits that was performed since these Wars began ; and besides the Renown you have purchased,

R I

258 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book L

I hope your Reward will be accordingly from His Majesty, whom I remember you so happily preserved from drowning, in all probability, at St. Anderas road in Spain. Tho' Princes' Guerdons come slow, yet they come sure : And it is often- times the method of God Almighty himself, to be long both in his Rewards and Punishments.

As you have bereft the French of their Saint Esprit, their Holy Spirit, so there is news that the Hollander have taken from Spain all her Saints ; I mean Todos los santos, which is one of the chiefest Staples of Sugar in Brazil. No more, but that I wish you all health, honour, and heart's desire. — Your much obliged Nephew and Servitor, J. H.

Lond., 26 of 0 dob. 1625.

N

XI.

To Captain Tho. B.,/rora York.

OBLE Captain, Yours of the ist of March was deliver'd me by Sir Rich. Scott} and I held it no pro- fanation of this Sunday-evening, considering the quality of my Subject, and having (I thank God for it) performed all Church-duties, to employ some hours to meditate on you, and send you this friendly salute, tho' I confess in an unusual monitory way. My dear Captain, I love you perfectly well ; I love both your Person and Parts, which are not vulgar ; I am in love with your Disposition, which is generous, and I verily think you were never guilty of any pusillanimous Act in your life : Nor is this Love of mine conferred upon you gratis, but you may challenge it as your due, and by way of correspondence, in regard of those thousand convincing Evidences you have given me of yours to me, which ascertain me, that you take me for a true Friend. Now I am of the number of those that had rather commend the Virtue of an Enemy, than sooth the Vices of a Friend ; for your own particular, if your parts of Virtue and your Infirmities were cast into a balance, I know the first would much out-poise

the

Sect. 5. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 259

the other : Yet give me leave to tell you, that there is one frailty, or rather ill-favour' d custom, that reigns in you, which weighs much ; it is a humour of Swearing in all your discourses; and they are not slight, but deep, far-fetch'd Oaths that you are wont to rap out, which you use as flowers of Rhetoric to enforce a faith upon the hearers, who believe you never the more: And you use this in cold blood when you are not provok'd, which makes the humour far more dangerous. I know many (and I cannot say I myself am free from it, God forgive me) that being transported with choler, and as it were made drunk with passion by some sudden provoking Accident, or extreme ill Fortune at play, will let fall Oaths and deep protestations : But to Belch out, and send forth, as it were, whole volleys of Oaths and Curses in a calm humour, to verify every trivial Discourse, is a thing of horror. I knew a King, that being cross'd in his Game, would, among his Oaths, fall on the ground, and bite the very earth in the rough of his passion ; I heard of another King (Henry IV. of France) that in his highest dis- temper would swear by Ventre de St. Gris, ly the Belly of St. Gris: I heard of an Italian, that having been much accustom'd to blaspheme, was wean'd from it by a pretty wile; for having been one night at play, and lost all his money, after many execrable Oaths, and having oflfer'd money to another to go out to face Heaven, and defy God, he threw himself upon a Bed hard by, and there fell asleep : The other Gamesters play'd on still, and finding that he was fast asleep, they put out the Candles, and made semblance to play on still ; they fell a wrangling, and spoke so loud that he awaken'd : He hearing them play on still, fell a rub- bing his eyes, and his Conscience presently prompted him that he was struck blind, and that God's Judgment had de- servedly fallen down upon him for his Blasphemies ; and so he fell to sigh and weep pitifully : A ghostly Father was sent for, who undertook to do some Acts of Penance for him, if he would make a Vow never to play again, or blaspheme ; which he did, and so the candles were lighted again, which

he

260 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

he thought were burning all the while : So he became a per- fect Convert. I could wish this Letter might produce the same effect in you. There is a strong Text, that the curse of Heaven hangs always over the dwelling of the Swearer; and you have more fearful examples of miraculous Judgments in this particular, than of any other sin.

There is a little Town in La?iguedoc in France, that hath a multitude of the Pictures of the Virgin Mary up and down ; but she is made to carry Christ in her right Arm, contrary to the ordinary custom ; and the reason they told me was this, that two Gamesters being at play, and one having lost all his money, and bolted out many blasphemies, he gave a deep Oath, that that Whore upon the Wall, meaning the Picture of the blessed Virgin, was the cause of his ill luck ; hereupon the Child remov'd imperceptibly from the left Arm to the right, and the Man fell stark dumb ever after: Thus went the Tradition there. This makes me think of the Lady Southwell's news from Utopia, that he who sweareth when he playeth at dice, may challenge his damnation by way of purchase. This infandous custom of swearing, I observe, reigns in England lately more than any- where else ; tho' a German in highest puff of passion swears a hundred thousand Sacraments, the Italian by the Whore of God, the French by his Death, the Spaniard by his Fleshy the Welshman by his Sweat, the Irishman by his Five Wounds, , tho' the Scot commonly bids the Devil hale his Soul; yet for Variety of Oaths the English Roarers put down all. Consider well what a dangerous thing it is to tear in pieces that dreadful Name which makes the vast Fabrick of the World to tremble, that holy Name wherein the whole Hier- archy of Heaven doth triumph, that blissful Name, wherein consists the fulness of all felicity. I know this custom in you yet is but a light Disposition, 'tis no Habit I hope ; let me therefore conjure you, by that power of Friendship, by that holy league of Love which is between us, that you would suppress it before it come to that ; for I must tell you, that those who could find in their hearts to love you

for

Sect. 5. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 261

for many other things, do disrespect you for this ; they hate your Company, and give no credit to whatever you say, it heing one of the punishments of a Swearer, as well as of a Lyar, not to be belie v'd when he speaks truth.

Excuse me that I am so free with you, what I write pro- ceeds from the clear current of a pure Affection; and I shall heartily thank you, and take it for an Argument of love, if you tell me of my weaknesses, which are (God wot) too too many ; for my body is but a Cargazon of corrupt humours, and being not able to overcome them all at once, I do en- deavour to do it by degrees : Like Sertoriuss Soldier, who when he could not cut off the Horse-tail with his Sword at one blow, fell to pull out the hairs one by one. And touch- ing this particular humour from which I disswade you, it hath rag'd in me too often by contingent fits ; but I thank God for it, I find it much abated and purged. Now the only Physic I used was a precedent Fast, and recourse to the holy Sacrament the next day, of purpose to implore pardon for what had passed, and power for the future to quell those exorbitant motions, those ravings and feverish fits of the Soul, in regard there are no infirmities more dangerous; for at the same instant they have being, they become impieties. And the greatest symptom of Amend- ment I find in me is, because whenever I hear the holy Name of GOD blasphem'd by any other, it makes my heart to tremble within my breast. Now it is a penitential Rule, That if Sins present do not please thee, Sins past will not hurt thee. All other Sins have their object, either pleasure or profit, or some Aim and Satisfaction to Body or Mind ; but this hath none at all : Therefore fye upon't, my dear Captain, try whether you can make a con- quest of yourself, in subduing this execrable custom. Alexander subdued the World, Ccesar his Enemies, Her- cules Monsters; but he that overcomes himself is the true valiant Captain. I have herewith sent you a Hymn, con- sonant to this subject, because I know you are musical, and a good Poet.

A

262

FAMILIAR LETTERS.

Book I.

A Gradual Hymn of a double Cadence, tending to the honour of the holy Name of GOD.

ET the "vast Universe,

And therein ev'ry thing The mighty Acts rehearse Of their immortal King, His Name extol what to Nadir from Zenith stir 'Twixt Pole and Pole.

2. Ye Elements that move, And alter etfry hour,

Yet herein constant prove, And symbolize all four; His praise to tell, mix all in one for air and tone To sound this peal.

3. Earth, which the centre art, And only standest still,

Yet move, and bear thy part ; Resound with Echoes shrill; Thy Mines of Gold, with precious Stones, and Unions, His Fame uphold.

4. Let all thy fragrant Flowers Grow sweeter by this air,

Thy tallest Trees and Bowers Bud forth and blossom f air ; Beasts wild and tame whom lodgings yield house, dens, orfield^ Collaud his Name.

5. Ye Seas with Earth that make One Globe flow high, and swell,

Exalt your Maker's Name, In deep his wonders tell; Leviathan, and what doth swim near bank or brim, His Glory scan.

6. Ye airy Regions all Join in a sweet consent,

Blow such a Madrigal

May reach the Firmament ; Winds, Hail, Ice, Snow, and pearly Drops, that hang on crops, His Wonders shew.

7. Pure Element 0/Fire With holy sparks inflame

This sublunary Choir,

That all one Consort frame; Their spirits raise, To trumpet forth Their Maker's worth, And sound his Praise.

8. Ye glorious Lamps that roll In your celestial Spheres,

All under his controul,

Who you on Poles up bears ; Him magnify

Ye Planets bright, And fixed Lights That deck the Sky.

9. O Heaven Chrystalline, Which by thy watry hue

Dost temper and refine The rest in azur'd blue ; His Glory sound thou first Mobile, which mak'st all wheel In circle round.

10. Ye glorious Souls who reign In sempiternal joy,

Free from those cares and pain Which here did you annoy, And him behold in whom all Bliss concentred is, His Laud tenfold.

II,

Sect. 5. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 26,

1 1. Blest Maid which dost sur- mount

All Saints and Seraphins^ And reigrist as Paramount And chief of Cherubins, Chaunt out his Praise^ who in thy womb nine months took room, Thd crowrid with rays.

12. O let my Soul and Heart >

My Mind and Memory Bear in this Hymn a part,

And join with Earth and Sky ; Let eitry Wi&ht the world Jer laud and adore The Lord of Light.

All your Friends here are well, Tom Young excepted, who I fear hath not long to live among us. So I rest — Your true Friend, J. H.

York, the i of Aug. 1628.

XII.

To Will. Austin, Esq. SIR,

I HAVE many thanks to give you for that excellent Poem you sent me upon the Passion of Christ ; surely you were possess'd with a very strong Spirit when you penn'd it, you were become a true Enthusiast : for, let me despair, if I lie unto you, all the while I was perusing it, it committed holy rapes upon my Soul ; methought I felt my heart melt- ing within my breast, and my thoughts transported to a true Elysium all the while, there were such flexanimous strong ravishing strains thro'out it. To deal plainly with you, it were an injury to the public good, not to expose to open light such divine raptures, for they have an edifying power in them, and may be term'd the very quintessence of Devotion : you discover in them what rich talent you have, which should not be bury'd within the walls of a private Study, or pass thro' a few particular hands, but appear in public view, and to the sight of the World, to the enriching of others, as they did me in reading them. Therefore I shall long to see them pass from the Bankside to PauVs-Churchyard, with other precious Pieces of yours, which you have pleased to impart unto me — Your affectionate Servitor, J. H. Oxford, 20 Aug. 1628.

XIII.

264 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

XIII.

To Sir I. S., Knight. SIR,

YOU writ to me lately for a Footman, and I think this Bearer will fit you : I know he can run well, for he hath run away twice from me, but he knew the way back again. Yet tho' he hath a running head as well as running heels (and who will expect a Footman to be a stay'd man?), I would not part with him were I not to go Post to the North. There be some things in him that answer for his waggeries ; he will come when you call him, go when you bid him, and shut the door after him ; he is faithful and stout, and a~ lover of his Master : He is a great enemy to all dogs, if they bark at him in his running, for I have seen him confront a huge Mastiff, and knock him down; when you go a country journey, or have him run with you a hunting, you must spirit him with liquor; you must allow him also something extraordinary for Socks, else you must not have him to wait at your Table ; when his grease melts in running hard, 'tis subject to fall into his toes. I send him you but for a trial ; if he be not for your turn, turn him over to me again when I come back.

The best News I can send you at this time is, that we are like to have Peace both with France and Spain ; so that Harwich Men, your Neighbours, shall not hereafter need to fear the Name of Spinola, who struck such an Apprehension into them lately, that I understand they began to fortify.

I pray present my most humble Service to my good Lady, and at my return from the North, I will be bold to kiss her hands and yours. So I am — Your much obliged Servitor,

J.H.

Lond., 25 of May 1628.

XIV.

Sect. 5. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 265

XIV.

To my Father. SIR,

OUR two younger Brothers, which you sent hither, are dispos'd of; my Brother Doctor hath placed the elder of the two with Mr. Hawes, a Mercer in Cheapside, and he took much pains in't; and I had placed my Brother Ned with Mr. Barrington, a Silk-man in the same Street ; but afterwards for some inconveniences I remov'd him to one Mr. Smith at the Flower-de-luce in Lombard-street, a Mercer also. Their Masters both of them are very well to pass, and of good repute ; I think it will prove some advan- tage to them hereafter, to be both of one trade ; because when they are out of their time, they may join Stocks together: so that I hope, Sir, they are as well placed as any two Youths in London, but you must not use to send them such large tokens in money, for that may corrupt them. When I went to bind my brother Ned apprentice in Drapers-Hall, casting my eyes upon the Chimney-piece of the great Room, I spy'd a picture of an ancient Gentleman, and underneath, Thomas Howell: I ask'd the Clerk about him; and he told me, that he had been a Spanish Merchant in Henry VIII/s time, and coming home rich, and dying a Bachelor, he gave that Hall to the Company of Drapers, with other things, so that he is accounted one of the chieftest Benefactors. I told the Clerk, that one of the Sons of Thomas Howell came now thither to be bound ; he answer'd, that if he be a right Howell, he may have, when he is free, three hundred pounds to help to set up, and pay no Interest for five years. It may be hereafter we will make use of this. He told me also, that any Maid that can prove her Father to be a true Howell, may come and demand fifty pounds towards her portion of the said Hall. I am to go post towards York to-morrow, to my charge, but hope, God willing, to be here again the

next

266 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

next term : So, with my love to my Brother Howell, and my Sister his wife, I rest — Your dutiful Son, J. H.

Lond., 30 Sept. 1629.

XV.

To my Brother, Dr. Howell, at Jesus College in Oxon.

BROTHER,

I HAVE sent you here inclos'd, Warrants for four brace of Bucks and a Stag; the last Sir Arthur Manwaring procur'd of the King for you, towards the keeping of your Act. I have sent you also a Warrant for a brace of Bucks out of Waddon Chace ; besides, you shall receive by this Carrier a great Wicker Hamper, with two Geoules of Sturgeon, six barrels of pickled Oysters, three barrels of Bologna Olives, with some other Spanish commodities.

My Lord President of the North hath lately made me Patron of a Living hard by Henley, call'd Hamlledon ; it is worth 9^500 a year communilus annis ; and the now Incum- bent, Dr. Pilkinton, is very aged, valetudinary, and corpulent: My Lord by legal instrument hath transmitted the next Ad- vowson to me for satisfaction of some Arrearages. Dr. Dommlaw and two or three more have been with me about it, but I always intended to make the first proffer to you ; therefore I pray think of it ; a sum of money must be had, but you shall be at no trouble for that, if you only will secure it (and desire one more who I know will do it for you), and it shall appear to you that you have it upon far better terms than any other. It is as finely situated as any Rectory can be, for it is about the mid-way 'twixt Oxford and London; it lies upon the Thames, and the Glebe-land House is very large and fair, and not dilapidated ; so that, considering all things, it is as good as some Bishopricks. I know His Majesty is gracious to you, and you may well expect some Preferment that way, but such Livings as these are not to be had everywhere. I thank you for inviting me to your Act ; I will be with you the next week, God willing, and

hope

Sect. 5. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 267

hope to find my Father there. So, with my kind love to Dr. Mansellj Mr. Watkins, Mr. Madocks, and Mr. Napier at All-Souls, I rest — Your loving Brother, J. H.

Lond., 20 June 1628.

XVI.

To my Father, Mr. Ben. Johnson. TTATHER Ben. Nullum Jit magnum ingenium sine mix-

tura dementice, there's no great Wit without some mixture of madness ; so saith the Philosopher : Nor was he a fool who answer'd, nee parvum sine mixtura stultitice, nor small wit without some allay of foolishness. Touching the first, it is verify'd in you, for I find that you have been often- times mad ; you were mad when you writ your Fox, and madder when you writ your Alchymist ; you were mad when you writ Catilin, and stark mad when you writ Sejanus ; but when you writ your Epigrams^ and the Magnetick Lady, you were not so mad : Insomuch that I perceive there be degrees of madness in you. Excuse me that I am so free with you. The madness I mean is that divine Fury, that heating and heightning Spirit which Ovid speaks of.

Est Deus in nolis, agitante calescimus illo : That true En- thusiasm which transports, and elevates the souls of Poets above the middle Region of vulgar conceptions, and makes them soar up to Heaven to touch the Stars with their laurell'd heads, to walk in the Zodiac with Apollo himself, and command Mercury upon their errand.

I cannot yet light upon Dr. Davies's Welsh Grammar, before Christmas I am promis'd one : So, desiring you to look better hereafter to your Charcoal-fire and Chimmey, which I am glad to be one that preserved it from burning, this being the second time that Vulcan hath threaten'd you, it may be because you have spoken ill of his Wife, and been too busy with his Horns; I rest — Your Son, and contiguous Neighbour, J. H.

Wtstm., 27 June 1629.

XVII.

268 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

XVII.

To Sir Arthur Ingram, at his House in York. SIR,

I HAVE sent you herewith a hamper of Melons, the best I could find in any of TothiU-Jleld gardens, and with them my very humble service and thanks for all favours, and lately for inviting me to your new noble House at Temple Newsam, when I return to Yorkshire: To this I may answer you, as my Lord Coke was answer' d by a Norfolk Countryman who had a Suit depending in the King's-Bench against some Neighbours touching a River that us'd to annoy him, and Sir Edw. Coke asking how he call'd the River, he answer'd, My Lord, I need not call her, for she is forward enough to come of herself. So I may say, that you need not call me to any House of yours, for I am forward enough to come without calling.

My Lord President isstill indispos'd at Dr. Nappier's, yet he writ to me lately, that he hopes to be at the next Sitting in York. So, with a tender of my most humble Service to my noble good Lady, I rest — Your most obliged Servant, J. H.

Lond.) 25 July 1629.

XVIII.

To R. S., Esq. SIR,

I AM one of them who value not a Courtesy that hangs long betwixt the fingers. I love not those vis- cosa lenejicia, those birdlim'd Kindnesses which Pliny speaks of; nor would I receive Money in a dirty Clout, if possibly I could be without it : Therefore I return you the Courtesy by the same hand that brought it ; it might have pleasur'd me at first, but the expectation of it hath prejudicM me, and now perhaps you may have more need of it than — Your humble Servitor, J. H.

Westm., 3 Aug. 1629.

XIX.

Sect. 5. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 269

XIX.

To the Countess o/*Sunder!and, at York.

MADAM,

MY Lord continues still in a course of Physick at Dr. Nappier*s ; I writ to him lately, that his Lordship would please to come to his own House here in Martin's Lane, where there is a greater Accommodation for the recovery of his health, Dr. Mayern being on the one side, and the King's Apothecary on the other: But I fear there be some Mountebanks that carry him away, and I hear he intends to remove to Wickham to one Atkinson, a mere Quacksalver, that was once Dr. Lopez his Man.

The little Knight that useth to draw up his Breeches with a shooing-horn, I mean Sir Posthumus Holly, flew high at him this Parliament, and would have inserted his Name in the Scrowl of Recusants, that's shortly to be presented to the King; but I produced a Certificate from Lindford under the Minister's hand, that he received the Communion at Easter last, and so got his Name out : Besides, the Deputy Lieutenants of Buckinghamshire would have charged Biggin- Farm with a Light- horse, but Sir Will. Alford and others join'd with me to get off.

Sir Tho. Wentworth and Mr. Wansford are grown great Courtiers lately, and come from Westminster-nail to White- Hall : (Sir Jo. Savill their Countryman having shewn them the way with his white Staff.) The Lord Weston tamper'd with the one, and my Lord Cottington took pains with the other, to bring them about from their violence against the Prerogative: And I am told the first of them is promised my Lord's Place at York, in case his sickness continue.

We are like to have Peace with Spain and France : And for Germany, they say the Swedes are like to strike into her, to try whether they may have better fortune than the Danes.

My Lady Scroop (my Lord's Mother) hath lain sick a

good

270 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

good while, and is very weak. So I rest — Madam, your humble and dutiful Servitor, J. H.

Westm., 5 Aug. 1629.

XX.

To Dr. H. W.

SIR,

IT is a Rule in Friendship, When distrust enters in at the Fore-gate, Love goes out at the Postern : It is as true a Rule, that fjairopia rr}<; eVtcrT^^? «p%^, Dubitation is the be- ginning of all Knowledge ; I confess this is true in the first Election and Co-optation of a Friend, to come to the true knowledge of him by Queries and Doubts; but when there's a perfect Contract made, confirmed by experience, and a long tract of time, distrust then is mere poison to Friend- ship : Therefore if it be as I am told, I am unfit to be your Friend, but — Your Servant, J. H.

Westm., 20 Oct. 1629.

XXI.

To Dr. H. W.

SIR,

THEY say in Italy, that Deeds are Men, and Words are lut Women : I have had your Word often to give me a Visit ; I pray turn your female Promises to masculine Performances, else I shall think you have lost your being ; for you know 'tis a Rule in Law, Idem est non esse & non apparere. — Your faithful Servitor, J. H.

Westm.) 25 Sept. 1629.

To Mr. B. Chaworth : On my Valentine, Mrs. Francis Metcalf (now Lady Robinson), at York.

A Sonnet.

SHOULD I charm the Queen of Love, ^ To lend a quill of her white Dove ;

Or

Sect. 5. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 271

Or one of Cupid's pointed Wings Dipt in the fair Castalian springs ;

Then would I write the all-divine

Perfections of my Valentine.

As 'mongst allflow'rs the Rose excels. As Amber Amongst the fragranf st smells, As 'mongst all minerals the Gold, As Marble 'mongst the finest mould, As Diamonds 'mongst jewels bright, As Cynthia 'mongst the lesser lights,

So 'mongst the Northern Beauties shine,

So far excels my Valentine.

In Rome and Naples / did view

Faces of Celestial hue ;

Venetian Dames I have seen many,

(I only saw them, touched not any)

Of Spanish Beauties, Dutch and French,

/ have beheld the Quintessence :

Yet saw I none that could out-shine,

Or parallel my Valentine.

TK Italians they are coy and quaint,

But they grosly daub and paint ;

The Spanish kind, and apt to please,

But sav' ring of the same disease :

Of Dutch and French some few are comely,

The French are light, the Dutch are homely.

Let Tagus, Po, the Loire and Rhine

Then veil unto my Valentine.

Here may be seen pure white and red,

Not by feign' d Art, but Nature wed,

No simpring smiles, no mimic face,

Affected gesture, or forc'd grace,

A fair smooth front, free from least wrinkle,

Her eyes (on me) like stars do twinkle :

Thus all Perfections do combine

To beautify my Valentine,

XXII.

272 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book /.

XXII.

To Mr. Tho. M.

NOBLE Tom, You desir'd me lately to compose some lines upon your Mistress's black Eyes, her becoming Frowns, and upon her Mask. Tho' the least request of yours be a command unto me, the execution of it a con- tentment, yet I was hardly drawn to such a task at this time, in regard that many businesses puzzle my Pericranium. — Aliena negotia centum per caput & circa saliunt latus. Yet lest your Clorinda might expect such a thing, and that you might incur the hazard of her smiles (for you say her frowns are favours), and that she may take off her Mask to you the next time you go to court her, I send you the inclos'd Verses Sonnet-wise, which haply may please her better, in regard I hear she hath some Skill in Musick.

Upon Hack Eyes, and becoming Frowns. A Sonnet.

/) LACK Eyes, in your dark Orbs doth lie

*~* My ill or happy destiny.

Jfwith clear looks you me behold,

You give me Mines and Mounts of Gold ;

If you dart forth disdainful rays,

To your own dye you turn my days. Black Eyes, in your dark Orbs by changes dwell, My Bane or Bliss, my Paradise or Hell.

That Lamp which all the Stars doth blind,

Yields to your lustre in some kind,

Thd ye do wear to make you bright

No other dress but that of night,

He glitters only in the day,

You in the dark your beams display. Black Eyes, in your two Orbs by changes dwell, My Bane or Bliss, my Paradise or Hell.

The

Sect. 5. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 273

The cunning Thief that lurks for prize,

At some dark corner watching lies ;

So that heart-robbing God doth stand

Jn your black lobbies, shaft in hand,

To rifle me of what I hold

More precious far than Indian Gold.

Black Eyes, in your dark Orbs by changes dwell, My Bane or Bliss, my Paradise or Hell.

O powerful Necromantick eyes.

Who in your circles strictly pries,

Will find that Cupid with his dart

In you doth practise the black art,

And by tK enchantment fm possest,

Tries his conclusions in my breast. Black Eyes, in your dark Orbs by changes dwell, My Bane or Bliss, my Paradise or Hell.

Look on me, thd in frowning wise,

Some kind of frowns become black eyes.

As pointed Diamonds being set,

Cast greater lustre out of 'jet :

Those Pieces we esteemed most rare,

Which in night-shadows postured are :

Darkness in Churches congregates the sight,

Devotion strays in glaring light.

Black Eyes, in your dark Orbs by changes dwell, My Bane or Bliss, my Paradise or HelL

Touching her Mask, I will not be long about it. Upon Clorinda's Mask.

O<9 have I seen the Sun in his full pride, ^ Oercast with sullen clouds, and lose his light ; So have I seen the brightest Stars dentfd To shew their lustre in some gloomy night f So Angels pictures have I seen veifd o'er, That more devoutly men should them adore ; So with a Mask saw I Clorinda hide Her face more bright than was the Lernnian Bride.

s Whether

274 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

Whether I have hit upon your fancy, or fitted your Mistress, I know not; I pray let me hear what success they have. So, wishing you your heart's desire, and if you have her, a happy confarreation, I rest in Verse and Prose — Yours, J« H.

Westm., 29 of Mar. 1629.

XXIII.

To the Rt. Hon. my Lady Scroop, Countess o/Sunderland,

at Langar. MADAM,

I AM newly return'd from Hunsdon, from giving the rites of burial to my Lord's Mother; she made my Lord sole Executor of all. I have all her plate and household- stuff in my custody, and unless I had gone as I did much had been embezel'd. I have sent herewith the copy of a Letter the King writ to my Lord upon the resignation of his place, which is fitting to be preserved for posterity among the Records of Bolton- Castle. His Majesty ex- presseth therein that he was never better serv'd, nor with more exactness of fidelity and justice by any, therefore he intends to set a special mark of his favour upon him, when his health will serve him to come to Court : My Lord Carleton deliver' d it me, and told me he never remember'd that the King writ a more gracious Letter. I have lately bought in fee-farm Wanless Park, of the King's Commis- sioners, for my Lord ; I got it for ^600, doubling the old Rent, and the next day I was oflfer'd ^500 for the Bargain ; there were divers that put in for't, and my Lord of Anglesey thought himself sure of it, but I found means to frustrate them all. I also compounded with Her Majesty's Commis- sioners for respite of Homage for fla&fo'-Castle; there was j^Piso demanded, but I came off for 4.0$. My Lord Went- worth is made Lord Deputy of Ireland, and carries a mighty stroke at Court; there have been some clashings 'twixt him

and

Sect 5. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 275

and my Lord of Pembroke lately with others at Court, and divers in the North : and some, as Sir David Fowler with others, have been crush'd.

He pleas'd to give me the disposing of the next Attorney's place in York, and John Lister being lately dead, I went to make use of the Favour, and was offer'd ^300 for it ; but some got 'twixt me and home, so that I was forc'd to go away contented with 100 Pieces Mr. Ratcliff delivered me in his Chamber at Grays-Inn, and so to part with the legal Instrument I had, which I did rather than contest.

The Dutchess your Niece is well ; I did what your Lady- ship commanded me at York-house. So I rest, Madam — Your Ladyship's ready and faithful Servitor, J. H.

Westm., i July 1629.

XXIV.

To D. C., Esq., at his House in Essex.

MY D. D.,

I THANK you for your last Society in London, but I am sorry to have found Jack T. in that pickle, and that he had so far transgressed the Fannian Law, which allows a chirping Cup to satiate, not to surfeit, to mirth, not to madness; and upon some extraordinary occasion of ren- counters, to give Nature a Jillip, but not a knock, as Jack did. I am afraid he hath taken such a habit of it, that nothing but death will mend him ; and I find that he is posting thither apace by this course. I have read of a King of Navarre (Charles le Mauvais) who perish'd in strong waters; and of a Duke of Clarence that was drown'd in a Butt of Malmsey: But Jack T. I fear will die in a Butt of Canary. Howsoever commend me to him, and desire him to have a care of the main chance. So I rest — Yours, J. H.

, $July 1629.

XXV.

276 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book L

XXV.

To Sir Thomas Lake, Knight.^ SIR,

I HAVE shewM Sir Kenelm Digly both our Translations of Martial's Fitam qucefaciunt leatiorem, <^c., and to tell you true, he adjudged yours the better; so I shall pay the wager in the place appointed, and try whether I can recover myself at Gioco d'amore, which the Italian saith is a Play to cozen the Devil. If your pulse beat accordingly, I will wait upon you on the River towards the evening, for a floundring fit to get some fish for our supper : So I rest — Your true Servitor, J. H.

3 July 1629.

XXVI.

To Mr. Ben. Johnson.

IC'ATHER Ben, you desir'd me lately to procure you Dr. Davies's Welsh Grammar, to add to those many you have ; I have lighted upon one at last, and I am glad I have it in so seasonable a time that it may serve for a New- year's-gift, in which quality I send it you : And because 'twas not you, but your Muse, that desir'd it of me, for your Letter runs on feet, I thought it a good correspondence with you to accompany it with what follows.

Upon Dr. Davies's British Grammar.

> *Y~* WAS a tough task, believe it, thus to tame -*- A wild and wealthy Language, and to frame Grammatic toils to curb her, so that she Now speaks by Rules, and sings by Prosody : Such is the strength of Art rough things to shape, And of rude Commons rich Inclosures make. Doubtless much oil and labour went to couch Into methodic Rules the rugged Dutch ; The Rabbies pass my reach, but judge I can Something of Clenard and Quintilian.

Italian

Sect. 5.

FAMILIAR LETTERS.

277

Italian, And for those modern Dames, I find they three

Spanish, Are only lops cut from the Latian Tree ;

French, And easy 'twas to square them into parts, The Tree itself so blossoming with arts. I have been shown for Irish and Bascuence Imperfect Rules coucKd in an Accidence : But I find none of these can take the start O/DzviQS, or that prove more Men of Art ', Who in exacter method and short way. The Idioms of a Language do display.

This is the Tongue which Bards sung in of old \ And Druids their dark Knowledge did unfold ; Merlin in this his Prophecies did vent Wliich thro' the world of fame bear such extent :

Arthur. This spoke that Son of Mars, and Briton bold,

Who first Amongst Christian Worthies is enroled, This Brennus, who to his desire and glut, The Mistress of the World did prostitute. This Arviragus, and brave Catarac Sole-free, when all the World was on Rome's rack. This Lucius, who on Angel? Wings did soar To Rome, and would wear Diadem no more ; And thousand Heroes more, which should I tell, This New-year scarce would serve me : So farewell.

-Your Son and Servitor, Cal. Apr. 1629.

J.H.

XXVII. To the Right Hon. the Earl (/Bristol, at Sherburn-Castle.

MY LORD,

I ATTENDED my Lord Cottington before he went on his journey towards Spain, and put him in mind of the old business against the Viceroy of Sardinia, to see whether any good can be done, and to learn whether the Conde or his Son be solvent: He is to land at Lisbon; one of the King's Ships attends him, and some Merchant-men take the advantage of this Convoy.

The

278 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

The News that keeps greatest noise now is, that the Emperor hath made a favourable Peace with the Dane ; for Tilly had cross' d the Elve, and enter' d deep into Holstein- landy and in all probability might have carry'd all before him : yet that King had honourable Terms given him, and a Peace is concluded, tho' without the privity of England. But I believe the King of Denmark far'd the better, because he is Grandchild to Charles the Emperor's Sister. Now it seems another Spirit is like to fall upon the Emperor; for they write that Gustavus King of Swethland is struck into Germany, and hath taken Meclenlurgh: the ground of his quarrel, as I hear, is, that the Emperor would not acknow- ledge, much less give audience to his Ambassador; he also gives out to come for the assistance of his Allies, the Dukes of Pomerland and Meclenlurgh; nor do I hear that bespeaks anything yet of the Prince Palsgrave's business.

Don Carlos Coloma is expected here from Flanders, about the same time that my Lord Cotlington shall be arriv'd at the Court of Spain. God send us an honourable Peace : for, as the Spaniard says, Nunca vi tan mala pax,, que nefuesse mejor, que la mejor guerra. — Your Lordship's most humble and ready Servant, J. H.

London, 20 May 1629.

XXVIII.

To my Cousin, I. P., at Mr. Conradus. COUSIN,

A LETTER of yours was lately delivered me; I made a shift to read the superscription, but within I wonder'd what Language it might be in which it was written; at first I thought 'twas Hebrew, or some other Dialect, and so went from the liver to the heart, from the right hand to the left to read it, but could make nothing of it : then I thought it might be the Chinese Language, and went to read the words perpendicular; and the lines were so crooked and distorted, that no coherence could be made. Greek I perceived it was not, nor Latin or English; so I gave it for

mere

Sect. 5. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 279

mere Gibberish, and your Characters to be rather Hiero- glyphicks than Letters. The best is, you keep your lines at a good distance, like those in Chancery-Bills, who, as the Clerk said, were made so wide of purpose, because the Clients should have room enough to walk between them without justling one another; yet this wideness had been excusable, if your lines had been straight, but they were full of odd kind of Undulations and Windings. If you can write no otherwise, one may read your thoughts as soon as your characters. It is some excuse for you that you are but a young beginner: I pray let it appear in your next what a proficient you are, otherwise some blame may light on me that placed you there. Let me receive no more Gibberish or Hieroglyphicks from you, but legible Letters, that I may acquaint your Friends accordingly of your good pro- ceedings. So I rest — Your very loving Cousin, J. H. Wcstm., 20 Sept. 1629.

XXIX.

To the Lord Viscount Wentworth, Lord President of York.

MY LORD,

MY last was of the first current, since which I received one from your Lordship, and your commands there- in, which I shall ever entertain with a great deal of cheer- fulness. The greatest news from Abroad is, that the French King with his Cardinal are come again on this side the Hills, having done his business in Italy and Savoy, and reserv'd still Pignerol in his hands, which will serve him as a key to enter Italy at pleasure. Upon the highest Moun- tain 'mongst the Alps, he left this ostentous Inscription upon a great Marble Pillar:

A la memoir* eternellc de Louis Treiziesmc,

Roy de France 6° de Navarre, Tres-Auguste, tres-Victorievx^ tres-Heurcux,

Conquerant, trcs-justc ;

Lequel

28o FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

Lequd apres avoir vaincu toutes les Nations

de /'Europe, // a encore triumphl les Elements

Du del & de la Terre, Ay ant passe deuxfois ces Monts au mots

de Mars avec son Arm'ee Victorieuse, pour remettre les Princes

^'Italic en leurs Estats, Defendre 6° proteger ses Alliez.

To the eternal Memory of Lewis XIII. King of France and Navarre, most gracious, most victorious, most happy, most just, a Conqueror; who having o'ercome all Nations of Europe, he hath also triumph'd over the Elements of Heaven and Earth, having twice pass'd o'er these Hills in the month of March with his victorious Army, to restore the Princes of Italy to their Estates, and to defend and protect his Allies. So I take my leave for the present, and rest — Your Lordship's most humble and ready Servitor, J. H.

Westm., 5 Aug. 1629.

XXX.

To Sir Kenelm Digby, K?iight. SIR,

GIVE me leave to congratulate your happy return from the Levant, and the great honour you have acquir'd by your gallant comportment in Algier, in re-escating so many English Slaves ; by bearing up so bravely against the Venetian Fleet in the Bay of Scanderoon, and making the Pantaloni to know themselves and You better. I do not remember to have read or heard that those huge Galleasses of St. Mark were beaten afore. I give you the joy also, that you have born up against the Venetian Ambassador here, and vindicated yourself of those foul scandals he had cast upon you in your Absence. Whereas you desire me to join with my Lord Cottingham and others, to make Affidavit touching Bartholomew Spi?iola, whether he be Fezino de Madrid, viz., Free Denison of Spain ; I am ready to serve

you

Sect. 5. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 281

you herein, or to do any other office that may right you, and tend to the making of your Prize good. Yet I am very sorry that our Aleppo Merchants suffer'd so much.

I shall be shortly in London, and I will make the greater speed, because I may serve you. So I humbly kiss my noble Lady's hand, and rest — Your thrice assured Servitor,

J. H.

Wcstm.) 25 Nov. 1629.

XXXI.

To the Rt. Hon. Sir Peter Wicht, Ambassador at

Constantinople. SIR,

MASTER Simon Digby delivered me one from your Lordship of the first of June; and 1 was extremely glad to have it, for I had receiv'd nothing from your Lord- ship a twelvemonth before. Mr. Controuler Sir Tho. Edmonds is lately return'd from France, having renewed the Peace which was made up to his hands before by the Venetian Ambassadors, who had much laboured in it, and had concluded all things beyond the Alps, when the K. of France was at Susa to relieve Casal. The Monsieur that was to fetch him from St. Dennis to Paris put a kind of jeering Compliment upon him, viz., that his Excellency should not think it strange that he had so few French Gentlemen to attend in this Service to accompany him to the Court, in regard there were so many kiWd at the Isle of Rhee. The Marquis of Chateauneuf is here from France : And it was an odd Speech also from him, reflecting upon Mr. Controuler, that the King of Great Britain used to send for his Ambassadors from abroad to pluck Capons at home.

Mr. Burlemach is to go shortly to Paris, to recover the other moiety of Her Majesty's Portion ; whereof they say my Lord of Holland is to have a good share. The Lord Treasurer Weston is he who hath the greatest vogue now at Court, but many great ones have clash'd with him : He

is

282 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

is so potent, that I hear his eldest Son is to marry one of the Blood-royal of Scotland, the Duke of Lenox's Sister, and that with His Majesty's consent.

Bishop Laud of London is also powerful in his way, for he sits at the Helm of the Church, and doth more than any of the two Arch-Bishops, or all the rest of his two and twenty Brethren besides.

In your next I should be glad your Lordship would do me the favour, as to write how the Grand Signior is like to speed before Bagdat, in this his Persian expedition. No more now, but that I always rest — Your Lordship's ready and most faithful Servitor, J. H.

Westm., i Jan. 1629.

XXXII.

To my Father. SIR,

SIR Tho. Wentworth hath been a good while Lord Pre- sident of York, and since is sworn Privy Counsellor, and made Baron and Viscount ; the Duke of Buckingham himself flew not so high in so short a revolution of time : He was made Viscount with a great deal of high ceremony upon a Sunday in the Afternoon at White-hall. My Lord Powis (who affects him not so much) being told that the Heralds had fetch' d his Pedigree from the Blood-royal, viz., - from John of Gaunt, said, Dammy if ever he come to be King of England, I will turn Rebel. When I went first to give him joy, he pleas'd to give me the disposing of the next Attorney's place that falls void in York, which is valued at ^300. I have no reason to leave my Lord of Sunderland, for I hope he will be noble unto me. The perquisites of my place, taking the King's fee away, came far short of what he promis'd me at my first coming to him, in regard of his non-residence at York ; therefore I hope he will con- sider it some other way. This languishing sickness still hangs on him, and I fear will make an end of him. There's none can tell what to make of it, but he voided lately a

small

Sect. 5. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 283

small Worm at IVickhnm : But I fear there's an impos- thume growing in him, for he told me a passage, how many years ago my Lord Wdloughly, and he, with so many of their servants' (de gayete de occur), play'd a match at foot- ball against such a number of Countrymen, where my Lord of Sunderland being busy about the ball, got a bruise in the breast ; which put him in a swoon for the present, but did not trouble him till three Months after, when being at Bever-Casile (his brother-in-law's house) a qualm took him on a sudden, which made him retire to his Bed-chamber. My Lord of Rutland following him, put a Pipe full of To- bacco in his mouth ; he being not accustom'd to Tobacco, taking the smoak downwards, fell a casting and vomiting up divers little imposthumated bladders of congeal'd blood ; which sav'd his life then, and brought him to have a better conceit of Tobacco ever after : And I fear there is some of that clodded blood still in his body.

Because Mr. Hawes of Cheapside is lately dead, I have remov'd my brother Griffith, to the Hen and Chickens in Paternoster-Row to Mr. Taylor's, as genteel a shop as any in the City ; but I gave a piece of plate of twenty nobles price to his Wife. I wish the Yorkshire horse may be fit for your turn ; he was accounted the best saddle Gelding about York, when I bought him of Capt. Phillips the Muster-master: And when he carry'd me first to London, there was twenty pounds offer'd for him by my Lady Carlile. No more now, but desiring a continuance of your blessing and prayers, I rest — Your dutiful Son, J. H.

Lond., 3 Dec. 1630.

XXXIII.

To the Lord Cottington, Ambassador Extraordinary for His

Majesty of Great Britain in the Court of Spain. MY LORD,

I RECEIVED your Lordship's lately by Harry Davies the Correo Santo, and I return my humble thanks,

that

284 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book /.

that you were pleas'd to be mindful (among so many high negotiations) of the old business touching the Vice-roy of Sardinia. I have acquainted my Lord of Bristol accord- ingly ; our eyes here look very greedily after your Lord- ship, and the success of your Embassy; and we are glad to hear the business is brought to so good a pass, and that the Capitulations are so honourable (the high effects of your wisdom).

For news, the Sweds do notable feats in Germany ; and we hope they cutting the Emperor and Bavarian so much work to do, and the good offices we are to expect from Spain upon this redintegration of peace, will be an Advan- tage to the Prince Palatine, and facilitate matters for re- storing him to his Country.

There is little news at our Court, but that there fell an ill- favour'd quarrel 'twixt Sir Kenelm Digby, and Mr. Goring, Mr. Jermin, and others at St. James's, lately, about Mrs. Baker the Maid of Honour; and Duels were like to grow of it, but that the business was taken up by the Lord Trea- surer, my Lord of Dorset, and others appointed by the King. My Lord Sunderland is still ill dispos'd; he will'd me to remember his hearty service to your Lordship, and so did Sir Arthur Ingram, and my Lady; they all wish you a happy and honourable return, as doth — Your Lordship's most humble and ready Servitor, J. H.

Lond.) i Mar. 1630.

XXXIV.

To my Lord Viscount Rocksavage. MY LORD,

SOME say, The Italian loves no favour, lutwhafs future ; tho' I have conversed much with that Nation, yet I am nothing infected with their humour in this point : For I love favours passed as well ; the remembrance of them joys my very heart, and makes it melt within me : When my thoughts reflect upon your Lordship, I have many of these fits of joy within me, by the pleasing speculation of so many

most

Sect. 5. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 285

most noble favours and respects which I shall daily study to improve and merit. My Lord — Your Lordship's most humble and ready Servitor, J. H.

22 Mar. 1630.

XXXV.

To the Earl of Bristol. MY LORD,

I DOUBT not but your Lordship hath had intelligence from time to time what firm invasions the King of Sweds hath made into Germany, and by what degrees he hath mounted to this height, having but 6000 foot, and 500 horse, when he entered first to Meclenlurg, and taking that Town while Commissioners stood treating on both sides in his Tent; how thereby his Army much increased, and so rush'd further into the heart of the Country ; but passing near Magdenburg, being diffident of his own strength, he suffered Tilly to take that great Town with so much effusion of blood, because they would receive no quarter. Your Lordship hath also heard of the battel of Leipsick, where Tilly, notwithstanding the Victory he had got o'er the D. of Saxony a few days before, received an utter discomfiture; upon which Victory the King sent Sir Tho. Roe a present of j6J2OOO, and in his letter calls him his strenuum consultorem, he being one of the first who had advis'd him to this German War, after he had made Peace 'twixt him and the Polander. I presume also, your Lordship heard how he met Tilly again near Auspurg, and made him go upon a wooden Leg, whereof he died ; and after soundly plundered the Bavarian, and made him flee from his own house at Munchen, and rifled his very Closets.

Now your Lordship shall understand, that the said King is at Mentz, and keeps a Court there like an Emperor, there being above twelve Ambassadors with him. The K. of France sent a great Marquis for his Ambassador, to put him in mind of his Articles, and to tell him that His Christian

Majesty

286 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

Majesty wonderM he would cross the Rhine without his privity, and wonderM more that he would invade the Church-Lands, meaning the Archbishop of Mentz, who had put himself under the protection of France. The Swede an- swer'd, that he had not broke the least tittle of the Articles agreed on ; and touching the said Archbishop, he had not stood neutral as was promised, therefore he had justly set on his skirts. The Ambassador reply'd, in case of breach of Articles, his Master had 80,000 men to pierce Germany when he pleas'd. The King answer'd, that he had but 20,000, and those should be sooner at the Walls of Paris, than his 80,000 should be on the frontiers of Germany. If this new Conqueror goes on with this violence, I believe it will cast the Policy of all Christendom into another mould, and beget new Maxims of State, for none can foretell where his monstrous progress will terminate. Sir Henry Vane is still in Germany observing his motions, and they write that they do not agree well ; as I heard the King should tell him that he spoke nothing but Spanish to him. Sir Robert Anstruther is also at Vienna, being gone thither from the Diet at Eatislon.

I hear the Infante Cardinal is designed to come Governor of the Netherlands, and passeth by way of Italy, and so thro' Germany: His brother Don Carlos is lately dead. So I humbly take my leave, and rest, my Lord — Your Lord- ship's most humble and ready Servitor, J. H.

Westm., 23 Apr. 1630.

XXXVI.

To my noble Lady, the Lady Cor. MADAM,

YOU spoke to me for a Cook who had seen the world Abroad, and I think the Bearer hereof will fit your Ladyship's turn. He can marinate fish, make gellies ; he is excellent for a piquant sauce, and the Haugou ; besides, Madam, he is passing good for an Ollia : He will tell your

Ladyship

Sect. 5. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 287

Ladyship, that the reverend Matron the Olla podrida hath intellectuals and senses; Mutton, Beef, and Bacon, are to her as the Will, Understanding, and Memory, are to the Soul : Cabbage, Turnips, Artichocks, Potatoes, and Dates, are her five Senses, and Pepper the Common-sense; she must have Marrow to keep Life in her, and some Birds to make her light ; by all means she must go adorn'd with chains of Sausages. He is also good at larding of Meat after the Mode of France. Madam, you may make proof of him, and if your Ladyship find him too saucy or wasteful, you may return him whence you had him. So I rest, Madam — Your Ladyship's humble Servitor, J. H.

Westm., 2 Jun. 1630.

XXXVII.

1 To Mr. E. D.

SIR,

YOU write to me, that T. B. intends to give Money for such a place ; if he doth, I fear it will be verify'd in him, that A Fool and his money is soon parted; for I know he will be never able to execute it. I heard of a late Secretary of State, that could not read the next morning his own hand-writing ; and I have read of Caligula s Horse, that was made Consul : Therefore I pray tell him from me (for I wish him well), that if he thinks he is fit for that Office, he looks upon himself thro' a false Glass : A trotting Horse is fit for a Coach, but not for a Lady's Saddle; and an Ambler is proper for a Lady's Saddle, but not for a Coach. If Tom undertakes this place, he will be as an Ambler in a Coach, or a Trotter under a Lady's Saddle. When I come to Town, I will put him upon a far fitter and more feasable business for him ; and so commend me to him, for I am his and — Your true Friend, J. H.

Westm.) $Jun. 1630.

XXXVIII.

288 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

XXXVIII.

To my Father. SIR,

'THHERE are two Ambassadors Extraordinary to go -L Abroad shortly, the Earl of Leicester and the Lord Weston-, this latter goes to France, Savoy, Venice, and so returns by Florence, a pleasant Journey, for he carrieth Presents with him from King and Queen : The Earl of Leicester is to go to the King of Denmark, and other Princes of Germany; the main of the Embassy is to condole the late death of the Lady Sophia, Queen Dowager of Denmark, our King's Grandmother: She was the Duke of Meclen- lurgh's Daughter, and her Husband Christian III. dying young, her Portion, which was ^40,000, was restor'd her : and living a Widow forty-four Years after, she grew to be so great a huswife, setting three or four hundred People at work, that she died worth near two millions of Dollars, so that she was reputed the richest Queen of Christendom. By the Constitutions of Denmark this Estate is divisible among her Children, whereof she had five, the K. of Denmark, the Dutchess of Saxony, the Dutchess of Brunswick, Q. Anne, and the Dutchess of Holstein; the King being male, is to have two shares ; our King and the Lady Elizabeth are to have that which should have belong'd to Q. Anne. So he is to return by the Hague. It pleased my Lord of Leicester to send for me to Baynards-Castle, and proffer me to go Secretary in this Ambassage, assuring me that the Journey shall tend to my Profit and Credit : So that I have accepted of it, for I hear very nobly of my Lord, so that I hope to make a boon voyage of it. I desire, as hitherto, your Prayers and Blessing may accompany me : So, with my love to my Brothers and Sisters, I rest — Your dutiful Son,

J.H. .^ 5 May 1632.

XXXIX.

Sect. 5. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 289

XXXIX.

To Mr. Alderman Moulson, Governor of the Merchant- Adventurers. SIR,

THE Earl of Leicester is to go shortly Ambassador Ex- traordinary to the King of Denmark, and he is to pass by Hamburgh : I understand by Mr. Skinner that the Staple hath some grievances to be redress'd. If this Am- bassage may be an Advantage to the Company, I will solicit my Lord that he may do you all the favour that may stand with his honour ; so I shall expect your instructions accordingly, and rest — Yours ready to serve you, J. H. Westm.) i June 1632.

XL.

To Mr. Alderman Clethero, Governor of the Eastland

Company. SIR,

I AM inform'd of some complaints that your Company hath against the K. of Denmark's Officers in the Sound. The E. of Leicester is nominated by His Majesty to go Ambassador Extraordinary to that King and other Princes of Germany : If this Embassy may be advantageous to you, you may send me your directions, and I will attend my Lord accordingly, to do you any favour that may stand with his honour, and conduce to your benefit, and redress of grievances. So I take my leave, and rest — Yours ready to do you Service, J. H.

Wcstm.) i of June 1632.

XLI.

To the Rt. Hon. the Earl of Leicester, at Pettworth.

MY LORD,

SIR John Pennington is appointed to carry your Lordship and your Company to Germany, and he intends to T take

290 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

take you up at Mar gets. I have been with Mr. Bourlamachj and receiv'd a Bill of Exchange from him for 10,000 Dollars payable in Hamburgh. I have also receiv'd ^2000 of Sir Paul Pindar for your Lordship's use, and he did me the favour to pay it me all in old Gold. Your Allowance hath begun since the 25th of July last at <^P8 per diem, and is to continue so till your Lordship return to His Majesty. I understand by some Merchants to-day upon the Exchange, that the King of Denmark is at Luckstadt, and stays there all this Summer; if it be so, 'twill save half the Voyage of going to Copenhagen, for in lieu of the Sound, we need go no further than the River of Elve. So I rest — Your Lord- ship's most humble and faithful Servitor, J. H. Westm., 13 Aug. 1632.

XLII.

To the Rt. Hon. the Lord Mohun. MY LORD,

THO' any Command from your Lordship be welcome to me at all times, yet that which you lately enjoin'd me in yours of the I2th of August, that I should inform your Lordship of what I know touching the Inquisition, is now a little unseasonable, because I have much to do to prepare myself for this Employment to Germany; therefore I cannot satisfy you in that fulness as I could do otherwise. The very Name of the Inquisition is terrible all Christendom over, and the King of Spain himself, with the chiefest of his Grandees, tremble at it. It was founded first by the Catholic King Ferdinand (our Henry VIII.'s Father-in-law), for he having got Granada, and subdued all the Moors, who had firm footing in that Kingdom about seven hundred years, yet he suffered them to live peaceably a while in point of Con- science; but afterwards he sent a solemn Mandamus to the Jacob m-Fryars to endeavour the Conversion of them, by preaching and all other means. They finding that their pains did little good (and that those whom they had con- verted

Sect. 5. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 291

verted turn'd Apostates) obtain'd power to make a research, which afterwards was call'd Inquisition) and it was ratify *d by Pope Sivlus, that if they would not conform themselves by fair means, they should be forc'd to it. The Jacobins being found too severe herein, and for other Abuses besides, this Inquisition was taken from them, and put into the hands of the most sufficient Ecclesiasticks. So a Council was established, and Officers appointed accordingly: Whosoever was found pendulous and brangling in his Religion, was brought by a Sergeant, call'd Familiar, before the said Council of Inquisition; his Accuser or Delator stands be- hind a piece of Tapestry, to see whether he be the Party, and if he be, then they put divers subtill and entrapping Interrogatories to him ; and whether he confess anything or no, he is sent to prison. When the said Familiar goes to any House, tho' it be in the dead of the night (and that's the time commonly they use to come, or in the dawn of the day), all doors, and trunks, and chests fly open to him ; and the first thing he doth, he seizeth the Party's breeches, searcheth his pockets, and taketh his keys, and so rum- mageth all his closets and trunks: And a Public Notary, whom he carrieth with him, takes an Inventory of every- thing, which is sequestred and depositated in the hands of some of his next neighbours. The Party being hurry'd away in a close Coach, and clapt in prison, he is there eight days before he makes his Appearance, and then they present to him the Cross, and the Missal-Book to swear upon; if he refuseth to swear, he convicteth himself, and tho' he swear, yet he is remanded to prison : This Oath com- monly is presented before any Accusation be produced ; his Gaoler is strictly commanded to pry into his actions, his deportment, words and countenance, and to set spies upon him ; and whosoever of his fellow-prisoners, or others, can produce anything against him, he hath a reward for it. At last, after divers appearances, examinations, and scrutinies, the information against him is read, but the witnesses' names are conceal'd ; then he is appointed a Proctor and an Advo- cate,

292 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

cate, but he must not confer or advise with them privately, but in the face of the Court: The King's Attorney is a party in't, and the Accusers commonly the sole Witnesses. Being to name his own Lawyers, oftentimes others are dis- cover'd, and fall into troubles ; while he is thus in prison, he is so abhorr'd, and abandoned of all the world, that none will, at least none dare visit him. Tho' one clear himself, yet he cannot be freed till an Act of Faith pass; which is done seldom, but very solemnly. There are few who have fallen into the gripes of the Inquisition, do scape the Rack, or the San-lenitOj which is a strait yellow Coat without Sleeves, having the pourtrait of the Devil painted up and down in black ; and upon their heads they carry a Mitre of Paper, with a man frying in the flames of hell upon't; they gag their mouths, and tie a great cord about their necks. The Judges meet in some uncouth dark dungeon, and the Executioner stands by, clad in a close dark garment, his head and face cover' d with a Chaperon, out of which there are but two holes to look thro', and a huge Link burning in his hand. When the Ecclesiastic Inquisitors have pro- nounc'd the Anathema against him, they transmit him to the secular Judges to receive the sentence of death, for Church- men must not have their hands imbru'd in blood: The King can mitigate any punishment under death, nor is a Nobleman subject to the Rack.

I pray be pleas'd to pardon this rambling imperfect rela- tion, and take in good part my Conformity to your Com- mands : I am — Your Lordship's most ready and faithful Servitor, J. H.

Westm^ 30 Aug. 1632.

SECTION

SECTION VI.

I.

To P. W., Esq.; at the Signet Office .from the English House in Hamburgh.

WE are safely come to Germany. Sir John Penington took us aboard in one of His Majesty's Ships at Margets ; and the Wind stood so fair that we were at the Mouth of the Elve upon Monday following. It pleased my Lord I should land first with two Footmen, to make haste to Ghtkstad, to learn where the K. of Denmark was ; and he was at Renslurgh, some two days' journey off, at a Rich- sadgh, an Assembly that corresponds to our Parliament. My Lord the next day landed at Glukstad, where I had provided an Accommodation for him, tho' he intended to have gone for Hamburgh ; but I was bold to tell him, that in regard there were some umbrages, and not only so, but open and actual differences 'twixt the King and that Town, it might be ill taken if he went thither first, before he had attended the King. So I left my Lord at Glukstad, and being come hither to take up 8000 rix dollars upon Mr. Burlamach's Bills, and fetch'd Mr. Jvery our Agent here, I return to-morrow to attend my Lord again. I find that matters are much off the hinges 'twixt the King of Denmark and this Town.

The King of Sweden is advancing apace to find out Wal- lestein and Wallestein him ; and in all Appearance they will be shortly engag'd.

No more now, for I am interpell'd by many businesses ; when you write, deliver your Letters to Mr. Railton, who will see them safely convey'd; for a little before my de- parture I brought him acquainted with my Lord, that he

might

294

FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

might negotiate some things at Court. So., with my ser- vice and love to all at Westminster, I rest — Your faithful Servitor, J. H.

Hamburgh, 23 Oct. 1632.

II.

To my Lord Viscount S.,from Hamburgh.

SINCE I was last in Town, my Lord of Leicester hath attended the K. of Denmark at Renslurgh in Hol- steinland; he was brought thither from Glukstad, in dif- ferent good equipage, both for Coaches and Waggons, but he stayed some days at Renslurgh for Audience : We made a comely gallant show in that kind, when we went to Court, for we were near upon a hundred all of one piece in mourning. It pleas'd my Lord to make me the Orator, and so I made a long Latin Speech, alta voce} to the King in Latin, of the occasion of this Embassy, and tending to the praise of the deceased Queen : And I had better luck than Secretary Naunton had some thirty years since, with Roger Earl of Rutland : For at the beginning of his Speech, when he had pronounc'd Serenissime Rex, he was dash'd out of countenance, and so gravell'd that he could go no further. I made another to Christian V., his eldest Son, King elect of Denmark; for tho' that Crown be purely elective, yet for these three last Kings, they wrought so with the people, that they got their eldest Sons chosen, and declar'd before their death, and to assume the Title of Kings elect. At the same Audience, I made another Speech to Pr. Frederick, Archbishop of Breme, the King's third Son : and he hath but one more (besides his natural issue), which is Prince Ulric, now in the Wars with the Duke of Sax; and they say there is an Alliance contracted already 'twixt Christian V. and the Duke of Sax his daughter. This cere- mony being performed, my Lord desir'd to find his own diet, and then he fell to divers businesses, which is not fitting for me to forestall, or impart to your Lordship now :

So

Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 295

So we stayed there near upon a month. The King feasted my Lord once, and it lasted from eleven of the clock till towards the evening; during which time the King began thirty-five healths ; the first to the Emperor, the second to his Nephew of England; and so went over all the Kings and Queens of Christendom, but he never remember'd the Prince Palsgrave's health, or his Niece's, all the while. The King was taken away at last in his chair, but my Lord of Leicester bore up stoutly all the while ; so that when there came two of the King's Guard to take him by the Arms, as he was going down the stairs, my Lord shook them off, and went alone.

The next morning I went to Court for some dispatches, but the King was gone a hunting at break of day ; but going to some other of his Officers, their servants told me without any Appearance of Shame, that their Masters were drunk over night, and so it would be late before they would rise.

A few days after we went to Gotkorp-Castle in Sleswick- landy to the Duke of Holstein's Court, where, at my Lord's first Audience, I made another Latin Speech to the Duke, touching his Grandmother's death : Our entertainment there was brave, tho' a little fulsome. My Lord was lodg'd in the Duke's Castle, and parted with Presents, which is more than the K. of Denmark did. Thence we went to Husem in Ditzmarsh, to the Dutchess of Hoist ein's Court (our Q,. Anne's youngest Sister), where we had also very full entertainment. I made a Speech to her also, about her Mothers death, and when I nam'd the Lady Sophia the tears came down her cheeks. Thence we came back to Renslurgh, and so to this Town of Hamburgh, where my Lord intends to repose some days after an abrupt odd journey we had thro* Hoist einland ; but I believe it will not be long, in regard Sir John Pennington stays for him upon the River. We expect Sir Robert Anstruther to come from Vienna hither, to take the Advantage of the King's Ship.

We understand that the Imperial and Swedish Armies

have

296 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

have made near Approaches one to the other, and that some skirmishes and blows have been already 'twixt them, which are the forerunners of a battle. So, my good Lord, I rest — Your most humble and faithful Servitor, J. H.

Hamburgh, 9 Oct. 1632.

III.

To the Rt. Hon. the Earl R.,from Hamburgh.

MY LORD,

THO' your Lordship must needs think, that in the em- ployment I am in (which requires a whole man) my spirits must be distracted by multiplicity of businesses ; yet because I would not recede from my old method, and first principles of travel, when I came to any great City, to couch in writing what's most observable, I sequestered myself from other Affairs, to send your Lordship what followeth touch- ing this great Hans-Town.

The Hans, or Hansiatick Ligue, is very ancient; some would derive the word from Hand, because they of the Society plight their faith by that Action : Others derive it from Hansa, which in the Gothick Tongue is Counsel : Others would have it come from Han der see, which signi- fies near or upon the Sea; and this passeth for the best Etymology, because their Towns are all seated so, or upon some navigable River near the Sea, The extent of the old Hans was from the Nerve in Livonia to the Rhine, and contain'd sixty-two great mercantile Towns, which were divided into four Precincts : The chiefest of the first Precinct was Luleck, where the Archives of their ancient Records, and their prime Chancery, is still, and this Town is within that Verge : Cullen is chief of the second Precinct, Brunswic of the third, and Dantzic of the fourth. The Kings of Poland and Sweden have sued to be their Protector, but they refus'd them because they were not Princes of the Empire ; they put off also the K. of Denmark with a Com- pliment, nor would they admit the K. of Spain when he

was

Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 297

was most potent in the Netherlands, though afterwards, when 'twas too late, they desir'd the help of the Ragged- Staff; nor of the Duke of Anjou, notwithstanding that the World thought he should have marry'd our Queen, who interceded for him ; and so 'twas probable that thereby they might recover their privileges in England: So that I do not find they ever had any Protector but the great Master of Prussia ; and their want of a Protector did do them some prejudice in that famous difference they had with our Queen.

The old Hans had extraordinary Immunities given them by our Henry III. because they assisted him in his Wars with so many Ships ; and, as they pretend, the King was not only to pay them for the service of the said Ships, but for the Vessels themselves, if they miscarry'd: Now it hap- pen'd that at their return to Germany, from serving Henry III., there was a great Fleet of them cast away ; for which, according to Covenant, they demanded reparation. Our King in lieu of Money, among other Acts of Grace, gave them a Privilege to pay but I per Cent., which continued till Queen Mary's Reign ; and she by the Advice of King Philip her Husband, as 'twas conceiv'd, enhanc'd the one to 20 per Cent. The Hans not only complain'd, but clam- our*d loudly for breach of their ancient Privileges, con- firm'd to them time out of mind by thirteen successive Kings of England, which they pretended to have purchased with their Money. K. Philip undertook to accommodate the business ; but Q. Mary dying a little after, and he retiring, there could be nothing done. Complaint being made to Q. Elizabeth, she answer'd, That as she would not innovate any- thing, so she would maintain them still in the same condition she found them : Hereupon their Navigation and Traffic ceased a while. Wherefore the English try'd what they could do themselves, and they throve so well that they took the whole Trade into their own hands, and so divided themselves (tho* they be now but one) to Staplers, and Merchant- Ad- venturers, the one residing constant in one place, where they

kept

298 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

kept their Magazine of Wool, the other stirring, and ad- venturing to divers places abroad with Cloth and other Manufactures ; which made the Hans endeavour to draw upon them all the malignancy they could from all Nations. Moreover, the Hans-Towns being a Body-politic incorpo- rated in the Empire, complain' d hereof to the Emperor, who sent over Persons of great Quality to mediate an Accommo- dation, but they could effect nothing. Then the Queen caused a Proclamation to be publish'd, That the Easterlings, or Merchants of the Hans, should be treated and used as all other Strangers were within her Dominions, without any mark of difference, in point of Commerce. This nettled them more; thereupon they bent their forces more eagerly, and in a Diet at Ratislon they procur'd, that the English Merchants who had associated themselves into Fraternities in Emlden and other places, should be declar'd Monopolists; and so there was a Comitial- Edict publish'd against them, that they should be exterminated, and banish'd out of all parts of the Empire ; And this was done by the Activity of one Suder- man, a great Civilian. There was there for the Queen Gilpin as nimble a Man as Suderman, and he had the Chancellor of Emlden to second and countenance him ; but they could not stop the said Edict, wherein the Society of English Mer- chant-Adventurers was pronounc'd to be a Monopoly : Yet Gilpin play'd his game so well, that he wrought under- hand, that the said Imperial-Ban should not be publish'd till after the dissolution of the Diet, and that in the interim the Emperor should send Ambassadors to E?igland, to adver- tise the Queen of such a Ban against her Merchants. But this wrought so little impression upon the Queen, that the said Ban grew rather ridiculous than formidable ; for the Town of Emlden harbour' d our Merchants notwithstanding, and afterwards Stode ; but they not being able to protect them so well from the Imperial-Ban, they settled in this Town of Hamburgh. After this the Queen commanded another Proclamation to be divulg'd, That the Easterlingst or Hansiatic Merchants should be allow'd to trade in Eng- land

Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 299

land upon the same Conditions and Payment of Duties as her own Subjects, provided that the English Merchants might have interchangeable Privilege, to reside and trade peaceably in Stode or Hamburgh, or any where else, within the precinct of the Hans. This incens'd them more: there- upon they resolv'd to cut off Stode and Hamburgh from being Members of the Hans, or of the Empire : But they sus- pended this Design till they saw what success the great Spanish Fleet should have, which was then preparing in the year 88 : For they had not long before had recourse to the K. of Spain, and made him their own, and he had done them some material good offices: Wherefore to this day the Spanish Council is taxed of improvidence and impru- dence, that there was no use made of the Ha/w-Towns in that Expedition.

The Queen finding that they of the Hans would not be contented with that equality she had oflfer'd 'twixt them and her own Subjects, put out a Proclamation, that they should carry neither Corn, Victuals, Arms, Timber, Masts, Cables, Minerals, nor any other Materials or Men, to Spain or Portugal. And after the Queen growing more redoubtable and famous by the overthrow of the Fleet of Eighty-eight, the Easterlings fell to despair of doing any good. Add hereunto, another disaster that befell them, the taking of sixty Sails of their Ships about the mouth of Tagus in Portu- gal, by the Queen's Ships that were laden with Ropas de contralando, viz., Goods prohibited by her former Procla- mation into the Dominions of Spain : And as these Ships were upon point of being discharged, she had intelligence of a great Assembly at Luleck, which v had met of purpose to consult of means to be reveng'd of her ; thereupon she stay'd and seiz'd upon the said sixty Ships, only two were freed to bring news what became of the rest. Hereupon the Pole sent an Ambassador to her, who spake in a high tone, but he was answered in a higher.

Ever since our Merchants have beaten a peaceful and free uninterrupted Trade into this Town and elsewhere, within

and

300 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Bookl.

and without the Sound, with their Manufactures of Wool, and found the way also to the White- Sea, to Archangel and Mosco : Insomuch that the Premises being well considered, it was a happy thing for England, that that clashing fell out 'twixt her and the Hans ; for it may be said to have been the chief ground of that Shipping and Merchandizing which she is now come to, and wherewith she hath flourished ever since. But one thing is observable, that as that Imperial or Comitial Ban, pronounc'd in the Diet at Ratislon against our Merchants and Manufactures of Wool, incited them more to Industry; so our Proclamation upon Alderman Cockein's Project of transporting no white Cloths but dy'd, and in their full Manufacture, did cause both Dutch and German to turn necessity to a virtue, and made them far more ingenious to find ways not only to dye, but to make Cloth, which hath much impaired our Markets ever since; for there hath not been the third part of our Cloth sold since, either here or in Holland.

My Lord, I pray be pleased to dispense with the prolixity of this Discourse, for I could not wind it up closer, nor on a lesser bottom : I shall be careful to bring with me those Furrs I had instructions for. So I rest — Your Lordship's most humble Servitor, J. H.

Hamburgh, 20 Oct. 1632.

IV.

To Capt. J. Smith, at the Hague.

CAPTAIN,

HAVING so wishful an opportunity as this noble Gentleman Mr. James Crofts, who comes with a Packet for the Lady Elizabeth from my Lord of Leicester, I could not but send you this friendly Salute. We are like to make a speedier return than we expected from this Embassy; for we found the K. of Denmark in Holstei?i, which shorten'd our Voyage from going to the Sound: The King was in an advantageous posture to give Audience, for there was a Parliament then at Rhenslurgh, where all the

Younkers

Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 301

Younkers met. Among other things, I put myself to mark the carriage of the Holstein Gentlemen, as they were going in and out at the Parliament-House ; and observing well their Physiognomies, their Complexions and Gate, I thought verily I was in England, for they resemble the English more than either Welsh or Scot (thoj cohabiting upon the same Island) or any other People that ever I saw yet: Which makes me verily believe, that the English Nation came first from this lower Circuit of Saxony ; and there's one thing that strengthneth me in this belief, that there is an ancient Town hard by call'd Lunden, and an Island call'd .Angles; whence it may well be that our Country came from Britannia to be Anglia.

This Town of Hamburgh from a Society of Brewers is come to a huge wealthy place, and her new Town is almost as big as the old ; there is a shrewd jar 'twixt her and her Protector, the King of Denmark.

My Lord of Leicester hath done some good offices to accommodate matters : She chomps extremely, that there should be such a Bit put lately in her mouth, as the Fort of Luckstadit, which commands her River of Elve, and makes her pay what toll he pleases.

The King begins to fill his Chests apace, which were so emptied in his late Marches to Germany: He hath set a new Toll upon all Ships that pass to this Town'; and in the Sound also there be some extraordinary duties imposed, where- at all Nations begin to murmur, specially the Hollanders , who say, that the old primitive Toll of the Sound was but a Rose-noble for every Shipy but by a new Sophistry it is now interpreted for every Sail that should pass thro' ; inso- much that the Hollander, tho' he be a Low-Countryman, begins to speak High-Dutch in this point, a rough Lan- guage you know : Which made the Italian tell a German Gentleman once, that when God Almighty thrust Adam out of Paradise, he spake Dutch ; but the German retorted wittily, Then, Sir, if God spake Dutch when Adam was ejected. Eve spake Italian when Adam way seduced.

I

5O2 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

I could be larger, but for a sudden Avocation to Busi- ness; so I most affectionately send my kind respects to you, desiring when I am render'd to London, I may hear from you : So I am — Your faithful Friend to serve you, J. H.

Hamburgh, 22 Oct. 1632.

V.

To the Rt. Hon. the Earl o/*Br. MY LORD,

I AM newly return'd from Germany, whence there came lately two Ambassadors Extraordinary in one of the Ships Royal, the Earl of Leicester and Sir Robert Anstruther : The latter came from Vienna, and I know little of his nego- tiations ; but for my Lord of Leicester, I believe there was never so much business dispatch'd in so short a compass of time, by any Ambassador, as your Lordship, who is best able to judge, will find by this short relation. When my Lord was come to the K. of Denmark's Court, which was then at Rhensbergh, a good way within Holstein, the first thing he did was to condole the late Q,. Dowager's death (our King's Grandmother), which was done in such an equi- page, that the Danes confess'd, there was never Queen of Denmark so mourn'd for. This ceremony being pass'd, my Lord fell to business; and the first thing which he pro- pounded was, that for preventing the further effusion of Christian blood in Germany, and for the facilitating a way to restore peace to all Christendom, His Majesty of Denmark would join with his Nephew of Great Britain, to send a solemn Embassy to the Emperor, and the K. of Sweden (the end of whose proceedings were doubtful), to mediate an Accommodation, and to appear for him who will be found most conformable to reason. To this, that King answered in writing (for that was the way of proceeding) that the Emperor and the Swede were come to that height and heat of war, and to such a violence, that it is no time yet to speak to them of peace ; but when the fury is a little

pass'd

Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 303

pass'd, and the times more proper, he would take it for an Honour to join with his Nephew, and contribute the best means he could to bring about so good a Work.

Then there was computation made, what was due to the King of Great Britain, and the Lady Elizabeth, out of their Grandmother's estate, which was valued at near upon two millions of Dollars ; and your Lordship must think it was a hard task to liquidate such an account. This being done, my Lord desired that part which was due to His Majesty (our King) and the Lady his Sister, which appeared to amount to eightscore thousand pounds sterling. That King answer'd, that he confess'd there was so much money due, but his Mother's estate was yet in the hands of Com- missioners; and neither he nor any of bis Sisters had re- ceiv'd their portions yet; and that his Nephew of England, and his Niece of Holland, should receive theirs with the first; but he did intimate besides, that there were some consider- able Accounts 'twixt him and the Crown of England, for ready moneys he had lent his brother K. James, and for the ^30,000 a month, that was by Covenant promised him for the support of his late Army in Germany. Then my Lord propounded, that His Majesty of Great Britain's Subjects were not well us'd by his Officers in the Sound: For tho' there was but a transitory passage into the Baltic-Sea, and that they neither bought nor sold anything upon the place, yet they were forc'd to stay there many days to take up money at high interest, to pay divers Tolls for their Mer- chandise, before they expos' d them to vent: Therefore it was desir'd, that for the future, what English Merchant soever should pass thro' the Sound, it should be sufficient for him to register an Invoice of his Cargazon in the Custom-house Book, and give his Bond to pay all duties at his return, when he had made his Market. To this my Lord had a fair Answer, and so procur'd a public Instru- ment under that King's Hand and Seal, and sign'd by his Counsellors, whom he had brought over, wherein the Proposition was granted ; which no Ambassador could

obtain

304

FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book /.

obtain before. Then 'twas alledg'd, that the English Merchant- Adventurers who trade into Hamburgh, have a new Toll lately impos'd upon them at Lucksiad, which was desir'd to be taken off. To this also, there was the like Instrument given, that the said Toll should be levied no more. Lastly, my Lord (in regard he was to pass by the Hague) desir'd that hereditary part, which belonged to the Lady Elizabeth out of her Grandmother's Estate, because His Majesty knew well what Crosses and Afflictions she had pass'd, and what a numerous Issue she had to maintain ; and my Lord of Leicester would engage his Honour, and all the Estate he hath in the World, that this should no way prejudice the Accounts he is to make with His Majesty of Great Britain. The K. of Denmark highly extoll'd the Nobleness of this motion ; but he protested, that he had been so drained in the late Wars, that his Chests are yet very empty. Hereupon my Lord was feasted, and so departed.

He went then to the Duke of Holstein to Sleswick, where he found him at his Castle of Gothorp ; and truly I did not think to have found such a magnificent Building in these bleak parts. There also my Lord did condole the death of the late Queen, that Duke's Grandmother, and he received very princely entertainment.

Then he went to Husem, where the like ceremony of Condolement was perform'd at the Dutchess of Holstein's Court, His Majesty^ (our King's) Aunt.

Then he came to Hamburgh; where that Instrument which my Lord had procured, for remitting of the new Toll at Gluckstadty was deliver'd the Company of our Merchants- Adventurers ; and some other good offices done for that Town, as matters stood 'twixt them and the King of Denmark.

Then we came to Stode, where Lesly was Governor, who carry'd his foot in a Scarf for a wound he had received at Buckstoho, and he kept that place for the King of Sweden : And some business of consequence was done there also.

So

Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 305

So we came to Broomsbottle, where we stay'd for a Wind some days : And in the midway of our voyage we met with a Holland Ship, who told us, the K. of Sweden was slain ; and so we returned to London in less than three months. And if this was not business enough for such a compass of time, I leave your Lordship to judge.

So, craving your Lordship's pardon for this lame Account, I rest — Your Lordship's most humble and ready Servitor,

J.H.

Lond.j i Oct. 1632.

VI.

To my Brother, Dr. Howell, at his House in Horsley.

MY GOOD BROTHER,

I AM safely return'd from Germany, thanks be to God ; and the news which we heard at Sea by a Dutch Skipper, about the midst of our Voyage from Hamburgh, it seems, proves too true, which was of the fall of the K. of Sweden. One Jerbire, who says that he was in the very Action, brought the first news to this Town, and every corner rings of it ; yet such is the extravagancy of some, that they will lay wagers he is not yet dead, and the .Exchange is full of such People. He was slain at Lutzen field battle, having made the Imperial Army give ground the day before ; and being in pursuance of it, the next morning in a sudden Fog that fell, the Cavalry on both sides being engaged, he was kill'd in the midst of the Troops, and none knows who kilPd him, whether one of his own men, or the enemy; but finding himself mortally hurt, he told Saxen Waymar, Cousin, I pray look to the Troops, for I think I have enough. His body was not only rescued, but his Forces had the better of the day ; Papenheim being kill'd before him, whom he esteem'd the greatest Captain of all his enemies; for he was us'd to say, that he had three men to deal withal, a Pultron, a Jesjtit, and a Soldier: By the two first, he meant Walstein and the Duke of Bavaria ; by the last, Papenheim.

u Questionless

306 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

Questionless this Gustavus (whose Anagram is Augustus) was a great Captain, and a gallant man ; and had he surviv'd that last victory, he would have put the Emperor to such a plunge, that some think he would hardly have been able to have made head against him to any purpose again. Yet his own Allies confess, that none knew the bottom of his designs.

He was not much affected to the English ; witness the ill usage Marquis Hamilton had with his 6000 men, whereof there returned not 600 ; the rest died of hunger and sickness, having never seen the face of an enemy : Witness also his harshness to our Ambassadors, and the rigid terms he would have tied the Prince Palsgrave to. So, with my most affectionate respects to Mr. Mouschamp, and kind commends to Mr. Bridger, I rest — Your loving Brother, J. H.

Westm.) Dec. 1632.

VII.

To the R. R. Dr. Field, Lord Bishop of St. Davids. MY LORD,

YOUR late Letter affected me with two contrary pas- sions, with gladness and sorrow : The beginning of it dilated my spirits with apprehensions of joy, that you are so well recovered of your late sickness, which I heartily congratulate ; but the conclusion of your Lordship's Letter contracted my spirits, and plung'd them in a deep sense of just sorrow, while you please to write me news of my dear Father's death. Permulsit initium, percussit Jinis. Truly, my Lord, it is the heaviest news that ever was sent me: But when I recollect myself, and consider the fairness and maturity of his Age, and that it was rather a gentle dis- solution than a death ; when I contemplate that infinite advantage he hath got by this change and transmigration, it much lightens the weight of my grief: For if ever human soul enter'd Heaven, surely he is there; such was his con- stant piety to God, his rare indulgence to his Children, his

charity

Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 307

charity to his Neighbours, and his candor in reconciling differences; such was the gentleness of his disposition, his unwearied course in actions of virtue, that I wish my soul no other felicity, when she hath shaken off these rags of Flesh, than to ascend to his, and co-enjoy the same bliss.

Excuse me, my Lord, that I take my leave at this time so abruptly of you ; when this sorrow is a little digested, you shall hear further from me, for I am — Your Lordship's most true and humble Servitor, J. H.

Westm.) i of May 1632.

VIII.

To the Earl of Leicester, at Penshurst. MY LORD,

I HAVE deliver' d Mr. Secretary Coke an Account of the whole Legation, as your Lordship order' d me, which contained near upon twenty sheets; I attended him also with the Note of your Extraordinaries, wherein I find him something difficult and dilatory yet. The Governor of the Eastland Company, Mr. Alderman Clethero, will attend your Lordship at your return to Court, to acknowledge your favour to them. I have delivered him a Copy of the transactions of things that concerned their Company at Rhenslerg.

The news we heard at Sea of the K. of Sweden's death is confirm'd more and more; and by the computation I have been a little curious to make, I find that he was kill'd the same day your Lordship set out of Hamburgh. But there is other news come since of the death of the Prince Palatine, who, as they write, being returned from visiting the Duke De deux Fonts to Mentz, was struck there with the Contagion ; yet by special ways of cure, the malignity was expell'd, and great hopes of recovery, when the news came of the death of the K. of Sweden, which made such impressions upon him, that he died few days after, having overcome all difficulties, concluding with

the

308 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

the Swedes, and the Governor of Frankindall, and being ready to enter into a re-possession of this Country : A sad destiny !

The Swedes bear up still, being fomented and supported by the French, who will not suffer them to leave Germany yet. A Gentleman that came lately from Italy told me that there is no great joy in Rome for the death of the K. of Sweden. The Spaniards up and down will not stick to call this Pope Luther ano, and that he had intelligence with the Swedes. 'Tis true that he hath not been so forward to assist the Emperor in this quarrel, and that in open Consis- tory, when there was such a Contrasto } twixt the Cardinals for a supply from St. Peter, he declar'd that he was well satis- fy'd that this War in Germany was no War of Religion : Which made him dismiss the Imperial Ambassadors with'this short Answer, that the Emperor had drawn these mischiefs upon himself; for at that time when he saw the Swedes upon the Frontiers of Germany , if he had employM those Men and Moneys which he consum'd to trouble the Peace of Italy in making War against the Duke of Mantua, against them he had not had now so potent an Enemy. So I take my leave for this time, being — Your Lordship's most humble and obedient Servitor, J. H.

Westm., $June 1632.

IX.

To Mr. E. D.

SIR,

I THANK you a thousand times for the noble Entertain- ment you gave me at Bury, and the pains you took in shewing me the Antiquities of that Place. In requital, I can tell you of a strange thing I saw lately here, and I believe 'tis true : As I pass'd by St. Dunstan}s in Fleet-street the last Saturday, I stepp'd into a Lapidary or Stone-cutter's shop, to treat with the Master for a Stone to be put upon my Father's Tomb ; and casting my eyes up and down, I

spied

Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 309

spied a huge Marble with a large Inscription upon't, which was thus, to my best remembrance :

Here lies John Oxenham, a goodly young Man, in whose Chamber, as he was struggling with the pangs of death, a Bird with a white breast was seen fluttering about his bed, and so vanished.

Here lies also Mary Oxenham, the Sister of the said John, who died the next day, and the same apparition was seen in the Room.

Then another Sister is spoke of.

Then, Here lies hard by James Oxenham, the Son of the said John, who died a Child in his Cradle a little after; and such a Bird was seen fluttering about his head, a little before he expired, which vanished afterwards.

At the bottom of the Stone there is :

Here lies Elizabeth Oxenham, the Mother of the said John, who died sixteen years since, when such a Bird with a white breast was seen about her bed before her death.

To all these there be divers witnesses, both Squires and Ladies, whose names are engraven upon the Stone : This Stone is to be sent to a Town hard by Exeter, where this happen'd.

Were you here, I could raise a choice Discourse with you hereupon. So, hoping to see you the next Term, to requite some of your favours, I rest — Your true Friend to serve

y°u> J. H.

Westm., sjuty 1632.

X.

To W. B., Esq.

SIR,

THE upbraiding of a Courtesy is as bad in the Giver , as Ingratitude in the Receiver ; tho* I (which you think I am loth to believe) be faulty in the first, I shall never offend in the second, while J. HOWEL.

Westm., 24 Oct. 1632.

XI.

3io FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

XL

To Sir Arthur Ingram at York. SIR,

OUR greatest news here now is, that we have a new Attorney-General, which is news indeed, considering the humour of the Man, how he hath been always ready to entertain any Cause whereby he might clash with the Prerogative; but now, as Judge Richardsori told him, his head is full of Proclamations and Devices, how to bring Money into the Exchequer. He hath lately found out among the old Records of the Tower some Precedents for raising a Tax call'd Ship-money in all the Port-Towns when the Kingdom is in danger: Whether we are in danger or no at present, 'twere presumption in me to judge; that belongs to His Majesty and his Privy-Council, who have their choice Instruments abroad for Intelligence ; yet one with half an eye may see we cannot be secure while such huge Fleets of Men of War, both Spanish, French, Dutch, and Dunkirkers, some of them laden with Ammunition, Men, Arms, and Armies, do daily sail on our Seas, and confront the King's Chambers ; while we have only three or four Ships abroad to guard our Coasts and Kingdom, and preserve the fairest Flower of the Crown, the Dominion of the Narrow Seas which I hear the French Cardinal begins to question, and the Hollander lately would not veil to one of His Majesty's Ships that brought over the Duke of Lenox, and my Lord Weston, from Bullen ; and indeed we are jeer'd abroad, that we send no more Ships to guard our Seas. Touching my Lord Ambassador Westoii, he had a brave journey of it, tho' it cost dear: For 'tis thought 'twill stand His Majesty in ^25,000, which makes some Criticks of the times to censure the Lord Treasurer, that now the King wanting money so much, he should send his Son abroad to spend him such a sum, only for delivering of Presents and Compliments : But I believe they are deceived, for there were matters of State also in the Embassy.

The

Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 311

The Lord Weston passing by Paris, intercepted and open'd a Packet of my Lord of Holland's, wherein there were some Letters of Her Majesty's; this my Lord of Holland takes in that scorn, that he defy'd him since his coming, and demanded the Combat of him, for which he is confin'd to his House at Kensington: So, with my humble Service to my noble Lady, I rest — Your most obliged Servitor, J. H.

Wcstm., 3o/a«. 1633.

XII.

To the Lord Viscount Wentworth, Lord Deputy of Ireland

and Lord President of York. MY LORD,

I WAS glad to apprehend the opportunity of this Packet, to convey my humble Service to your Lordship. There are old doings in France, and 'tis no new thing for the French to be always a doing, they have such a stirring Genius. The Queen-Mother hath made an escape to Brussels, and Monsieur to Lorain, where, they say, he courts very earnestly the Duke's Sister, a young Lady under twenty; they say a Contract is pass'd already, but the French Cardinal opposeth it ; for they say that Lorain Milk seldom breeds good Blood in France : Not only the King, but the whole Galilean Church, hath protested against it in a solemn Synod, for the Heir apparent of the Crown of France cannot marry without the Royal Consent. This aggravates a grudge the French King hath to the Duke, for siding with the Imperialists, and for things reflecting upon the Dutchy of Bar ; for which he is homageable to the Crown of France, as he is to the Emperor for Lorain : A hard task it is to serve two Masters; and an unhappy situation it is to lie 'twixt two puissant Monarchs, as the Dukes of Savoy and Lorain do. So I kiss your Lordship's Hands, and rest, my Lord — Your most humble and ready Servitor, J. H.

Wcstm.) i of April 1633.

XIII.

312 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

XIII.

To my most nolle Lady, the Lady Cornwallis.

MADAM,

IN conformity to your commands, which sway with me as much as an Act of Parliament, I have sent your Ladyship this small Hymn for Christmas-day, now near approaching; if your Ladyship please to put an Air to it, I have my reward.

1. Hail holy Tyde, Nor the vast Mould Wherein a Bride Of Heav'n can hold

A Virgin (which is more} 'Cause he's Ubiquitair.

Brought forth a Son. The like was done * O wou!d he deign

Ne'er in the World before. To™s* and re^n

I tn centre of my heart ;

2. 'Hail spotless Maid ! And make it still Who thee upbraid His domicil,

To have been born in sin, And residence in part !

Do little weigh, What in thee lay, 5- But in so foul a Cell

Before thou didst lie in. Can he abide io dwell?

Yes, when he please to move

3. Nine months thy Womb His Harbinger to sweep the Room, Was made the Dome And with rich Odour sit perfume,

Of H\m,whom Earth nor Air, Of faith, of hope, of love.

So I humbly kiss your hands, and thank your Ladyship, that you would command in anything that may con- duce to your contentment — Your Ladyship's most humble Servitor, J. H.

Westm., 3 Feb. 1633.

XIV.

To the Lord Clifford at Knaresborough. MY LORD,

IRECEIVE'D your Lordship's of the last of June, and I return my most humble thanks for the choice Nag you pleas'd to send me, which came in very good plight. Your

Lordship

Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 313

Lordship desires me to lay down what in my Travels Abroad I observed of the present condition of the Jews, once an Elect People, but now grown contemptible, and strangely squandered up and down the World: Tho' such a Discourse, exactly fram'd, might make up a Volume, yet I will twist up what I know in this point, upon as narrow a bottom as may be shut up within the compass of this Letter.

The first Christian Country that expell'd the Jews was England; France followed our example next, then Spain, and afterwards Portugal: Nor were they exterminated these Countries for their Religion, but for Villainies and Cheatings, for clipping Coins, poisoning of Waters, and counterfeiting of Seals.

Those Countries they are permitted to live now most in among Christians are Germany, Holland, Bohemia, and Italy; but not in those parts where the King of Spain hath to do. In the Levant and Turkey they swarm most, for the Grand Vizier, and all other great Bashaws, have commonly some Jew for their Counsellor or Spy, who informs them of the state of Christian Princes, possess them of a hatred of the Religion, and so incense them to a War against them.

They are accounted the subtilest and most subdolous People upon Earth ; the reason why they are thus degener- ated from their primitive simplicity and innocence, is their often Captivities, their desperate Fortunes, the necessity and hatred to which they have been habituated ; for nothing depraves ingenuous Spirits, and corrupts clear Wits, more than want and indigence. By their Profession they are for the most part Brokers and Lomlardeers ; yet by that base and servile way of frippery Trade they grow rich whereso- ever they nest themselves: And this, with their multipli- cation of Children, they hold to be an Argument that an extraordinary Providence attends them still. Methinks that so clear accomplishments of the Prophecies of our Saviour touching that People should work upon them for their conversion, as the Destruction of the City and Temple; that they should become despicable, and the tail of all

Nations ;

314 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

Nations; that they should be Vagabonds, and have no firm habitation.

Touching the first, they know it came punctually to pass, and so have the other two ; for they are the most hateful race of men upon earth ; insomuch that in Turkey, where they are most valued, if a Musulman come to any of their houses, and leave his shoes at the door, the Jew dares not come in all the while, till the Turk hath done what he would with his wife. For the last, 'tis wonderful to see in what considerable numbers they are dispersed up and down the World; yet they can never reduce themselves to such a coalition and unity as may make a Republic, Princi- pality, or Kingdom.

They hold that the Jews of Italy, Germany, and the Levant are of Benjamin's Tribe : Ten of the Tribes at the destruction of Jeroboam's Kingdom were led captives beyond Euphrates, whence they never returned, nor do they know what became of them ever after, yet they believe they never became Apostates and Gentiles. But the Tribe of Judah, whence they expected their Messias, of whom one shall hear them discourse with so much confidence and self- pleasing conceit, they say is settled in Portugal; where they give out to have thousands of their race, whom they dispense withal to make a semblance of Christianity even to Church-degrees.

This makes them breed up their Children in the Lusita- man Language; which makes the Spaniard have an odd saying, that El Portuguez se crio del pedo de un Judio ; A Portuguese was engendered of a Jew's : As the Mahome- tans have a passage in their Alchoran, that a Cat was made of a Lion's breath.

As they are the most contemptible people, and have a kind of fulsome scent, no better than a stink, that dis- tinguisheth them from others, so they are the most timorous people on earth, and so utterly incapable of Arms, for they are made neither Soldiers nor Slaves: And this their Pusillanimity and Cowardice, as well as their Cunning and

Craft,

Seel. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 315

Craft, may be imputed to their various thraldoms, con- tempt and poverty, which hath cow'd and dastardizM their courage. Besides these properties, they are light and giddy- headed, much symbolizing in spirit with our Apocalyptical Zealots and fiery Interpreters of Daniel and other Prophets, whereby they often sooth, or rather fool themselves into some illumination, which really proves but some egregious dotage.

They much glory of their mysterious Cabal, wherein they make the reality of things to depend upon Letters and Words: But they say that Hebrew only hath this privilege. This Cabal, which is nought else but a Tradition, they say, being transmitted from one Age to another, was in some measure a reparation of our knowledge lost in Adam ; and they say 'twas reveal'd four times : First to Adam, who being thrust out of Paradise, and sitting one day very sad, and sorrowing for the loss of the knowledge he had of that dependance the Creatures have on their Creator, the Angel Raguel was sent to comfort him, and instruct him, and repair his knowledge herein : And this they call the Cabal, which was lost a second time by the Flood and Babel; then God discovered it to Moses in the Bush ; the third time to Solomon in a Dream, whereby he came to know the begin- ning, mediety, and consummation of times, and so wrote divers Books, which were lost in the grand Captivity. The last time they hold that God restored the Cabal to Esdras (a Book they value extraordinarily), who by God's command withdrew to the Wilderness forty Days with five Scribes, who in that space wrote 204 Books: the first 134 were to be read by all, but the other 70 were to pass privately amongst the Levites ; and these they pretend to be caba- listick, and not yet all lost.

There are at this Day three Sects of Jews ; the Africans first, who besides the holy Scriptures embraced the Talmud also for authentick: The second receive only the Scriptures : The third, which'are call'd the Samaritans (whereof there are but few), admit only of the Pentateuch, the five Books of Moses.

The

316 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

The Jews in general drink no Wine without a Dispensa- tion; when they kill any Creature, they turn his Face to the East, saying, Be it sanctified in the great Name of God; they cut the Throat with a Knife without a Gap, which they hold very profane.

In their Synagogues they make one of the best sort to read a Chapter of Moses, then some mean Boy reads a piece of the Prophets ; in the midst there's a round place arch'd over, wherein one of their Rabbies walks up and down, and in Portuguese magnifies the Messias to come, comforts their Captivity, and rails at Christ.

They have a kind of Cupboard to represent the Tabernacle, wherein they lay the Tables of the Law, which now and then they take out and kiss ; they sing many Tunes, and Adonai they make the ordinary Name of God : Jehovah is pro- nounced at high Festivals ; at Circumcision Boys are put to sing some of David's Psalms so loud as drowns the Infant's Cry. The Synagogue is hung about with Glass-Lamps burning; every one at his entrance puts on a Linen-Cope, first kissing it, else they use no manner of reverence all the while ; their Elders sometimes fall together by the Ears in the very Synagogue, and with the holy Utensils, as Candlesticks, Incense-pans, and such like, break one another's Pates.

Women are not allowed to enter the Synagogue, but they sit in a Gallery without; for they hold they have not so divine a Soul as Men, and are of a lower Creation, made only for sensual Pleasure and Propagation.

Among the Mahometans there is no Jew capable of a Turkish habit, unless he acknowledge Christ as much as Turks do, which is^ to have been a great Prophet, where- of they hold there are three only, Moses, Christy and Mahomet.

Thus, my Lord, to perform your commands, which are very prevalent with me, have I couch'd in this Letter what I could of the Condition of the Jews ; and if it may give your Lordship any satisfaction, I have my reward abun- dantly

Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 317

dantly. So I rest — Your Lordship's most humble and ready Servant, J. H.

Westm., 3 of June 1633.

XV.

To Mr. Philip Warrick, at Paris. SIR,

YOUR last to me was in French of the first current, and I am glad you are come so safe from Swisser- and to Paris ; as also that you are grown so great a Pro- ficient in the Language. I thank you for the variety of News you sent me so handsomely couch'd and knit together.

To correspond with you, the greatest News we have here is, that we have a gallant Fleet-Royal ready to set to Sea, for the Security of our Coast and Commerce, and for the Sovereignty of our Seas. Hans said, the King of England was asleep all this while, but now he is awake ; nor do I hear doth your French Cardinal tamper any longer with our King's Title and Right to the Dominion of the Narrow- Seas. These are brave Fruits of the Ship- money.

I hear that the Infante- Cardinal having been long upon his way to Brussels, hath got a notable Victory of the Swedes at Nordlinghen, where 8000 were slain, Gustavus Horn, and others of the prime Commanders taken Prisoners. They write also, that Monsieur's Marriage with Madame of Lorain was solemnly celebrated at Brussels; she had followed him from Nancy in Page's Apparel, because there were Forces in the way. It must needs be a mighty Charge to the King of Spain, to maintain Mother and Son in this manner.

The Court affords little News at present, but that there is a Love call'd Platonick Love, which much sways there of late ; it is a Love abstracted from all corporeal gross Impres- sions and sensual Appetite, but consists in Contemplations and Ideas of the Mind, not in any carnal Fruition. This

Love

318 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

Love sets the Wits of the Town on work ; and they say there will be a Mask shortly of it, whereof Her Majesty and her Maids of Honour will be part.

All your Friends here in Westminster are well, and very mindful of you, but none more often than — Your most affectionate Servitor, J. H.

Westm.) sjune 1634.

XVI.

To my Brother, Mr. H. P. BROTHER,

MY Brain was o'ercast with a thick Cloud of Melan- choly, I was become a Lump of I know not what, I could scarce find any palpitation within me on the left side, when yours of the 1st of September was brought me; it had such a Virtue that it begat new Motions in me, like the Loadstone, which by its attractive occult Quality moves the dull Body of Iron, and makes it active; so dull was I then, and such a magnetic Property your Letter had to quicken me.

There is some murmuring against the Ship-money, because the Tax is indefinite ; as also by reason that it is levied upon the Country Towns, as well as Maritime ; and for that they say, Noy himself cannot shew any Record. There are also divers Patents granted, which are mutter'd at, as being no better than Monopolies: Among others, a Scotchman got one lately upon the Statute of levying twelve Pence for every Oath, which the Justices of Peace and Constables had Power to raise, and have still ; but this new Patentee is to quicken and put more life in the Law, and see it executed. He hath power to nominate one, or two, or three in some Parishes, which are to have Commission from him for this publick Service, and so they are to be exempt from bearing Office, which must needs deserve a Gratuity: And I believe this was the main drift of the Scotch Patentee, so that he intends to keep his Office in the Temple, and certainly he is like to be a mighty Gainer by it ; for who

would

Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 319

would not give a good piece of Money to be freed from bearing all cumbersome Offices? No more now, but that, with my clear love to my Sister, I rest — Your most affec- tionate Brother, J. H. Westm.) i Aug. 1633.

XVII.

To the Right Honourable the Lord Viscount Savage, at

Long-Mel ford. MY LORD,

THE old Steward of your Courts, Master Attorney- General Noy, is lately dead, nor could Tunbridge Waters do him any good : Tho' he had good matter in his Irain, he had, it seems, ill materials in his body; for his heart was shrivelled like a leather penny-purse when he was dissected, nor were his lungs sound.

Being such a Clerk in the Law, all the World wonders he left such an odd Will, which is short, and in Latin : The substance of it is, that he having bequeathed a few Legacies, and left his second Son 100 Marks a year, and 500 Pounds in Money, enough to bring him up in his Father's Profes- sion, he concludes, Reliqua meorum omnia primogenito meo Edoardo, dissipandat nee melius unquam speravi ego : I leave the rest of all my Goods to my first-born Edward, to be consum'd or scatter'd, for I never hoped better. A strange, and scarce a Christian Will, in my opinion, for it argues uncharitableness. Nor doth the World wonder less, that he should leave no Legacy to some of your Lordship's Children, considering what deep Obligations he had to your Lordship ; for I am confident he had never been Attorney- General else.

The Vintners drink Carouses of joy that he is gone, for now they are in hope to dress Meat again, and sell Tobacco, Beer, Sugar, and Faggots; which by a sullen Capricio of his, he would have restrained them from. He had his humour as other Men, but certainly he was a solid rational Man j and thoj no great Orator, yet a profound

Lawyer,

320 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

Lawyer, and no Man better vers'cl in the Records of the Tower. I heard your Lordship often say, with what infinite pains, and indefatigable study, he came to this knowledge : And I never heard a more pertinent Anagram than was made of his name, William Noy, I moil in Law. If an s be added, it may be applied to my Countryman Judge Jones, an excellent Lawyer too, and a far more genteel man, William Jones, I moile in Laws. No more now, but that I rest — Your Lordship's most humble and obliged Servitor, J. H.

Westm., i Oct. 1635.

XVIII. To the Right Hon. the Countess q/*Sunderland.

MADAM,

HERE inclos'd I send your Ladyship a Letter from the Lord Deputy of Ireland, wherein he declares, that the disposing of the Attorneyship in York, which he passed over to me, had no relation to my Lord at all ; but it was merely done out of a particular respect to me : Your Lady- ship may please to think of it accordingly, touching the Accounts.

It is now a good while the two Nephew -Princes have been here, I mean the Prince Elector and Prince Robert. The King of Sweden's death, and the late blow at Nor* linghen, hath half blasted their hopes to do any good for recovery of the Palatinate by Land : Therefore I hear of some new designs by Sea; that the one shall go to Mada- gascar, a great Island 800 miles long in the East-Indies, never yet coloniz'd by any Christian, and Capt. Bond is to be his Lieutenant; the other is to go with a considerable Fleet to the West-Indies, to seize upon some place there that may countervail the Palatinate, and Sir Henry Mervin to go with him : But I hear my Lady Elizabeth opposeth it, saying, that she will have none of her Sons to le Knights- errant. There is now professed actual enmity 'twixt France and Spain, for there was a Herald at Arms sent lately from

Paris

Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 321

Paris to Flanders, who by sound of Trumpet denounced and proclaim'd open War against the King of Spain and all his Dominions ; this Herald left and fix'd up the Defiance in all the Towns as he passed : So that whereas before the War was but collateral and auxiliary, there is now pro- claimed Hostility between them, notwithstanding that they have one another's Sisters in their beds every night. What the reason of this War is, truly, Madam, I cannot tell, unless it be reason of State, to prevent the further growth of the Spanish Monarchy : And there be multitude of examples how preventive Wars have been practised from all times. Howsoever, it is too sure that abundance of Christian blood will be spilt. So I humbly take my leave, and rest — Madam, your Ladyship's most obedient and faithful Servitor, J. H.

.) 4 June 1635.

XIX.

To the Earl of Leicester, at Penshurst. MY LORD,

I AM newly returned out of France, from a flying Journey as far as Orleans, which I made at the request of Mr. Secretary Windelank, and I hope I shall receive some fruits of it hereafter. There is yet a great resentment in many places in France, for the beheading of Montmorency, whom Henry IV. was us'd to say to be a better Gentleman than himself; for in his Colours, he carried this Motto, Dieu ayde le premier Chevalier de France: God help the first Knight of France. He died upon a Scaffold in Tholouze, in the flower of his years, at thirty-four, and hath left no Issue behind; so that noble old Family extinguished in a snuff: His Treason was very foul, having received particular Commissions from the King to make an extraordinary Levy of Men and Money in Languedoc, which he turn'd after- wards directly against the King, against whose Person he appear'd armM in open field, and in a hostile posture, for fomenting of Monsieur's Rebellion.

x The

322 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book L

The Infante Cardinal is come to Brussels at last thro5 many difficulties ; and some few days before, Monsieur made semblance to go a Hawking, and so fled to France, but left his Mother behind, who since the Arch-Dutchess's death is not so well look'd on as formerly in that Country.

Touching your Business in the Exchequer, Sir Robert Pye went with me this morning of purpose to my Lord Trea- surer about it, and told me with much earnestness and assurance, that there shall be a speedy course taken for your Lordship's satisfaction.

I delivered my Lord of Lindsey the Manuscript he lent your Lordship of his Father's Embassy to Denmark : And herewith I present your Lordship with a compleat Diary of your own late Legation, which hath cost me some toil and labour. So I rest always — Your Lordship's most humble and ready Servitor, J. H.

Westm., 19 June 1635.

XX.

To my Honoured Friend and Fa., Mr. Ben. Johnson.

FA. BEN,

BEING lately in France, and returning in a Coach from Paris to Rouen, I lighted upon the Society of a know- ing Gentleman, who related to me a choice Story, which peradventure you may make some use of in your way.

Some hundred and odd years since, there was in France one Capt. Coney, a gallant Gentleman of an ancient ex- traction, and Keeper of Coucy-Castle, which is yet standing, and in good repair. He fell in love with a young Gentle- woman, and courted her for his Wife : There was reciprocal love between them, but her Parents understanding of it, by way of prevention, they shuffled up a forc'd Match 'twixt her and one Monsieur Faiel, who was a great Heir. Capt. Coucy hereupon quitted France in discontent, and went to the Wars in Hungary against the Turk, where he receiv'd

Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 323

a mortal Wound, not far from Huda. Being carried to his lodging, he languish'd some days ; but a little before his death he spoke to an ancient Servant of his, that he had many proofs of his fidelity and truth, but now he had a great business to intrust him with, which he conjur'd him by all means to do; which was, that after his death he should get his body to be open'd, and then to take his heart out of his breast, and put it in an earthen pot to be baked to powder, then to put the powder into a handsome box, with that bracelet of hair he had worn long about his left wrist, which was a lock of Madamoiselle FaieVs Hair, and put it among the powder, together with a little note he had written with his own blood to her; and after he had given him the rites of Burial, to make all the speed he could to France, and deliver the said box to Madamoiselle Faiel. The old Servant did as his Master had commanded him, and so went to France ; and coming one day to Mons. FaieUs house, he suddenly met him with one of his Servants, and examin'd him, because he knew he was Capt. Coucy's Servant ; and finding him timorous, and faltering in his speech, he search'd him, and found the said box in his pocket, with the Note which express'd what was therein : He dismiss'd the Bearer with menaces that he should come no more near his house. Mons. Faiel going in, sent for his Cook, and delivered him the powder, charging him to make a little well-relish'd dish of it, without losing a jot of it, for it was a very costly thing; and commanded him to bring it in himself, after the last course at Supper. The Cook bringing in the dish accordingly, Mons. Faiel com- manded all to avoid the room, and began a serious discourse with his Wife, how ever since he had married her, he observed she was always melancholy, and he fear'd she was inclining to a Consumption ; therefore he had provided for her a very precious Cordial, which he was well assured would cure her : Thereupon he made her eat up the whole dish; and afterwards much importuning him to know what it was, he told her at last she had eaten Coucy's heart, and

so

324 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

so drew the box out of his pocket, and shew'd her the Note and the Bracelet. In a sudden exultation of joy, she with a far-fetch'd sigh said, This is a precious Cordial indeed ; and so lick'd the dish, saying, It is so precious, that 'tis pity to put ever any meat upon't. So she went to bed, and in the morning she was found stone dead.

This Gentleman told me that this sad story is painted in Coucy-Castle, and remains fresh to this day.

In my opinion, which veils to yours, this is choice and rich stuff for you to put upon your Loom, and make a curious Web of.

I thank you for the last regalo you gave me at your Musceum, and for the good company. I heard you cen- sur'd lately at Court, that you have lighted too foul upon Sir Inigo, and that you write with a Porcupine's quill dipt in too much gall. Excuse me that I am so free with you ; it is because I am, in no common way of Friendship — Yours,

J. H.

Westm., 3 of May 1635.

XXI.

To Captain Thomas Porter.

NOBLE CAPTAIN,

YOU are well return'd from Brussels, from attending your Brother in that noble Employment of congratu- lating the Infante Cardinal's coming thither. It was well Monsieur went a Hawking away before to France, for I think those two young Spirits would not have agreed. A French- man told me lately, that was at your Audience, that he never saw so many complete Gentlemen in his life, for the number, and in a neater equipage. Before you go to Sea, I intend to wait on you, and give you a frolick. So I am, De todas mis entranas — Yours to dispose of,

J.H.

To this I'll add the Duke of Ossuna's Compliment:

Quisiere,

Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 325

Quisiere, antique soy chico, Ser, enserville, Gigante.

Tho' of the tallest I am none you see, Yet to serve you, I would a Giant be. Westm., i Nov. 1634.

XXII.

To my Cousin, Captain Saintgeon.

NOBLE COUSIN,

THE greatest news about the Town, is of a mighty Prize that was taken lately by Peter van Heyn of Holland, who had met some straggling Ships of the Plate- Fleet, and brought them to the Texel; they speak of a Million of Crowns. I could wish you had been there to have shar'd of the Booty, which was the greatest in Money that ever was taken.

One sent me lately from Holland this Distich of Peter van Heyn, which savours a little of profaneness :

Roma sui sileat posthac miracula Petri, Petrus apud Batavos //#/•# stupenda fadt.

Let Rome no more her Peter's Wonders tell ; For Wonders, Holland's Peter bears the bell.

To this Distich was added this Anagram, which is a good one:

PETRUS HAINUS. HISPANUS RUET.

So I rest, Totus tuus — Yours whole,

J. HOWELL.

Westm.) i o July.

XXIII.

To my Lord Discount S. MY LORD,

HIS Majesty is lately returned from Scotland, having given that Nation satisfaction to their long desires,

to

326 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

to have come thither to be crown'd : I hear some mutter at Bishop Laud's carriage there, that it was too haughty and Pontifical.

Since the death of the K. of Swedeji, a great many Scotch Commanders are come over, and make a shining shew at Court ; what Trade they will take hereafter I know not, having been so inur'd to the Wars : I pray God keep us from commotions at home, 'twixt the two Kingdoms, to find them work. I hear one Col. Lesley is gone away dis- contented, because the King would not Lord him.

The old rotten D. of Bavaria, for he hath divers Issues about his body, hath married one of the Emperor's Sisters, a young Lady little above twenty, and he near upon four- score : There's another remaining, who, they say, is intended for the K. of Poland, notwithstanding his pretences to the young Lady Elizabeth ; about which, Prince Radzevill and other Ambassadors have been here lately, but that King being elective, must marry as the Estates will have him : His Mother was the Emperor's Sister, therefore sure he will not offer to marry his Cousin-German ; but 'tis no news for the House of Austria to do so, to strengthen their race. And if the Bavarian hath Male-Issue of this young Lady, the Son is to succeed him in the Electorship, which may conduce much to strengthen the continuance of the Empire in the Austrian Family. So, with a constant perseverance of my hearty desires to serve your Lordship, I rest, my Lord — Your most humble Servitor, J. H.

Westm., 7 Sept.

XXIV.

To my Cousin, Mr. Will. Saintgeon, at St. Omer. COUSIN,

I WAS lately in your Father's company, and I found him much discontented at the course you take; which he not only protests against, but he vows never to give you his blessing, if you persevere in't. I would wish you to descend

into

Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 327

into yourself, and seriously ponder what a weight a Father's blessing or curse carries with it ; for there is nothing con- duceth more to the happiness or infelicity of the Child. Among the ten Commandments in the Decalogue, that which enjoins obedience from Children to Parents hath only a benediction (of Longevity) added to it: There be Clouds of Examples for this, but one I will instance in : When I was in Valentia in Spain, a Gentleman told me of a miracle which happened in that Town, which was, that a proper young man under twenty was executed there for a crime, and before he was taken down from off the Tree, there were many grey and white hairs had budded forth of his Chin, as if he had been a man of sixty. It struck Amazement in all Men, but this interpretation was made of it, that the said young man might have liv'd to such an age, if he had been dutiful to his Parents, to whom he had been barbarously disobedient all his life-time.

There comes herewith a large Letter to you from your Father; let me advise you to conform your courses to his Counsel, otherwise it is an easy matter to be a Prophet what misfortunes will inevitably befall you, which by a timely obedience you may prevent, and I wish you may have grace to do it accordingly. So I rest — Your loving well-wishing Cousin, J. H.

Lond.t i of May 1634.

XXV.

To the Lord Deputy of Ireland. MY LORD,

THE Earl of Arundel is lately returned from Germany, and his gallant comportment in that Embassy deserv'd to have had better success: He found the Emperor con- formable, but the old Bavarian froward, who will not part with anything till he have moneys reimburs'd which he spent in these wars, and for which he hath the upper Palatinate in deposito ; insomuch, that in all probability all hopes are cut off of ever recovering that Country, but by the

same

328 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

same means that it was taken away, which was by the Sword : Therefore they write from Holland of a new Army, which the Prince Palatine is like to have shortly, to go up to Germany, and push on his fortunes with the Swedes.

The French King hath taken Nancy, and almost all Lo- rainy lately ; but he was forc'd to put a Fox-tail to the Lion's skin, which his Cardinal helped him to, before he could do the work. The quarrel is, that the Duke should marry his Sister to Monsieur, contrary to promise; that he sided with the Imperialists against his Confederates in Germany, that he neglected to do homage for the Dutchy of Bar.

My Lord Viscount Savage is lately dead, who is very much lamented by all that knew him ; I could have wish'd, had it pleas'd God, that his Father-in-law, who is riper for the other world, had gone before him : So I rest — Your Lord- ship's most humble and ready Servitor, J. H.

Wcstm., 6 Apr.

XXVI.

To his honoured Friend, Mistress C., at her House in Essex.

* I ^HERE was no sorrow sunk deeper into me a great X while, than that which I conceiv'd upon the death of my dear Friend your Husband : The last office I could do him, was to put him in his grave ; and I am sorry to have met others there (who had better means to come in a Coach, with six horses than I) in so mean equipage, to perform the last act of respect to so worthy a Friend. I have sent you herewith an Elegy, which my melancholy Muse hath breath'd out upon his Herse. I shall be very careful about the Tomb you intend him, and will think upon an Epitaph. I pray present my respects to Mrs. Anne Mayne. So, wish- ing you all comfort and contentment, I rest — Yours most ready to be commanded, J. H.

Land., 5 March.

XXVII.

Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 329

XXVII.

To Mr. James Howard, upon his Banish'd Virgin, translated

out of Italian. SIR,

I RECEIVED the Manuscript you sent me, and being a little curious to compare it with the Original, I find the Version to be every exact and faithful : So according to your friendly request I have sent you this Decastich.

Some hold Translations not unlike to be

The wrong-side of a Turkey Tapistry ;

Or Wine drawn off the Lees, which fill1 d in Flask,

Lose somewhat of their strength they had in Cask.

'Tis true, each Language hath an Idiom, Which in another coucKd comes not so home : Yet I ne'er saw a Piece from Venice come, Had fewer thrums set on our Country Loom. This Wine is still un-ear'd, and brisk, the? put Out <?/ Italian Cask in English Butt.

Upon your Eromena.

Fair Eromena in her Toscan tyre

I viewed, and UKd the fashion wondrous well ;

But in this English habit I admire,

That still in her the same good grace may dwell:

So I have seen trans-A\p'm Cions grow, And bear rare fruit, removed to Thames from Po.

— Your true Servitor and Compatriot, J. H.

Lond., 6 Oct. 1632.

XXVIII.

To Edward Noy, Esq. ; at Paris. SIR,

IRECEIV'D one of yours lately, and I am glad to find the delight that Travel begins to instil into you. My Lord Ambassador Aston reckons upon you, that you will be one of his Train at his first Audience in Madrid, to my knowledge he hath put by some Gentlemen of quality: Therefore I pray let not that dirty Town of Paris

detain

330 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

detain you too long from your intended journey to Spam, for I make account my Lord Aston will be there a matter of two months hence. So I rest — Your most affectionate Servitor, J. H.

Land., 5 May 1633.

XXIX.

To the Rt. Hon. Sir Peter Wichs, Lord Ambassador at

Constantinople. MY LORD,

IT seems there is some angry Star that hath hung over this business of the Palatinate from the beginning of these German Wars to this very day, which will too evi- dently appear, if one should mark and deduce matters from their first rise.

You may remember how poorly Prague was lost : The Bishop of Halverstadt and Count Mansfelt shuffled up and down a good while, and did great matters, but all came to nothing at last. You may remember how one of the Ships- Royal was cast away in carrying over the last; and the 12,000 men he had hence perish'd many of them very miserably; and he himself, as they write, died in a poor Hostrey with one Lacquey, as he was going to Venice to a Bank of Money he had stor'd up there for a dead lift. Your Lordship knows what success the K. of Denmark had (and our 6000 men under Sir Cha. Morgan), for while he thought to make new acquests, he was in hazard to lose all that he had, had not he had favourable Propositions tendred him. There were never poor Christians perish'd more lamentably than those 6000 we sent under M. Hamilton for the assist- ance of the K. of Sweden, who did much, but you know what became of him at last ; how disastrously the Prince Palatine himself fell, and in what an ill conjuncture of time, being upon the very point of being restor'd to his Country.

But now we have as bad news as any we had yet ; for the young Prince Palatine, and his Brother Pr. Robert, having got a jolly considerable Army in Holland, to try their fortunes

in

Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 331

in Germany with the Swedes, they had advanc'd as far as Munsterland and Westphalia, and having lain before Lengua, they were forc'd to raise the siege : And one General Hatz- Jield pursuing them, there was a sore battle fought, wherein Prince Robert, my Lord Craven, and others, were taken Prisoners. The Prince Palatine himself, with Major King, thinking to get over the Weser in a Coach, the water being deep, and not fordable, he sav'd himself by the help of a willow; and so went a-foot all the way to Munden, the Coach and the Coachman being drown'd in the River. There were near upon 2000 slain on the Palsgrave's side, and scarce the twentieth part so many on Hatzfield's. Major Gots, one of the chief Commanders, was kill'd.

I am sorry I must write to you this sad story; yet to countervail it something, Saxen Weymar thrives well, and is like to get Brisac by help of the French forces. All your friends here are well, and remember your Lordship often, but none more oft than — Your most humble and ready Servitor, J. H.

Lond.y $Jun. 1635.

XXX.

To Sir Sackvil C., Knight. SIR,

I WAS as glad that you have lighted upon so excellent a Lady, as if an Astronomer by his Opticks had found out a new Star; and if a Wife be the best or worst fortune of a man, certainly you are one of the fortunatest men in this Island.

The greatest news I can write to you is, of a bloody Banquet that was lately at Liege, where a great Faction was a fomenting 'twixt the Imperialists and those that were devoted to France, amongst whom one, Ruelle, a popular Burg-Master, was chief. The Count of Warfuzte, a Vassal of the K. of Spain's, having fled thither from Flanders for some offence, to ingratiate himself against the K. of Spain's favour, invited the said Ruelle to a Feast, and after brought

him

332 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book L

him into a private Chamber, where he had provided a ghostly Father to confess him ; and so some of the Soldiers whom he had provided before to guard the House, dispatchM the Burg-Master. The Town hearing this, broke into the house, cut to pieces the said Count, with some of his Soldiers, and draggM his body up and down the streets. You know such a fate befell Waist ein in Germany of late years, who having got all the Emperor's Forces into his hands, was found to have intelligence with the Swedes; therefore the Imperial Ban was not only pronounc'd against him, but a reward promis'd to any that should dispatch him : Some of the Emperor's Soldiers at a great Wedding in Egra, of which Band of Soldiers Col. Buttler, an Irishman, was chief, broke into his lodging when he was at dinner, kill'd him, with three Commanders more that were at Table with him, and threw his body out at a window into the streets.

I hear Buttler is made since Count of the Empire. So, humbly kissing your noble Lady's hand, I rest — Your faith- ful Servitor, J. H.

Lend, $Jun. 1634.

XXXI.

To Dr. Duppa, L. B. of Chichester, His Highnesses Tutor

at St. James. MY LORD,

IT is a well-becoming and very worthy work you are about, not to suffer Mr. Ben. Johnson to go so silently to his grave, or rot so suddenly : Being newly come to Town, and understanding that your Johnsonus Pirlius was in the Press, upon the solicitation of Sir Thomas Hawkins, I suddenly fell upon the ensuing Decastic, which if your Lordship please, may have room among the rest.

Upon my honoured Friend and R, Mr. Ben. lohnson.

ND is thy Glass run out, is that oil spent

Which light to such strong sinewy Labours lent ? Well Ben, I now perceive that all the Nine, Tho' they their utmost forces should combine,

Cannot

A

Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 333

Cannot prevail 'gainst Nighfs three daughters, but One still must spin, one «//>/</, the other cut. Yet in despite of distaff, clue, and knife, Thou in thy strenuous Lines hast got a Light, Which like thy Bays shall flourish ev'ry age, While sock or buskin shall attend the Stage.

Sic vaticinatur Hoellus.

So I rest, with many devoted respects to your Lordship, as being — Your very humble Servitor, J. H.

Lond., i of May 1636.

XXXII.

To Sir Ed. B., Knight. SIR,

I RECEIVED yours this Maundy-Thursday : And where- as among other passages, and high endearments of love, you desire to know what method I observe in the exercise of my devotions, I thank you for your request, which I have reason to believe doth proceed from an extra- ordinary respect to me ; and I will deal with you herein, as one should do with his Confessor.

'Tis true, tho' there be Rules and Kubricks in our Liturgy sufficient to guide every one in the performance of all holy duties, yet I believe every one hath some mode and model or formulary of his own, specially for his private cubicular devotions.

I will begin with the last day of the week, and with the latter end of that day, I mean Saturday evening, on which I have fasted ever since I was a youth in Venice, for being deliver'd from a very great danger. This year I use some extraordinary acts of devotion, to usher in the ensuing Sunday, in Hymns, and various Prayers of my own penning, before I go to bed. On Sunday morning I rise earlier than upon other days, to prepare myself for the sanctifying of it ; nor do I use Barber, Tailor, Shoe-maker, or any other Mechanick that morning; and whatsoever diversions or lets may hinder me the week before, I never miss, but in

case

334

FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

case of sickness, to repair to God's holy House that day, where I come before prayers begin, to make myself fitter for the work by some previous meditations, and to take the whole Service along with me; nor do I love to mingle speech with any in the interim, about news or worldly negotiations in God's holy House. I prostrate myself in the humblest and decentest way of genuflection I can im- agine; nor do I believe there can be any excess of exterior humility in that place ; therefore I do not like those squat- ting unseemly bold postures upon one's tail, or muffling the face in the hat, or thrusting it in some hole, or covering it with one's hand ; but with bended knee, and in open confident face, I fix my eyes on the east part of the Church, and Heaven. I endeavour to apply every tittle of the Service to my own Conscience and Occasions ; and I believe the want of this, with the huddling up and careless reading of some Ministers, with the Commoness of it, is the greatest cause that many do undervalue, and take a surfeit of our publick Service.

For the reading and singing Psalms, whereas most of them are either Petitions or eucharistical Ejaculations, I listen to them more attentively, and make them my own. When I stand at the Creed, I think upon the custom they have in Poland, and elsewhere, for Gentlemen to draw their Swords all the while, intimating thereby, that they will de- fend it with their lives and blood. And for the Decalogue, whereas others use to rise, and sit, I ever kneel at it in the humblest and trembling'st posture of all, to crave remission for the breaches pass'd of any of God's holy Commandments (especially the week before), and future grace to observe them.

I love a holy devout Sermon, that first checks, and then cheers the Conscience ; that begins with the Law, and ends with the Gospel : But I never prejudicate or censure any Preacher, taking him as I find him.

And now that we are not only adulted but ancient Christians, I believe the most acceptable Sacrifice we can

send

Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 335

send up to Heaven, is Prayer and Praise ; and that Sermons are not so essential as either of them to the true practice of devotion. The rest of the holy Sabbath, I sequester my body and mind as much as I can from worldly affairs.

Upon Monday morn, as soon as the Cinque-Ports are open, I have a particular prayer of thanks, that I am repriev'd to the beginning of that week ; and every day following I knock thrice at Heaven's-gate, in the Morning, in the Evening, and at Night ; besides prayers at meals, and some other occasional ejaculations, as upon the putting on of a clean Shirt, washing my hands, and at lighting of Candles ; which because they are sudden, I do in the third Person. \

Tuesday morning I rise Winter and Summer as soon as I awake, and send up a more particular Sacrifice for some reasons; and as I am dispos'd, or have business, I go to bed again.

Upon Wednesday night I always fast, and perform also some extraordinary acts of devotion, as also upon Friday night ; and Saturday morning, as soon as my senses are unlock'd, I get up. And in the Summer-time, I am often- times abroad in some private field, to attend the Sun- rising: And as I pray thrice every day, so I fast thrice every week ; at least I eat but one meal upon Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, in regard I am jealous with myself, to have more infirmities to answer for than others.

Before I go to bed, I make a scrutiny what peccant humours have reign'd in me that day ; and so I reconcile myself to my Creator, and strike a tally in the Exchequer of Heaven for my quietus estt ere I close my eyes, and leave no burden upon my Conscience.

Before I presume to take the holy Sacrament, I use some extraordinary acts of humiliation to prepare myself some days before, and by doing some deeds of Charity; and commonly I compose some new Prayers, and divers of them written in my own blood.

I use not to rush rashly into prayer without a trembling

precedent

336 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

precedent Meditation ; and if any odd thoughts intervene, and grow upon me, I check myself, and recommence : And this is incident to long Prayers, which are more sub- ject to Man's weakness, and the Devil's malice.

I thank God I have this fruit of my foreign Travels, that I can pray to him every day of the week in a several Lan- guage, and upon Sundayin seven, which in Oraisonsof my own I punctually perform in my private pomeridian devotions.

Et sic ceternam contendo attingere vitam.

By these steps I strive to climb up to Heaven, and my Soul prompts me I shall go thither ; for there is no object in the world delights me more than to cast up my eyes that way, specially in a Star-light night : And if my mind be overcast with any odd clouds of melancholy, when I look up and behold that glorious Fabrick, which I hope shall be my Country hereafter, there are new spirits begot in me presently, which make me scorn the World, and the pleasures thereof, considering the vanity of the one, and the inanity of the other.

Thus my Soul still moves Eastward, as all the heavenly Bodies do ; but I must tell you, that as those Bodies are over-master'd, and snatch'd away to the West, raptu primi molilis, by the general motion of the tenth Sphere, so by those epidemical infirmities which are incident to man, I am often snatch'd away a clean contrary course, yet my Soul persists still in her own proper motion. I am often at variance, and angry with myself (nor do I hold this anger to be any breach of charity) when I consider, that whereas my Creator intended this Body of mine, tho' a lump of Clay, to be a Temple of his Holy Spirit, my affec- tions should turn it often to a Brothel-house, my passions to a Bedlam, and my excesses to an Hospital.

Being of a Lay-profession, I humbly conform to the Constitutions of the Church, and my spiritual Superiors; and I hold this Obedience to be an acceptable Sacrifice to God.

Difference

Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 337

Difference in opinion may work a disaffection in me, but not a detestation ; I rather pity than hate Turk or Infidel, for they are of the same metal, and bear the same stamp as I do, tho* the Inscriptions differ: If I hate any, 'tis those Schismaticks that puzzle the sweet peace of our Church, so that I could be content to see an Anabaptist go to Hell on a Brownist's back.

Noble Knight, now that I have thus eviscerated myself, and dealt so clearly with you, I desire by way of correspon- dence that you would tell me, what way you take in your journey to Heaven : For if my breast lie so open to you, 'tis not fitting yours should be shut up to me; therefore I pray let me hear from you when it may stand with your Convenience.

So I wish you your heart's desire here, and Heaven hereafter, because I am — Yours in no vulgar way of friendship, J. H.

Lond., 25 July 1635.

XXXIII.

To Simon Digby, Esq. ; at Mosco, the Emperor of

Russia's Court. SIR,

IRECEIV'D one of yours by Mr. Pickhurst, and I am glad to find that the rough clime of Russia agrees so well with you ; so well, as you write, as the Catholic Ayr of Madridj or the Imperial Ayr of Vienna, where you had such honourable employments.

The greatest news we have here is, that we have a Bishop Lord-Treasurer; and 'tis news indeed in these times, tho* 'twas no news you know in the times of old to have a Bishop Lord-Treasurer of England. I believe he was merely passive in this business ; the active instrument that put the white Staff in his hands was the Metropolitan at Lambeth.

I have other news also to tell you ; we have a brave new Ship, a Royal Galeon, the like they say did never spread Sail upon salt Water, take her true and well-compacted

Y Symmetry,

338 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

Symmetry, with all dimensions together : For her burden, she hath as many Tuns as there were years since the In- carnation when she was built, which are 1636; she is in length 127 Foot, her greatest breadth within the Planks is 46 Foot, and 6 Inches; her depth from the breadth is 19 Foot, and 4 Inches : She carrieth 100 Pieces of Ordnance wanting four, whereof she hath three tyre ; half a score Men may stand in her Lantern ; the charges His Majesty hath been at in the building of her are computed to be <^P8o,ooo, one whole year's Ship-money : Sir Rolert Mansel launched her, and by His Majesty's command call'd her The Sovereign of the Sea. Many would have had her to be nam'd the Edgar, who was one of the most famous Saxon Kings this Island had, and the most potent at Sea. Ranul- phus Cestrensis writes, that he had 400 Ships, which every year after Easter went out in four Fleets to scour the Coasts. Another Author writes, that he had four Kings to row him once upon the Dee. But the Title he gave him- self was a notable lofty one, which was this, Alti-tonantis Dei largiflua dementia qui est Rex Regum, Ego Edgarus Anglorum Basileus, omnium Regum, Insularum, Oceanique Britanniam drcumjacentis, cunctarumque Nationum quce infra earn induduntur, Imperator & Dominus, &c. I do not think your grand Emperor of Russia hath a loftier Title ; I con- fess the Sophy of Persia hath a higher one, tho5 profane and ridiculous, in comparison of this ; for he calls himself The Star high and mighty, whose Head is covered with the Sun, whose motion is comparable to the ethereal Firmament, Lord of the Mountains Caucasus and Taurus, of the four Rivers Euphrates, Tygris, Araxis, and Indus ; Bud of Honour, the Mirror of Virtue, Rose of Delight, and Nutmeg of Comfort. It is a huge descent, methinks, to begin with a Star and end in a Nutmeg.

All your Friends here in Court and City are well, and often mindful of you, with a world of good wishes; and you cannot be said to be out of England as long as you live in so many noble memories : Touching mine, you have a

large

Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 339

large room in it, for you are one of my chief inmates. So, with my humble Service to your Lady, I rest — Your most faithful Servitor, while J. H.

Lond., i July 1635.

XXXIV.

To Dr. Tho : Prichard. DEAR DR.,

I HAVE now had too long a supersedeas from employment, having engaged myself to a fatal Man at Court (by his own seeking) who I hoped, and had reason to expect (for I wav'd all other ways) that he would have been a Scale towards my rising, but he hath rather proved an Instrument towards my ruin : It may be he will prosper accordingly.

I am shortly bound for Ireland, and it may be the Stars will cast a more benign Aspect upon me in the West ; you know who got the Persian Empire by looking that way for the first beams of the Sun-rising, rather than towards the East.

My Lord Deputy hath made often professions to do me a pleasure, and I intend now to put him upon't.

I purpose to pass by the Bath for a Pain I have in my Arm, proceeding from a defluction of Rheum ; and then I will take Brecknock in my way, to comfort my Sister Penry, who I think hath lost one of the best Husbands in all the thirteen Shires of Wales.

So, with apprecation of all happiness to you, I rest — Yours, while J. H.

Lond., 10 Feb. 1637.

XXXV.

To Sir Kenelm Digby, Knight, from Bath. SIR,

"\7OUR being then in the Country, when I began my Jour- JL ney for Ireland, was the cause I could not kiss your hands ; therefore I shall do now from Bath what I should have done at London.

Being

34O FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book /,

Being here for a distillation of Rheum that pains me in one of my Arms, and having had about three thousand strokes of a pump upon me in the Queen's Bath ; and having been here now divers days, and view'd the several quali- ties of these Waters, I fell to contemplate a little what should be the reason of such extraordinary actual heat, and medicinal Virtue in them. I have seen and read of divers Baths abroad, as those of Caldanel and Avinian in agro Senensiy the Grotta in Vierlio, those between Naples and Puteolum in Campania ; and I have been a little curious to know the reason of those rare lymphatical properties in them above other Waters. I find that some impute it to Wind, or Air, or some Exhalations shut up in the Bowels of the Earth, which either by their own nature, or by their violent motion and agitation, or attrition upon rocks, and narrow passages, do gather heat, and so impart it to the Waters.

Others attribute this balneal heat to the Sun, whose all- searching Beams penetrating the pores of the Earth, do heat the Waters.

Others think this heat to proceed from quick-lime, which by common experience we find to heat any Waters cast upon't, and also to kindle any combustible substance put upon it.

Lastly, There are some that ascribe this heat to a subter- ranean fire kindled in the Bowels of the Earth, upon sulphury and bituminous matter.

'Tis true, all these may be general concurring causes, but not the adequate, proper, and peculiar reason of lalneal heats; and herein truly our learned Countryman Dr. Jordan hath got the start of any that ever writ of this subject, and goes to work like a solid Philosopher : For having treated of the generation of Minerals, he finds that they have their Seminaries in the Womb of the Earth replenished with active spirits; which meeting with apt matter and adjuvant causes, do proceed to the generation of several species, according to the nature of the efficient, and fitness of the

matter.

Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 341

matter. In this work of generation, as there is generatio unins, so there is corruptio alterius ; and this cannot be done without a superior power, which by moisture dilateth itself, works upon the matter like a leav'ning and ferment, to bring it to its own purpose.

This motion 'twixt the agent spirit and patient matter produceth an actual heat : For motion is the fountain of heat, which serves as an instrument to advance the work ; for as cold dulls, so heat quickeneth all things. Now for the nature of this heat, it is not a destructive violent heat, as that of fire, but a generative gentle heat join'd with moisture, nor needs it air for eventilation. This natural heat is daily observed by digging in the Mines; so then while Minerals are thus engendring, and in solutis principiis, in their liquid forms, and not consolidated into hard bodies (for then they have not that virtue), they impart heat to the neighbouring Waters. So then it may be concluded, that this Soil about the Bath is a mineral vein of Earth ; and the fermenting gentle temper of generative heat that goes to the production of the said Minerals, doth impart and actually communicate this lalneal virtue and medicinal heat to these Waters.

This subject of Mineral IVaters would afford an Ocean of Matter, were one to compile a solid discourse of it: And I pray excuse me, that I have presum'd in so narrow a com- pass as a Letter to comprehend so much, which is nothing, I think, in comparison of what you know already of this matter.

So I take my leave, and humbly kiss your hands, being always — Your most faithful add ready servitor, J. H.

Bath, 3/ufy 1638.

XXXVI.

To Sir Ed. Savage, Knight, at Tower-hill. SIR,

JAM come safely to Dublin, over an angry boisterous Sea; whether 'twas my voyage on salt Water, or

change

342 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

change of Air, being now under another clime, which was the cause of it, I know not, but I am suddenly freed of the pain in my Arm, when neither Bath nor Plaisters, and other Remedies, could do me good.

I delivered your Letter to Mr. James Dillon, but nothing can be done in that business till your Brother Pain comes to Town : I met him with divers of my Northern Friends, whom I knew at York. Here is a most splendid Court kept at the Castle, and except that of the Vice-roy of Naples, I have not seen the like in Christendom; and in one point of Grandeza, the Lord-Deputy here goes beyond him, for he can confer Honours, and dub Knights, which that Vice-roy cannot, or any other I know of. Traffick increaseth here wonderfully, with all kind of Bravery and Building.

I made an humble motion to my Lord, that in regard businesses of all sorts did multiply here daily, and that there was but one Clerk of the Council (Sir Paul Davis) who was able to dispatch business (Sir Will Usher , his Colleague, being very aged and bed-rid), his Lordship would please to think of me : My Lord gave me an Answer full of good respect, to succeed Sir William after his death.

No more now, but with my most affectionate respects unto you, I rest — Your faithful Servitor, J. H.

Diiblin, 3 May 1639.

M

XXXVII.

To Dr. Usher, Lord Primate oj- Ireland.

AY it please your Grace to accept of my most humble Acknowledgment for those noble Favours I received at Drogheda ; and that you pleas' d to communicate to me those rare Manuscripts in so many Languages, and divers choice Authors in your Library.

Your learned Work, De primordiis Ecclesiarum Britan- nicarum, which you pleas'd to send me, I have sent to England; and so it shall be convey'd to Jesus-College in Oxford, as a gift from your Grace.

I

Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 343

I hear that Cardinal Barlerino, one of the Pope's Nephews, is setting forth the Works of Fastidius, a British Bishop, call'd De vita Christiana. It was written 300 years after our Saviour, and Hoist enius hath the care of the Impression.

I was lately looking for a word in Suidas, and I lighted upon a strange passage in the name 'Jfyo-ot}?, that in the Reign of Justinian the Emperor, one Theodosius, a Jew, a Man of great Authority, liv'd in Jerusalem, with whom a rich Goldsmith, who was a Christian, was much in favour, and very familiar : The Goldsmith, in private discourse, told him one day that he wonder d, he being a Man of such a great understanding, did not turn Christian, considering how he found all the Prophecies of the Law so evidently accomplished in our Saviour, and our Saviour's Prophecies accomplish' d since. Theodosius answer'd, that it did not stand with his security and continuance in Authority to turn Christian, but he had a long time a good opinion of that Religion, and he would discover a secret to him which was not yet come to the know- ledge of any Christian. It was, that when the Temple was founded in Jerusalem, there were twenty-two Priests, accord- ing to the number of the Hebrew Letters, to officiate in the Temple ; and when any was chosen, his Name, with his Father and Mother's, were us'd to be register'd in a fair Book. In the time of Christ a Priest died, and he was chosen in his place; but when his name was to be entered, his father Joseph being dead, his Mother was sent for, who being ask'd who was his Father ? she answer'd, that she never knew Man, but that she conceived by an Angel : So his name was register'd in these words, JESUS CHRIST THE SON OF GOD, AND OF THE VIRGIN MARY. This Record at the destruction of the Temple was preserv'd, and is to be seen in Tyberias to this day. I humbly desire your Grace's opinion hereof in your next.

They write to me from England of rare news in France, which is, that the Queen is delivered of a Dauphin, the wonderful'st thing of this kind that any Story can parallel ; for this is the three and twentieth year since she was

married,

344

FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

married, and hath continued childless all this while; So that now Monsieur's cake is dough, and I believe he will be more quiet hereafter. So I rest,— Your Grace's most devoted Servitor, J- H.

Dublin, i Mar. 1639.

XXXVIII.

To my Lord Clifford, from Edenburgh. MY LORD,

I HAVE seen now all the King of Great Britain's Dominions; and he is a good traveller that has seen all his Dominions. I was born in Wales, I have been in all the four corners of England, I have travers'd the Diameter of France more than once, and now I come thro' Ireland into this Kingdom of Scotland. This Town of Edinburgh is one of the fairest Streets that ever I saw (excepting that of Palermo in Sicily) ; it is about a Mile long, coming sloping down from the Castle (call'd of old the Castle of Virgins, and, by Pliny, Castrum alatum) to Holy-Rood-House, now the Royal Palace ; and these two begin and terminate the Town. I am come hither in a very convenient time, for here's a National Assembly, and a Parliament, my Lord Traquair being His Majesty's Commissioner. The Bishops are all gone to wrack, and they have had but a sorry Funeral ; the very Name is grown so contemptible, that a black Dog, if he hath any white marks about him, is call'd Bishop. Our Lord of Canterbury is grown here so odious, that they call him commonly in the Pulpit The Priest of Baal, and the Son of Belial.

I'll tell your Lordship of a passage which happen'd lately in my Lodging, which is a Tavern : I had sent for a Shoe- maker to make me a pair of Boots, and my Landlord, who is a pert smart Man, brought up a choppin of White Wine (and, for this particular, there are better French Wines here than in England, and cheaper ; for they are but a groat a quart, and it is a crime of a high nature to mingle or sophisticate any Wine here). Over this choppin of White

Wine,

Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 345

Wine, my Vintner and Shoe-maker fell into a hot dispute about Bishops: The Shoe-maker grew very furious, and call'd them the Firebrands of Hell, the Panders of the Whore of Babylon, and the Instruments of the Devil; and that they were of his Institution, not of Gods. My Vintner took him up smartly, and said, Hold, Neighbour, there : Do not you know as well as I that Titus and Timothy were Bishops? That our Saviour is entitled The Bishop of our Souls ? That the ivord Bishop is as frequently mentioned in Scripture, as the name Pastor, Elder, or Deacon ? Then why do you inveigh so Utterly against them ? The Shoe-maker answer'd, / know the Name and Office to be good, but they have abused it. My Vintner replies, Well then, you are a Shoe-maker by your profession; imagine that you, or a hundred, or a thousand, or a hundred thousand of your Trade, shall play the knaves, and sell Calfskin-leather Boots for Neats- leather, or do other cheats ; must we therefore go barefoot ? Must the gentle Craft of Shoe-makers fall therefore to the ground f It is the fault of the Men, not of the Calling. The Shoe-maker was so gravell'd at this, that he was put to his Last ; for he had not a word more to say : So my Vintner got the day.

There is a fair Parliament-House built here lately, and 'twas hoped His Majesty would have ta'en the Maiden-head of it, and come hither to sit in Person ; and they did ill who advis'd him otherwise.

I am to go hence shortly back to Dublin, and so to London, where I hope to find your Lordship, that according to my accustomed boldness, I may attend you. In the interim I rest — Your Lordship's most humble Servitor,

J.H.

Edinburgh^ 1639.

XXXIX.

To Sir K. Digby, Knight. SIR,

I THANK you for the good opinion you please to have of my fancy of Trees : It is a maiden one, and not

blown

346 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

blown upon by any one yet : But for the merits you please to ascribe to the Author, I utterly disclaim any, 'specially in that proportion you please to give them me. ;Tis you that have parts enough to complete a whole Jury of Men. Those small perquisites that I have, are thrust up into a little narrow Lolly; but those Perfections that beautify your noble Soul, have a spacious Palace to walk in, more sumptuous than either the Louvre, Seralio, or Escurial. So I most affectionately kiss your hands, being always — Your most faithful Servitor, J. H.

Westm., 3 Dec. 1639.

XL.

To Sir Sackvill Crow, His Majesty's Ambassador at the Post of Constantinople.

RIGHT HONOURABLE SIR,

THE greatest News we have here now, is a notable naval Fight that was lately 'twixt the Spaniard and Hollander, in the Downs ; but to make it more intelligible, I will deduce the Business from the beginning.

The King of Spain had provided a great Fleet of Galeons, whereof the Vice-Admirals of Naples and Portugal were two (whereof he had sent advice to England long before). The design was to meet with the French Fleet, under the com- mand of the Archbishop of Bourdeaux; and in default of that, to land some Treasure at Dunkirk, with a recruit of Spaniards who were grown very thin in Flanders. These Recruits were got by an odd trick ; for some of the Fleet being at St. Anderas, a report was blown up of purpose, that the French were upon the Coasts : Hereupon all the young Men of the Country came to the Sea-side, and so a great number of them were tumbled a Shipboard, and so they set sail towards the Coasts of France-, but the Archbishop, it seems, had drawn in his Fleet. Then striking into the narrow Seas, they met with a Fleet of about sixteen Hol- landers, whereof they sunk and took two, and the rest got

away

Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 347

away to Holland, to give an alarm to the States, who in less than a month got together a Fleet of about one hundred sail ; and the Wind being a long time Easterly, they came into the Downs, where Don Antonio d'Oquendo, the Spanish Admiral, had stay'd for them all the while. Sir John Penington was then abroad with seven of His Majesty's Ships: And Don Antonio being daily warn'd what Forces were preparing in Zealand and Holland, and so advis'd to get over to the Flemish Coasts in the interim, with a haughty spirit he answered, Tengo de quedarme aqui para castigar estos Rebeldes : I will stay here to chastise these Rebels. There were ten more of His Majesty's Ships appointed to go join with Sir John Penington, to observe the .motions of those Fleets ; but the Wind continuing still East, they could not get out of the River.

The Spanish Fleet had fresh Water, Victuals, and other necessaries, from our Coasts, for their Money, according to the Capitulations of Peace, all this while; at last, being half surprized by a cloud of Hollanders consisting of 114 Ships, they launched out from our Coasts, and a most furious fight began, our Ships having retir'd hard by all the while.

The Vice-Admiral of Portugal, a famous Sea-Captain, Don Lope de Hozes, was engag'd in close fight with the Vice-Admiral of Holland, and after many tough Rencoun- ters they were both blown up, and burnt together. At last, night came and parted the rest; but six Spanish Ships were taken, and about twenty of the Hollanders perish'd. Oquen- do then cross'd over to Nardic, and so back to Spain, where he died before he came to the Court : And 'tis thought, had he liv'd, he had been question'd for some Miscarriages ; for if he had suffered the Dunkirkers, who are nimbler, and more fit for fight, to have had the Van, and dealt with the Hollander, 'tis thought Matters might have gone better with him ; but his Ambition was, that the great Spanish Galeons should get the glory of the day.

The Spaniards give out that they had the better, in

regard

348 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

regard they did the main work ; for Oquendo had convey'd all his recruits and treasure to Flanders, while he lay hover- ing on our Coasts.

One thing is herein very observable, what a mighty navi- gable Power the Hollander is come to, that in so short a compass of time he could appear with such a numerous Fleet of 114 Sail of Men of War, in such a perfect equipage.

The times afford no more at present; therefore, with a tender of my most humble Service to my noble Lady, and my thankful acknowledgment for those great Favours, which my Brother Edward writes to me he hath receiv'd from your Lordship in so singular a manner at that Port, desiring you would still oblige me with a continuance of them, I rest, among those multitudes you have left behind you in England — Your Lordship's most faithful Servitor,

J.H.

Lond., 3 Aug. 1639.

XLI.

To Sir J. M., Knight. SIR,

I HEAR that you begin to How the Coal, and offer Sacrifice to Demogorgon, the God of Minerals: Be well advis'd before you engage yourself too deep ; Chymistry I know, by a little experience, is wonderful pleasing for the trial of so many rare conclusions it carries with it, but withal, 'tis costly and an enchanting kind of thing ; for it hath melted many a fair Manor in Crucibles, and turn'd them to smoke. One presented Sixtus Quintus (Sice-cinq, as Q. Elizabeth call'd him) with a Book of Chymistry, and the Pope gave him an empty Purse for a Reward.

There be few whom Mercury, the father of Miracles, doth favour : The Queen of Shela and the King crown'd with Fire are not propitious to many : He that hath Water turn'd to Ashes, hath the Magistery, and the true Philoso- pher's Stone ; there be few of those : There be some that

commit

Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 349

commit Fornication in Chymistry, by heterogeneous and so- phistical Citrinations ; but they never come to the Phoenix Nest.

I know you have your share of Wisdom, therefore I con- fess it a presumption in me to give you Counsel. So I rest — Your most faithful Servitor, J. H.

Westm., i Feb. 1638.

XLII.

To Simon Digby, Esq. ; at the gran Mosco in Russia.

SIR,

I RETURN you many thanks for your last of the first of June, and that you acquaint me with the State of things in that Country.

I doubt not but you have heard long since of the revolt of Catalonia from the K. of Spain ; it seems the sparkles of those Fires are flown to Portugal, and put that Country also in combustion. The D. of Braganza, whom you may well remember about the Court of Spain, is now King of Portugal, by the Name of El Rey Don Juan; and he is generally obey'd, and quietly settled, as if he had been King these twenty years there; for the whole Country fell suddenly to him, not one Town standing out. When the K. of Spam told Olivares of it first, he slighted it, saying, that he was but Rey de Havas, a Bean-cake King. But it seems strange to me, and so strange that it transforms me to wonder, that the Spaniard being accounted so politic a Nation, and so full of precaution, could not foresee this ; especially there being divers intelligences given, and evident symptoms of the general discontentment of that Kingdom (because they could not be protected against the Hollander in Brasil), and of some designs a year before, when this D. of Braganza was at Madrid. I wonder, I say, they did not secure his Person, by engaging him to some employment out of the way : Truly I thought the Spaniard was better sighted, and could see further off than so. You know what

350 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

a huge Limb the Crown of Portugal was to the Spanish Monarchy, by the Islands in the Atlantic Sea, the Towns in Afric, and all the East-Indies, insomuch that the Spaniard hath nothing now left beyond the Line.

There is no offensive War yet made by Spain against K. John; she only stands upon the defensive part, until the Catalan be reduced : And I believe that will be a long- winded business; for this French Cardinal stirs all the Devils of Hell against Spain, insomuch that most Men say, that these formidable Fires which are now raging in both these Countries, were kindled at first by a Granado hurl'd from his Brain : Nay, some will not stick to say, that this Breach 'twixt us and Scotland is a reach of his.

There was a ruthful Disaster happen' d lately at Sea, which makes our Merchants upon the Exchange hang down their heads very sadly. The ship Swan, whereof one Limery was Master, having been four years abroad about the Streighls, was sailing home with a Cargazon valued at ^800,000, whereof ^450,000 was in Money, the rest in Jewels and Merchandise : But being in sight of shore, she sprung a Leak, and being ballasted with Salt, it choak'd the Pump, so that the Swan could swim no longer. Some sixteen were drown'd, and some of them with ropes of Pearl about their Necks ; the rest were sav'd by an Hamlurgher not far off. The K. of Spain loseth little by it (only his Affairs in Flanders may suffer), for his Money was insur'd; and few of the Principals, but the Insurers only, who were most of them Genoese and Hollanders : A most unfortunate Chance ! for had she come to safe Port, she had been the richest Ship that ever came into the Thames ; so that Neptune never had such a Morsel at one bit.

All your friends here are well, as you will understand more particularly by those Letters that go herewith. So I wish you all health and comfort in that cold Country, and desire that your love may continue still in the same degree of heat towards — Your faithful Servitor J. H.

Lond., 5 of Mar. 1639.

XLIII.

Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 351

XLIII.

To Sir K. D., Knight. SIR,

IT was my fortune to be in a late Communication, where a Gentleman spoke of a hideous thing that happened in High Hollorn ; how one John Pennant, a young Man of twenty-one, being dissected after his death, there was a kind of Serpent with divers tails found in the left Ventricle of his heart, which, you know, is the most defended part, being thrice thicker than the right, and is the Cell which holds the purest and most illustrious liquor, the arterial blood and the vital spirits. The Serpent was, it seems, three years ingendring, for so long time he found himself indispos'd in the breast; and it was observed that his eye in the interim grew more sharp and fiery, like the eye of a Cock, which is next to a Serpent's eye in redness: So that the Symptom of his inward Disease might have been told by certain exterior rays and signatures.

God preserve us from publick Calamities ; for serpentine Monsters have been often ill-favour'd presages. I remember in the Roman Story, to have read how, when Snakes or Serpents were found near the Statues of their Gods, as one time about Jupiter's Neck, another time about Minervas Thigh, there follow'd bloody civil Wars after it.

I remember also, few years since, to have read the rela- tion and deposition of the Carrier of Tewxlury, who with divers of his Servants, passing a little before the dawn of the day with their Packs over Cots-hill, saw most sensibly and very perspicuously in the Air, Musketeers, harness'd Men, and Horsemen, moving in Battle-array, and assaulting one another in divers furious Postures. I doubt not but that you have heard of those fiery Meteors and Thunderbolts that have fallen upon sundry of our Churches, and done hurt. Unless God be pleas' d to make up these Ruptures 'twixt us and Scotland, we are like to have ill days. The Archbishop

of

552 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

of Canterlury was lately outraged in his House by a pack of common People : And Capt. Mahun was pitifully massacred by his own Men lately; so that the common People, it seems, have strange Principles infus'd into them, which may prove dangerous : For I am not of that Lord's mind who said, that they who fear any popular Insurrection in England are like Boys and Women, that are afraid of a Turnip cut like a Death's-head with a Candle in't.

I am shortly for France, and I will receive your Com- mands before I go. So I am — Your most humble Servitor,

J- H.

Lond., 2 May 1640.

XLIV.

To my Lord Herbert, of Cherberry,yrom Paris.

MY LORD,

I SEND herewith Dodona's Grove couch'd in French, and in the newest French; for tho' the main Version be mine, yet I got one of the Academic des leaux Esprits here to run it over, to correct and refine the Language, and reduce it to the most modern Dialect. It took so here, that the new Academy of Wits have given a public and far higher Elogium of it than it deserves. I was brought to the Cardinal at Ruelle, where I was a good while with him in his private Garden ; and it were a vanity in me to insert here what Propositions he made me. There be some Sycophants here that idolize him, and I blush to hear what profane Hyperboles are printed up and down of him ; I will instance in a few.

Cidite Richelli mortales, cedite Divi ; Ille homines vincit, vincit 6- tile Deos.

Then,

Et si nousfaisons des guirlandes, Cest pour e?i couronner un Dieu, Qui sous le nom de Richelieu, Recoit nos vceus &> nos offrandes.

Then

Seel. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 353

Then,

Richelli, advcntu Rupellae porto patescit, Christo Infcrnalcs ut patuere fores.

Certainly he is a rare Man, and of a transcendent reach, and they are rather Miracles than Exploits that he hath done, tho' those Miracles be of a sanguine dye (the colour of his habit), steep'd in blood ; which makes the Spaniard call him the grand Caga-fuego of Christendom. Divers of the scienti- ficall'st and most famous Wits here have spoken of your Lordship with Admiration, and of your great work De veri- tate ; and were those excellent Notions, and theorical Pre- cepts, actually applyM to any particular Science, it would be an infinite advantage to the commonwealth of Learning all the World over. So I humbly kiss your hands, and rest — Your Lordship's most faithful Servitor, J. H.

Paris, i Apr. 1641.

XLV.

To the Rt. Hon. Mrs. Eliz. Altham, now Lady Digby.

MADAM,

* I A HERE be many sad hearts for the loss of my Lord Robert -L Digby, but the greatest weight of sorrow falls upon your Ladyship ; among other excellent Virtues, which the World admires you for, I know your Ladyship to have that measure of high discretion that will check your passions : I know also, that your patience hath been often exercised, and put to trial in this kind. For besides the Baron your Father and Sir James, you lost your Brother, Master Richard Altham, in the verdant'st time of his age, a Gentleman of rare hopes ; and I believe this sunk deep into your heart : you lost Sir Francis Astley since, a worthy virtuous Gentleman, and now you have lost a noble Lord. We all owe Nature a debt, which is payable some time or other, whensoever she demands it : Nor doth Dame Nature use to seal Indentures, or pass over either Lease or Patent for a set term of years to any. For my part, I have seen so much of the world, that

z if

354 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

if she offer'd me a Lease, I would give her but a small Fine for't ; 'specially now that the Times are grown so naught, that people are become more than half mad. But, Madam, as long as there are men, there must be malignant humours, there must be vices, and vicissitudes of things; as long as the World wheels round, there must be tossings and tum- blings, distractions and troubles, and bad times must be re- compens'd with better. So I humbly kiss your Ladyship's hands, and rest, Madam — Your constant Servant,

J. H. York, i of Aug. 1642.

XLVI.

To the Hon. Sir P. M., in Dublin. SIR,

I AM newly returned from France, and now that Sir Edw. Nicholas is made Secretary of State, I am put in for hopes, or rather assurances, to succeed him in the Clerkship of the Council.

The Duke de la Valette is lately fled hither for sanctuary, having had ill luck in Fontar-alia ; they say his Process was made, and that he was executed in Effigie in Paris. 'Tis true, he could never square well with his Eminency the Car- dinal (for this is a peculiar Title he got long since from Rome, to distinguish him from all other) nor his Father neither, the little old Duke of Espernon, the ancient'st Soldier in the world, for he wants but one year of a hundred.

When I was last in Paris, I heard of a facetious passage 'twixt him and the Archbishop of Bourdeaux, who in effect is Lord High Admiral of France, and 'twas thus : The Archbishop was to go General of a great Fleet, and the Duke came to his House in Bourdeaux one morning to visit him : The Archbishop sent some of his Gentlemen to desire him to have a little patience, for he was dispatching away some Sea-Commanders, and that he would wait on him pre- sently : The little Duke took a pet at it, and went away to his house at Cadillac, some fifteen miles off. The next

morning

Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 355

morning the Archbishop came to pay him the Visit, and to apologize for himself: Being come in, and the Duke told of it, he sent his Chaplain to tell him, that he was newly fallen upon a Chapter of St. Austin's de Civitate Dei, and when he had read that Chapter, he would come to him.

Some years before, I was told he was at Paris, and Richelieu came to visit him : He having notice of it, Riche- lieu found him in a Cardinal's Cap, kneeling at a Table Altarwise, with his Book and Beads in his hand, and Candles burning before him.

I hear the E. of Leicester is to come shortly over, and so over to Ireland to be your Deputy. No more now, but that I am — Your most faithful Servitor, J. H.

.) 7 Sept. 1641.

XLVII.

To the Earl of 'B., from the Fleet.

MY LORD,

I WAS lately come to London upon some occasions of mine own, and I had been divers times in Westminster- hall, where I convers'd with many Parliament-men of my Acquaintance ; but one morning betimes there rush'd into my chamber five armed Men with Swords, Pistols, and Bills, and told me they had a Warrant from the Parliament for me : I desirM to see their Warrant, they deny'd it : I desir'd to see the date of it, they deny'd it : I desired to see my name in the Warrant, they deny'd all. At last one of them pull'd a greasy Paper out of his Pocket, and shew'd me only three or four Names subscribed, and no more : So they rush'd presently into my Closet, and seiz'd on all my Papers and Letters, and anything that was Manuscript ; and many printed Books they took also, and hurlM all into a great hair Trunk, which they carry *d away with them. I had taken a little Physick that morning, and with very much ado they suflfer'd me to stay in my Chamber with two Guards upon me, till the evening; at which time they

brought

356 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

brought me before the Committee for Examination, where I confess I found good respect : And being brought up to the close Committee, I was order'd to be forth-coming, till some Papers of mine were perus'd, and Mr. Corbet was appointed to do it. Some days after, I came to Mr. Corbet, and he told me he had perus'd them, and could find nothing that might give offence. Hereupon, I desir'd him to make a report to the House, according to which (as I was told) he did very fairly ; yet such was my hard hap, that I was committed to the Fleet, where I am now under close re- straint : And, as far as I see, I must lie at dead anchor in this Fleet a long time, unless some gentle gale blow thence to make me launch out. God's will be done, and amend the times, and make up these ruptures which threaten so much calamity. So I am — Your Lordship's most faithful (tho' now afflicted) Servitor, J. H.

Fleet, 20 Nov. 1643.

XLVIII.

To Sir Brevis Thelwall, Knight (Petri ad vincula), at

Peter-House in London. SIR,

'THHO' we are not in the same Prison, yet we are in the -L same predicament of sufferance ; therefore I presume you subject to the like fits of melancholy as I. The fruition of liberty is not so pleasing, as a conceit of the want of it is irksome, specially to one of such free-born thoughts as you. Melancholy is a black noxious humour, and much annoys the whole inward man ; if you would know what Cordial I use against it in this my sad condition, I'll tell you. I pore sometimes on a Book, and so I make the dead my companions, and this is one of my chiefest solaces : If the humour work upon me stronger, I rouze my spirits, and raise them up towards Heaven, my future Country; and one may be on his journey thither, tho3 shut up in Prison, and happily go a straighter way than if he were abroad : I consider, that my soul, while she is coop'd within these

walls

Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS.

357

walls of flesh, is but in a kind of perpetual prison. And now my Body corresponds with her in the same condition ; my Body is the prison of the one, and these brick-walls the prison of the other. And let the English People flatter themselves as long as they will, that they are free, yet are they in effect but prisoners, as all other Islanders are; for being surrounded and clos'd about with Salt-water (as I am with these Walls) they cannot go where they list, unless they ask the Winds leave first, and Neptune must give them a pass.

God Almighty amend the times, and compose these \vo- ful divisions, which menace nothing but public ruin ; the thoughts whereof drown in me the sense of mine own private affliction.

So, wishing you courage (whereof you have enough, if you put it in practice) and patience in this sad condition, I rest — Your true Servant and Compatriot, J. H.

From the Fleet ', 2 Aug. 1643.

XLIX.

To Mr. E. P.

SIR,

I SAW such prodigious things daily done these few years past, that I had resolv'd with myself to give over wondering at anything: yet a passage happen'd this week, that forc'd me to wonder once more, because it is without parallel. It was, that some odd fellows went skulking up and down London streets, and with Figs and Raisins allur'd little Children, and so purloin'd them away from their Parents, and carried them a Ship-board far beyond Sea, where, by cutting their hair, and other devices, they so disguis'd them, that their Parents could not know them. This made me think upon that miraculous passage in Hamelen, a Town in Germany, which I hop'd to have pass'd thro' when I was in Hamburgh, had we returned by Holland ; which was thus (nor would I relate it to you were there not some ground

of

358 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

of truth for it). The said Town of Hamelen was annoy'd with Rats and Mice; and it chanc'd, that a pied- coated Piper came thither, 'who covenanted with the chief Burgers for such a Reward, if he could free them quite from the said Vermin, nor would he demand it till a twelvemonth and a day after. The agreement being made, he began to play on his Pipes, and all the Rats and the Mice followed him to a great Lough hard by, where they all perish'd ; so the Town was infected no more. At the end of the year the pied Piper return' d for his reward ; the Burgers put him off with slightings and neglect, offering him some small matter ; which he refusing, and staying some days in the Town, one Sunday morning at high Mass, when most people were at Church, he fell to play on his Pipes, and all the Children up and down follow'd him out of the Town, to a great Hill not far off, which rent in two, and open'd, and let him and the children in, and so clos'd up again. This happened a matter of 250 years since ; and in that Town they date their bills and bonds, and other instruments in Law, to this day, from the year of the going out of their Children : Besides, there is a great Pillar of stone at the foot of the said Hill, whereon this story is engraven.

No more now, for this is enough in conscience for one time : So I am — Your most affectionate Servitor, J. H.

Fleet, i Oct. 1643.

L.

To my Lord G. D. MY LORD,

THERE be two weighty sayings in Seneca, Nihil est infelicius eo cui nil unquam contigit adversi : There is nothing more unhappy than he who never felt any adversity. The other is, Nullum est majus malum, quam non posse ferre malum : There is no greater cross, than not to be able to bear a cross. Touching the first, I am not capable of that kind of unhappiness, for I have had my share of adversity : I have been hammered and dilated upon the Anvil; as our

Countrvman

Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 359

Countryman Breaktpcar (Adrian IV.) said of himself, / have been strain' d thro'' the llmbic of affliction. Touching the second, I am also free of that cross ; for, I thank God for it, I have that portion of Grace, and so much Philosophy, as to be able to endure, and confront any misery : 'Tis not so tedious to me as to others, to be thus immur'd, because I have been inur'd and habituated to troubles. That which sinks deepest into me, is the sense I have of the common Calamities of this Nation ; there is a strange Spirit hath got in among us, which makes the idea of Holiness, the formality of Good, and the very faculty of Reason to be quite differ- ing from what it was. I remember to have read a Tale of an Ape in Paris, who having got a Child out of the Cradle, and carried him up to the top of the Tiles, and there sat with him upon the ridge ; the Parents beholding this ruthful spectacle, gave the Ape fair and smooth language ; so he gently brought the Child down again, and replac'd him in the Cradle. Our Country is in the same case this Child was in, and I hope there will be sweet and gentle means us'd to preserve it from Precipitation.

The City of London sticks constantly to the Parliament, and the Common-Council sways much, insomuch that I believe, if the Lord Chancellor Egerton were now living, he would not be so pleasant with them as he was once to a new Recorder of London, whom he had invited to dinner to give him joy of his Office ; and having a great Woodcock- Pye serv'd in about the end of the repast which had been sent him from Cheshire, he said, Now, Master Recorder, you are welcome to a Common-Council-

There be many discreet brave Patriots in the City, and I hope they will think upon some means to preserve us and themselves from ruin : Such are the Prayers, early and late, of — Your Lordship's most humble Servitor, J. H.

Fleet, 2 Jan. 1643.

LI.

360 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

LI.

To Sir Alex. R., Knight. SIR,

SURELY God Almighty is angry with England, and 'tis more sure, that God is never angry without cause ; now to know this cause, the best way is for every one to lay his hand on his breast, and examine himself thoroughly, to summon his thoughts, and winnow them, and so call to remembrance how far he hath offended Heaven ; and then it will be found that God is not angry with England, but with Englishmen. When that doleful change was pro- nounced against Israel, Per ditto ex te Israel, it was meant of the concrete (not the abstract), Oh Israelites, your ruin comes from yourselves. When I make this scrutiny within myself, and enter into the closest Cabinet of my Soul, I find (God help me) that I have contributed as much to the drawing down of these Judgments on England as any other. When I ransack the three Cells of my Brain, I find that my Imagination hath been vain and extravagant : my Memory hath kept the bad, and let go the good, like a wide Sieve that retains the Bran and parts with the Flour : my Understanding hath been full of Error and Obliquities ; my Will hath been a rebel to Reason ; my Reason a rebel to Faith (which I thank God I have the grace to quell pre- sently with this caution,

Succumlat ratio Jldei, & captiva quiescat.}

When I descend to my Heart, the centre of all my affec- tions, I find it hath swell'd often with tympanies of Vanity, and tumors of Wrath : when I take my whole self in a lump, I find that I am nought else but a Cargazon of malignant humours, a rabble of unruly Passions, among which my poor Soul is daily crucified, as 'twixt so many Thieves. Therefore as I pray in general, that God would please not to punish this Island for the sins of the People, so more particularly I pray, that she suffer not for me in

particular ;

Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 361

particular ; who, if one would go by way of inductio?it would make one of the chiefcst i?istances of the argument. And as I am thus conscious to myself of my own demerits, so I hold it to be the duty of every one, to complete himself this uay, and to remember the saying of a noble English Captain, who, when the Town of Calais was lost (which was the last footing we had in France), being jeer'd by a Frenchman, and ask'd, Now Englishman, when will you come back to France ? answer'd, O Sir, mock not, when the sins of France are greater than the sins of England, the Englishmen will come again to France.

Before the Sac of Troy, 'twas said and sung up and down the Streets :

Iliacos infra muros peccatur 6- extra.

The Verse is as true for Sense and Feet :

Intra Londini muros peccatur &* extra ;

Without and eke within

The Walls of London there is sin.

The way to better the Times, is for every one to mend one. I will conclude with this serious Invocation : I pray God avert those further Judgments (of Famine and Pesti- lence) which are hovering over this populous and once flourishing City, and dispose of the Brains and Hearts of this People to seek and serve him aright.

I thank you for your last visit, and for the Poem you sent me since. So I am — Your most faithful Servitor, J. H.

Fleet, sJunt.

LII.

To Mr. lohn Batty, Merchant. SIR,

IRECEIV'D the printed discourse you pleas' d to send me, call'd The Merchant's Remonstrance, for which I return you due and deserved thanks.

Truly, Sir, it is one of the most material and solid pieces I have read of this kind : And I discover therein two

things ;

362 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

things ; first, The affection you bear to your Country, with the resentment you have of these woful distractions : Then the Judgment and choice Experience you have purchased by your Negotiations in Spain and Germany. In you may be verified the tenet they hold in Italy, that the Merchant bred abroad is the best Commonwealths-man, being properly applied : For my part, I do not know any profession of life (especially in an Island) more to be cherishM and countenanced with honourable employments than the Merchant-Adventurer (I do not mean only the Staplers of Hamburgh and Rotterdam) ; for if valiant and dangerous Actions do ennoble a Man, and make him merit, surely the Merchant-Adventurer deserves more honour than any ; for he is to encounter not only with Men of all Tempers and Humours, (as a French Counsellor hath it) but he contests and tugs oft-times with all the Elements : Nor do I see how some of our Country Squires, who sell Calves and Runts, and their Wives perhaps Cheese and Apples, should be held more genteel than the noble Merchant-Adventurer, who sells Silks and Sattins, Tissues and Cloths of Gold, Diamonds and Pearl, with Silver and Gold.

In your discourse you foretell the sudden calamities which are like to befall this poor Island, if Trade decay ; and that this decay is inevitable, if these commotions last : Herein you are prov'd half a Prophet already, and I fear your Prophecy will be fully accomplish' d if matters hold thus. Good Lord ! was there ever People so active to draw on their own ruin ? Which is so visible, that a purblind Man may take a pros- pect of it. We all see this apparently, and hear it told us every minute ; but we are fallen to the condition of that foolish People the Prophet speaks of, Who had eyes, lut would not see ; and ears, hit would not hear. All Men know there is nothing imports this Island more than Trade ; it is that Wheel of Industry which sets all others a-going; it is that which preserves the chiefest Castles and Walls of this King- dom, I mean the Ships : And how these are impaired within these four years, I believe other Nations (which owe us an

Invasion)

Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 363

Invasion) observe and know better than we : For, truly, I believe a million (I mean of Crowns), and I speak within compass, will not put the Navy-Royal in that strength as it was four years since, besides the decay of Merchants Ships. A little before Athens was overcome, the Oracle told one of the Areopagitse, that Athens had seen her lest days, for her wooden Walls (meaning her Ships) were decayed. As I told you before, there is a Nation or two that owe us an Invasion.

No more now, but that, with my most kind and friendly respects unto you, I rest always — Yours to dispose of,

J.H.

Fleet, 4 May 1644.

LIII.

To my honoured Friend, Mr. E. P. SIR,

THE Times are so ticklish, that I dare not adventure to send you any London intelligence, she being now a Garrison Town ; and you know, as well as I, what danger I may incur : But for foreign, indifferent news, you shall understand that Pope Urban VIII. is dead, having sat in the Chair above twenty years ; a rare thing ; for it is observed, that no Pope yet arriv'd to the years of St. Peter, who, they say, was Bishop of Rome twenty and five. Car- dinal Pamfilio, a Roman born, a knowing Man, and a great Lawyer, is created Pope by assumption of the Name of Innocent X. There was tough canvassing for voices, and a great contrasto in the Conclave 'twixt the Spanish and French Faction, who with Barlerino stood for Sachetti ; but he was excluded, as also another Dominican: by these exclusions, the Spanish Party, whereof the Cardinal of Florence was chief, brought about Barlerino to join with them for Pamphilio, as being also a creature of the deceased Pope. He had been Nuncio in Spain eight years, so that it is conceiv'd he is much devoted to that Crown, as his Predecessor was to the French, who had been Legate there near upon twenty years, and was Godfather to the

last

364 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

last King; which made him to be Fleurdelize, to be Flower-de-luc'd all over. This New Pope hath already pass'd that number of years which the Prophet assigns to Man ; for he goes upon seventy-one, and is of a strong promising constitution to live some years longer. He hath but one Nephew, who is but eighteen, and so not capable of business ; he hath therefore made choice of some Car- dinals more to be his Coadjutors; Pancirello is his prime confident, and lodg'd in St. Peter's. ;Tis thought he will presently set all wheels a-going to mediate an universal Peace. They write of one good augury among the rest, that part of his Arms is a Dove, which hath been always held for an emblem of Peace : but I believe it will prove one of the knottiest and difficult'st tasks that ever was attempted as the case stands 'twixt the House of Austria and France; and the toughest and hardest knot I hold to be that of Portugal ; for it cannot yet enter into any Man's imagina- tion, how that can be accommodated ; tho' many Politicians have beaten their brains about it. God Almighty grant, that the appeasing of our civil Wars prove not so intricate a work, and that we may at last take warning by the devastations of other Countries, before our own be past cure.

They write from Paris, that Sir Kenelm Digly is to be employed to Rome from Her Majesty, in quality of a high Messenger of Honour, to congratulate the New Pope, not of an Ambassador, as the vulgar give out : for none can give that character to any, but a Sovereign independent Prince; and all the World knows, that Her Majesty is under Covert-Ear on, notwithstanding that some cry her up for Queen-Regent of England, as her Sister is of France.

The Lord Auligny hath an Abbacy of 1500 Pistoles a year given him yearly there, and is fair for a Cardinal's Hat.

I continue still under this heavy pressure of close restraint, nor do I see any hopes (God help me) of getting forth till the wind shift out of this unlucky hole. Howsoever, I am resolv'd, that if Innocence cannot ifree my body, yet Patience

shall

Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 365

shall preserve my mind still in its freelorn thoughts: Nor shall this storm slacken a whit that firm league of love wherein I am eternally tied unto you. I will conclude with a Distich which I found among those excellent Poems of the late Pope :

Quern valid} sirinxit prasianti polliec virtus, Nescius cst solvi nodus amicitia.

— Your constant Servitor, J. H.

Fleet) i Jan. 1644.

LIV.

To the Lord Bishop of London, late Lord Treasurer of

England. MY LORD,

YOU are one of the Miracles of these times, the greatest mirror of Moderation our Age affords ; and as here- tofore when you carried the white Staff, with such clean incorrupted hands, yet the Crosier was still your chief care : nor was it perceiv'd, that that high all-obliging Office did alter you a jot, or alienate you from yourself, but the same candor and countenance of meekness appear'd still in you. As whosoever had occasion to make their address to your Gates, went away contented whether they sped in their business or not (a gift your Predecessor was said to want), so since the turbulency of these times, the same modera- tion shines in you, notwithstanding that the Mitre is so trampled upon, and that there be such violent Factions afoot: insomuch that you live not only secure from out- rages, but honoured by all Parties. *Tis true, one thing fell out to your advantage, that you did not subscribe to that Petition which proved so fatal to Prelacy; but the chief ground of the constant esteem the distracted world hath still of you, is your wisdom and moderation, past and present. This put me in mind of one of your Predecessors (in your late Office), Marq. Pawlet, who it seems sail'd by the same compass; for there being divers bandyings and

factions

366 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

factions at Court in his time, yet he was beloved by all parties, and being ask'd how he stood so right in the opinion of all, he answered, By leing a Willow, and not an Oak.

I have many thanks to give your Lordship for the late visits I had ; and when this cloud is scattered, that I may respire free air, one of my first Journeys shall be to kiss your Lordship's hands : in the interim, I rest — Your most devoted and ready Servitor, J. H.

The Fleet, 3 Sept 1644.

LV.

To Sir E. S., Knight. SIR,

THO' I never had the least umbrage of your love, or doubted of the reality thereof, yet since I fell into this plunge, it hath been much confirmed to me. It is a true observation, that among other effects of affliction, one is, to try a Friend ; for those proofs that were made in the fawnings, and dazzling Sunshine of prosperity, are not so clear as those which break out and transpire thro' the dark clouds of adversity. You know the difference the Philo- sophers make 'twixt the two extreme colours, Hack and white, that the one is congregativum, the other disgregativum visus : Black doth congregate, unite and fortify the Sight; the other disgregate, scatter and enfeeble it, when it fixeth upon any object: So through the sable clouds of adverse fortune, one may make a truer inspection into the breast of a Friend. Besides this, affliction produceth another far more excellent effect, it brings us to a better and more clear knowledge of our Creator: for as the rising and setting Sun appears bigger to us than when he is in the Meridian (tho' the distance be still the same), the cause whereof is ascribed to the interposition of mists, which lie 'twixt our eyes and him ; so through the thick fogs of adversity (which in this point are as pellucid and diaphanous as any Crystal) we come to see God, and the immensity of his Love in a fuller

proportion.

Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 367

proportion. There cannot be clearer evidences of his care, than his corrections: when he makes the world to frown, then he smiles most upon us, tho' it be but thro1 a 7mw£ : besides, it is always his method, to stroke them whom he strikes. We have an ordinary salute in English, God bless you; and tho5 the word be radically derived from the Dutch word, yet it would bear good sense, and be very pertinent to this purpose, if we would fetch it from the French word blesser, which is to hurt. This speculation raiseth my spirits to a great height of comfort and patience, that notwith- standing they have been a long time weigh'd down and quash'd, yet I shall at last overcome all these pressures, sur- vive my debts, and surmount my enemies.

God pardon them, and preserve you ; and take it not ill, that in this my conclusion I place you so near my enemies. Whatsoever Fortune light on me, come fair or foul weather, I shall be still — Your constant Servitor, J. H.

Fleet, 5 of Aug. 1644.

LVI.

To Tho. Ham, Esq. SIR,

'T^HERE is no such treasure as a true Friend; it is a •*• treasure far above that of St. Mark's in Venice; a treasure that is not liable to those casualties which others are liable to, as to plundering and burglary, to bankrupts and ill debtors, to firing and shipwrecks : For when one hath lost his Fortunes by any of these disasters, he may recover them all in a true Friend, who is always a sure and stable commodity. This is verify 'd in you, who have stuck so close to me in these my pressures ; like a Glow-worm (the old emblem of true Friendship) you have shin'd to me in the dark : Nor could you do good offices to any that wisheth you better ; for I always lov'd you for the freedom of your genius, for those choice parts and fancies I found in you, which, I confess, hath made me more covetous of your Friendship, than I use to be of others. And, to deal clearly

with

368 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

with you, one of my prime Errands to this Town (when this disaster fell upon me) was to see you.

God put a speedy period to these sad distempers ; but this wish, as I was writing it, did vanish in the impossibility of the thing, for I fear they are of a long continuance : so I pray God keep you, and comfort me, who am — Your true Friend to serve you, J. H.

The Fleet, 5 May 1643.

LVII.

To Phil. Warwick, Esq. SIR,

THE Earth does not always produce Roses and Lillies, but she brings forth also Nettles and Thistles ; so the World affords us not always contentments and pleasures, but sometimes afflictions and trouble : Ut ilia trilulos, sic isle trilulationes producit. The Sea is not more subject to contrary blasts, nor the Surges thereof to tossings and tumblings, than the Actions of Men are to encumbrances and crosses ; the Air is not fuller of Meteors, than Man's life is of Miseries : But as we find that it is not a clear Sky, but the Clouds that drop Fatness, as the holy Text tells us, so adversity is far more fertile than prosperity ; it useth to water and mollify the heart, which is the centre of all our affections, and makes it produce excellent fruit ; whereas the glaring Sunshine of a continual prosperity would enharden and dry it up, and so make it barren.

There is not a greater evidence of God's care and love to his creature than Affliction ; for a French Author doth illustrate it by a familiar Example : If two Boys should be seen to fight in the Streets, and a ring of people about them, one of the standers-by parting them, lets the one go untouch'd, but he falls a correcting the other, whereby the beholders will infer that he is his child, or at least one whom he wisheth well to : So the Strokes of adversity which fall upon us from Heaven shew that God is our Father, as well as our Creator. This makes this bitter cup of affliction become Nectar } and

the

Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 369

the bread of carefulness I now eat, to be true Ambrosia to me. This makes me esteem these Walls, wherein I have been immur'd these thirty months, to be no other than a College of instruction to me ; and whereas Varro said, That the great World was but a House of a little man, I hold a Fleet to be one of the best lodgings in that House.

There is a people in Spain call'd Los Pattuecos, who some threescore and odd years since were discover'd by the flight of a Hawk of the old Duke of Alva's ; this People, then all salvage (tho' they dwelt in the centre of Spain, not far from Toledo y and are yet held to be a part of those Aborigines that Tubal-Cain brought in), being hemmd in, and imprisoned, as it were, by a multitude of huge craggy Mountains, thought that behind those Mountains there was no more Earth. I have been so habituated to this prison, and accustomed to the walls thereof so long, that I might well be brought to think, that there is no other world behind them. And in my extravagant imaginations, I often compare this Fleet to Noah's Ark surrounded with a vast Sea, and huge deluge of calamities, which have overwhelm'd this poor Island. Nor, altho' I have been so long aboard here, was I yet under Hatches ; for I have a Cabin upon the upper Deck, whence I breathe the best Air the place affords : add hereunto, that the Society of Master Hopkins is an advantage to me, who is one of the knowingest and most civil Gentlemen that I have convers'd withal. Moreover, there are here some choice Gentlemen who are my Co-Martyrs; for a Prisoner and a Martyr are the same thing, save, that the one is buried before his death, the other after.

God Almighty amend these times, that make Imprison- ment to be preferred before Liberty, it being more safe, and desirable by some, tho' not by — Your affectionate Servitor,

J.H.

From tJie Fleet, 3 Nov. 1645.

2 A LVIII.

37o FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

LVIII.

To Sir Ed. Sa., Knight. SIR,

WERE there a Physician that could cure the Maladies of the mind, as well as those of the body, he needed not to wish the Lord-Mayor or the Pope for his Uncle, for he should have Patients without number. It is true, that there be some distempers of the mind that proceed from those of the body, and so are curable by Drugs and Diets ; but there are others that are quite abstracted from all cor- poreal impressions, and are merely mental ; these kind of Agonies are the more violent of the two ; for as the one uses to drive us into Fevers, the other precipitates us oftentimes into Frensies : And this is the ground, I believe, which made the Philosopher think that the rational Soul was in- fus'd into man, partly for his punishment, and the Under- standing for his executioner, unless Wisdom sit at the Helm, and steer the motions of his Will.

I thank God I have felt both (for I am not made of stone or steel), having had since I was shut in here a shrewd fit of the new disease; and for the other, you must needs think that thirty-one months3 close restraint, and the barbarousness of the times, must discompose and torture the imagination, sometimes with gripings of discontent and anguish, not so much for my own sad condition as for my poor Country and Friends, who have a great share in my Nativity, and particu- larly for yourself, whose gallant worth I highly honour, and who have not been the least sufferer.

The Moralist tells us, that a quadrat solid wise man should involve and tackle himself within his own Virtue, and slight all accidents that are incident to man, and be still the same, Etiamsi fractus illalatur Orlis; there may be so much virtue and valour in you, but I profess to have neither of them in that proportion. The Philosophers prescribe us Rules that they themselves, nor any flesh and blood can observe : I am no statue, but I must resent the calamities of

the

Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 371

the time, and the desperate case of this Nation, who seem to have fallen quite from the very faculty of reason, and to be possessed with a pure Lycanthropy, with a wolvish kind of disposition to tear one another in this manner; insomuch, that if ever the old saying was verify'd, Homo homini lupus, it is certainly now. I will conclude with this Distich:

They err, who write, no Wolves in England range. Here Men are all turrid Wolves ; O monstrous change !

No more, but that I wish you Patience, which is a Flower that grows not in ev'ry Garden. — Your faithful Servitor,

J. H. From the Fleet, i Dec. 1644.

LIX.

To my nolle Friend, Mr. E. P. SIR,

I HAVE no other news to write to you hence, but that, Leuantanse los muladeres, y alaxanse los adarues : The World is turned topsey-turvey. — Yours, J. H.

From the Fleet, 2 Jan. 1 644.

LX.

To Tho. Young, Esq. SIR,

I RECEIVED yours of the fifth of March, and 'twas as wel- come to me as flowers in May, which are now coming on apace. You seem to marvel I do not marry all this while, considering that I am past the Meridian of my Age, and that to your knowledge there have been overtures made me of Parties above my degree. Truly, in this point, I will deal with you as one should do with his Confessor : Had I been dispos'd to have married for wealth without affection, or for affection without wealth, I had been in bonds before now ; but I did never cast my eyes upon any yet, that I thought I was born for, where both these concurred. "Tis the custom of some (and 'tis a common custom) to chuse Wives by

the

372 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book L

the weight, that is, by their wealth. Others fall in love with light Wives ; I do not mean Venerean lightness, but in reference to portion. The late Earl of Salisbury gives a caveat for this, That Beauty without a Dowry (without that unguentum Indicum) is as a gilded shell without a kernel; therefore he warns his Son to be sure to have something with his Wife, and his reason is, Because nothing can le bought in the Market without money. Indeed 'tis very fitting that he or she should have wherewith to support both, according to their quality, at least to keep the wolf from the door, otherwise 'twere a mere madness to marry ; but he who hath enough of his own to maintain a Wife, and marrieth only for money, discovereth a poor sordid disposi- tion. There is nothing that my nature disdains more, than to be a slave to Silver or Gold; for tho' they both carry the King's face, yet they shall never reign over me : And I would I were free from all other infirmities, as I am from this. I am none of those Mammonists who adore white and red Earth, and make their Princes picture their idol that way : Such may be said to be under a perpetual eclipse, for the Earth stands always 'twixt them and the fair face of Heaven. Yet my genius prompts me, that I was born under a Planet, not to die in a Lazaretto. At my nativity my ascendant was that hot constellation of Cancer about the Dogdays, as my Ephemerides tells me; Mars was then pre- dominant: Of all the Elements Fire sways most in me; -I have many aspiring and airy odd thoughts swell often in me, according to the quality of the ground whereon I was born, which was the belly of a huge Hill situated South-East ; so that the House I came from (besides my Father and Mother's Coat) must needs be Illustrious, being more obvious to the Sun-beams than ordinary. I have, upon occasion of a sud- den distemper, sometimes a mad man, sometimes a fool, sometimes a melancholy odd fellow to deal withal ; I mean myself, for I have the humours within me that belong to all three; therefore who would cast herself away upon such a one ? Besides, I came tumbling out into the World a pure

Cadet,

Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 373

tW<7, a true Cosmopolite ; not born to Land, Lease, House, or Ollice : 'Tis true, I have purchased since a small spot of Ground upon ParnuKus, which I hold in fee of the Muses, and I have endeavoured to manure it as well as I could, tho' I confess it hath yielded me little fruit hitherto. And what Woman would be so mad as to take that only for her Joynture ?

But to come to the point of Wiving, I would have you know, that I have, tho' never marry'd, divers children already, some French, some Latin, one Italian, and many English ; and tho' they be but poor brats of the brain, yet are they legitimate, and Apollo himself vouchsafed to co- operate in their production. I have expos'd them to the wide World, to try their Fortunes ; and some (out of com- pliment) would make me believe they are long-liv'd.

But to come at last to your kind of Wiving: I acknow- ledge that Marriage is an honourable Condition, nor dare I think otherwise without profaneness, for it is the Epithet the holy Text gives it : Therefore it was a wild Speech of the Philosopher to say, That if our conversation could be without Women, Angels would come down and dwell among us; and a wilder speech it was of the Cynic, when passing by a Tree where a Maid had made herself away, wish'd, That all Trees might bear such Fruit. But to pass from these moth-eaten Philosophers to a modern Physician of our own, it was a most unmanly thing in him, while he displays his own Religion, to wish that there were a way to propagate the World otherwise than by conjunction with Women (and Paracelsus undertakes to shew him the way), whereby he seems to repine (tho* I understand he was wiv'd a little after) at the honourable degree of Marriage, which I hold to be the prime Link of human Society, the chiefest happiness of Mortals, and wherein Heaven hath a special hand.

But I wonder why you write to me of Wiving, when you know I have much ado to man or maintain myself, as I told you before; yet notwithstanding that the better part

of

374 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I.

of my days are already threaded upon the string of Time, I will not despair, but I may have a Wife at last, that may perhaps enable me to build Hospitals : for altho' nine long lustres of years have now pass'd o'er my head, and some Pointers more (for all my life, considering the few Sun- shines I have had, may be calPd nothing but Winters), yet, I thank God for't, I find no symptom of decay, either in body, sense, or intellectuals. But, writing thus extra- vagantly, methinks I hear you say, That this Letter shews I begin to dote, and grow idle; therefore I will display myself no further to you at this time.

To tell you the naked truth, my dear Tom, the highest pitch of my aim is, that by some condition or other, I may be enabled at last (tho' I be put to sow, the time that others use to reap} to quit scores with the World, but never to cancel that precious obligation wherein I am indissolubly bound to live and die — Your true constant Friend, J. H.

From the Fleet, 28 of Apr. 1645.

AD LIB RUM:

Sine me, Liber, ibis in Aulam,

Hei mihi, quod Domino non licet ire tuo ! OVID.

To his Book :

Thou may'st to Court, and progress to and fro ; Oh, that thy captiv'd Master could do so !

Familiar

Familiar Letters.

BOOK II.

I. To Master Tho. Adams.

PRAY stir nimbly in the business you imparted to me last, and let it not languish ; you know how much it concerns your Credit, and the con- veniency of a Friend who deserves so well of you : I fear you will meet with divers obstacles in the way, which, if you cannot remove, you must over- come. A lukewarm irresolute Man did never anything well, every thought entangles him ; therefore you must pursue the point of your Design with heat, and set all wheels a-going : JTis a true badge of a generous nature, being once embark'd in a business, to hoise up, and spread every sail, Main, misen, sprit, and top-sail ; by that means he will sooner arrive at his Port. If the winds be so cross, and that there be such a fate in the thing, that it can take no effect, yet you shall have wherewith to satisfy an honest mind, that you left nothing unattempted to compass it; for in the conduct of human affairs 'tis a rule, That a good Conscience hath always within doors enough to reward itself, tho* the success fall not out according to the merit of the endeavour.

I

376 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book //.

I was, according to your desire, to visit the late new mar- ried Couple more than once ; and to tell you true, I never saw such a disparity between two that were made one flesh in all my life : he handsome outwardly, but of odd con- ditions; she excellently qualified, but hard-fa vo ur'd : so that the one may be compared to a cloth of Tissue Doublet, cut upon coarse Canvas ; the other to a Buckram Petticoat lin'd with Sattin. I think Clotho had her fingers smutted in snuffing the Candle, when she begun to spin the thread of her life, and Lachesis frown'd in twisting it up ; but Aglaia, with the rest of the Graces, were in a good humour, when they formM her inner-parts. A blind Man is fittest to hear her sing ; one would take delight to see her dance •if mask'd, and it would please you to discourse with her in the dark, for there she is best company, if your imagina- tion can forbear to run upon her face. When you marry, I wish you such an- inside of a Wife ; but from such an outward Phisnomy the Lord deliver you, and — Your faithful Friend to serve you, J. H.

.j 25 Aug. 1633.

F.

II. To Mr. B. J.

B. The Fangs of a Bear, and the Tusks of a wild Boar, do not bite worse, and make deeper gashes, than a Goose-quill, sometimes ; no, not the Badger himself, who is said to be so tenacious of his bite, that he will not give over his hold till he feels his Teeth meet and the Bone crack. Your quill hath prov'd so to Mr. Jones ; but the Pen where- with you have so gash'd him, it seems, was made rather of a Porcupine than a Goose-quill, it is so keen and firm. You know,

Anser, Apis, Vitulus, Populos & Regna gubernant.

The Goose, the Bee, and the Calf (meaning Wax, Parchment, and the Pen) rule the World ; but, of the three,

the

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 377

the Pen is the most predominant. I know you have a com- mumlintr one, but you must not let it tyrannize in that manner, as you have done lately. Some give out there was a li;iir in't, or that your Ink was too thick with Gall, else it would not have so bespattered and shaken the Reputation of a Royal Architect ; for Reputation, you know, is like a fair Structure, long time a rearing, but quickly ruin'd. If your spirit will not let you retract, yet you shall do well to repress any more Copies of the Satire ; for, to deal plainly with you, you have lost some ground at Court by it ; and, as I hear from a good hand, the King, who hath so great a Judgment in Poetry (as in all other things else), is not well pleas'd therewith. Dispense with this freedom of — Your respectful S. and Servitor, J. H.

Westm., 3 July 1635. >

III.

To D. C., Esq.

SIR,

IN my last, I writ to you that Ch. Mor. was dead (I meant in a moral sense). He is now alive again, for he hath abjur'd that Club, which was used to knock him in the head so often, and drown him commonly once a day. I discover divers symptoms of Regeneration in him, for he rails bit- terly against Bacchus, and swears there's a Devil in every berry of his Grape ; therefore he resolves hereafter, tho* he may dabble a little sometimes, he will be never drown'd again. You know Kit hath a poetick fancy, and no unhappy one, as you find by his Compositions ; you know also, that Poets have large Souls, they have sociable free generous Spirits, and there are few who use to drink of Helicon's Waters, but they love to mingle it with some of Lyceus Liquor, to heighten their Spirits. There's no Creature that's kneaded of Clay but hath its Frailties, Extravagancies, and Excesses, some way or other ; for you must not think that Man can be better out of Paradise than he was within't : Nemo sine crimine. He that censures the good Fellow,

commonly

378 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

commonly makes no conscience of Gluttony, and gormandiz- ing at home ; and I believe more Men do dig their Graves with their Teeth than with the Tankard. They who tax others of Vanity and Pride, have commonly that sordid Vice of Covetousness attends them ; and he who traduceth others of being a Servant to Ladies, doth baser things. We are no Angels upon Earth, but we are transported with some infirmity or other ; and 'twill be so while these frail, flexible humours reign within us : While we have Sluices of warm blood running thro' our Veins^ there must be ofttimes some irregular motions in us.

This, as I conceive, is the Black-lean which the Turks9 Alchoran speaks of; when they feign, that Mahomet being asleep among the Mountains of the Moon, two Angels descended, and ripping his Breast, they took his Heart and washed it in Snow, and after pulPd out a black Bean, which was the Portion of the Devil ; and so replac'd the Heart.

In your next, you shall do well to congratulate his Re- surrection, or Regeneration, or rather Emergency from that Course he was plunged in formerly; you know it as well as I ; and truly I believe he will grow newer and newer every day. We find that a stumble makes one take firmer footing ; and the base Suds which Vice useth to leave behind it, makes Virtue afterwards far more gustful : No Knowledge is like that of Contraries. Kit hath now overcome himself, there- fore I think he will be too hard for the Devil hereafter. I pray hold on your Resolution to be here the next Term, that we may tattle a little of Tom Thumb, mine Host of Andover, or some such matters. So I am — Your most affectionate Servitor, J. H.

Westm., 15 Aug. 1636.

i

IV.

To T. D., Esq. SIR,

HAD yours lately by a safe hand : wherein I find you open to me all the Boxes of your Breast : I perceive

you

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 379

you are sore hurt, and whereas all other Creatures run away from the Instrument and Hand that wounds them, you seem to make more and more towards both. I confess, such is the nature of Love, and which is worse, the nature of Women is such, that like shadows, the more you follow them, the faster they fly from you. Nay, some Females are of that odd humour, that to feed their Pride, they will famish Affection : they will starve those natural Passions, which are owing from them to Man. I confess Coyness becomes some Beauties, if handsomely acted ; a Frown upon some Faces penetrates more, and makes deeper Impression than the fawning and soft glances of a mincing Smile : yet if this Coyness and these Frowns savour of Pride, they are odious; and 'tis a Rule, that where this kind of Pride inhabits, Honour sits not long Porter at the Gate. There are some Beauties so strong, that they are Leaguer-proof, they are so barricado'd, that no Battery, no Petard, or any kind of Engine, Sapping, or Mining, can do good upon them. There are others that are tenable a good while, and will endure the brunt of a Siege, but will incline to parley at last ; and you know, that Fort and Female which begins to parley is half won : for my part, I think of Beauties as Philip King of Macedon thought of Cities, there is none so inexpugnable but an Ass laden with Gold may enter into them ; you know what the Spaniard saith, Davidas quelrantan pefias : Presents can rend rocks : Pearls and golden Bullets may do much upon the impregnablest Beauty that is : It must be partly your way. I remember a great Lord of this Land sent a Puppy with a rich Collar of Diamonds to a rare French Lady, Madam St. L., that had come over hither with an Ambassador; she took the Dog, but return'd the Collar : I will tell you what effect it wrought afterwards. 'Tis a powerful Sex ; they were too strong for the First, the Strongest and Wisest Man that was ; they must needs be strong, when one Hair of a Woman can draw more than a hundred pair of Oxen ; yet for all their strength in point of value, if you will believe

the

380 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

the Italian, A Man of Straw is worth a Woman of Gold : Therefore if you find the thing perverse, rather than to undervalue your Sex (your Manhood) retire handsomely; for there is as much Honour to be won at a handsome Retreat as at a hot Onset, it being the difficultest piece of War. By this Retreat you will get a greater Victory than you are aware of: For thereby you will overcome yourself, which is the greatest Conquest that can be. Without seeking abroad, we have Enemies enough within doors to practise our Valour upon ; we have tumultuary and rebellious Passions, with whole Hosts of Humours within us : He who can discomfit them is the greatest Captain, and may defy the Devil. I pray recollect yourself, and think on this Advice of — Your true and most affectionate Servitor, J. H.

Westm.) 4 Dec. 1637.

V.

To G. G., Esq. ; at Rome.

SIR,

I HAVE more thanks to give you than can be folded up in this narrow Paper, tho' it were all writ in the closest kind of Stenography, for the rich and accurate Account you please to give me of that renown'd City wherein you now sojourn. I find you have most judiciously pried into all matters, both civil and clerical, especially the latter, by observing the Poverty and Penances of the Fryer, the Policy and Power of the Jesuit, the Pomp of the Prelate and Cardinal. Had it not been for the two first, I believe the two last, and that See, had been at a low ebb by this time ; for the Learning, the prudential State, Knowledge, and Aus- terity of the one, and the venerable Opinion the People have of the abstemious and rigid condition of the other, 'specially of the Mendicants, seem to make some compensation for the Lux and Magnificence of the two last: Besides, they are more beholden to the Protestant than they are aware of; for unless he had risen up about the latter end of this last

Century

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 381

Century of years, which made them more circumspect and wary of their Ways, Life, and Actions, to what an intoler- able hiirh excess that Court had come to by this time you may easily conjecture. But out of my small Reading I have observ'd, that no Age, ever since Gregory the Great, hath pass'd, wherein some or other hath not repin'd and murmur' d at the Pontifical Pomp of that Court : Yet, for my part, I have been always so charitable, as to think that the Religion of Rome, and the Court of Rome, were different Things. The counterbuff that happen'd 'twixt Leo X. and Francis I. of France is very remarkable ; who being both met at Bolo?iia, the King seem'd to give a light touch at the Pope's Pomp, saying, 'Twos not used to be so informer time. It nunj be so, said Leo, but it was then when Kings kept Sheep (as we read in the Old Testament). No, the King reply'd, / speak of times under the Gospel. Then rejoin'd the Pope, 3 Twos then when Kings did visit Hospitals ; hinting by those words at St. Lewis, who us'd oft to do so. It is memorable what is recorded in the Life of Robert Grosthed, Bishop of Lin- coln, who lived in the time of one of the Leos, that he fear'd the same Sin would overthrow Leo as overthrew Lucifer.

For news hence, I know none of your Friends, but are as well as you left them, Hombres y Hembras: You are fresh and very frequent in their memory, and mention'd with a thousand good wishes and benedictions. Among others, you have a large room in the memory of my Lady Elizabeth Cary ; and I do not think all Rome can afford you a fairer Lodging. I pray be cautious of your Carriage under that Meridian ; it is a searching (inquisitive) Air : You have two Eyes and two Ears, but one Tongue; you know my meaning. This last you must imprison (as Nature hath already done with a double Fence of Teeth and Lips), or else she may imprison you, according to our Countryman Mr. Hoskin's Advice, when he was in the Tower :

Vincula da linguce, vel tibi lingua dabit.

Have a care of your of Health, take heed of the Syrens,

of

382 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

of excess in Fruit, and be sure to mingle your Wine well with Water. No more now, but that in the large Catalogue of Friends you have left behind here, there's none who is more mindful of you than — Your most affectionate and faithful Servitor, J. H.

VI.

To Dr. T. P.

SIR,

I HAD yours of the loth current, wherein you writ me Tidings of our Friend Tom _D., and what his desires tend to. In my opinion they are somewhat extravagant. I have read of one, that loving Honey more than ordinary, seem'd to complain against Nature, that she made not a Bee as big as a Bull, that we might have it in greater plenty ; another who was much given to Fruit, wish'd the Pears and Plums were as big as Pumpions. These were but silly vulgar wishes ; for if a Bee were as big as a Bull, it must have a Sting proportionable: and what mischief do you think such things will do, when we can hardly endure the Sting of that small infected Animal, as now it is ? And if Pears and Plums were as big as Pumpions, 'twere dangerous walking in an Orchard about the Autumnal Equinoctial, at which time they are in their full maturity, for fear of being knock'd in the head. Nature, the Handmaid of God Almighty, doth nothing but with good advice, if we make researches into the true reason of things : you know what answer the Fox gave the Ape, when he would have borrowed part of his Tail to cover his Posteriors.

The wishes you writ that T. D. lately made, were almost as extravagant in civil matters as the aforementioned were in natural : for if he were partaker of them, they would draw more inconveniencies upon him than benefit, being nothing sortable either to his disposition or breeding, and for other reasons besides, which I will reserve till my coming up; and I pray let him know so much from me, with my Com- mendations.

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 383

menclations. So I rest — Yours in the perfectest degree of Friendship, J. H.

Westm., 5 Sept. 1640.

VII.

To Mr. T. B., Merchant in Sevil. SIR,

THO' I have my share of infirmities as much as another Man ; Yet I like my own nature in one thing, that requitals to me are as sweet as revenges to an Italian. I thank my Stars, I find myself far proner to return a courtesy than to resent an Injury: This made me most gladly appre- hend the late occasion of serving you (notwithstanding the hard measure I have receiv'd from your Brother), and to make you some returns of those frequent favours I received from you in Spain, I have ta'en away (as you may perceive by the inclosed Papers) the Weights that hung to that great business in this Court; it concerns you now to put Wings to it in that, and I believe you will quickly obtain, what useth to be first in intention, tho' last in execution, I mean your main end. I heartily wish the thing may be prosperous to you, and that you may take as much pleasure in the fruition of it, as I did in following of it for you, because I love you dearly well, and desire you so much happiness, that you may have nothing but Heaven to wish for: In which desire, I rest — Your constant true Friend to serve you, J. H.

White-Hall, 3 May 1633.

VIII.

To Doctor B. SIR,

WHEREAS upon the large theorical discourse and bandyings of opinions we had lately at Gresham- Coliege, you desir'd I should couch in writing what I observed abroad of the Extent and Amplitude of the Chris- tian Commonwealth, in reference to other Religions; I

obtained

384 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

obtained leave of myself to put pen to paper, rather to obey you, than oblige you with anything that may add to your Judgment, or enrich that rare Knowledge I find you have already treasur'd up : But I must begin with the fulfilling of your desire in a preambular way, for the Subject admits it. 3Tis a Principle all the Earth over, except among Atheists, that omne verum est a Deo, omne falsum est a Dialolo, & omnis error al homine : All Truth is from God, all Falshood from the Devil, and all Error from Man. The last goes always under the Vizard of the first, but the second con- fronts Truth to the face, and stands in open defiance of her : Error and Sin are contemporary; when one crept first in at the Foredoor, the other came in at the Postern. This made Trismegistus, one of the great Lords of Reason, to give this character of Man, Homo est imag'matio qucedam, & imaginatio est supremum mendacium: Man is nought else but a kind of imagination, and imagination is the greatest lie. Error therefore entring into the World with Sin among us poor Adamites, may be said to spring from the Tree of Knowledge itself, and from the rotten Kernels of that fatal Apple. This, besides the Infirmities that attend the Body, hath brought in perversity of Will, depravation of Mind, and hath cast a kind of Cloud upon all our In- tellectuals, that they cannot discern the true Essence of things with that clearness as the Protoplast our first Parent could, but we are involved in a mist, and grope, as it were, ever since in the dark, as if Truth were got into some dungeon ; or, as the old Wizard said, into some deep Pit, which the shallow Apprehension of Men could not fathom. Hence comes it, that the Earth is rent into so many Reli- gions, and those Religions torn into so many Schisms, and various forms of Devotion ; as if the heavenly Majesty were delighted as much in Diversities of Worship as in Diversities of Works.

The first Religion that ever was reduc'd to exact Rules and ritual Observances, was that of the Hebrews, the an- cient People of God, calPd afterwards Judaism ; the second

Christianity ;

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 385

Christianity • the third Mahometism, which is the youngest of all Religions. Touching Paganism, and heathenish Idolatry, they scarce deserve the name of Religion: But as to the former three, there is this Analogy between them, that they all agree in the first Person of the Trinity, and all his Attributes. What kind of Religion there was before the Flood, it is in vain to make any Researches, there having been no Monuments at all left (besides that little we find in Moses and the Phcenician Story) but Seth's Pillars, and those so defaced, that nothing was legible upon them ; tho' Josephus saith, that one was extant in his days; as also the Oak under which Abraham feasted God Almighty, which was 2000 years after. The Religion (or Cabal) of the Hebrews was transferred from the Patriarchs to Moses, and from him to the Prophets. It was honoured with the Appearance and Promulgations of God himself, 'specially the better part of it ; I mean the Decalogue containing the Ten Commandments, which being most of them moral, and agreeing with the common Notions of Man, are in force all the World over. The Jews at this day are divided into three Sects ; the first, which is the greatest, are call'd Tal- mudists, in regard that, besides the holy Scriptures, they embrace the Talmud, which is stufFd with the Traditions of their Rabbins and Cacams. The second receive the Scrip- ture alone ; the third the Pentateuch only, viz., the five Books of Moses; who are call'd Samaritans. Now touch- ing what part of the Earth is possess'd by Jews, I cannot find they have any at all peculiar to themselves; but in re- gard of their murmurings, their frequent Idolatries, De- fections, and that they crucify'd the Lord of Life, this once select Nation of God, and the Inhabitants of the Land flowing with Milk and Honey, is become now a scorn'd, squandered People all the Earth over, being ever since in- capable of any Coalition or Reducement into one Body Politick. There where they are most without mixture is Tiberias in Palestine, which Amurath gave Mendez the Jew, whither, and to Jerusalem, upon any conveniency, they

2 B convey

386 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

convey the Bones of their dead Friends from all places to be re-interr'd. They are to be found in all mercantile Towns and great Marts, both in dfrick, Asia, and Europe, the Dominions of England, of the Spaniard and French excepted ; and as their Persons, so their Profession is des- picable, being, for the most part, but Brokers everywhere. Among other places, they are allow'd to be in Rome herself near St. Peter's Chair; for they advance Trade wheresoever they come; with their Banks of Money, and so are permitted as necessary Evils. But put case the whole Nation of the Jews now living, were united into one collective body, yet according to the best conjecture, and exactest computation that I could hear made by the knowingest Men, they would not be able to people a Country bigger than the Seventeen Provinces. Those that are dispersed now in Christendom, and Turkey, are the Remnants only of the Tribes of Judah and Benjamin^ with some Levites who returned from Babylon with Zerullabel. The common opinion is, that the other ten are utterly lost ; but they themselves fancy they are in India a mighty nation, environed with stony Rivers, which always cease to run their course on their Sabbath ; from whence they expect their Messias, who shall in the fulness of time over-run the World with Fire and Sword, and re- establish them in a temporal glorious Estate. But this opinion sways most among the Oriental Jews, whereas they of the West attend the coming of their Messias from Portugal ; which Language is more common among them than any other. And thus much in brief of the Jew s, as much as I could digest and comprehend within the compass of this Paper-sheet ; and let it serve for the accomplishment of the first part of your desire. In my next I shall give you the best satisfaction I can concerning the extent of Christianity up and down the Globe of the Earth, which I shall speedily send ; for now that I have undertaken such a Task, my Pen shall not rest till I have finish' d it. So I am — Your most affectionate ready Servitor, J. H.

Westm, i Aug. 1635.

IX.

Book IL FAMILIAR LETTERS. 387

IX.

To Doctor B. SIR,

HAVING in my last sent you something touching the State of Judaism up and down the world, in this you shall receive what extent Christianity hath, which is the second Religion in Succession of Time and Truth : A Religion that makes not Sense so much subject to Reason, as Reason succumbent to Faith. There is no Religion so harsh and difficult to Flesh and Blood, in regard of divers mysteri- ous Positions it consists of, as the Incarnation, Resurrection, the Trinity, &c., which, as one said, are Bones to Philosophy, but Milk to Faith. There is no Religion so purely spiritual, and abstracted from common natural Ideas and sensual Happiness, as the Christian : No Religion that excites man more to the love and practice of Virtue, and hatred of Vice ; or that prescribes greater rewards for the one, and punish- ments for the other: A Religion that in a most miraculous manner did expand herself, and propagate by simplicity, humbleness, and by a mere passive way of fortitude, grow- ing up like the Palm-tree under the heavy weight of Perse- cution; for never any Religion had more powerful Opposition by various kinds of Punishments, Oppressions, and Tortures, which have been said to have deck'd her with Rubies in her very Cradle ; insomuch, that it is granted by her very Enemies, that the Christian, in point of passive Valour, hath exceeded all other Nations upon Earth. And 'tis a thing of wonderment, how at her very first growth she flew over the heads of so many interjacent vast Regions into this remote Isle so soon, that her Rays should shine upon the Crown of a British King first of any ; I mean K. Lucius, the true Proto- Christian King, in the days of Eleutherius, at which time she received her Propagation : But for her Plantation, she had it long before, by some of the Apostles themselves. Now, as the Christian Religion hath the purest and most abstracted, the hardest and highest spiritual

Notions ;

388 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

Notions ; so it hath been most subject to differences of Opinions, and distractions of Conscience ; the purer the Wheat is, the more subject 'tis to Tares, and the most precious Gems to Flaws. The first Bone that the Devil flung was into the Eastern Churches, then 'twixt the Greek and the Roman; but it was rather for Jurisdiction and Power, than for the Fundamentals of Faith ; and lately 'twixt Rome and the North-West Churches. Now the ex- tent of the Eastern Church is larger far than that of the Roman (excluding America], which makes some accuse her as well of Uncharitableness as of Arrogance, that she should positively damn so many Millions of Christian Souls, who have the same common Symbol of Faith with her, because they are not within the close of her Fold.

Of those Eastern and South-East Churches, there are no less than eleven Sects, whereof the three principallest are the Grecian, the Jacobite, and the Nestorian, with whom the rest have some dependance or conformity; and they ac- knowledge Canonical Obedience either to the Patriarch of Constantinople, of Alexandria, of Jerusalem, or Antiocli : They concur with the Western Reformed Churches, in divers Positions against Rome, as in denial of Purgatory; in rejecting Extreme Unction; and celebrating the Sacra- ment under both kinds ; in admitting their Clergy to marry; in abhorring the use of massy Statues, and cele- brating their Liturgy in the vulgar Language : Among these, the Russe and the Halassin Emperors are the greatest ; but the latter is a Jew also, from the Girdle downward ; for he is both Circumcised and Christened, having receiv'd the one from Solomon, and the other from the Apostle St. Thomas. They observe other Rites of the Levitical Law; they have the Cross in that esteem, that they imprint the sign of it upon some part of the Child's Body, when he is baptized ; that day they take the holy Sacrament, they spit not till after Sun-set: And the Emperor, in his Progress, as soon as he comes in the sight of a Church, lights off his Camel, and foots it all along, till he loseth the sight of it.

Now

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 389

Now touching that proportion of Ground that the Chris- tians have on the habitable Earth (which is the main of our Task), I find that all Europe, with her adjacent Isles, is peopled with Christian^ except that ruthful Country of Lapland) where Idolaters yet inhabit; towards the East, also, that Region which lieth 'twixt Tanais and Boristhenes, the ancient Country of the Goths, is possessed by Mahometan Tartars: But in these Territories which the Turk hath 'twixt the Dannie and the Sea, and 'twixt Ragusa and Buda, Christians are intermix'd with Mahometans : Yet in this co- habitation Christians are computed to make two third parts, at least. For here, and elsewhere, all the while they pay the Turk the quarter of their Increase, and a Sultany for every Poll, and speak nothing in derogation of the Alcoran, they are permitted to enjoy both their Religion and Lives securely. In Constantinople herself, under the Grand Kignior's Nose, they have 20 Churches ; in Saloniche (or Thessalonica) 30. There are 150 Churches under the Metropolitan of PhiUppi, as many under him of Athens, and he of Corinth hath about 100 Suffragan Bishops under him.

But in Africk (a thing which cannot be too much lamented), that huge Extent of Land that Christianity pos- sess'd of old, 'twixt the Mediterranean Sea and the Moun- tain Atlas, yea, as far as Egypt, with the large Region of Nubia, the Turks have over-mastered. We read of 200 Bishops met in Synods in those Parts, and in that Province where old Carthage stood there were 164 Bishops under one Metropolitan; but Mahometism hath now overspread all thereabout, only the King of Spain hath a few Maritime Towns under Christian Subjection, as Septa, Tangier, Gran, and others. But thro* all the huge Continent of Africk, which is estimated to be thrice bigger than Europe, there is not one Region entirely Christian, but Halassia or Ethiopia : Besides, there is in Egypt a considerable number of them yet sojourning. Now Habassia, according to the Itineraries of the observingst Travellers in those Parts, is

thought

390 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

thought to be, in respective Magnitude, as big as Germany, Spain, France, and Italy, conjunctly; an Estimate which comes nearer Truth than that which some make, by stretch- ing it from one Tropick to the other, viz., from the Red Sea to the Western Ocean. There are also divers Isles upon the Coast of Africk that are coloniz'd with Christians ; as the Madera, the Canaries, Cape Verd, and St. Thomas ; but on the East-side there's none but Zocotora.

In Asia there's the Empire of Russia, that's purely Chris- tian, and the Mountain Libanus in Syria ; in other Parts they are mingled with Mahometans, who exceed them one day more than another in numbers, especially in those Provinces (the more's the pity) where the Gospel was first preach'd, as Anatolia, Armenia, Syria, Mesopotamia, Palestina, Chaldea, Assyria, Persia, the North of Arabia, and South of India. In some of these Parts, I say, 'specially in the four first, Christians are thick mix'd with Mahometans, as also in East India, since the Portugal's discovery of the passage by the Cape of Good Hope, Christians by God's goodness have multiplied in considerable Numbers, as likewise in Goa, since it was made an Archbishoprick, and a Court of a Viceroy. They speak also of a Christian Church in Quinsay in China, the greatest of all earthly Cities; but in the Islands there- abouts, call'd the Philippines, which, they say, are above TIOO in number, in thirty whereof the Spaniard hath taken firm footing, Christianity hath made a good progress, as als,o in Japonia. In the North-East part of Asia, some 400 years since, Christianity had taken deep root under the K. of Ten- duck, but he was utterly overthrown by Chingis, one of his own Vassals, who came thereby to be the first Founder of the Tartarian Empire : This King of Tenduc was the true Pr ester John, not the Ethiopian King of the Halassines, as Scaliger would have it, whose Opinion is as far distant from truth in this point, as the Southermost part of Africk from the N.-E. part of Asia, or as a Jacolite is from a Nestorian. Thus far did Christianity find entertainment in the old World ; touching the new, I mean America, which is con-

jectur'd

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 391

jectur'd to equal well near the other three parts in Magni- tude, Spanish Authors and Merchants (with whom I have convers'd) make a Report of a marvellous Growth that Chris- tianity hath made in the Kingdoms of Mexico, Peru, Brasil, and Castilia de loro, as also in the greater Islands adjoining, as Hispaniola, Cuba, Poriorico, and others ; insomuch, that they write of one ancient Priest who had christen'd himself 700 Savages, some years after the first discovery : But there are some, who, seeming to be no Friends to Spain, report, that they did not baptize half so many as they butcher d.

Thus have you, as compendiously as an Epistle could make it, an account of that Extension of Ground which Christians possess upon Earth. My next shall be one of the Mahometan, wherein I could wish I had not occasion to be so large as I must be. So I am, Sir — Your respectful and humble Servant, J. H.

ll'estm., 9 Aug. 1635.

X.

7b Doctor B. SIR,

MY two former were of ludaism and Christianity : I come now to the Mahometans, the modernest of all Religions, and the most mischievous, and destructive to the Church of Christ ; for this fatal Sect hath justled her out of divers large Regions in Africk, in Tartary, and other places, and attenuated their Number in Asia, which they do where- soever they come, having a more politick and pernicious way to do it than by Fire and Faggot : For they having understood well that the Dust of Martyrs were the thrivingest Seeds of Christianity ; and observed, that there reigns natu- rally in Mankind, being composM all of a lump, and carrying the same stamp, a general kind of Compassion and Sympathy, which appears most towards them who lay down their Lives, and postpone all worldly things for the preservation of their Consciences (and never any died so but he drew followers after him), therefore the Turk goes a more cunning way to

work:

392 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

work : He meddles not with Life and Limb, to prevent the sense of Compassion, which may arise that way; but he grinds their Faces with Taxes, and makes them incapable of any Offices, either of Authority, Profit, or Honour; by which means he renders them despicable to others, and makes their Lives irksome to themselves. Yet the Turks have a high Opinion of Christ, That he was a greater Prophet than Moses : That he was the Son of a Virgin, who conceived ly the smell of a Rose presented to her ly Gabriel the Angel ; they believe he never sinn'd ; nay, in their Alcoran they term him the Breath and Word of God; they punish all that llaspheme him, and no Jew is capable to be a Turk, but he must bejirst an ABDULA, a Christian : He must eat Hog's Flesh, and do other things for three days, then he is made a Mahometan, but by abjuring of Christ to be a greater Prophet than Mahomet.

It is the Alfange that ushers in the Faith of Mahomet everywhere, nor can it grow in any place unless it be planted and sown with Gunpowder intermix'd ; when planted, there are divers ways of policy to preserve it : They have their Alcoran in one only Language, which is the Arabic, the Mother-Tongue of their Prophet. ;Tis as bad as Death for any to raise scruples of the Alcoran ; there- upon there is a restraint of the Study of Philosophy, and other Learning, because the Impostures of it may not be discerned. The Mufti is in as great Reverence among them as the Pope is among the Romanists ; for they hold it to be a true Principle in Divinity, That no one thing preserves and improves Religion more than a venerable, high, pious esteem of the chief est Ministers. They have no other Guide or Law both for Temporal and Church- Affairs than the Alcoran, which they hold to be the Rule of civil Justice, as well as the divine Charter of their Salvation : so that their Judges are but Expositors of that only; nor do they trouble themselves or puzzle the Plaintiff with any moth-eaten Records, or Precedents to entangle the business; but they immediately determine it, according to the fresh Circum- stances

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 393

stances of the Action, & sccundnm dllegata & probatu, by Witnesses. They have one extraordinary piece of humanity, to be so tender of the rational Sonl as not to put Christian, Jew, Greek, or any other, to his Oath; in regard that if, for some advantage of gain, or occasion of inconvenience and punishment, any should forswear himself, they hold the Imposers of the Oath to be accessary to the Damnation of the perjur'd Man. By these and divers other reaches of Policy (besides their Arms), not practised elsewhere, they conserve that huge bulk of the Ottoman Empire, which extends without interruption (the Hellespont only between) in one continued piece of Earth, two and thirty hundred miles, from Buda in Hungary to a good way into Persia : By these means they keep also their Religion from distract- ing Opinions, from every vulgar Fancy and Schisms in their Church, for there's nowhere fewer than here ; the difference that is, is only with the Persian, and that not in Fundamentals of Faith, but for priority of Government, in matters of Religion. This so universal Conformity in their Religion is ascrib'd as to other politic Institutions, so 'specially to the rigorous Inhibition they have of raising Scruples and Disputes of the Alcoran under pain of Death, 'specially among the Laity and common People, whose Zeal commonly is stronger than their Judgment.

That part of the world where Mahomet hath furthest expanded himself is Asia; which, as I said before, exceeds Afric in greatness, and much more in People: He hath firm footing in Persia, Tartary (upon the latter of which the Musulman Empire is entail'd), in Turcomania itself, and Arabia, four mighty Kingdoms; the last of these was the Nest where that Cockatrice Egg was hatched, which hath diffus'd its Poison so far and near, thro* the Veins of so many Regions; all the southerly Coasts of Asia from the Arabian Bay to the River Indus is infected therewith, the vast Kingdom of Camlaia and Bengula; and about the South part the Inhabitants of Malabar have drank of this Poison : Insomuch, that by no wrong computation it may well be

said,

394 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

said, that Mahometism hath dispersed itself over almost one half of the huge Continent of Asia, besides those multitudes of Isles, 'specially seven, Maldivia, and Ceylon, the Sea- coast of Sumatra, Java, Sunda, the Ports of Banda, Borneo, with divers others, whereof there are thousands about Asia, who have entertain'd the Alcoran. In Europe, the Maho- metans possess all the Region 'twixt Don and Meper, call'd of old Tanais and Boristhenes, being about the twentieth part of Europe ; the King of Poland dispenseth with some of them in Lithuania. Touching Greece, Macedon, Thracia, Bulgaria, Servia, Bosnia, Epire, the greatest part of Hungary and Dalmatia, altho' they be wholly under Turks Obedience, yet Mahometans scarce make the third part of the Inhabi- tants. In Afric this Contagion is further spread ; it hath intoxicated all the shore of Ethiopia, as far as Mosumlic, which lieth opposite to the midst of Madagascar. 'Tis worse with the firm Land of Afric on the North and West Parts ; for from the Mediterranean Sea to the great River Niper, and along the Banks of Nile, all Egypt and Barlary, with Lylia and the Negroes9 Country, are tainted and and tann'd with this black Religion.

The vast Propagation of this unhappy Sect may be ascribed first to the sword, for the Conscience commonly is apt to follow the Conqueror: then to the loose Reins it gives to all sensual Liberty, as to have eight Wives, and as many Concubines as one can maintain, with the assurance of Venereal Delights in a far higher degree, to succeed after death to the religious Observers of it, as the fruition of beautiful Damsels, with large rolling Eyes, whose Virginity shall renew after every Act; their Youth shall last always with their Lust, and Love shall be satiated with only one, where it shall remain inalienable. They concur with the Christian but only in the acknowledgment of one God, and in his Attributes. With the Jew they symbolize in many things more, as in Circumcision, in refraining from Swine's Flesh, in detestation of Images, and somewhat in the Quality of future Happiness; which, as was said before,

they

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 395

they place in Venereal Pleasure, as the Jew doth in Feast- ing and fianquetings : So that neither of their Laws have Punishment enough to deter Mankind from Wickedness and Vice, nor do they promise adequate Rewards for Virtue and Piety : For in the whole Alcoran, and thro' all the Writings of Moses, there's not a word of Angelical Joys and Eternity. And herein Christianity far excels both these Religions, for she placeth future Happiness in spiritual, everlasting and unconceivable Bliss, abstracted from the fading and faint grossness of Sense. The Jew and Turk also agree in their opinion of Women, whom they hold to be of an inferior Creation to Man ; which makes the one to exclude them from the Mosques, and the other from his Synagogues.

Thus far have I rambled thro' the vast Ottoman Empire, and taken a cursory survey of Mahomet's Religion. In my next I shall take the best view I can of Pagans and Idolaters, with those who go for Atheists : And in this particular this Earth may be said to be worse than Hell itself, and the kingdom of the Devil, in regard there are no Atheists there : For the very damned Souls find and feel in the midst of their tortures that there is a God, by his Justice and Punish- ments; nay, the Prince of darkness himself, and all the Cacodaemons, by an historical faith, believe there is a God, whereunto the Poet alludes very divinely:

Nullus in Inferno tst Athcos, anttfuit.

So I very affectionately kiss your hands, and rest — Your faithful ready Servitor, J. H.

Westm., 17 Aug. 1635.

XL

To Doctor B. SIR,

HAVING in my three former Letters wash'd my hands of the Mahometan and the Jew, and attended Chris- tianity up and down the Earth ; I come now to the Pagan

Idolater,

396 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

Idolater, or Heathen, who (the more to be lamented) make the greatest part of Mankind : Europe herself, tho' the Beams of the Cross have shin'd upon her above this sixteen Ages, is not free of them ; for they possess, to this day, Lappia, Corelia, Biarmia, Scrifinnia, and the North parts of Finmark ; there are also some shreds of them to be found in divers places of Lithuania and Somogitia, which make a Region nine hundred Miles in Compass.

But in j4fric their Number is incredible; for from Cape BlanCj the most Westerly Point of Africk, all South- ward to the Cape of Good Hope, and thence turning by the back of Afric to the Cape of Mozamlric, all these Coasts being about the one half of the Circumference of Africk, are peopled by Idolaters, tho' in some places intermixed with Mahometans and Christians, as in the Kingdom of Congo and Angola. But if we survey the inland Territories of Afric, between the River of Nile and the West Sea of Ethiopia, even all that Country from about the North parallel of ten Degrees to the South parallel of six Degrees, all is held by Idolaters ; besides, the Kingdom of Borneo and a great part of Nubia and Lylia continue still in their old Paganism : So that by this Account above one half of that immense Continent of Afric is peopled by Idolaters. But in Asia, which is far more spacious, and more populous than Afric, Pagans, Idolaters, and Gentiles swarm in great Numbers; for from the River Pechora Eastward to the Ocean, and thence Southward to the Cape of Cincapura, and from that Point returning Westward by the South Coasts to the Out-lets of the River Indus, all that maritime Tract, which makes a good deal more than half the Circum- ference of Asia, is inhabited by Idolaters ; so are the Inland Parts. There are two mighty Mountains that traverse all Asia, Taurus, and Imaus ; the first runs from the West to East, the other from North to South, and so quarter and cut that huge Mass of Earth into equal parts; this side those Mountains, most of the people are Mahometans; t'other side, they are all Idolaters. And as on the firm Continent

Paganism

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 397

Paganism thus reigns, so in many thousand Islands that lie squandered in the vast Ocean, on the East and South-East of Asia, Idolatry overspreads all, except in some few Islands that are possess'd by Spaniards and Arabs.

Lastly, if one take a survey of America (as none hath done yet exactly), which is estimated to he as big as all the old Earth ; Idolaters there possess four parts of five. 'Tis true, some years after the first Navigation thither, they were converted daily in great Multitudes; but afterwards observ- ing the licentious Lives of the Christians, their greediness of Gold, and their Cruelty, they came not in so fast ; which made an Indian answer a Spanish Fryar, who was discours- ing with him of the Joys of Heaven, and how all Spaniards went thither after this Life : Then, said the Pagan, I do not desire to go thither, if Spaniards be there ; I had rather go to Hell, to be free of their Company. America differs from the rest of the Earth in this, that she hath neither Jew nor Mahometan in her, but Christians and Gentiles only. There are, besides all those Religions and People before-mentioned, an irregular confus'd Nation in Europe, call'd the Morduits, which occupy the middle confines betwixt the Tartars and the Eusse, that are mingled in Rites of Religion, with all those that have been fore-spoken : For from the Privy Members upwards they are Christians, in regard they admit of Baptism ; from the Navel downward they are Mahometans or Jews, for they are circumcis'd : and besides, they are given to the Adoration of heathenish Idols. In Asia there are the Cardij which inhabit the mountainous Country about Mozall, between Armenia and Mesopotamia ; and the Druci in Syria, who are demi-Mahometans and Christians.

Now concerning Pagans and heathenish Idolaters, where- of there are innumerable sorts up and down the surface of the Earth ; in my opinion, those are the excusablest kind who adore the Sun and Moon, with the Host of Heaven. And in Ireland, the Kerns of the Mountains, with some of the Scotch Isles, use a fashion of adoring the new Moon to this very day, praying she would leave them in as good

Health

398 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book If.

Health as she found them : This is not so gross an Idolatry as that of other Heathens ; for the Adoration of those glorious celestial Bodies is more excusable than that of Garlick and Onions with the Egyptian, who, some think (with the Sicyonian), was the ancientest Idolater upon Earth, which he makes thrice older than we do : For Diodorus Siculus reports, that the Egyptian had a Religion and Kings 18,000 years since : Yet for matter of Philosophy and Science, he had it from the Chaldean, he from the Gymnosophists and Brachmans of India; which Country, as she is the next neighbour to the rising Sun, in reference to this side of the Hemisphere, so the beams of Learning did first enlighten her. Egypt was the Nurse of that famous Hermes Trisma- gistus, who having no other scale but that of natural Reason, mounted very high towards Heaven ; for he hath very many divine Sayings, whereof I think it not impertinent to insert here a few : First, he saith, That all human sins are venial with the Gods, impiety excepted. 2. That goodness belongs to the Gods, piety to Men, revenge and wickedness to the Devils. 3. That the Word is lucens Dei films, the bright Son of God, &c.

From Egypt theorical Knowledge came down the Nile, and landed at some of the Greek Islands; where, 'twixt the 33d, 34th, and the 35th Century of years after the Creation, there flourished all those renowned Philosophers that sway now in our Schools : Plato flew highest in divine notions, for some call him another Moses speaking Athenian : In one of his Letters to a Friend of his he writes thus, When I seriously salute thee, I begin my Letter with one God; when otherwise, with many. His Scholar Aristotle commended himself at his death to the Being of Beings : And Socrates may be said to be a Martyr for the first Person of the Trinity. These great Secretaries of Nature, by studying the vast Volume of the World, came by main strength of reason to the knowledge of one Deity, or primus motor, and of his Attributes ; they found by undeniable consequences that he was infinite, eternal, ubiquitary, omni- potent,

Book 1 7. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 399

potent , and ?wt capable of a definition : Which made the Philosopher, being commanded by his King to define God, to ask the respite of a day to meditate thereon, then two, then four; at last he ingenuously confessed, that the more he thought to dive into this mystery, the more he was in^ul ()li\l in the speculation of it: For the Quiddity and Essence of the incomprehensible Creator cannot imprint any formal conception upon the finite Intellect of the Creature. To this I might refer the Altar which St. Paul found among the Greeks with this Inscription, ry ayvwrp &eep, To the unknown God.

From the Greek Isles, Philosophy came to Italy, thence to this Western World among the Druydes, whereof those of this Isle were most celebrated ; for we read that the Gauls (now the French) came to Britany in great numbers to be instructed by them. The Romans were mighty great Zealots in their Idolatry, and their best Authors affirm, that they extended their Monarchy so far and near, by a particular reverence they had of their Gods (which the Spaniard seems now to imitate), thoj those Gods of theirs were made of Men, and of good Fellows at first : Besides, in the course of their conquest, they adopted any strange Gods to the society of theirs, and brought them solemnly to Rome ; and the reason, one saith, was, that they believed the more Gods they had, the safer they were, a few being not sufficient to conserve and protect so great an Empire. The Roman Gentiles had their Altars and Sacrifices, their Archflamins and Vestal Nuns: And it seems the same genius reigns still in them ; for in the primitive Church, that which the Pagans misliked most in Christianity was, that it had not the face and form of a Religion, in regard it had no Oblations, Altars, and Images; which may be a good reason why the Sacrifice of the Mass and other Ceremonies were first instituted to allure the Gentiles to Christianity.

But to return a little further to our former Subject: In the condition that Mankind stands now, if the Globe of the Earth were divided into thirty parts, 'tis thought that

Idolaters

400 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

Idolaters (with horror I speak it) having, as I said before, the one half of Asia and Africk, both for the inland Country and maritime Coasts, with four parts of five in America, inhabit twenty parts of those Regions that are already found out upon Earth. Besides, in the opinion of the knowing and most inquisitive Mathematicians, there is toward the Southern Clime as much Land yet undiscover'd as may equal in dimension the late new World, in regard, as they hold, there must be of necessity such a portion of Earth to balance the Centre on all sides ; and 'tis more than probable that the Inhabitants there must be Pagans. Of all kind of Idolaters, those are the horridest who adore the Devil, whom they call Tantara, who appears often to them, 'speci- ally in a Haraucane, tho' he be not visible to others. In some places they worship both God and the Devil ; the one, that he may do them good ; the other, that he may do them no hurt: the first they call Tantum, the other Squantum. 'Twere a presumption beyond that of Lucifer's, or Adam's, for Man to censure the Justice of the Creator in this particular, why he makes daily such innumerable Vessels of dishonour : It is a wiser and safer course far, to sit down in an humble admiration, and cry out, Oh the profound inscrutable Judgments of God ! his ways are past finding out : and so to acknowledge with the divine Philo- sopher, Quod oculus vesper tilionis ad solem, idem est om?iis intellectus humanus ad Deum; what the Eye of a Bat is to the Sun, the same is all human understanding to Godwards. Now to draw to a conclusion, touching the respective largeness of Christianity and Mahometism upon the Earth, I find the first to exceed, taking the new World with the old, considering the spacious Plantations of the Spaniard in America, the Colonies the English have there in Virginia, New-England, and Carillee-lslands, with those of the French in Canada, and of the Hollander in East-India : nor do I find that there is any Region purely Mahometan without Intermixtures, as Christianity hath many : which makes me to be of a differing opinion to that Gentleman

who

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 401

who held, that Christianity added little to the general Reli- gion of Mankind.

Now, touching the latitude of Christian Faith in refer- ence to the differing Professors thereof, as in my former I slu-w'd that the Eastern Churches were more spacious than the Latin or Roman (excepting the two Indies), so they who have fallen off from her in the Western Parts are not so far inferior to her in Europe as some would make one believe ; which will appear, if we cast them in counter- balance.

Among Roman Catholicks, there is the Emperor, and in him the King of Hungary ; the three Kings of Spain, France, and Poland; Italy ; the Dukes of Savoy, Bavaria, and Lorain; the three spiritual Electors, with some few more. Touching them who have renounc'd all obedience to Rome, there are the three Kings of Great- Britain, Den- mark, and Swethland, the Dukes of Saxon, Holstein, and IVittemberg; the Marquis of Brandenlerg, and Baden, the Landgrave of Hesse, most of the Hansiatic Towns, which are eighty-eight in number, some whereof are equal to Republiques ; the (almost) seven Provinces the Hollander hath ; the five Cantons of Swiss and Geneva ; they of France, who are reputed the fifth part of the Kingdom ; the Prince of Transylvania ; they of Hungary, and of the large Kingdom of Bohemia, of the Marquisates of Lusatia, Moravia, and the Dukedom of Silesia ; as also they have the huge Kingdom of Poland, wherein Protestants are diffused thro* all quarters in great numbers, having in every Province their publick Churches and Congregations orderly severed and bounded with Dioceses, whence are sent some of the chiefest and most principal Men of worth to their General Synods : For altho' there are divers sorts of these Polonian Protestants, some embracing the Waldenslan or the Bohemic, others the Augustan, and some the Helve- tian Confession ; yet they all concur in opposition to the Roman Church ; as also they of the Anglican, Scotican, Gallic, Argentine, Saxonick, IVirtinlergick, Palatin, and

2 c Belgick

402 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

Belgick Confessions. They also harmoniously symbolize in the principal Articles of Faith, and which mainly con- cern eternal Salvation ; as in the infallible Verity and full Sufficiency of the Scriptures, Divine Essence, and Unity of the Everlasting Godhead, the Sacred Trinity of the Three Glorious Persons, the Blessed Incarnation of Christ, the Omnipotent Providence of God, the Absolute Supreme Head of the Church, Christ himself, Justification by Faith thro' his Merits ; and touching the nature of lively Faith, Re- pentance, Regeneration, and Sanctification, the difference between the Law and the Gospel, touching Free-will, Sin, and good Works, the Sacraments, their number, use, and efficacy ; the Marks of the Church, the Resurrection, and State of Souls deceased. It may seem a rambling wild speech at first view, of one who said, That to make one a complete Christian, he must have the works of a Papist, the words of a Puritan, and the faith of a Protestant ; yet this wish, if well expounded, may bear a good sense, which were unfitting for me to give, you being better able to put a gloss upon it yourself.

Thus, learned Sir, have I exercised my Pen, according to my small proportion of knowledge, and conversation with Books, Men, and Maps, to obey your desire : tho' in com- parison of your spacious Literature, I have held all this while but a candle to the Sun, yet by the light of this small candle you may see how ready I am to show myself — Your very humble and affectionate Servitor, J. H.

Westm., 25 Aug. 1635.

XII.

To Mr. T. W.

SIR,

I AM heartily glad you have prevailed so far with my Lady your Mother, as to have leave to travel a-while ; and now that you are bound for France and Italy, let me give you this caution, to take heed of a speedy Friend in the

first.

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 403

first, and of a slow Enemy in the second. The courtesies of an Italian, if you make him jealous of you, are dangerous, and so are his Compliments : He will tell you that he kisseth your hand a thousand times over, when he wisheth them both cut off.

The French are a free and debonair accostable People, both Men and Women. Among the one, at first entrance, one may have Acquaintance, and at first Acquaintance one may have Entrance ; for the other, whereas the old rule was, that there could be no true Friendship without commessation of a bushel of salt, one may have enough there before he eat a spoonful with them. I like that Friendship, which by soft gentle pauses steals upon the affection, and grows mellow with time, by reciprocal offices and trials of Love: That Friendship is like to last long, and never to shrink in the wetting.

So, hoping to enjoy you before you go, and to give you a friendly Foy, I rest — Your most affectionate Servitor,

J.H.

Wtstm.) 28 Feb. 1634.

XIII.

To Sir Tho. Hawk, Knight. SIR,

I WAS invited yesternight to a solemn Supper, by B. J., where you were deeply remembered ; there was good company, excellent cheer, choice wines, and jovial welcome : One thing interven'd, which almost spoiPd the relish of the rest, that B. began to engross all the discourse, to vapour extremely of himself, and, by vilifying others, to magnify his own Muse. T. Ca. buzz'd me in the ear, that tho' Ben. had barrelled up a great deal of knowledge, yet it seems he had not read the Ethiques9 which, among other precepts of Morality, forbid self-commendation, declaring it to be an ill-favour'd solecism in good manners. It made me think upon the Lady (not very young) who having a good while given her guests neat entertainment, a Capon

being

404 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

being brought upon the Table, instead of a spoon she took a mouthful of Claret, and spouted it into the poop of the hollow bird • such an accident happened in this entertain- ment, you know Proprio laus sordet in ore; be a

Man's breath ever so sweet, yet it makes one's praise stink, if he makes his own mouth the Conduit-pipe of it. But for my part, I am content to dispense with the Roman infirmity of B. now that time hath snowed upon his pericranium. You know Ovid, and (your) Horace were subject to this humour, the first bursting out into

Jamq ; opus exegt, quod nee Jovis ira, nee ignis, &c. The other into

Exegi monumentum are perennius, &c.

As also Cicero, while he forced himself into this Hexa- meter : 0 fortunatam natam, me consule Romam ! There is another reason that excuseth B., which is, that if one be allowed to love the natural issue of his Body, why not that of the Brain, which is of a spiritual and more noble ex- traction ? I preserve your Manuscripts safe for you till you return to London ; what news the times afford, this Bearer will impart to you. So I am, Sir — Your very humble and most faithful Servitor, J. H.

Westm., 5 Apr. 1636.

XIV.

To my Cousin } Mr. I. P., at Gravesend. COUSIN,

GOD send you a good passage to Holland, and the world to your mind when you are there. Now that you intend to trail a Pike, and make profession of Arms, let me give you this caveat, that nothing must be more precious to you than your reputation. As I know you have a spirit not to receive wrong, so you must be careful not to offer any, for the one is as base as the other ; your pulse will be quickly felt, and trial made what metal you are made of after your coming. If you get but once handsomely off,

you

Book If. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 405

you are made ever after ; for you will be free from all baffles and affronts. He that hath once got the fame of an car /i/ riser, mmj sleep till noon. Therefore be wondrous wary of your first comportments; get once a good name, and be very tender of it afterwards, for 'tis like the Venice- , (jiiickhj cracked, never to be mended, patch'd it may be. To this purpose take along with you this Fable: It happened that Fire, Water, and Fame went to travel together (as you are going now) ; they consulted, that if they lost one another, how they might be retrieved and meet again : Fire said, Where you see smoke, there you shall find me : Water said, Where you see marsh and moorish low Ground, there you shall find me ; but Fame said, Take heed how you lose me, for if you do, you will run a great hazard never to meet me again, there's no retrieving of me.

It imports you also to conform yourself to your Com- manders, and so you may more confidently demand obedi- ence, when you come to command yourself, as I doubt not but you may do in a small time. The Hoghen Moghen are very exact in their polemical Government ; their pay is sure, tho' small, 45. a week being loo little a hire, as one said, to kill men. At your return I hope you will give a better account of your doings than he who, being ask'd what exploits he had done in the Low- Countries, answered, That he had cut off" a Spaniard's legs : reply being made, that that was no great matter, it had been something if he had cut off his head; 0, said he, you must consider his head was off before. Excuse me that I take my leave of you so pleasantly, but I know you will take anything in good part from him who is so much — Your truly affectionate Cousin, J. H.

lVestm.,$ Aug. 1634.

XV.

To Cap. B.

MUCH ENDEARED SlR,

THERE is a true saying, that the Spectator oft-times sees more than the Gamester; I find that you have

406 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

a very hazardous Game in hand, therefore give it up, and do not vie a farthing upon't. Tho' you be already im- barqued, yet there's time enough to strike sail, and make again to the Port, otherwise His no hard matter to be a Prophet what will become of you ; there be so many ill- favour'd Quicksands and Rocks in the way (as I have it from a good hand) that one may easily take a prospect of your Shipwrack if you go on : therefore desist, as you regard your own safety, and the seasonable advice of your

J. H. Westm., i May 1635.

XVI.

To Mr. Thomas W., at his Chambers in the Temple. SIR,

YOU have much streigthtned that knot of love which hath been so long tied between us, by those choice Manuscripts you sent me lately, among which I find divers rare pieces; but that which afforded me most entertainment in those Miscellanies, was Dr. Henry King's Poems, wherein I find not only heat and strength, but also an exact con- cinnity and evenness of fancy : they are a choice race of Brothers, and it seems the same Genius diffuseth itself also among the Sisters. It was my hap to be lately where Mrs. A. K. was, and having a Paper of Verses in her hand I got it from her ; they were an Epitaph, and an Anagram, of her own composure and writing; which took me so far, that the next morning before I was up, my rambling fancy fell upon these Lines:

For the admitting of Mrs. Ann King to be the Tenth Muse.

Ladies of Helicon, do not repine

I add one more unto your number Nine ;

To make it even, I among you bring Ba<r/X. A. No meaner than the Daughter of a King : Anna King. Fair Basil-Anna : quickly pass your Voice,

1 know Apollo will approve the choice,

And

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 407

And gladly her install ; for I could name Some of less merit, Goddesses became.

F. C. soars higher and higher every day in pursuance of his Platonic Love ; but T. Man is out with his, you know whom ; he is fallen into that averseness to her, that he swears he had rather see a Basilisk than her. This shews, that the sweetest Wines may turn to the tartest vinegar. No more till we meet. — Yours inviolably, J. H.

Westm.) 3 Feb. 1637.

XVII.

To the Lord C. MY LORD,

'npHERE are two sayings which are fathered upon Secre- JL tary IValsingham and Secretary Cecil, a pair of the best-weigh'd Statesmen this Island hath bred : one was us'd to say at the Council-Table, My Lords, stay a little, and we shall make an end the sooner ; the other would oft-times speak of himself, It shall never le said of me, that I will defer till to-morrow what I can do to-day. At first view these sayings seem'd to clash with one another, and to be dia- metrically opposite; but being rightly understood, they may be very well reconciled. Touching the first, 'tis true, that haste and choler are enemies to all great actions ; for as it is a Principle in Chymistry, that omnisfestinatio est d Diabolo, all haste comes from Hell, so in the consultations, contriv- ings, and conduct of any business of State, all rashness and precipitation comes from an ill spirit. There cannot be a better Pattern for a grave and considerate way of delibera- tion, than the antient Course of our High Court of Parlia- ment, who, when a Law is to be made, which concerns the welfare of so many thousands of men, after a mature debate and long discussion of the Point beforehand, cause the Bill to be read solemnly three times in the House, ere it be trans- mitted to the Lords ; and there also 'tis so many times can- vass'd, and then presented to the Prince : That which must stand for Law, must be long stood upon, because it imposeth

an

408 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

an universal obedience, and is like to be everlasting; ac- cording to the Ciceronian maxim, Delilerandum est dm quod statuendum est semel. Such a kind of cunctation, advised- ness, and procrastination is allowable also in all Councils of State and War ; for the Day following may be able com- monly to be a master to the Day past, such a world of con- tingencies human actions are subject to. Yet, under favour, I believe this first saying to be meant of matters while they are in agitation, and upon the anvil ; but when they have receiv'd form, and are resolv'd upon, I believe then, nothing is so advantageous as speed. And at this, I am of opinion, the second saying aims at: for when the weights that use to hang to all great businesses are taken away, 'tis good then to put wings upon them, and to take the ball before the bound ; for Expedition is the life of Action, otherwise Time may show his bald occiput, and shake his posteriors at them in derision. Among other Nations, the Spaniard is observed to have much phlegm, and to be most dilatory in his pro- ceedings, yet they who have pried narrowly into the sequel and success of his actions, do find that this gravity, reserved- ness, and tergiversation of his have turn'd rather to his pre- judice than advantage, take one time with another. The two last matrimonial Treaties we had with him continued long ; the first/ twixt Ferdinand and Henry VII. for Catherine of Arragon seven years; that 'twixt King James and the now Philip IV. for Mary of Austria lasted eleven years, (and seven and eleven's eighteen) : the first took effect for Pr. Arthur, the late miscarryM for Pr. Charles, and the Spaniard may thank himself and his own slow pace for it; for had he mended his pace to perfect the work, I believe his Monarchy had not received so many ill-favoured shocks since. The late revolt of Portugal was foreseen, and might have been prevented, if the Spaniard had not been too slow in his purpose to have sent the Duke of Braganza out of the way upon some employment, as was projected.

Now will I reconcile the former sayings of those two re- nown'd Secretaries, with the gallant comparison of Charles

the

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 409

the Emperor (and he was of a more temperate mould than a Spaniard, being a Firming born); he was us'd to say, that while any great business of State was yet in consultation, we should observe the motion of Saturn, which is plumeous, long, and heavy; but when it is once absolutely resolv'd upon, then we should observe the motion of Mercury, the nimblest of all the Planets : Uli desinit Saturnus, Hi incipiat Mercurius. Whereto I will add, that we should imitate the Mulberry, which of all Trees casts out her buds the latest, for she doth it not till all the cold weather be past, and then she is sure they cannot be nipped; but then she shoots them all out

QuodA cum } strepitu as ? Pliny saith )

in one night : so tho* she be one way the slowest, she is another way the nimblest of trees.

Thus have I obey'd your Lordship's command in ex- pounding the sense of these two sayings, according to my mean apprehension ; but this exposition relates only to pub- lick affairs and political negotiations, wherein your Lord- ship is so excellently vers'd. I shall most willingly conform to any other injunctions of your Lordship's, and esteem them always as favours, while I am J. H.

Westm., 5 Sept. 1633.

XVIII.

To Sir I. Browne, Knight. SIR,

ONE would think, that the utter falling off of Catalonia and Portugal in so short a compass of time should much lessen the Spaniard, the People of both these King- doms being from subjects become enemies against him, and in actual hostility : without doubt it hath done so, yet not so much as the world imagines. 'Tis true, in point of regal power and divers brave subordinate Commands for his Ser- vants, he is a great deal lessened thereby, but tho' he be less powerful, he is not a penny the poorer thereby ; for there

comes

4io FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

comes not a farthing less every year into his Exchequer, in regard that those Countries were rather a charge than benefit to him, all their Revenue being drunk up in Pensions, and Payments of Officers and Garisons ; for if the King of Spain had lost all except the West-Indies, and all Spain except Cas- tile herself, it would little diminish his Treasury. Touching Catalonia and Portugal, 'specially the latter, 'tis true, they were mighty Members of the Castilian Monarchy; but I believe they will sooner want Castile than Castile them, because she fill'd them with Treasure : now that Barcelona and Lisbon hath shaken hands with Sevill, I do not think that either of them hath the tithe of that Treasure they had before ; in regard the one was the Scale whereby the King of Spain sent his Money to Italy ; the other, because all her East-India commodities were barter' d commonly in Anda- lusia and elsewhere for Bullion. Catalonia is fed with money from France, but for Portugal, she hath little or none ; there- fore I do not see how she could support a war long to any pur- pose if Castile were quiet, unless soldiers would be contented to take Cloves and Pepper-corns for Patacoons and Pistoles. You know Money is the sinew and soul of War. This makes me think on that blunt answer which Capt. Tallot return' d Henry VIII. from Calais, who having receiv'd special com- mand from the King to erect a new Fort at the Water-gate, and to see the Town well fortify'd, sent him word, that he could neither fortify norjiftify without Money. There is no news at all stirring here now, and I am of the Italian's mind that said, Nulla nuova, luona nuova, no news, good news. But it were great news to see you here, whence you havebeen an Alien so long to — Your most affectionate friend, J. H. Holborn, 3 June 1640.

XIX.

To Captain C. Price. COUSIN,

YOU have put me upon such an odd intricate piece of business, that I think there was never the like of it.

I

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 411

I am more puzzled and entangled with it than oft-times I use to be with my Band-strings when I go hastily to bed, and want such a fair female Hand as you have to unty them. I must impute all this to the peevish humour of the people I dealt withal. I find it true now, that one of the greatest tortures that can be in the negotiation of the World is, to have to do with perverse irrational half-witted men, and to be worded to death by nonsense; besides, as much Brain as they have, is as full of scruples as a Burr is of prickles; which is a quality incident to all those that have their heads lightly ballasted, for they are like Buoys in a barred Port, weaving perpetually up and down. The Father is scrupulous of the Son, the Son of the Sisters, and all three of me, to whose Award they referred the business three several times. It is as hard a task to reconcile the Fanes of St. Sepulchre's Steeple, which never look all four upon one point of the Heavens, as to reduce them to any conformity of reason. I never remember to have met with Father and Children, or Children among themselves, of a more differing genius and contrariety of humours; insomuch that there cannot be a more pregnant instance to prove that human Souls come not ex traduce, and by seminal production from the parents. For my part, I intend to spend my breath no longer upon them, but to wash my hands quite of the business; and so I would wish you to do, unless you love to walk in a labyrinth of Briars. So, expecting with impatience your return to London, I rest — Your most faithful Servitor, J. H.

Wcstm., 27 Apr. 1632.

XX.

To my Cousin, Mr. I. P., at Lin coin's- Inn. COUSIN,

THE last week you sent me word, that you were so cramp'd with business, that you could not put Pen to Paper : If you write not this week, I shall fear you are

not

412 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

not only cramp' 'd but crippVd; at least I shall think you are cramp'd in your affection rather than your fingers, and that you have forgot how once it was my good fortune to pre- serve you from drowning, when the Cramp took you in St. John's-Pool at Oxford. The Cramp, as I take it, is a sudden Convulsion of the Nerves. For my part, the ligaments and sinews of my love to you have been so strong, that they were never yet subject to such spasmatical shrinkings and convulsions. Now, Letters are the very Nerves and Arteries of Friendship ; nay, they are the vital Spirits and Elixir of Love, which in case of distance and long absence would be in hazard to languish, and quite moulder away without them. Among the Italians and Spaniards, 'tis held one of the greatest solecisms that can be in good manners, not to answer a Letter with like civility ; by this they use to dis- tinguish a Gentleman from a Clown ; besides, they hold it one of the most vertuous ways to employ time. I am the more covetous of a punctual correspondence with you in this point, because I commonly gain by your Letters ; your style is so polite, your expressions so gallant, and your lines interspersed with such dainty flowers of Poetry and Philo- sophy. I understand there is a very able Doctor that reads the Anatomy-Lecture this Term ; if Ploydoji will dispense with you, you cannot spend your hours better than to hear him. So I end for this time, being crampM for want of more matter, and rest — Your most affectionate loving Cousin, J. H.

Westm.) sjuly 1631.

XXI.

To my Nephew, J. P., at St. John's in Oxford. NEPHEW,

I HAD from you lately two Letters ; the last was well freighted with very good stuff, but the other, to deal plainly with you, was not so : There was as much difference between them as 'twixt a Scotch Pedlar's Pack in Poland

and

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 413

and the Magazine of an English Merchant in Naples; the one being usually full of Taffaty, Silks, and Sattins ; the other of Callicoes, Thread-ribbands, and such polldavy ware. I perceive you have good commodities to vent, if you take the pains : your trifles and bagatells are ill bestow'd upon me, therefore hereafter I pray let me have of your best sort of Wares. I am glad to find that you have stored up so much already : you are in the best Mart in the world to improve them ; which I hope you daily do, and I doubt not when the time of your apprenticeship there is expir'd, but you will find a good market to expose them, for your own and the publick benefit abroad. I have sent you the Philosophy- books you writ to me for; anything that you want of this kind for the advancement of your studies, do but write, and I shall furnish you. When I was a Student as you are, my practice was to borrow, rather than buy some sort of Books, and to be always punctual in restoring them upon the day assign'd, and in the interim to swallow of them as much as made for my turn. This obliged me to read them thro* with more haste to keep my word, whereas I had not been so careful to peruse them had they been my own books, which I knew were always ready at my dispose. I thank you heartily for your last Letter, in regard I found it smelt of the Lamp ; I pray let your next do so, and the oil and labour shall not be lost which you expend upon — Your assured loving Uncle, J. H.

Westm., i Aug. 1633.

XXII.

To Sir Tho. Haw.

SIR,

I THANK you a thousand times for the choice Stanzas you pleas'd to send me lately : I find that you were thoroughly heated, that you were inspir'd with a true Enthusiasm when you compos' d them. And whereas others use to flutter in the lower region, your Muse soars up to the

upper

414 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

upper ; and transcending that too, takes her flight among the Celestial Bodies to find a fancy. Your desires, I should do something upon the same Subject, I have obey'd, thoj I fear not satisfied, in the following numbers :

1. Could I but catch those beamy Rays, Which Phoebus at high noon displays, I'd set them on a Loom, and frame

A Scarf for Delia of the same.

2. Could I that wondrous Black come near, Which Cynthia, when eclipsed, doth wear, Of a new fashion I would trace

A mask thereof for Delia's face.

3. Could I but reach that green and blue, Which Iris decks in various hue,

From her moist Bow Fd drag them down, And make my Delia a Summer-Gown.

4. Could I those whitely Stars go nigh, Which make the Milky-Way in Sky,

Pd poach them, and at Moon-shine dress, To make my Delia a curious mess.

5. Thus would I diet, thus attire

My Delia Queen of Hearts and Fire ; She should have everything divine, That would befit a Seraphin. And 'cause ungirt unblessed we find, One of the Zones her waist should bind.

They are of the same cadence as yours, and airable. So I am — Your Servitor, J. H.

Westm., 5 Sept. 1632.

XXIII.

To the R. H. the Lady Elizabeth Digby. MADAM,

IT is no improper comparison, that a thankful heart is like a box of precious ointment, which keeps the smell long after the thing is spent. Madam (without vanity be it

spoken)

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 415

spoken), such is my heart to you, and such are your favours to me ; the strong aromatick odour they carry'd with them diffused itself thro' all the veins of my heart, 'specially thro' the left Ventricle, where the most illustrious Blood lies; so that the perfume of them remains still fresh within me, and is like to do, while that triangle of flesh dilates and shuts itself within my breast : nor doth this perfume stay there, but as all smells naturally tend upwards, it hath ascended to my Brain, and sweeten'd all the cells thereof, 'specially the Memory, which may be said to be a Cabinet also to preserve courtesies : for tho' the Heart be the Box of Love, the Memory is the Box of Lastingness; the one may be term'd the Source whence the motions of gratitude flow, the other the Cistern that keeps them.

But your Ladyship will say, these are words only ; I con- fess it, 'tis but a verbal acknowledgment : But, Madam, if I were made happy with an opportunity, you shall quickly find these words turn'd to actions, either to go, to run, or ride upon your Errand. In expectation of such a favourable occasion, I rest, Madam — Your Ladyship's most humble and enchained Servitor, J. H.

.) 5 Aug. 1640.

XXIV.

To Sir I. B.

NOBLE SIR,

THAT old opinion the Jew and Turk have of Women, that they are of an inferior Creation to Man, and therefore exclude them, the one from their Synagogues, the other from their Mosques, is in my judgment not only par- tial, but profane: for the Image of the Creator shines as clearly in the one as in the other ; and I believe there are as many female Saints in Heaven as male, unless you could make me adhere to the opinion that Women must be all masculine before they be capable to be made Angels of. Add hereunto, that there went better and more refined stuff to the Creation of Woman than Man. 'Tis true, 'twas a weak

part

416 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IL

part in Eve to yield to the seducement of Satan; but it was a weaker thing in Adam to suffer himself to be tempted by Eve, being the weaker vessel.

The ancient Philosophers had a better opinion of that Sex, for they ascrib'd all Sciences to the Muses, all Sweet- ness and Morality to the Graces, and prophetic Inspira- tions to the Sybils. In my small revolving of Authors, I find as high examples of Virtue in Women as in Men ; I could produce here a whole Regiment of them, but that a Letter is too narrow a field to muster them in. I must confess, there are also counter Instances of this kind : if Queen Zenobia was such a precise pattern of continency, that after the act of conception she would know her Hus- band no more all the time of her pregnancy, till she had been deliver'd ; there is another example of a Roman Empress, that when she found the Vessel fraughted, would take in all passengers; when the Barn was full, any one might thrash in the haggard, but not till then, for fear the right Father should be discovered by the countenance of the Child. But what need I go far off, to rake the ashes of the dead ? there are living examples enough pro and con of both Sexes; yet Woman being (as I said before) the weaker vessel, her fail- ings are more venial than those of Man ; tho' Man, indeed, being more conversant with the world, and meeting more opportunities abroad (and opportunity is the greatest Bawd) of falling into infirmities, as he follows his worldly negotia- tions, may on the t'other side be judg'd the more excuseable.

But you are fitter than I to discourse of this subject, being better vers'd in the theory of Women, having had a most virtuous Lady of your own before, and being now link'd to another. I wish a thousand benedictions may fall upon

this your second choice, and that tarn bona sit quam

lonaprimafuit. This option shall be my conclusion for the present, whereunto I add, that I am, in 110 vulgar degree of Affection — Your most humlbe and faithful Servitor,

J.H.

Westm., 5 Aug. 1632.

XXV.

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 417

XXV.

To Mr. P. W.

SIR,

THERE are two things which add much to the merit of courtesies, viz., cheerfulness and speed, and the con- traries of these lessen the value of them ; that which hangs long 'twixt the fingers, and is done with difficulty and a sullen supercilious look, makes the obligation of the receivers nothing so strong, or the memory of the kindness half so grateful. The best thing the Gods themselves lik'd of in the entertainments they received of those poor wretches Baucis and Philemon, was open hearty looks.

Super omnia vultus,

Accessere boni.

A clear unclouded countenance makes a Cottage appear like a Castle, in point of hospitality ; but a beetle-brow'd sullen Face makes a Palace as smoaky as an Irish Hut. There is a mode in giving entertainment, and doing any courtesy else, which trebly binds the receiver to an acknow- ledgment, and makes the remembrance of it more acceptable. I have known two Lord High Treasurers of England of quite contrary humours, one successively after the other ; the one, tho' he did the Suitors' business, yet he went murmuring; the other, tho' he did it not, was us'd to dismiss the party with some satisfaction. 'Tis true, money is welcome, tho' it be in a dirty clout, but 'tis far more acceptable if it come in a clean handkerchief.

Sir, you may sit in the chair, and read Lectures of Morality to all Mankind in this point, you have such a dextrous discreet way to handle suitors in that troublesome Office of yours; wherein, as you have already purchas'd much, I wish you all increase of honour and happiness. — Your humble and obliged Servitor, J. H.

2 D XXVI.

418 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IL

XXVI.

To Mr. F. Coll., at Naples.

SIR, >/TTNIS confess'd I have offended by my over-long Silence,

JL and abus'd our maiden Friendship; I appear before you now in this white sheet, to do penance : I pray in your next to me send an Absolution. Absolutions, they say, are as cheap in that Town as Courtesans, whereof 'twas said there were 20,000 on the common list, when I was there : at which time I remember one told me a tale of a Calabrian who had a Goat; and having bought an Absolu- tion of his Confessor, he was ask'd by a friend what it cost him : He answer'd, I procur'd it for four Pistoles, and for the other odd one, I think I might have had a dispensation to have married the Beast.

I thank you for the exact relation you sent me of the fearful Earthquakes and Fires which happen'd lately in that Country, and particularly about Vesuvius. It seems the huge Giant, who, the Poets say, was hurl'd under the vast Mountain by the Gods for thinking to scale Heaven, had a mind to turn from one side to the other, which he useth to do at the revolution of every hundred years; and stirring his body by that action, he was taken with a fit of the cough, which made the Hill shake, and belch out fire in this hideous manner. But to repay you in the like coin, they send us stranger news from Lisbon; for they write of a spick and span-new Island, that hath peep'd up out of the Atlantick Sea, near the Terceras, which never appear'd before since the Creation, and begins to be peopled already : Methinks the K. of Spain needs no more Countries, he hath too many already, unless they were better united. All your Friends here are well, and mind you often in Town and Country, as doth — Your true, constant Servitor, J. H.

Westm.) 7 Apr. 1629.

XXVII.

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 419

XXVII.

To Mr. T. Lucy, in Venice.

SIR,

"\7'OUR last you sent me was from Genoa, where you write i that gli mariti ingravi dano lor moglie cento miglia lontano ; Husbands get their Wives with child a hundred miles off. Tis a great virtue, I confess, but 'tis nothing to what our East-India Mariners can do here, because they can do so forty times further: for tho* their Wives be ZLtRatclijf, and they at the Red- Sea, tho' they be at Madagascar, the Mogor*s Court, or Japan, yet they use to get their Wives' bellies up here about London ; a strange virtue, at such a huge distance; but I believe the active part is in the Wives, and the Husbands are merely passive: which makes them, among other wares, to bring home with them a sort of pre- cious horns, the powder whereof, could one get some of it, would be of an invaluable virtue. This operation of our Indian Mariner at such a distance is more admirable in my judgment than that of the Weapon-salve, the unguentum armarium; for that can do no good unless the Surgeon have the instrument and blood ; but this is done without both, for the Husband contributes neither of them.

You are now I presume in Venice ; there also such things are done by proxy ; while the Husband is abroad upon the Gallies, there be others that shoot his Gulf at home. You are now in a place where you may feed all your senses very cheap; I allow you the pleasing of your Eye, your Ear, your Smell and Taste ; but take heed of being too indulgent of the fifth Sense. The Poets feign, that Venus the Goddess of Pleasure, and therefore calPd Aphrodite, was ingendred of the froth of the Sea (which makes Fish more salacious commonly than Flesh) ; it is not improbable that she was got and coagulated of that Foam which Neptune useth to disgorge upon those pretty Islands whereon that City stands. My Lady Miller commends her kindly to you,

and

42O FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

and she desires you to send her a compleat Cupboard of the best Christal Glasses Murano can afford by the next shipping; besides she intreats you to send her a pot of the best Mithridate, and so much of Treacle.

All your Friends here are well and jovial. T. T. drank your health yesternight, and wished you could send him a handsome Venetian Courtesan inclos'd in a Letter ; he would willingly be at the charge of the postage, which he thinks would not be much for such a light commodity. Farewell, my dear Tom, have a care of your courses, and continue to love him who is — Yours to the Altar, J. H.

Westm., 1 5 Jan. 1635.

XXVIII.

To Mr. T. Jackson, at Madrid.

SIR,

r I ^HO' a great Sea severs us now, yet 'tis not all the -L water of the Ocean can drown the remembrance of you in me, but that it floats and flows daily in my brain. I must confess (for 'tis impossible the Mind of Man should fix itself always upon one object) it hath sometimes its ebbs in me, but 'tis to rise up again with greater force: At the writing hereof 'twas flood, 'twas spring-tide, which swell'd so high, that the thoughts of you overwhelm'd all others within me ; they ingross'd all my Intellectuals for the time.

You write to me fearful news, touching the revolt of the Catalan from Castile, of the tragical murdering of the Vice- roy, and the burning of his house : Those Mountaineers are mad Lads. I fear the sparkles of this fire will fly further, either to Portugal, or to Sicily and Italy ; all which Countries, I observed, the Spaniard holds, as one would do a Wolf ly the ear, fearing they should run away ever and anon from him.

The news here is, that Lambeth-House bears all the sway at Whitehall, and the Lord Deputy kings it notably in Ireland; some that love them best could wish them a little more moderation.

I

Book I L FAMILIAR LETTERS. 421

I pray buy Suarez's Works for me of the last Edition : Mr. ll'illiani I'air/y, to whom I desire my most hearty commends may be presented, will see it safely sent by way of ttilboa. Your Friends here are all well, as thanks be to God — Your true Friend to serve you, J. H.

Holborn, 3 Mar. 1638.

XXIX.

To Sir Edw. Sa., Knight.

SIR EDWARD,

I HAD a shrewd disease hung lately upon me, proceed- ing, as the Physicians told me, from this long reclused life and close restraint, which had much wasted my spirits and brought me low ; when the Crisis was past, I began to grow doubtful that I had but a short time to breathe in this elementary world ; my fever still increasing, and finding my soul weary of this muddy mansion, and, methought, more weary of this prison of flesh, than this flesh was of this prison of the Fleet. Therefore after some gentle slumbers and unusual dreams, about the dawnings of the day, I had a lucid interval, and I fell thinking how to put my little house in order, and to make my last will. Hereupon my thoughts ran upon Grunnius Sophistas last Testament, who having nothing else to dispose of but his body, he bequeathed all the parts thereof, in Legacies, as his skin to the Tanners, his bones to the Dice-makers, his guts to the Musicians, his fingers to the Scriveners, his tongue to his fellow-sophisters (which were the Lawyers of those times), and so forth. As he thus dissected his body, so I thought to divide my mind into legacies, having, as you know, little of the outward pelf and gifts of fortune to dis- pose of; for never any was less beholden to that blind baggage. In the highest degree of theorical Contempla- tion, I made an entire sacrifice of my soul to her Maker, who by infusing created her, and by creating infused her to actuate this small bulk of flesh, with an unshaken con- fidence

422 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

fidence of the redemption of both in my Saviour, and con- sequently of the salvation of the one and the resurrection of the other. My Thoughts then reflected upon divers of my noble Friends, and I fell to proportion to them what legacies I held most proper. I thought to bequeath to my Lord of Cherlery, and Sir K. Digly, that little Philosophy and Knowledge I have in the Mathematicks ; my historical Observations, and critical Researches I made into Anti- quity, I thought to bequeath unto Dr. Usher, Lord Primate of Ireland; my Observations abroad, and Inspection into foreign States, I thought to leave to my Lord G. D. ; my Poetry, such as it is, to Mistress A. K., who I know is a great minion of the Muses ; School-languages I thought to bequeath unto my dear Mother the University of Oxford; my Spanish to Sir Lewis Dives and Master Endimion Porter; for tho' they are great masters of that language, yet it may stead them something when they read la picara Justina; my Italian to the worthy Company of Turkey and Levantine Merchants, from divers of whom I have receiv'd many noble favours ; my French, to my most honour'd Lady, the Lady Core, and it may help her something to understand Ralelais ; the little smattering I have in the Dutch, British, and my English, I did not esteem worth the bequeathing : My love I had bequeath'd to be diffused among all my dear Friends, 'specially those that have stuck unto me in this my long affliction ; my best natural affec- tions betwixt the Lord B. of Br., my Brother Howell, and my three dear Sisters, to be transferred by them to my Cousins their Children. This little sackful of bones, I thought to bequeath to Westminster- Alley, to be interred in the Cloyster within the South-side of the Garden, close to the Wall, where I would have desir'd Sir H. F. (my dear Friend) to have inlay' d a small piece of black Marble, and cause this Motto to have been insculped on it, Hucusque peregrinus, heic domi; or this, which I would have left to his Choice, Hucusque Erraticus, heic Fixus : And instead of strewing my grave with Flowers, I would have

desir'd

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 423

desir'd him to have grafted thereon some little Tree of what sort he pleas'd, that might have taken root down- ward to my dust, because I have been always naturally affected to woods and groves, and those kind of vegetables, insomuch, that if there were any such thing as a Pythago- rean Metempsychosis, I think my soul would transmigrate into some Tree, when she bids this body farewell.

By these Extravagancies, and odd Chimeras of my Brain, you may well perceive that I was not well, but distemper'd, 'specially in my intellectuals; according to the Spanish pro- verb, Siempre desvarios con la calentura ; Fevers have always their fits of dotage. Among those to whom I had bequeath'd my dearest Love, you were one, to whom I had intended a large proportion ; and that Love which I would have left you then in legacy, I send you now in this Letter : For it hath pleased God to reprieve me for a longer time to creep upon this Earth, and to see better days, I hope, when this black dismal Cloud is dispell'd ; but come foul or fair weather, I shall be, as formerly — Your most constant, faith- ful Servitor, J. H.

Fleet, 26 Mar. 1643.

XXX.

To the Rt. Hon. the Lady Wichts. MADAM,

SINCE I was hurl'd among these walls, I had divers fits of melancholy, and such turbid intervals that use to attend close prisoners, who, for the most part, have no other com- panions but confus'd troops of wandring Cogitations. Now, Melancholy is far more fruitful of thoughts than any other humour ; for it is like the mud of Nile, which, when that Enigmatical vast River is got again to her former bed, engendereth divers sorts of new creatures, and some kind of Monsters. My brain in this Fleet hath been often thus overwhelm'd, yet I never found it so muddy, nor the region of my mind so much clouded, as it was lately after notice had of the sad tidings of Master Controuler*s death : The

news

424 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

news hereof struck such a damp into me, that for some space, methought, the very pulse of my blood and the motions of my heart were at a stand ; for I was surpriz'd with such a consternation, that I felt no pulsations in the one, or palpitations in the other. Well, Madam, he was a brave solid wise man, of a noble free disposition, and so great a controuler of his passions, that he was always at home within himself; yet I much fear that the sense of these unhappy times made too deep impressions in him.

Truly, Madam, I lovM and honoured him in such a per- fection, that my heart shall wear a broad black ribband for him while I live : As long as I have a retentive faculty to remember anything, his memory shall be fresh with me.

But the truth is, that if the advantageous exchange which he hath made were well consider'd, no Friend of his should be sorry ; for in lieu of a White-staff in an earthly Court, he hath got a Sceptre of Immortality : He that had been Ambassador at the Port to the greatest Monarch upon Earth, where he resided so many years an honour to his King and Country, is now arrived at a far more glorious Port than that of Constantinople; tho' (as I intimated be- fore) I fear that this boisterous weather hath blown him thither before his time. God Almighty give your Lady- ship patience for so great a loss, and comfort in your hope- ful Issue : with this prayer I conclude myself, Madam — Your Ladyship's most humble and sorrowful Servant,

J.H.

From the Fleet, 15 Apr.

XXXI.

To Mr. E. S., Counsellor at the Middle Temple. SIR,

I HAD yours this morning, and I thank you for the news you send me, that divers of my fellow-sufferers are en- larg'd out of Lambeth, Winchester, London, and Ely-House : whereunto I may answer you, as the Cheapside Porter did one that related Court-news to him, how such a one

was

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 425

was made Lord Treasurer, another Chancellor of the Ex- chequer, another was made an Earl, another sworn Privy- Counsellor : Ay, said he, yet I am but a Porter still. So I may say, I am but a Prisoner still, notwithstanding the releasement of so many. Mistake me not, as if I repin'd hereby at any one's liberty ; for I could heartily wish that I were the unic Martyr in this kind, that I were the Figure of one with never a Cypher after it, as God wot there are too many : I could wish that as I am the least in value, I were the last in number. A day may come, that a favour- able wind may blow, that I may launch also out of this Fleet. In the meantime, and always after, I am — Your true and constant Servitor, J. H.

Fleet, i Feb. 1645.

XXXII.

To Mr. R. B., at Ipswich.

GENTLE SIR,

I VALUE at a high rate the sundry respects you have been pleased to show me ; for as you obliged me before by your visits, so you have much endeared yourself to me since by your late Letter of the nth current. Believe it, Sir, the least scruple of your Love is not lost (because I perceive it proceeds from the pure motions of Virtue), but return' d to you in the same full proportion. But what you please to ascribe to me in point of merit, I dare not own ; you look upon me thro* the wrong end of the prospective, or rather thro' a multiplying-glass, which makes the object appear far bigger than it is in real dimensions ; such glasses as Anato- mists use in the dissection of Bodies, which can make a Flea look like a Cow, or a Fly as big as a Vulture.

I presume you are constant in your desire to travel ; if you intend it at all, you cannot do it in a better time, there being little comfort, God wot, to breathe English Air, as matters are carried. I shall be glad to steed you in any- thing that may tend to your Advantage; for to tell you

truly,

426 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

truly, I take much contentment in this inchoation of Friendship, to improve and perfect which, I shall lie cen- tinell to apprehend all occasions.

If you meet Master R. Brownrig in the Country, I pray present my very kind respects to him ; for I profess myself to be both his and — Your most affectionate Servitor,

J.H.

Fleet, 15 Aug. 1646.

XXXIII.

To Captain C. Price, Prisoner at Coventry. COUSIN,

YOU, whom I held always as my second self in Affec- tion, are now so in Affliction, being in the same predicament of Sufferance, tho' not in the same prison as I. There is nothing sweetneth Friendship more than partici- pation and identity of danger and durance : The day may come that we may discourse with comfort of these sad Times ; for Adversity hath the Advantage of Prosperity itself in this point, that the commemoration of the one is oft-times more delightsome than the fruition of the other. Moreover, Adversity and Prosperity are like Virtue and Vice ; the two foremost of both which begin with Anxieties and Pain, but they end comically, in Contentment and Joy ; the other two quite contrary, they begin with Plea- sure, and end in Pain : There's a difference in the last scene.

I could wish, if there be no hope of a speedy releasement, you would remove your body hither, and rather than moulder away in idleness, we will devoutly blow the coal, and try if we can exalt Gold, and bring it o'er the helm in this Fleet ; we will transmute metals, and give a resurrection to mor- tified Vegetables : To which end, the green Lyon and the Dragon, yea, Demogorgon and Mercury himself, with all the Planets, shall attend us, till we come to the Elixir, the true Powder of Projection, which the Vulgar call the Philosopher's Stone. If matters hit right, we may thereby

get

Book IL FAMILIAR LETTERS. 427

get better returns than Cardigan silver Mines afford : But we must not melt ourselves away as J. Meredith did, nor do as your Countryman Morgan did. I know when you read these lines, you'll say I am grown mad, and that I have taken Opium in lieu of Tobacco: If I be mad, I am but sick of the Disease of the Times, which reigns more among the English, than the Sweating-sickness did some sixscore years since among them, and only them, both at home and abroad.

There's a strange Maggot hath got into their brains, which possesseth them with a kind of Vertigo ; and it reigns in the Pulpit more than anywhere else, for some of our Preachmen are grown dog-mad, there's a worm got into their Tongues, as well as their Heads.

Hodge Powel commends him to you ; he is here under hatches as well as I; however, I am still, in fair or foul weather — Your truly affectionate Cousin to serve you,

J.H. t, 3 Jan. 1643.

XXXIV.

To the Rt. Hon. the Lord of Cherberry. MY LORD,

GOD send you joy of your new habitation, for I under- stand your Lordship is remov'd from the King's- street to the Queen's. It may be with this enlargement of dwelling, your Lordship may need a recruit of Servants. The bearer hereof hath a desire to devote himself to your Lordship's Service ; and I find that he hath a concurrence of such parts that may make him capable of it : He is well studied in men and books, vers'd in business of all sorts, and writes a very fair hand : He is well extracted, and hath divers good friends that are dwellers in the Town, who will be responsible for him. Moreover, besides this Letter of mine, your Lordship will find that he carrieth one in his countenance ; for an honest ingenious Look is a good Letter of recommendation of itself. If your Lordship hath not

present

428 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

present occasion to employ him, he may be about you a-while like a spare Watch, which your Lordship may wind up at pleasure. So my Aim being to do your Lord- ship service, as much as him a pleasure, by this recom- mendation, I rest — Your Lordship's most humble Servant,

J. H. Fleet) \zJuly 1646.

XXXV.

To Mr. R. Br. GENTLE SIR,

YOURS of the 4th current came safely to hand, and I acknowledge with much contentment the fair respects you please to shew me : You may be well assur'd, that the least grain of your Love to me is not lost, but counter- balanc'd with the like in full weight; for altho' I am as frail a piece, and as full of infirmities, as another man, yet I like my own nature in one thing, that I could never endure to be in the Arrear to any for Love ; where my Hand came short, my Heart was bountiful, and helped to make an equal compensation.

I hope you persist in your purpose for foreign Travel, to study a-while the World abroad : It is the way to perfect you, and I have already discovered such choice ingredients and parts of ingenuity in you, that will quickly make a compleat Gentleman. No more now, but that I am seriously — Yours to dispose of, J. H.

Fleet, 3 July 1646.

XXXVI.

To Sir L. D., in the Tower.

SIR,

TO help the passing away of your weary Hours between those disconsolate Walls, I have sent you a King of your own Name to bear you company, Lewis XIII., who, tho' dead three years since, may peradventure afford you some entertainment; and I think that dead Men of this

nature

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 429

nature are the fittest companions for such that are buried alive, as you and I are. I doubt not but you, who have a Spirit to overcome all things, will overcome the sense of this hard condition, that you may survive these sad times, and see better days. I doubt not, as weak as I am, but I shall be able to do it myself; in which confidence I style myself — Your most obliged and ever faithful Servitor, J. H.

Fleet, 15 Feb. 1646.

My most humble Service to Sir/. St. and Sir H. V.

XXXVII.

To Master R. B. GENTLE SIR,

I HAD yours of the 2d current by Master Bloys, which obligeth me to send you double thanks, first, for your Letter, then for the choice Hand that brought it me.

When I had gone thro' it, methought your Lines were as Leaves, or rather so many Branches, among which there sprouted divers sweet Blossoms of ingenuity, which I find may quickly come to a rare maturity. I confess this Clime (as matters go) is untoward to improve such buds of Virtue ; but the Times may mend, now that our King, with the Sun, makes his approach to us more and more : Yet I fear we shall not come yet a good while to our former serenity; therefore it were not amiss, in my judgment, if some foreign Air did blow upon the aforesaid Blossoms, to ripen them under some other Meridian ; in the interim, it is the opinion of — Your ever respectful Friend to dispose of, J. H.

Fleet, 3 Aug. 1645.

XXXVIII.

To Mr. G. C., at Dublin. SIR,

THE news of this Week have been like the waves of that boisterous Sea, thro' which this Letter is to pass

over

430 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

over to you. Divers reports for Peace have swoln high for the time, but they suddenly fell low and flat again. Our Relations here are like a Peal of Bells in windy blustring weather; sometimes the Sound is strong on this side, some- times on that side of the Steeple; so our Relations sound diversly, as the Air of Affection carries them ; and sometimes in a whole volley of News we shall not find one true report.

There was, in a Dunkirk Ship, taken some months ago hard by Arundel Castle^ among other things, a large Picture seiz'd upon, and carried to Westminster-Hall, and put in the Star-Chamber to be publickly seen: It was the Legend of Conanus, a British Prince in the time of Gratian the Emperor, who having married Ursula, the King of Cornwall's Daughter, was em bark' d with 11,000 Virgins for Britany in France, to colonize that part with Christians ; but being by distress of Weather beaten upon the Rhine, because they would not yield to the lust of the Infidels, after the example of Ursula, they were all slain, their Bodies were carried to Colen, where there stands to this day a stately Church built for them. This is the Story of that Picture ; yet the common People here take Conanus for our King, and Vrsula for the Queen, and the Bishop which stands hard by to be the Pope, and so stare upon it accordingly, notwithstanding that the Prince there represented hath Sandals on his feet, after the old fashion, that the Coronets on their heads resemble those of Dukes and Earls, as also that there are Rays about them which never use to be applied to living Persons, with divers other incongruities : Yet it cannot be beaten out of the belief of thousands here, but that it was intended to represent our King and Queen; which makes me conclude with this interjection of wonder, Oh the ignorance of the common People! — Your faithful Friend to command, J. H.

Fleet, 12 Aug. 1644.

XXXIX.

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 431

XXXIX.

To Master End. For., at Paris. SIR,

I MOST affectionately kiss your hands for the account (and candid opinion) you please to give of the History I sent Her Majesty of the late King her Brother's Reign. I return you also a thousand thanks for your comfortable Advice, that having been so long under hatches in this Fleet, I should fancy myself to be in a long voyage at Sea : 'Tis true, Opinion can do much, and indeed she is that great Lady which rules the World. There is a wise saying in that Country where you sojourn now, that Ce n'est pas la place mats la penste quifait la prison : 'Tis not the Place, but Opinion, that makes the Prison ; the Conceit is more than the Condition. You go on to prefer my captivity in this Fleet to that of a Voyager at Sea, in regard that he is subject to storms and springing of Leaks, to Pirates and Picaroons, with other casualties. You write, I have other Advantages also, to be free from plundering, and other Barbarisms, that reign now abroad. 'Tis true, I am secur'd from all these; yet touching the first, I could be content to expose myself to all those chances, so that this were a floating Fleet, that I might breathe free Air, for I have not been suflfer'd to stir o'er the threshold of this House this four years. Whereas you say, I have a Book for my com- panion ; 'tis true, I converse sometimes with dead Men, and what fitter Associates can there be for one that is buried alive (as I am) than dead Men? And now will I adventure to send you a kind of Epitaph I made of myself this morning, as I was lolling a-bed :

Here lies intomVd a walking thing. Whom Fortune (with the States) did fling Between these walls. Why ? ask not that, That blind Whore doth she knows not what.

'Tis a strange World, you'll say, when Men make their

own

432 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

own Epitaphs in their Graves ; but we that are thus buried alive have one Advantage above others, that we are like to have a double Resurrection: I am sure of one; but if these Times hold, I cannot ascertain myself of the other, for I may be suffered to rot here, for ought I know ; it being the hard destiny of some in these Times, when they are once clapp'd up, to be so forgotten, as if there were no such Men in the World.

I humbly thank you for your Avisos; I cannot correspond with you in that kind as freely as I would ; only in the general I must tell you, that we are come to such a pass, that the Posie which a young Couple did put upon their Wedding-ring may fit us in general, which was, God knows what will become of us. But I trust these bad Times will be recompensed with better ; for my part, that which keeps me alive is your Motto there of the House of Bourlon, and 'tis but one word, L'Sperance. So I pray God preserve you, and — Your most faithful humble Servitor, J. H.

Fleet, 2 Jan. 1646.

XL.

To Master J. H., at St. John's College in Cambridge.

MASTER HALL,

YOURS of the I3th of this instant came safely, tho' slowly, to hand ; for I had it not till the 2Oth of the same, and the next day your Essays were brought me. I entertained both with much respect; for I found therein many choice and ripe Notions, which I hope proceed from a pregnancy, rather than precocity of spirit in you.

I perceive you have enter' d the Suburbs of Sparta already, and that you are in a fair way to get to the Town itself : I know you have wherewith to adorn her ; nay, you may in time gain Athens herself, with all the Knowledge she was ever Mistress of, if you go on in your Career with constancy. I find you have a genius for the most solid and severest sort of Studies; therefore when you have pass'd

thro'

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 433

thro' the Briars of Logick, I could wish you to go strongly on in the fair fields of Philosophy and the Mathematicks, which are true Academical Studies, and they will afford rich matter of application for your inventive spirit to work upon. By all means understand Aristotle in his own Language, for it is the Language of Learning. Touching Poetry, History, and other humane Studies, they may serve you for your recreation, but let them not by any means allure your affections from the first. I shall delight some- times to hear of your proceeding; for I profess a great deal of good-will to you, which makes me rest — Your respectful Friend to serve you, J. H.

Fleet, 3 Dec.

XLI. To my B.} the L. B. of B., in France.

MY GOOD LORD AND BR.,

ALTHO' the sense of my own hard condition be enough to make me melancholy, yet when I contemplate yours (as I often do) and compare your kind of banishment with my imprisonment, I find the apprehension of the first, wherein so many have a share, adds a double weight to my sufferings, tho' but single : Truly these Thoughts to me are as so many corrosives to one already in a Consumption. The World cries you up to be an excellent Divine and Philosopher; now is the time for you to make an advantage of both : Of the first, by calling to mind, that Afflictions are the proportion of the best Theophiles ; of the other, by a well-weighed consideration, that Crosses and Troubles are entail'd upon Mankind as much as any other inheritance. In this respect I am no Cadet, for you know I have had a double, if not a triple share, and may be rather calPd the elder Brother ; but olareov Kal eVwreov, I hope I shall not sink under the burden, but that we shall be both reserv'd for better days, 'specially now that the King (with the Sun and the Spri?ig) makes his approach more and more towards us from the North.

2 E God

434 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book //.

God Almighty (the God of our good old Father) still guard you and guide you, that after so long a separation we may meet again with comfort, to confer Notes, and recount Matters past : For adverse Fortune, among other Properties, hath this for one, that her present pressures are not so irk- some, as the remembrance of them being past are delight- some. So I remain — Your most loving Brother, J. H.

Fleet, i Mail 1645.

XLIL

To Sir L. Dives, in the Tower. SIR,

AMONG divers other Properties that attend a long Cap- tivity, one is, that it purgeth the Humours, 'specially it correcteth Choler, and attempers it with Phlegm ; which you know in Spanish is taken for Patience. It hath also a chymical kind of quality, to refine the dross and feculency of a corrupt Nature, as Fire useth to purify Metals, and to destroy that terram adamicam in them, as the Chymist calls it; for Demogorgon with his Vegetables partakes of Adams Malediction, as well as other Creatures, which makes some of them so foul and imperfect ; Nature having design' d them all for Gold and Silver at first, and 'tis Fire can only rectify, and reduce them towards such a perfection. This Fleet hath been such a Furnace to me, it hath been a kind of Perillus Bull ; or rather, to use the Paracelsian phrase, I have been here in ventre equino, in this limbeck and crucible of Affliction. And whereas the Chymist commonly requires but 150 days antequam corvus in columlam vertatur, before the Crow turns to a Dove; I have been here five times so many days, and upward. I have been here time enough in conscience to pass all the degrees and effects of fire, as distillation, sublimation, mortification, calcination, solution, descension, dealbation, rubification, and fixation; for I have been fasten'd to the walls of this Prison any time these fifty-five months : I have been here long enough, if I were matter capable thereof, to be made the Philosopher's Stone,

to

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 435

to be converted from Water to Powder, which is the whole Magistery : I have been, besides, so long upon the anvil, that methinks I am grown malleable, and hammer-proof ; I am so habituated to hardship. But indeed you that are made of a choicer mould, are fitter to be turn'd into the Elixir, than I who have so much dross and corruption in me, that it will require more pains, and much more expence, to be purg'd and defecated. God send us both patience to bear the brunt of this fiery trial, and grace to turn these decoc- tions into aquavitce, to make sovereign Treacle of this Viper. The Trojan Prince was forc'd to pass over Phlegeton, and pay Charon his freight before he could get into the Elysian fields : You know the moral, that we must pass thro' Hell to Heaven ; and why not as well thro' a Prison to Paradise ? Such may the Tower prove to you, and the Fleet to me, who am — Your humble and hearty Servitor, J. H.

From the prison of the Fleet, 23 Feb. 1645.

XLIII.

To the Eight Honourable the Lord R.

MY LORD,

SURE there is some angry Planet hath lower'd long upon the Catholick King ; and tho' one of his Titles to Pagan Princes be, that he wears the Sun for his Helmet, because it never sets upon all his dominions, in regard some part of them lies on the t'other side of the Hemisphere among the Antipodes ; yet methinks that neither that great Star, or any of the rest, are now propitious unto him: They cast, it seems, more benign influxes upon the Flower-de luce, which thrives wonderfully ; but how long these favour- able Aspects will last, I will not presume to judge. This, among divers others of late, hath been a fatal year to the said King ; for Westward he hath lost Dunkirk : Dunkirk, which was the Terror of this part of the World, the Scourge of the occidental Seas, whose Name was grown to be a bug- bear for so many years, hath now changed her Master, and

thrown

436 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IL

thrown away the ragged-staff; doubtless a great exploit it was to take this Town : But whether this be advantageous to Holland (as I am sure it is not to England) time will shew. It is more than probable that it may make him careless at Sea, and in the building and arming of his Ships, having now no Enemy near him ; besides, I believe it cannot much benefit Hans to have the French so contiguous to him : the old saying was, Ayez le Francois pour ton ami/, non pas pour ton Voisin : Have the Frenchman for thy Friend, not for thy Neighbour.

Touching England, I believe these distractions of ours have been one of the greatest advantages that could befall France; and they happen'd in the most favourable con- juncture of time that might be, else I believe he would never have as much as attempted Dunkirk : for England, in true reason of State, had reason to prevent nothing more, in regard no one place could have added more to the naval Power of France; this will make his Sails swell bigger, and I fear make him claim in time as much Regality in these narrow Seas as England herself.

In Italy the Spaniard hath also had ill successes at Piom- lino and Porto-longone : besides, they write that he hath lost il Prete, & il Medico, the Priest, and the Physician ; to wit, the Pope, and the Duke of Florence (the House of Medici), who appear rather for the French than for him.

Add to these disasters, that he hath lost within the revolu- tion of the same year the Prince of Spain his unic Son, in the very flower of his age, being but seventeen years old. These, with the falling off of Catalonia and Portugal, with the death of the Queen not above forty, are heavy losses to the Catholick King, and must needs much enfeeble the great bulk of his Monarchy, falling in so short a compass of time one upon the neck of another : and we are not to enter into the secret Counsels of God Almighty for a reason. I have read 'twas the sensuality of the flesh that drove the Kings out of Rome, the French out of Sicily, and brought the Moors into Spain, where they kept firm footing above

seven

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 437

seven hundred years. I could tell you how, not long before her death, the late Queen of Spain took off one of her Chapines, and clowted Olivares about the noddle with it, because he had accompany'd the King to a Lady of Plea- sure ; telling him, that he should know, she was Sister to a King of France, as well as Wife to a King of Spam. For my part, France and Spain is all one to me in point of affection ; I am one of those indifferent Men that would have the Scales of Power in Europe kept even : I am also a Philerenus, a lover of Peace, and I could wish the French were more inclinable to it, now that the common Enemy hath invaded the Territories of St. Mark. Nor can I but admire that at the same time the French should assail Italy at one side, when the Turk was doing it on the other. But had that great naval Power of Christians , which were this summer upon the coasts of Tuscany, gone against the Mahometan Fleet, which was the same time setting upon Candy, they might in all likelihood have achieved a glori- ous Exploit, and driven the Turk into the Hellespont. Nor is poor Christendom torn thus in pieces by the German, Spaniard, French, and Swedes, but our three Kingdoms have also most pitifully scratch'd her face, wasted her spirits, and let out some of her illustrious blood, by our late horrid distractions: Whereby it may be inferr'd, that the Mufti and the Pope seem to thrive in their devotion one way, a chief part of the prayers of the one being, that discord should still continue 'twixt Christian Princes ; of the other, that division should still increase between the Protestants. This poor Island is a woful ex- ample thereof.

I hear the Peace 'twixt Spain and Holland is absolutely concluded by the Plenipotentiary Ministers at Munster, who have beat their heads so many years about it: But they write that the French and Swede do mainly endeavour, and set all the wheels of Policy a-going to puzzle and prevent it. If it take effect, I do not see how the Hollander in common honesty can evade it; I hope it will conduce much to an

Universal

438 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IL

Universal Peace, which God grant, for War is a Fire struck in the Devil's tinder-box. No more now, but that I am, my Lord — Your most humble Servitor, J. H.

Fleet) i Dec, 1643.

XLIV.

To Mr. E. O., Counsellor, at Gray's-Inn.

SIR,

THE sad Tidings of my dear Friend Dr. Prichard's Death sunk deep into me; and the more I ruminate upon't, the more I resent it : But when I contemplate the Order, and those Adamantine Laws which Nature puts into such strict execution thro'out this elementary World ; when I consider that up and down this frail Globe of Earth we are but Strangers and Sojourners at best, being designed for an infinitely better Country ; when I think that our egress out of this life is as natural to us as our ingress (all which he knew as much as any), these Thoughts in a checking way turn my Melancholy to a counter-passion ; they beget another spirit within me. You know that in the disposition of all sublunary Things, Nature is God's Handmaid, Fate his Commissioner, Time his Instrument, and Death his Execu- tioner. By the first we have Generation ; by the second Successes, good or bad; and the two last bring us to our End : Time with his vast Scythe mows down all Things, and Death sweeps away those Mowings. Well, he was a rare and a compleat judicious Scholar, as any that I have known born under our Meridian ; he was both solid and acute; nor do I remember to have seen soundness and quaintness, with such sweet strains of morality, concur so in any. I should think that he fell sick of the Times, but that I knew him to be so good a Divine and Philosopher, and to have studied the Theory of this World so much, that nothing could take impression in him to hurt himself; therefore I am content to believe, that his Glass ran out without any

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 439

jogging. I know you lov'd him dearly well, which shall make me the more — Your most affectionate Servitor,

J. H. Flat, 3 Aug.

XLV.

To I. W., Esq.; in Gray's-Inn.

GENTLE SIR,

I VALUE at a high rate the fair respects you shew me, by the late ingenious expressions of your Letter; but the merit you ascribe to me in the superlative, might have very well serv'd in the positive, and 'tis well if I deserve in that degree. You writ that you have singular contentment and profit in the perusal of some Things of mine : I am heartily glad they afforded any Entertainment to a Gentle- man of so choice a judgment as yourself.

I have a foolish working Brain of mine own, in labour still with something ; and I can hardly keep it from super- fetations, tho' oft-times it produce a Mouse, in lieu of a Mountain. I must confess its best productions are but homely and hard-favour' d ; yet in regard they appear hand- some in your Eyes, I shall like them the better. So I am, Sir — Yours most obliged to serve you, J. H.

Fleet) $fon. 1644.

XLVI.

To Mr. Tho. H.

SIR,

THO' the time abound with Schisms more than ever (the more is our misery), yet, I hope, you will not suffer any to creep into our Friendship; tho' I apprehend some fears thereof by your long silence, and cessation of literal correspondence. You know there is a peculiar Re- ligion attends Friendship; there is, according to the Ety- mology of the word, a ligation and solemn tie, the rescind- ing whereof may be truly called a Schism, or a Piacle, which

i*

44° FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book //.

is more. There belong to this Religion of Friendship certain due rites, and decent ceremonies, as Visits, Messages, and Missives. Tho' I am content to believe that you are firm in the fundamentals, yet I find, under favour, that you have lately fallen short of performing those exterior offices, as if the ceremonial Law were quite abrogated with you in all things. Friendship also allows of Merits, and works of Supererogation sometimes, to make her capable of Eternity. You know that Pair which were taken up into Heaven, and placed among the brightest Stars for their rare constancy and fidelity one to the other: you know also they are put among ihejixed Stars, not the erratices, to shew there must be no inconstancy in love. Navigators steer their course by them, and they are the best friends in working Seas, dark nights, and distresses of weather; whence may be inferr'd, that true friends should shine clearest in adversity, in cloudy and doubtful times. On my part this ancient friendship is still pure, orthodox, and incorrupted ; and tho' I have not the opportunity (as you have) to perform all the rites thereof in regard of this recluse life, yet I shall never err in the Essentials : I am still yours KTija-ei,, thoj I cannot be ^p^crei : for in statu quo nunc, I am grown useless and good for nothing, yet in point of possession I am as much as ever — Your firm inalterable Servitor, J. H.

^ 7 Nov. 1643.

XLVII. To Mr. S. B., Merchant, at his House in the Old-Jury.

SIR,

I RETURN you those two famous speeches of the late Q. Elizaleth, with the addition of another from Baudius at an Embassy here from Holland. It is with Languages as 'tis with liquors, which by transfusion use to take wind from one vessel to another ; so things translated into another tongue lose of their primitive vigour and strength, unless a paraph rastical Version be permitted ; and then the Traduct

may

Book I L FAMILIAR LETTERS. 441

may exceed the Original ; not otherwise, tho' the Version be never so punctual, 'specially in these Orations which are frain'd with such art, that, like Vitruvius's Palace, there is no place left to add one stone more without defacing, or to take any out without hazard of destroying the whole Fabrick.

Certainly she was a Princess of a rare endowment for Learning and Languages; she was bless'd with a long Life and triumphant Reign, attended with various sorts of ad- mirable Successes, which will be taken for some Romance a thousand years hence, if the World last so long. She freed the Scot from the French, and gave her Successor a royal pension to maintain his Court: she help'd to settle the Crown on Henry the Great's head : she gave essence to the State of Holland : she civiliz'd Ireland, and suppress'd divers insurrections there: she preserv'd the dominion of the narrow Seas in greater glory than ever : she maintained open War against Spain, when Spain was in her highest flourish, for divers years together: yet she left a mighty Treasure behind, which shews that she was a notable good housewife. Yet I have read divers censures of her abroad ; that she was ingrateful to her Brother of Spain, who had been the chiefest instrument, under God, to preserve her from the Block, and had left her all Q. Marys Jewels with- out diminution; accusing her, that afterwards she should first infringe the Peace with him, by intercepting his trea- sure in the narrow Seas, by suffering her Drake to swim to his Indies, and rob him there; by fomenting and supporting his Belgique Subjects against him then when he had an Ambassador resident at her Court. But this was the cen- sure of a Spanish Author ; and Spain had little reason to speak well of her. The French handle her worse, by term- ing her, among other contumelies, FHaquentfe de ses propres vassaux.

Sir, I must much value the frequent respects you have shewn me, and am very covetous of the improvement of this acquaintance; for I do not remember at home or abroad to have seen in the person of any, a Gentleman

and

442 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

and a Merchant so equally met as in you : which makes me style myself — Your most affectionate Friend to serve

you, J. H.

Fleet) 3 May 1645.

XLVIII.

To Dr. D. Featly. SIR,

I RECEIVED your Answer to that futilous Pamphlet, with your desire of my opinion touching it. Truly, Sir, I must tell you, that never poor Cur was toss'd in a Blanket as you have toss'd that poor Coxcomb in the Sheet you pleas' d to send me : For whereas a fillip might have fell'd him, you have knocked him down with a kind of Herculean Club, sans resource. These Times (more's the pity) labour with the same disease that France did during the League; as a famous Author hath it, Prurigo scrip- turientium erat scabies temporum : The itching of Scribblers was the scab of the Time: It is just so now, that any triobolary Pasquiller, every tressis agaso, any sterquilinous Rascal, is licens'd to throw dirt in the faces of Sovereign Princes in open printed language. But I hope the Times will mend, and your Man also, if he hath any grace, you have so well corrected him. So I rest — Yours to serve and everence you, J. H.

Fleet) i Aug. 1644.

XLIX.

To Captain T. L., in Westchester. CAPTAIN,

I COULD wish that I had the same advantage of speed to send to you at this time as they have in ^Alexandria, now call'd Scanderoon, when upon the arrival of any Ships in the Bay, or any other important occasion, they use to send their Letters by Pigeons, train'd up purposely for that use, to Aleppo and other places : Such an airy Messenger,

such

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 443

such a volatile Postilion would I desire now to acquaint you with the sickness of your Mother-in-law, who I believe will be in another world (and I wish it may be Heaven) before this Paper comes to your hands: For the Physicians have forsaken her, and Dr. Burton told me 'tis a miracle if she lasts a natural day to an end : Therefore you shall do well to post up as soon as you can, to look to your own affairs, for I believe you will be no more sick of the Mother: Master Davies in the meantime told me he will be very careful and circumspect, that you be not wrong'd. I re- ceived yours of the loth current, and return a thousand thanks for the warm and melting sweet expressions you make of your respects to me. All that I can say at present in answer is, that I extremely please myself in loving you ; and I like my own affections the better, because they tell me that I am — Your entirely devoted Friend, J. H.

Wcstm., 10 Dec. 1631.

To my Hon. friend, Sir C. C. SIR,

I WAS upon point of going abroad to steal a solitary walk, when yours of the I2th current came to hand. The high researches and choice abstracted notions I found therein seem'd to heighten my spirits, and make my fancy fitter for my intended retirement and meditation: Add hereunto, that the countenance of the weather invited me ; for it was a still evening, it was also a clear open sky, not a speck, or the least wrinkle, appeared in the whole face of Heaven, 'twas such a pure deep azure all the Hemisphere over, that I wonderM what was become of the three Regions of the Air, with their Meteors. So, having got into a close field, I cast my face upward, and fell to consider what a rare prerogative the optic virtue of the Eye hath, much more the intuitive virtue in the Thought, that the one in a moment can reach Heaven, and the other go beyond it : Therefore

sure

444 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

sure that Philosopher was but a kind of frantic fool, that would have pluck'd out both his Eyes, because they were a hindrance to his speculations. Moreover, I began to con- template, as I was in this posture, the vast magnitude of the Universe, and what proportion this poor globe of Earth might bear with it : For if those numberless bodies which stick in the vast roof of Heaven, tho' they appear to us but as spangles, be some of them thousands of times bigger than the Earth, take the Sea with it to boot, for they both make but one Sphere, surely the Astronomers had reason to term this Sphere an indivisible Point, and a thing of no dimension at all, being compared to the whole World. I fell then to think, that at the second general destruction, it is no more for God Almighty to fire this Earth than for us to blow up a small squib, or rather one small grain of Gunpowder. As I was musing thus, I spied a swarm of Gnats waving up and down the Air about me, which I knew to be part of the Universe as well as I : And methought it was a strange opinion of our Aristotle to hold, that the least of those small insected Ephemerans should be more noble than the Sun, because it had a sensitive soul in it. I fell to think, that in the same proportion which those Animalillios bore with me in point of bigness, the same I held with those glorious Spirits which are near the Throne of the Almighty. What then should we think of the magnitude of the Creator him- self ? Doubtless, 'tis beyond the reach of any human im- agination to conceive it : In my private devotions I presume to compare him to a great Mountain of Light, and my soul seems to discern some glorious Form therein ; but suddenly as she would fix her eyes upon the Object, her sight is presently dazled and disgregated with the refulgency and corruscations thereof.

Walking a little further I spied a young boisterous Bull breaking over hedge and ditch to a herd of Kine in the next Pasture; which made me think, that if that fierce, strong Animal, with others of that kind, knew their own strength, they would never suffer Man to be their master. Then

looking

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 445

looking upon them quietly grazing up and down, I fell to consider that the Flesh which is daily dish'd upon our Tables is but concocted grass, which is recarnified in our stomachs, and transmuted to another flesh. I fell also to think what advantage those innocent Animals had of Man, who, as soon as Nature cast them into the world, find their Meat dress'd, the Cloth laid, and the Table covered; they find their Drink brew'd, and the Buttery open, their Beds made, and their Cloaths ready : and tho1 Man hath the faculty of Reason to make him a compensation for the want of those advan- tages, yet this Reason brings with it a thousand perturbations of mind and perplexities of spirit, griping cares and anguishes of thought, which those harmless silly creatures were exempted from. Going on, I came to repose myself upon the trunk of a Tree, and I fell to consider further what advantage that dull Vegetable had of those feeding Animals, as not to be so troublesome and beholden to Nature, nor to be subject to starving, to diseases, to the inclemency of the weather, and to be far longer-livM. Then I spied a great Stone, and sitting a-while upon't, I fell to weigh in my thoughts that that Stone was in a happier condition, in some respects, than either of those sensitive Creatures or Vegetables I saw before; in re- gard that that Stone, which propagates by assimilation, as the Philosophers say, needed neither grass nor hay, or any aliment for restauration of nature, nor water to refresh its roots, or the heat of the Sun to attract the moisture upwards, to increase growth, as the other did. As I directed my pace homeward, I spied a Kite soaring high in the Air, and gently gliding up and down the clear Region so far above my head, that I fell to envy the Bird extremely, and repine at his happiness, that he should have a privilege to make a nearer approach to Heaven than I.

Excuse me that I trouble you thus with these rambling meditations ; they are to correspond with you in some part for those accurate fancies of yours lately sent me. So I rest — Your entire and true Servitor, J. H.

Holborn^ 17 Mar. 1639.

LI.

446 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

LI.

To Master Serjeant D., at Lincoln's-Inn. SIR,

I UNDERSTAND with a deep sense of sorrow of the indisposition of your Son : I fear he hath too much mind for his body, and that superabounds with fancy, which brings him to these fits of distemper, proceeding from the black humour of Melancholy : Moreover, I have observed that he is too much given to his study and self-society, 'specially to converse with dead Men, I mean Books: You know anything in excess is naught. Now, Sir, were I worthy to give you advice, I could wish he were well marry'd, and it may wean him from that bookish and thoughtful humour : Women were created for the comfort of Men, and I have known that to some they have prov'd the best Helleborum against Melancholy. As this course may beget new Spirits in him, so it must needs add also to your comfort. I am thus bold with you, because I love the Gentleman dearly well, and honour you, as being — Your humble obliged Servant, J. H.

West., \$June 1632.

LII.

To my nolle Lady, the Lady M. A. MADAM,

r I ^HERE is not anything wherein I take more pleasure -L than in the accomplishment of your commands ; nor had ever any Queen more power o'er her Vassals than you have o'er my Intellectuals. I find by my inclina- tions, that it is as natural for me to do your will, as it is for fire to fly upward, or anybody else to tend to his center; but touching the last command your Ladyship was pleased to lay upon me (which is the following Hymn), if I answer not the fulness of your expectation, it must be

imputed

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 447

imputed to the suddenness of the command, and the short- ness of time.

A Hymn to the Blessed Trinity.

To the First Person.

To thee, dread Sovereign, and dear Lord, Who out of nought didst me afford Essence and Life, who mad*st me Man, And, oh much more, a Christian ;

Lo,from the centre of my heart

All laud and glory I impart.

Hallelujah.

To the Second.

To thee, blest Saviour, who didst free My soul from Satan's tyranny, And mad'st her capable to be An Angel of the Hierarchy ;

From the same centre I do raise

All honour and immortal praise.

Hallelujah.

To the Third.

To thee, sweet Spirit, I return

That Love wherewith my Heart doth burn ;

And these bless'd notions of my Brain

I now breathe up to thee again ;

O / let them re-descend, and still

My soul with holy raptures fill.

Hallelujah.

They are of the same measure, cadence, and air as was that Angelical Hymn your Ladyship pleased to touch upon your Instrument ; which as it so enchanted me then, that my soul was ready to come out at my ears, so your voice took such impressions in me, that methinks the sound still remains fresh with — Your Ladyship's most devoted Servitor,

J.H. West., i Apr. 1637.

LIII.

448 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book 77.

LIII.

To Master P. W., at Westminster. SIR,

THE fear of God is the beginning of Wisdom, and the Love of God is the end of the Law ; the former saying was spoken by no meaner man than Solomon, but the latter hath no meaner Author than our Saviour himself. Touching this Beginning and this End, there is a near relation between them, so near, that the one begets the other ; a harsh Mother may bring forth sometimes a mild Daughter: So Fear begets Love, but it begets Knowledge

first; for Ignoti nulla cupido, we cannot love God,

unless we know him before : Both Fear and Love are necessary to bring us to Heaven ; the one is the fruit of the Law, the other of the Gospel ; when the clouds of Fear are vanished, the beams of Love then begin to glance upon the heart ; and of all the members of the Body, which are in a manner numberless, this is that which God desires, because 'tis the centre of Love, the source of our Affections, and the cistern that holds the most illustrious Blood; and in a sweet and well-devoted harmonious soul, Cor is no other than Camera omnipotentis Regis, 'tis one of God's Closets ; and indeed nothing can fill the heart of Man, whose desires are infinite, but God, who is Infinity itself. Love therefore must be a necessary attendant to bring us to him. But besides Love, there must be two other guides that are requir'd in this journey, which are Faith and Hope ; now that Fear which the Law enjoins us, turns to Faith in the Gospel, and Knowledge is the scope and subject of both : Yet these last two bring us only toward Heaven, but Love goes all along with us to Heaven, and so remains an in- separable sempiternal companion of the soul. Love there- fore is the most acceptable Sacrifice which we can offer our Creator; and he who doth not study the Theory of it here, is never like to come to the Practice of it hereafter. It

was

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 449

was a hypcTphysical expression of St. Austin, when he fell into this rapture, That if he were King of Heaven, and God Almighty Bishop of Hippo, he would exchange places with him, fa-can*- he lov'd him so well. This Vote did so take me, that I have turn'd it to a paraphrastical Hymn, which I send you for your Viol, having observ'd often that you have a harmonious soul within you.

The VOTE.

0 God, who can those passions tdl Wherewith my heart to thtc doth swell!

1 cannot better them declare.

Than by the wish made by that rare Aurelian Bishop, who of old Thy Oracles in Hippo told.

Jf I were Thou, and thou wert I,

J would resign the Deity ;

Thou shouldst be God, I would be Man :

l?t possible that Love more can 9

O pardon, that my soul hath ta'en So high a flight, and grows profane.

For myself, my dear Phil, because I love you so dearly well, I will display my very intrinsecals to you in this point : When I examine the motions of my heart, I find that I love my Creator a thousand degrees more than I fear him ; methinks I. feel the little needle of my Soul touch'd with a kind of magnetical and attractive virtue, that it always moves towards him, as being her summum lonum, the true centre of her Happiness. For matter of Pear, there's none that I fear more than myself, I mean those frailties which lodge within me, and the extravagancies of my affections and thoughts : In this particular I may say, that I fear my- self more than I fear the Devil, or Death, who is the King of fears. God guard us all, and guide us to our last home thro* the briars of this cumbersome Life. In this prayer I rest — Your most affectionate Servitor, J. H.

Holborn, 21 Mar. 1639.

2 F LIV.

45O FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

LIV.

To theRt. Hon. the Lord Cliff.

MY LORD,

SINCE among other passages of entertainment we had lately at the Italian Ordinary (where your Lordship was pleas'd to honour us with your presence) there happen'd a large discourse of Wines, and of other Drinks that were us'd by several Nations of the Earth, and that your Lordship desir'd me to deliver what I observed therein abroad, I am bold now to confirm and amplify in this Letter what I then let drop extempore from me, having made a recollection of myself for that purpose.

It is without controversy, that in the nonage of the world men and beasts had but one buttery, which was the Fountain and River ; nor do we read of any Vines or Wines till 200 years after the flood : But now I do not know or hear of any Nation that hath Water only for their drink, except the Japonois, and they drink it hot too ; but we may say, that what beverage soever we make, either by brewing, by distillation, decoction, percolation, or pressing, it is but Water at first : Nay, Wine itself is but Water sublim'd, being nothing else but that moisture and sap which is caus'd either by rain or other kind of irrigations about the roots of the Vine, and drawn up to the branches and berries by the virtual attractive heat of the Sun, the bowels of the Earth serving as a Limbeck to that end ; which made the Italian Vineyard-man (after a long drought and an extreme hot Summer, which had parch'd up all his grapes) to complain, that per mancamento d'acqua, levo dell1 acqua, se io havessi acqua, leveret el vino ; For want of water, I am forc'd to drink water ; if I had water, I would drink wine. It may be also applied to the Miller, when he had no water to drive his Mills.

The Vine doth so abhor cold that it cannot grow beyond the 49th degree to any purpose : Therefore God and Nature

hath

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 451

hath furnish'd the North-west Nations with other inventions of beverage. In this Island the old drink was Ale, noble Ale ; than which, as I heard a great foreign Doctor affirm, there is no liquor that more increaseth the radical moisture, and preserves the natural heat, which are the two Pillars that support the life of Man : But since Beer hath hopp'd in among us, Ale is thought to be much adulterated, and nothing so good as Sir John Oldcastle and Smug the Smith was us'd to drink. Besides Ale and Beer, the natural drink of part of this Isle may be said to be Metheglin, Braggot, and Mead, which differ in strength according to the three degrees of comparison. The first of the three, which is strong in the superlative, if taken immoderately, doth stupify more than any other liquor, and keeps a humming in the brain ; which made one say, that he lov'd not Metheglin, because he was us'd to speak too much of the house he came from, meaning the Hive. Cyder and Perry are also the natural drinks of part of this Isle. But I have read in some old Authors of a famous drink the ancient Nation of the Picts, who liv'd 'twixt Trent and Tweedy and were utterly extinguished by the overpowering of the Scot, were used to make of decoction of flowers, the receipt whereof they kept as a secret, and a thing sacred to themselves ; so it perish' d with them. These are all the common drinks of this Isle, and of Ireland also, where they are more given to Milk, and Strong-waters of all colours : The prime is Usquelagh, which cannot be made anywhere in that perfection ; and whereas we drink it here in Aqua vitce measures, it goes down there by beer-glass- fulls, being more natural to the Nation.

In the seventeen Provinces hard by, and all low Germany, Beer is the common natural drink, and nothing else; so is it in Westphalia, and all the lower Circuit of Saxony, in Denmark, Swethland, and Norway. The Prusse hath a Beer as thick as Honey : In the Duke of Saxes Country there is Beer as yellow as Gold, made of Wheat, and it inebriates as soon as Sack. In some parts of Germany they use to spice their Beer, which will keep many years ; so that

at

452 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

at some Weddings there will be a butt drank out as old as the Bride. Poland also is a Beer Country; but in Russia, Muscovy, and Tartary they use Mead, which is the naturallest drink of the Country, being made of the decoction of Water and Honey : This is that which the Ancients call'd Hydromel. Mares-milk is a great drink with the Tartar, which may be a cause why they are bigger than ordinary ; for the Physicians hold, that Milk enlargeth the Bones, Beer strengtheneth the Nerves, and Wine breeds Blood sooner than any other Liquor. The Turk, when he hath his Tripe full of Pelaw, or of Mutton and Rice, will go to Nature's Cellar; either to the next Well or River to drink Water, which is his natural common Drink : For Mahomet taught them, that there was a Devil in every berry of the grape, and so made a strict inhibition to all his Sect from drinking of Wine, as a thing profane : He had also a reach of policy therein, because they should not be in- cumber'd with luggage when they went to War, as other Nations do, who are so troubled with the carriage of their Wine and Beverages ; yet hath the Turk peculiar drinks to himself besides, as Sherbet made of juice of Lemon, Sugar, Amber, and other ingredients : He hath also a drink call'd Cauphe, which is made of a brown berry, and it may be calPd their clubbing drink between meals, which tho' it be not very gustful to the palate, yet it is very comfortable to the stomach, and good for the sight. But notwithstanding their Prophet's Anathema, thousands of them will venture to drink Wine, and they will make a precedent prayer to their souls to depart from their bodies in the interim, for fear she partake of the same pollution. Nay, the last Turk died of excess of Wine, for he had at one time swallow'd three and thirty Okes, which is a measure near upon the bigness of our Quart ; and that which brought him to this was, the Company of a Persian Lord, that had given him his daughter for a present, and came with him from Bagdad: Besides, one accident that happen'd to him was, that he had an Eunuch who was used to be drunk, and whom he had

commanded

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 453

commanded twice upon pain of life to refrain, swearing by Mahomet, that he would cause him to be strangled if he found him the third time so ; yet the Eunuch still con- tinued in his drunkenness. Hereupon the Turk conceiving with himself that there must needs be some extraordinary delight in drunkenness, because this Man preferred it before his life, fell to it himself, and so drank himself to death.

In Asia there is no Beer drank at all, but Water, Wine, and an incredible variety of other Drinks, made of Dates, dried Raisins, Rice, divers sorts of Nuts, Fruits, and Roots. In the Oriental Countries, as Camlaia, Calicut, Narimgha, there is a Drink calPd Banque, which is rare and precious ; and 'tis the height of entertainment they give their guests before they go to sleep, like that Nepenthe which the Poets speak so much of; for it provokes pleasing dreams and delightful phantasies ; it will accommodate itself to the humour of the sleeper: As if he be a Soldier, he will dream of Victories and taking of Towns; if he be in love, he will think to enjoy his Mistress ; if he be covetous, he will dream of Mountains of gold, &c. In the Moluccas and Philippines there is a curious drink calPd Tampoy, made of a kind of Gilliflowers, and another drink calPd Otraqua, that comes from a Nut, and is the more general drink. In China they have a holy kind of liquor made of such sort of flowers for ratifying and binding of bargains ; and having drank thereof, they hold it no less than perjury to break what they promise : As they write of a River in Bithynia, whose water hath a peculiar virtue to discover a perjurer; for if he drink thereof, it will persently boil in his stomach, and put him to visible tortures. This makes me think of the River Styx among the Poets, which the Gods were use to swear by ; and it was the greatest Oath for the perform- ance of anything:

Nubila promissi Styx mihi testis erit.

It put me in mind also of that which some write of the River of Rhine, for trying the legitimation of a Child being

thrown

454 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

thrown in; if he be a bastard he will sink, if otherwise he will not.

In China they speak of a Tree call'd Maguais, which affords not only good drink, being pierced, but all things else that belong to the subsistence of man : They bore the Trunk with an Awger, and then issueth out sweet potable liquor; 'twixt the rind and the tree there is a Cotton, or hempy kind of Moss, which they wear for their clothing ; it bears huge Nuts, which have excellent food in them ; it shoots out hard prickles above a fathom long, and those arm them ; with the bark they make tents ; and the dotard trees serve for firing.

Africa also hath a great diversity of drinks, as having more need of them, being a hotter Country far : In Guiney, or the lower Ethiopia, there is a famous drink call'd Mingol, which issueth out of a tree much like the Palm, being bored : But in the upper Ethiopia, or the Halassins Country, they drink Mead decocted in a different manner. There is also much Wine there. The common drink of Barlary, after Water, is that which is made of Dates. But in Egypt, in times past, there was beer drank calPd Zithus in Latin, which was no other than a decoction of Barley and Water ; they had also a famous composition (and they use it to this day) called Chiffi, made of divers cordials and provocative ingredients, which they throw into water to make it gustful ; they use it also for fumigation : But now the general drink of Egypt is Nile water, which of all water may be said to be the best, insomuch that Pindar's words might be more applicable to that than to any other, 'Apisrbv pev vSwp. It doth not only fertilize and extremely fatten the soil which it covers, but it helps to impregnate barren Women ; for there is no place on earth where People increase and multiply faster: 'Tis yellowish and thick, but if one cast a few Almonds into a potful of it, it will become as clear as rock water: It is also in a degree of lukewarmness, as Martial's boy :

Tolle puer calices tepidique torcumata Nili.

In

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 455

In the new world they have a world of drinks; for there is no root, flower, fruit, or pulse but is reducible to a potable liquor; as in the Barbado Island the common drink among the English is Mobli, made of Potato roots: In Mexico and Peru, which is the great Continent of America, with other parts, it is prohibited to make Wines under great penalties, for fear of starving of trade : so that all the Wines they have are sent from Spain.

Now for the pure Wine Countries; Greece with all her Islands, Italy, Spain, France, one part of four of Germany, Hungary, with divers Countries thereabouts, all the Islands in the Mediterranean and Atlantic Sea, are Wine Countries.

The most generous Wines of Spain grow in the midland parts of the Continent, and St. Martin bears the bell, which is near the Court. Now, as in Spain, so in all other Wine Countries, one cannot pass a day's Journey but he will find a differing race of Wine : Those kinds that our Merchants carry over are those only that grow upon the Seaside, as Malagas, Sherries, Tents, and Aligants : Of this last there's little comes over right, therefore the Vintners make Tent (which is a name for all Wines in Spain, except white) to supply the place of it. There is a gentle kind of White- wines grows among the Mountains of Galicia, but not of body enough to bear the Sea, call'd Rabidavia. Portugal affords no Wines worth the transporting; they have an odd stone we call Yef9 which they use to throw into their Wines, which clarifieth it, and makes it more lasting. There's also a drink in Spam call'd Alosha, which they drink between meals in hot weather, and 'tis a Hydromel made of water and honey, much of the taste of our Mead. In the Court of Spain there's a German or two that brews Beer; but for that ancient drink of Spain which Pliny speaks of, compos'd of flowers, the receipt thereof is utterly- lost.

In Greece there are no Wines that have bodies enough to bear the Sea for long voyages; some few Muscadells and Malmsies are brought over in small Casks: nor is

there

456 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

there in Italy any Wine transported to England but in Bottles, as Verde, and others ; for the length of the voyage makes them subject to pricking, and so lose colour, by reason of their delicacy.

France participating of the Climes of all the Countries about her, affords Wines of quality accordingly; as towards the Alpes and Italy, she hath a luscious rich Wine called Frontiniac : In the Country of Provence towards the Pyre- nees, and in Languedoc, there are Wines concustable with those of Spain: one of the prime sort of White-wines is that of Beaume, and of Clarets that of Orleans, tho' it be interdicted to wine the King's Cellar with it, in respect of the corrosiveness it carries with it. As in France, so in all other Wine-Countries, the white is called the female, and the Claret or Red-wine is called the male, because com- monly it hath more sulphur, body, and heat in't. The Wines that our Merchants bring over grow upon the River Gar on near Bourdeaux in Gascony, which is the greatest Mart for Wines in all France ; the Scot, because he hath always been an useful Confederate to France against Eng- land, hath (among other privileges) right of pre-emption or first choice of Wines in Bourdeaux; he is also permitted to carry his Ordnance to the very Walls of the Town, whereas the English are forced to leave them at Blay, a good way distant down the River. There is a hard green Wine that grows about Rochell, and the Islands thereabouts, which the cunning Hollander sometimes uses to fetch ; and he hath a trick to put a bag of herbs, or some other in- fusions into it (as he doth brimstone in Rhenish), to give it a whiter tincture and more sweetness; then they reim- bark it for England, where it passeth for good Bachrag, and this is called stooming of Wines. In Normandy there's little or no Wine at all grows, therefore the common drink of that Country is Cyder, 'specially in low Normandy ; There are also many Beer-houses in Paris and elsewhere; but tho' their barley and water be better than ours, or that of Germany, and tho' they have English and Dutch

Brewers

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 457

Brewers among them, yet they cannot make Beer in that perfection.

The prime Wines of Germany grow abont the Rhine, 'specially in the Psalts or Lower-Palatinate about Bachrag, which hath its Etymology from Bacchiara; for in ancient times there was an Altar erected there to the honour of Bacchus , in regard of the richness of the Wines. Here, and all France over, 'tis held a great part of incivility for Maidens to drink Wine until they are married, as it is in Spain for them to wear high shoes or to paint till then. The German Mothers, to make their Sons fall into hatred of Wine, do use, when they are little, to put some Owls* Eggs into a cup of Rhenish, and sometimes a little living Eel, which twingling in the Wine while the child is drink- ing, so scares him, that many come to abhor and have an antipathy to Wine all their lives after. From Bachrag the first stock of Vines, which grow now in the grand Canary Island, were brought, which, with the heat of the Sun and the Soil, is grown now to that height of perfection, that the Wine which they afford is accounted the richest, the most firm, the best bodied and lastingest Wine, and the most defecated from all earthly grossness, of any other whatso- ever; it hath little or no sulphur at all in't, and leaves less dregs behind, tho* one drink it to excess. French Wines may be said to pickle meat in the stomach ; but this is the Wine that digests, and doth not only breed good blood, but it nutrifieth also, being a glutinous substantial liquor. Of this Wine, if of any other, may be verified that merry induction, That good Wine makes good Blood, good Blood causeth good Humours, good Humours cause good Thoughts, good Thoughts bring forth good Works, good Works carry a Man to Heaven ; ergo good Wine carrieth a Man to Heaven. If this be true, surely more English go to Heaven this way than any other, for I think there's more Canary brought into England than to all the World besides. I think also there is a hundred times more drunk under the name of Canary Wine than there is brought in ; for

Sherries

45^ FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

Sherries and Malagas well mingled pass for Canaries in most Taverns, more often than Canary itself; else I do not see how 'twere possible for the Vintner to save by it, or to live by his Calling, unless he were permitted sometimes to be a Brewer. When Sacks and Canaries were brought in first among us, they were us'd to be drank in Aqua vitce measures, and 'twas held fit only for those to drink of them who were us'd to carry their legs in their hands, their eyes upon their noses, and an Almanack in their bones : But now they go down every one's throat, both young and old, like milk.

The Countries that are freest from excess of drinking are Spain and Italy : If a Woman can prove her Husband to have been thrice drunk, by the ancient Laws of Spain she may plead for a divorce from him. Nor indeed can the Spaniard, being hot-brain'd, bear much drink ; yet I have heard that Gondomar was once too hard for the King of Denmark when he was here in England. But the Spanish Soldiers, that have been in the Wars of Flanders, will take theirs cups freely, and the Italians also. When I liv'd t'other side the Alps, a Gentleman told me a merry Tale of a.Ligurian Soldier who had got drunk in Genoa; and Prince Doria going a-horseback to take the round one night, the Soldier took his horse by the bridle, and ask'd what the Price of him was, for he wanted a horse : The Prince seeing in what humour he was, cans' d him to be taken into a house, and put to sleep : In the morning he sent for him, and ask'd him what he would give for his Horse. Sir, said the recover'd Soldier, the Merchant that would have bought him yesternight of your Highness went away lietimes in the morn- ing. The boonest companions for drinking are the Greeks and Germans ; but the Greek is the merrier of the two, for he will sing and dance, and kiss his next companion ; but the other will drink as deep as he : The Greek will drink as many glasses as there be letters in his Mistress's name ; the other will drink the number of his years, and tho' he be not apt to break out into singing, being not of so airy a constitution,

yet

Book 77. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 459

yet he will drink often musically a health to every one of these six Notes, Ut, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La ; which, with his reason, are all comprehended in this Hexameter:

UT REltvct Mherum FAtum SOLitosque LAborcs.

The fewest draughts he drinks are three, the first to quench the thirst past, the second to quench the present thirst, the third to prevent the future. I heard of a company of Low-Dutchmen that had drunk so deep, that beginning to stagger, and their heads turning round, they thought verily they were at Sea, and that the upper chamber where they were was a Ship; insomuch that it being foul windy weather, they fell to throwing the stools and other things out of the window, to lighten the Vessel, for fear of suffer- ing shipwreck.

Thus have I sent your Lordship a dry discourse upon a fluent subject ; yet I hope your Lordship will please to take all in good part, because it proceeds from — Your most humble and ready Servitor, J. H.

Westm., 17 Oct. 1634.

LV.

To the Right Honourable the Earl R.

MY LORD,

YOUR desires have been always to me as commands, and your commands as binding as Acts of Parlia- ment : Nor do I take pleasure to employ head or hand in any- thing more than in the exact performance of them. There- fore if in this crabbed, difficult task you have been pleas' d to impose upon me about Languages, I come short of your Lordship's expectation, I hope my obedience will apologize for my disability. But whereas your Lordship desires to know what were the original Mother-Tongues of the Coun- tries of Europe, and how these modern Speeches that are now in use were first introduced, I may answer hereunto, that it is almost as easy a thing to discover the Source of

Nile,

460 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

Nile, as to find out the Original of some Languages : yet I will attempt it as well as I can ; and I will take my first rise in these Islands of Great Britain and Ireland : for to be curious and eagle-eyed abroad, and to be blind and ignorant at home (as many of our Travellers are now-a-days), is a curiosity that carrieth with it more of affectation than anything else.

Touching the Isle of Albion, or Great Britany, the Cam- Irian, or Cymraecan, Tongue, commonly call'd Welsh (and Italian also is so call'd by the Dutch], is without controversy the prime maternal Tongue of this Island, and connatural with it ; nor could any of the four Conquests that have been made of it by Roman, Saxon, Dane, or Norman ever extinguish her, but she remains still pure and incorrupt ; of which Language there is as exact and methodical a Gram- mar, with as regular precepts, rules, and institutions, both for prose and verse, compilM by Dr. David Rice, as I have read in any Tongue whatsoever. Some of the authentickest Annalists report, that the old Gauls (now the French) and the Britons understood one another; for they came thence very frequently to be instructed here by the British Druids, who were the Philosophers and Divines of those times : and this was long before the Latin Tongue came this side the Alps, or books written; and there is no meaner Man than Ccesar himself records this.

This is one of the fourteen vernacular and independent Tongues of Europe, and she hath divers Dialects : the first is the Cornish, the second the Armoricans, or the Inhabi- tants of Britany in France, whither a Colony was sent over hence in the time of the Romans. There was also another Dialect of the British Language among the Picts, who kept in the North Parts, in Northumberland, Westmerland, Cum- berland, and some parts beyond Tweed, until the whole Nation of the Scots poured upon them with such multitudes, that they are utterly extinguish'd, both them and Language. There are some who have been curious in the comparison of Tongues, who believe that the Irish is but a dialect of

the

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 461

the ancient British ; and the learnedest of that Nation, in a private discourse I happened to have with him, seem'd to incline to this opinion : but this I can assure your Lordship of, that at my being in that Country I observed by a pri- vate collection which I made, that a great multitude of their radical words are the same with the Welsh, both for sense and sound; the tone also of both the Nations is con- sonant : for when first I walk'd up and down Dublin Mar- kets, methought verily I was in Wales; then I listened unto their speech ; but 1 found that the Irish Tone is a little more querulous and whining than the British, which I conjectured with myself proceeded from their often being subjugated by the English. But, my Lord, you would think it strange, that clivers pure Welsh words should be found in the new-found World in the West-Indies; yet it is verify'd by some Navigators, as Grando (hark), NeJ (heaven), Lluynog (a fox), Pengwyn (a bird with a white head), with sundry others, which are pure British : nay, I have read a Welsh Epitaph which was found there upon one Madoc, a British Prince, who four years before the Norman Conquest, not agreeing with his brother, then Prince of South- Wales, went to try his fortunes at Sea, imbarking himself at Milford- Haven, and so tarried on those coasts. This, if well prov'd, might well entitle our Crown to America, if first discovery may claim a right to any Country.

The Romans, tho' they continued here constantly above 300 years, yet they could not do as they did in France, Spain, and other Provinces, plant their Language as a mark of Conquest; but the Saxons did, coming in far greater numbers under Hengist from Holstein-land in the lower Circuit of Saxony; which People resemble the English more than any other Men upon Earth, so that 'tis more than probable that they came first from thence: besides, there is a Town there call'd Lunden, and another place named Angles, whence it may be presum'd that they took their new denomination here. Now, the English, tho' as Saxons (by which name the Welsh and Irish call them to

this

462 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

this day) they and their Language are ancient, yet in refer- ence to this Island they are the modernest Nation in Europe, both for habitation, speech, and denomination; which makes me smile at Mr. Fox's error in. the very front of his Epistle before the Book of Martyrs, where he calls Constantine, the first Christian Emperor, the Son of Helen an English Woman; whereas she was purely British, and that there was no such Nation upon earth called English at that time, nor above 100 years after, till Hengist invaded this Island, and settling himself in it, the Saxons who came with him took the appellation of Englishmen. Now, the English speech, tho' it be rich, copious, and significant, and that there be divers Dictionaries of it, yet, under favour, I cannot call it a regular Language, in regard, tho' often attempted by some choice Wits, there could never any Grammar of exact Syntaxis be made of it; yet hath she divers sub-dialects, as the Western and Northern English, but her chiefest is the Scotic, which took footing beyond Tweed about the last Conquest; but the ancient Language of Scotland is Irish, which the Mountaineers, and divers of the Plain, retain to this day. Thus, my Lord, according to my small model of Observations, have I endeavoured to satisfy you in part : I shall in my next go on, for in the pursuance of any command from your Lordship my mind is like a stone thrown into a deep water, which never rests till it goes to the bottom : So for this time, and always, I rest, my Lord — Your most humble and ready Servitor,

J. H. Westm., 9 Aug. 1630.

LVI.

To the Eight Honouralle the Earl R. MY LORD,

IN my last I fulfill'd your Lordship's commands, as far as my reading and knowledge could extend, to inform you what were the radical primitive Languages of those Dominions that belong to the Crown of Great Britain,

and

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 463

and how the English, which is now predominant, enter'd in first : I will now hoise sail for the Netherlands, whose Language is the same dialect with the English, and was so from the beginning, being both of them derived from the High-Dutch : The Danish also is but a branch of the same tree, no more is the Swedish, and the speech of them of X or it-ay and Island. Now, the High- Dutch or Teutonic Tongue is one of the prime and most spacious maternal Languages of Europe ; for besides the vast extent of Ger- many itself, with the Countries and Kingdoms before-men- tioned, whereof England and Scotland are two, it was the Language of the Goths and Vandals, and continueth yet of the greatest part of Poland and Hungary, who have a Dialect of hers for their vulgar Tongue; yet tho' so many Dialects and sub-dialects be derived from her, she remains a strong sinewy Language, pure and incorrupt in her first centre, towards the heart of Germany. Some of her Writers would make the world believe that she was the Language spoken in Paradise ; for they produce many Words and proper names in the Five Books of Moses which fetch their Etymology from her ; as also in Persia, to this day, divers radical words are the same with her, as Fader, Moeder, Broder, Star : And a German Gentleman, speaking hereof one day to an Italian, that she was the Language of Paradise, Sure, said the Italian (alluding to her roughness), then it was the tongue that God Almighty chid Adam in. It may be so, reply* d the German; but the Devil had tempted Eve in Italian before. A full-mouth'd Language she is, and pronounced with that strength, as if one had bones in his tongue instead of nerves.

Those Countries that border upon Germany, as Bohemia, Silesia, Poland, and those vast Countries North- East ward, as Russia and Muscovia, speak the Sclavonic Language: And it is incredible what I have heard some Travellers report of the vast extent of that Language; for beside Sclavonia itself, which properly is Dalmatia and Liburnia, it is the vulgar speech of the Macedonians, Epirots, Bosnians,

Servians,

464 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

Servians, Bulgarians, Moldavians, Rascians, and Podolians ; nay, it spreads itself over all the Eastern parts of Europe (Hungary and Wallachia excepted) as far as Constantinople, and is frequently spoken in the Seraglio among the Jani- zaries : nor doth she rest there, but crossing the Hellespont, divers Nations in Asia have her for their popular tongue, as the Circassians, Mongrelians, and Gazarites Southward : neither in Europe or Asia doth she extend herself further Northward than to the parallel of forty degrees. But those Nations which celebrate Divine Service after the Greek Ceremony, and profess obedience to the Patriarch of Con- stantinople, as the Russ, the Muscovite, the Moldavian, Ras- cian, Bosnian, Servian, and Bulgarian, with divers other Eastern and North-East People that speak Sclavonic, have her in a different character from the Dalmatian, Croatian, Istrian, Polonian, Bohemian, Silesian, and other Nations towards the West : these last have the Illyrian Character, and the invention of it is attributed to St. Jerome ; the other is of Cyril's devising, and is call'd the Servian Character. Now, altho' there be above sixty several Nations that have this vast extended Language for their vulgar speech, yet the pure primitive Sclavonic dialect is spoken only in Dalmatia, Croatia, Lilurnia, and the Countries adjacent, where the ancient Sclavonians yet dwell ; and they must needs be very ancient; for there is in a Church in Prague an old Charter yet extant, given them by Alexander the Great, which I thought not amiss to insert here : We Alexander the Great, Son of King Philip, Founder of the Grecian Empire, Con- queror of the Persians, Medes, &c., and of the whole World from East to West, from North to South, Son of great Jupiter by, &c., so call'd; to you the nolle stock of Sclavonians, and to your Language, because you have been unto us a Help, true in Faith, and valiant in War, we confirm all that tract of Earth from the North to the South of Italy, from us and our Successors) to you and your Posterity for ever ; And if any other Nation be found there, let them be your slaves. Dated at Alexandria the iath of the Goddess Minerva, witness

Elhra

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 465

Ethra and the eleven Princes whom we appoint our Succes- sors. With this rare and one of the ancientest Records in Europe, I will put a period to this second account I send your Lordship touching Languages. My next shall be of Greece, Italy, France, and Spain, and so I shall shake hands with Europe; till when, I humbly kiss your hands, and rest, my Lord — Your most obliged Servitor, J. H.

2 of Aug. 1630.

LVII.

To the Eight Honourable the Earl R. MY LORD,

HAVING in my last rambled through High and Low Germany, Bohemia, Denmark, Poland, Russia, and those vast North-East Regions, and given your Lordship a touch of their Languages (for 'twas no Treatise I intended at first, but a cursory short literal account), I will now pass to Greece, and speak something of that large and learned Language ; for 'tis she indeed upon whom the beams of the scientifical Knowledge did first shine in Europe, which she afterward diffus'd thro' all the Eastern World.

The Greek Tongue was first peculiar to Hellas, alone, but in tract of time the Kingdom of Macedon, and Epire, had her; then she arriv'd at the Isles of the Egean Sea, which are interjacent, and divide Asia and Europe that way ; then she got into the fifty-three Isles of the Cyclades that lie 'twixt Negropont and Candy, and so got up the Hellespont to Constantinople : She then crossed over to Anatolia, where tho' she prevaiFd by introducing multitudes of Colonies, yet she came not to be the sole vulgar speech anywhere there, so far as to extinguish the former Languages. Now Anatolia is the most populous part of the whole Earth ; for Strabo speaks of sixteen several Nations that slept in her bosom, and 'tis thought the twenty-two Languages which Mithridates, the great Polyglot King of Pontus, did speak were all within the circumference of Anatolia, in regard his dominions ex-

2 G tended

466 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

tended but a little further. She glided then along the Mari- time Coasts of Thrace, and passing Byzantium, got into the outlets of Danube, and beyond her also to Zaurica, yea, beyond that to the River Phasis ; and thence compassing to Trelizond, she took footing on all the circumference of the Euxine Sea. This was her course from East to North ; whence we will return to Candy, Cyprus, and Sicily ; thence crossing the Phare of Messina, she got all along the Mari- time Coasts of the Tyrrhene Sea to Calabria : She rested herself also a great while in Apulia. There was a populous Colony of Greeks also in Marseilles in France, and along the Sea-Coasts of Savoy. In Africk likewise, Cyrene, Alexan- dria, and Egypt, with divers others, were peopled with Greeks: And three causes may be alleged why the Greek Tongue did so expand herself : First, it may be imputed to the Conquest of Alexander the Great, and the Captains he left behind him for Successors : Then the love the people had to the Sciences, speculative Learning and Civility, whereof the Greeks accounted themselves to be the grand Masters, accounting all other Nations Barlarians besides themselves. Thirdly, the natural Inclination and Dexterity the Greeks had to Commerce, whereto they employed themselves more than any other Nation, except the Phoenician and Armenian; which may be a reason why in all places most commonly they colonized the Maritime parts, for I do not find they did penetrate far into the bowels of any Country, but liv'd on the Sea-side in obvious mercantile Places and accessible Ports.

Now many ages since the Greek Tongue is not only impaired, and pitifully degenerated in her purity and eloquence, but extremely decay'd in her amplitude and vulgarness. For first, there is no trace at all left of her in France or Italy, the Sclavonic Tongue hath abolished her in Epire and Macedon, the Turkish hath outed her from most parts of Anatolia, and the Arabian hath ex- tinguish'd her in Syria, Palestine, Egypt, and sundry other places. Now touching her degeneration from her primitive

suavity

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 467

suavity and elegance, it is not altogether so much as the deviation and declension of the Italian from the Latin ; yet it is so far that I could set foot on no place, nor hear of any people, where either the Attic, Doric, ./Eo/Jc, or Bceotic ancient Greek is vulgarly spoken; only in some places near Heraclea in Anatolia, and Peloponnesus (now called the Morea), they speak of some Towns call'd the Lacocones, which retain yet, and vulgarly speak, the old Greekj hut incongruously : Yet tho* they cannot themselves speak according to rules, they understand those that do. Nor is this corruption happened to the Greek Language, as it useth to happen to others, either by the Law of the Con- queror or Inundation of Strangers ; but it is insensibly crept in by their own supine negligence and fan tastick ness, 'specially by that common fatality and changes which attend time, and all other sublunary things. Nor is this ancient scientifical Language decay'd only, but the Nation of the Greeks itself is as it were moulder'd away, and brought in a manner to the same condition, and to as contemptible a pass as the Jew is : Insomuch that there cannot be two more pregnant instances of the lubricity and instableness of Mankind than the decay of these two ancient Nations ; the one the select people of God, the other the most famous that ever was for Arts, Arms, Civility, and Government : So that in statu quo nunc, they who term'd all the world Barbarians in comparison of themselves in former times, may be now term'd (more than any other) Barbarians themselves, as having quite lost not only all inclination and aspirings to Knowledge and Virtue, but likewise all courage and bravery of mind to recover their ancient Freedom and Honour.

Thus have you, my Lord, as much of the Greek Tongue as I could comprehend within the bounds of a Letter; a Tongue that both for Knowledge, for Commerce, and for Copiousness was the principallest that ever was : In my next I will return nearer home, and give your Lordship account of the Latin Tongue, and of her three daughters,

the

468 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

the French, Italian, and Spanish. In the interim you find I am still, my Lord — Your most obedient Servitor,

J.H. .) 2$Jul. 1630.

LVIII.

To the Right Honourable the Earl R. MY LORD,

MY last was a pursuit of my endeavours to comply with your Lordship's desires touching Languages : And I spent more Oil and Labour than ordinary in dis- playing the Greek Tongue, because we are more beholden to her for all Philosophical and Theorick Knowledge, as also for rules of Commerce and commutative Justice, than to any other. I will now proceed to the Latin Tongue, which had her source in Italy, in Latium, calPd now Campagna di Roma, and received her growth with the monstrous increase of the City and Empire. Touching the one, she came from poor mud-walls at Mount Palatine, which were scarce a mile about at first, to be afterward fifty miles compass, (as she was in the reign of Aurelianus) ; and her Territories, which were hardly a day's journey extent, came by favour- able successes, and fortune of War, to be above three thousand in length, from the banks of the Rhine, or rather from the shores of this Island to Euphrates, and sometimes to the River Tigris. With this vast expansion of Roman Territories, the Tongue also did spread ; yet I do not find by those researches I have made into Antiquity, that she was vulgarly spoken by any Nation, or in any entire Country, but in Italy itself: For notwithstanding that it was the practice of the Roman with his Lance to usher in his Laws and Language as marks of Conquest, yet I believe his Tongue never took such firm impression anywhere, as to become the vulgar epidemic speech of any people else ; or that she was able to null and extinguish the native Languages she found in those places where she planted her Standard : Nor can there be a more pregnant instance

hereof

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 469

hereof than this Island, for notwithstanding that she re- main'd a Roman Province 400 years together, yet the Latin Tongue could never have the vogue here so far as to abolish the British or Cambrian Tongue.

'Tis true, that in France and Spain she made deeper impressions ; the reason may be, in regard there were far more Roman Colonies planted there : For whereas there were but four in this Isle, there were nine and twenty in France, and fifty-seven in Spain; and the greatest enter- tainment the Latin Tongue found out of Italy herself was in these two Kingdoms : Yet I am of opinion that the pure congruous grammatical Latin was never spoken in either of them as a vulgar vernacular Language, common among Women and Children ; no nor in all Italy itself, except Latium. In Afric, thoj there were sixty Roman Colonies dispers'd upon that Continent, yet the Latin Tongue made not such deep impressions there, nor in Asia, neither; nor is it to be thought that in those Colonies themselves did the common Soldiers speak in that congruity as the Flamines, the Judges, the Magistrates, and chief Commanders did. When the Romans sent Legions and planted Colonies abroad, 'twas for divers political considerations, partly to secure their new acquests, partly to abate the superfluous numbers and redundancy of Rome. Then by this way they found means to employ and reward Men of worth, and to heighten their minds ; for the Roman Spirit did rise up and take growth with his good Successes, Conquests, Commands, and Employments.

But the reason that the Latin Tongue found not such entertainment in the Oriental parts was, that the Greek had forestall'd her, which was of more esteem among them because of the Learning that was couched in her, and that she was more useful for negotiation and traffic; where- unto the Greeks were more addicted than any people: Therefore, tho' the Romans had an ambition to make those foreign Nations that were under their yoke to speak as well as to do what pleased them, and that all Orders, Edicts,

Letters,

470 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

Letters, and the Laws themselves, civil as well as martial, were published and executed in Latin ; yet I believe this Latin was spoken no otherwise among those Nations than the Spanish or Castilian Tongue is now in the Netherlands, in Sicily, Sardinia, Naples, the two Indies, and other Pro- vincial Countries which are under that King. Nor did the pure Latin Tongue continue long at a stand of perfec- tion in Rome and Latium itself among all sorts of People, but she received changes and corruption; neither do I be- lieve that she was born a perfect Language at first, but she receiv'd nutriment, and degrees of perfection with Time, which matures, refines, and finisheth all things. The Verses of the Salii9 composed by Numa Pompilius, were scarce intelligble by the Flamines and Judges themselves in the wane of the Roman Commonwealth, nor the Laws of the Decemviri. And if that Latin wherein were couch'd the Capitulations of Peace 'twixt Rome and Carthage a little after the expulsion of the Kings, which are yet extant upon a Pillar in Rome, were compar'd to that which was spoken in Ctesar's reign 140 years after, at which time the Latin Tongue was mounted to the Meridian of her perfection, she would be found as differing as Spanish now differeth from the Latin. After Ccesar and Cicero's time the Latin Tongue continued in Rome and Italy in her purity 400 years together, until the Goths rush'd into Italy first under Alaric, then the Huns under Attila, then the Vandals under Gen- sericus, and the Heruli under Odoacer, who was proclaimed King of Italy ; but the Goths a little after, under Theodoric, thrust out the Heruli, which Theodoric was by Zeno the Emperor formally invested K. of Italy, who with his Successor reign' d there peaceably sixty years and upwards : So that in all probability the Goths cohabiting so long among the Italians, must adulterate their Language, as well as their Women.

The last barbarous people that invaded Italy, about the year 57°> were the Lombards, who having taken firm rooting in the very bowels of the Country above 200 years without

interruption,

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 471

interruption, during the reign of twenty Kings, must of necessity alter and deprave the general Speech of the natural Inhabitants: And, among others, one argument may be, that the best and midland part of Italy chang'd its name, and took its appellation from these last Invaders, calling itself Lombardy, which name it retains to this day. Yet before the intrusions of these wandring and warlike People into Italy, there may be a precedent cause of some corruption that might creep into the Latin Tongue in point of vulgarity : First, the incredible confluence of Foreigners that came daily far and near, from the coloniz'd Provinces to Rome; then the infinite number of Slaves, which surpassed the number of free Citizens, might much impair the purity of the Latin Tongue; and, lastly, those inconstancies and humours of novelty, which is naturally inherent in man, who, according to those frail elementary principles and ingredients whereof he is compos'd, is subject to insensible alterations, and apt to receive impressions of any chance.

Thus, my Lord, as succinctly as I could digest it into the narrow bounds of an Epistle, I have sent your Lordship this small survey of the Latin or first Roman Tongue: In my next I shall fall aboard of her three daughters, the Italian, the Spanish, and the French, with a diligent investigation what might be the original native Languages of those Countries from the beginning, before the Latin gave them the Law. In the interim I crave a candid Interpretation of what is passed, and of my studiousness in executing your Lordship's Injunctions: So I am, my Lord — Your most humble and obedient servant, J. H.

/. 1630.

LIX.

To the Right Honourable the E. R.

MY LORD,

MY last was a discourse of the Latin or primitive Roman Tongue, which may be said to be expir'd in the

Market,

472 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

Market, tho' living yet in the Schools ; I mean, she may be said to be defunct in point of vulgarity any time these 1000 years pass'd. Out of her ruin have sprung up the Italian, the Spanish, and the French, whereof I am now to treat; but I think it not improper to make a research first what the radical prime mother-tongues of these Countries were, before the Roman Eagle planted her talons on them.

Concerning Italy, doubtless there were divers before the Latin did spread all over that Country; the Calalrian and Apullan spoke Greek, whereof some reliques are to be found to this day, but it was an adventitious, no mother-language to them : 'Tis confessed that Latium itself, and all the Ter- ritories about Rome, had the Latin for its maternal and com- mon first vernacular Tongue ; but Tuscany and Liguria had others quite discrepant, viz., the Hetruscane and Mesapian, whereof tho' there be some records yet extant, yet there are none alive that can understand them : The Oscan, the Sabin, and Tusculan are thought to be but dialects to these.

Now the Latin Tongue, with the coincidence of the Goths Language, and other Northern People, who like Waves tumbled off one another, did more in Italy than anywhere else; for she utterly abolish' d (upon that part of the Con- tinent) all other maternal Tongues as ancient as herself, and thereby their eldest daughter, the Italian, came to be the vulgar universal Tongue to the whole Country. Yet the Latin Tongue had not the sole hand in doing this, but the Goths and other Septentrional Nations who rush'd into the Roman Diction had a share in't, as I said before, and pegged in some words, which have been ever since irremovable, not only in the Italian, but also in her two younger sisters, the Spanish and the French, who felt also the fury of those People. Now the Italian is the smoothest and softest-run- ning Language that is : For there is not a word, except some few Monosyllables, Conjunctions, and Prepositions, that ends with a Consonant in the whole Language ; nor is there any vulgar Speech which hath more sub-dialects in so small a tract of ground, for Italy itself affords above eight.

There

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 473

There you have the Roman, the Tuscan, the Venetian, the Mi/anez, the Neapolitan, the Calabresse, the Genoevais, the Pifinontez; you have the Corsican, Sicilian, with divers other neighbouring Islands: And as the cause why from the be- ginning there were so many differing dialects in the Greek Tongue was, because it was slic'd into so many Islands; so the reason why there be so many sub-dialects in the Italian is, the diversity of Governments that the Country is squandered into, there being in Italy at this day two Kingdoms, viz., that of Naples and Calabria; three Re- publicks, viz., Venice, Genoa, and Lucca, and divers other absolute Princes.

Concerning the original Language of Spain, it was, with- out any controversy, the Bascuence or Cantabrian; which Tongue and Territory neither Roman, Goth (whence this King hath his pedigree, with divers of the Nobles), or Moore could ever conquer; tho' they had over-run and taken firm footing in all the rest for many Ages: Therefore as the remnant of the old Britons here, so are the Biscaneers accounted the ancient'st and unquestionablest Gentry of Spain ; insomuch that when any of them is to be dubb'd Knight, there is no need of any scrutiny to be made whether he be clear of the blood of the Moriscos, who had mingled and incorporated with the rest of the Spaniards about 700 years. And as the Orcadians and Attiques in Greece, for their immemorial antiquity, are said to vaunt of themselves, that the one are Ilpoo-eXrjvoi, before the Moon ; the other avT6%0ov€<;9 issued of the Earth itself; so the Biscay ner hath such like Rodomontados.

The Spanish or Castilian Language hath but few sub- dialects, the Portugues is most considerable. Touching the Catalan and Valencian, they are rather 'dialects of the French, Gascon, or Aquitanian. The purest dialect of the Castilian Tongue is held to be in the Town of Toledo, which, above other Cities of Spam, hath this privilege, to be Arbitress in the decision of any Controversy that may arise touching the interpretation of any Castilian word.

It

474 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

It is an infallible rule, to find out the mother and ancientest Tongue of any Country, to go among those who inhabit the barrenest and most mountainous places, which are posts of security and fastness; whereof divers instances could be produced : But let the Biscayner in Spain, the Welsh in Great Britain, and the Mountaineers in Eplre serve the turn, who yet retain their ancient unmix'd Mother-Tongues, being extinguish'd in all the Country besides.

Touching France, it is not only doubtful, but left yet un- decided, what the true genuine Gallic Tongue was : Some would have it to be the German, some the Greek, some the old British or Welsh; and the last opinion carrieth away with it the most judicious Antiquaries. Now all Gallia is not meant by it, but the Country of the Celtce that inhabit the middle part of France, who are the true Gauls. Ccesar and Tacitus tell us, that these Celtte, and the old Britons (whereof I gave a touch in my first Letter), did mutually understand one another; and some do hold that this Island was tied to France, as Sicily was to Calabria, and Denmark to Germany, by an Isthmus or neck of land 'twixt Dover and Bullen : For if one do well observe the rocks of the one, and the cliffs of the other, he will judge them to be one homogeneous piece, and that they were cut and shiverM asunder by some act of violence.

The French or Gallic Tongue hath divers dialects; the Picard, that of Jersey and Guernsey (appendixes once to the Dutchy of Normandy], the Provensall, the Gascon, or speech of Languedoc, which Scaliger would etymologize from Languedoc, whereas it comes rather from Langue de Got; for the Saracens and Goths, by their incursions and long stay in Aquitain, corrupted the Language of that part of Gallia. Touching the Britan and they of Beam, the one is a dialect of the Welsh, the other of the Bascuence. The gallon, who is under the King of Spain, and the Liegois, is also a dialect of the French, which in their own Country they call Romand. The Spaniard also terms his

Castilian,

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 475

Castilian, Roman ; whence it may be inferr'd that the first rise and derivation of the Spanish and French were from the Roman Tongue, not from the Latin: Which makes me think that the Language of Rome might be degenerated, and become a dialect to our own Mother-tongue (the Latin) before she brought her Language to France or Spam.

There is, besides these sub-dialects of the Italians, Spanish, and French, another speech that hath a great stroke in Greece and Turkey, call'd Franco, which may be said to be compos'd of all the three, and is at this day the greatest Language of Commerce and Negotiation in the Levant.

Thus have I given your Lordship the best account I could of the sister-dialects of the Italian, Spanish, and French. In my next I shall cross the Mediterranean to Africk, and the Hellespont to Asia, where I shall observe the general lest Languages of those vast Continents, where such number- less swarms, and differing sorts of Nations, do crawl up and down this earthly Globe; therefore it cannot be expected that I should be so punctual there as in Europe: So I am still, my Lord — Your obedient servitor, J. H.

Wesfat., 7 Jul 1630.

LX.

To the Rt. Hon. the Earl E. MY LORD,

HAVING, in my former Letters, made a flying progress thro* the European world, and taken a view of the several Languages, Dialects, and Sub-dialects whereby People converse with one another, and being now wind- bound for Africk, I held it not altogether supervacaneous to take a review of them, and inform your Lordship what Languages are original independent Mother-Tongues of Christendom, and what are Dialects, Derivations, or De- generations from their Originals.

The Mother-Tongues of Europe are thirteen, tho* Scaliger would have but eleven : There is the Greek I, the Latin 2,

the

476 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

the Dutch 3, the Sclavonian 4, the Welsh or Cambrian 5, the Bascuence or Cantabrian 6, the JmA 7, the Albanian in the Mountains of Epire 8, the Tartarian 9, the old Illyrian 10, remaining yet in Liburnia, the Jazygian n, on the North of Hungary, the Cauchian 12, in East-Friezeland, the Finnic 13, which I put last with good reason, because they are the only Heathens of Europe; all which were known to be in Europe in the time of the Roman Empire. There is a learned Antiquary that makes the Arabic to be one of the Mother-Tongues of Europe, because it was spoken in some of the Mountains of South Spain; 'tis true, 'twas spoken for divers hundred years all Spain over, after the Conquest of the Moors; but yet it could not be called a Mother-Tongue, but an adventitious Tongue, in reference to that part of Europe.

And now that I am to pass to Afric, which is far bigger than Europe ; and to Asia, which is far bigger than Afric ; and to America, which is thought to be as big as all the three ; if Europe herself hath so many Mother- Languages, quite discrepant one from the other, besides secondary Tongues and Dialects, which exceed the number of their Mothers, what shall we think of the other three huge Con- tinents in point of differing Languages ? Your Lordship knows that there be divers Meridians and Climes in the Heavens, whence influxes of differing qualities fall upon the Inhabitants of the Earth ; and as they make men to differ in the ideas and conceptions of the Mind, so in the motion of the Tongue, in the tune and tones of the Voice, they come to differ one from the other. Now all Languages at first were imperfect confus'd Sounds, then came they to be Syllables, then Words, then Speeches and Sentences, which by practice, by tradition, and a kind of natural instinct from Parents to Children, grew to be fix'd. Now, to attempt a survey of all the Languages in the other three Parts of the habitable earth were rather a madness than a presump- tion; it being a thing of impossibility, and not only above the capacity, but beyond the search of the activest and

knowing'st

Book 1 7. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 477

knowing'st man upon earth. Let it therefore suffice, while I behold these Nations that read and write from right to left, from the Liver to the Heart, I mean the Africans and Asians, that I take a short view of the Arabic in the one, and the Hebrew, or Syriac, in the other : for, touching the Turkish Language, 'tis but a Dialect of the Tartarian, tho* it have receiv'd a late mixture of the Armenian, the Persian, and Greek Tongues, but 'specially of the Arabic, which was the Mother-Tongue of their Prophet, and is now the sole Language of their Alcoran ; it being strictly inhibited, and held to be a profaneness to translate it to any other ; which, they say, preserves them from the encroachment of Schisms.

Now, the Arabic is a Tongue of vast expansion ; for be- sides the three Arabias, it is become the vulgar Speech of Syria, Mesopotamia, Palestine, and Egypt; from whence she stretcheth herself to the Strait of Gibraltar, thro* all that vast tract of Earth which lieth 'twixt the Mountain Atlas and the Mediterranean Sea, which is now call'd Barbary, where Christianity and the Lathi Tongue, with divers famous Bishops, once flourish'd. She is spoken like- wise in all the Northern Parts of the Turkish Empire, as also in petty Tartary ; and she, above all other, hath reason to learn Arabic, for she is in hope one day to have the Cres- cent, and the whole Ottoman Empire ; it being entail'd on her, in case the present Race should fail, which is now in more danger than ever : in fine, wheresoever the Mahometan Religion is profess'd, the Arabic is either spoken or taught.

My last view shall be of theirs/ Language of the Earth, the ancient Language of Paradise, the Language wherein God Almighty himself pleas'd to pronounce and publish the Tables of the Law, the Language that had a Benediction promis'd her, because she would not consent to the building of the Babylonish Tower ; yet this holy Tongue hath had also her Eclipses, and is now degenerated to many Dialects, nor is she spoken purely by any Nation upon earth ; a fate also which has befallen the Greek and Latin. The most spacious Dialect of the Hebrew is the Syriac, which had her

beginning

FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

beginning in the time of the Captivity of the Jews at Baby- lon, while they cohabited and were mingled with the Chal- deajis ; in which tract of seventy years' time, the vulgar sort of Jews, neglecting their own maternal Tongue (the Hebrew), began to speak the Chaldee ; but not having the right accent of it, and fashioning that new learned Language to their own innovation of Points, Affixes, and Conjugations, out of that intermixture of Hebrew and Chaldee resulted a third Language, calPd to this day the Syriac ; which also, after the time of our Saviour, began to be more adulterated by admission of Greek, Roman, and Arabic. In this Lan- guage is the Talmud and Targum couch' d ; and all their Rabbins, as Rabbi Jonathan and Rabbi Onkelos, with others, have written in it; insomuch that, as I said before, the antient Hebrew had the same fortune that the Greek and Latin Tongues had, to fall from being naturally spoken anywhere, to lose their general communicableness and vulgarity, and to become only School and Book-Languages.

Thus we see, that as all other sublunary things are subject to corruption and decay, as the potentest Monarchies, the proudest Republitjues, the opulentest Cities have their growth, declinings, and periods : As all other elementary Bodies like- wise, by reason of the frailty of their Principles, come by in- sensible degrees to alter and perish, and cannot continue long at a stand of perfection ; so the learnedest and more eloquent Languages are not free from this common fatality, hit they are liable to those alterations and revolutions, to those Jits of inconstancy, and other destructive contingencies, which are unavoidably incident to all earthly things.

Thus, my noble Lord, have I evertated myself, and stretch'd all my sinews; I have put all my small knowledge, observa- tions, and reading, upon the tenter, to satisfy your Lordship's desires touching this subject. If it afford you any content- ment, I have hit the white I aim'd at, and hold myself abun- dantly rewarded for my oil and labour : so I am, My Lord — Your most humble and ever obedient Servitor, J. H.

Westm.) i July 1630.

LXI.

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 479

LXI.

To the Honourable Master Car. Ra. SIR,

"\/'OURS of the /th current was brought me, whereby I find i that you did put yourself to the penance of perusing some Epistles that go imprinted lately in my name : I am bound to you for your pains and patience (for you write you read them all thro'), much more for your candid opinion of them, being right glad that they should give entertain- ment to such a choice and judicious Gentleman as your- self. But whereas you seem to except against something in one Letter that reflects upon Sir W. Raleigh's Voyage to Guiana, because I term the Gold Mine he went to discover an airy and supposititious Mine, and so infer that it toucheth his honour ; truly, Sir, I will deal clearly with you in that point, that I never harbour'd in my brain the least thought to expose to the world anything that might prejudice, much less traduce in the least degree that could be that rare renowned Knight, whose Fame shall contend in longaevity with this Island itself, yea, with that great World, which he Historiseth so gallantly. I was a youth about the Town when he undertook that Expedition, and I remember most men suspected that Mine then to be but an imaginary politic thing ; but at his return, and missing of the enter- prise, these suspicions turn'd in most to real beliefs that 'twas no other. And K. James, in that Declaration which he commanded to be printed and published afterwards, touching the circumstances of this action (upon which my Letter is grounded, and which I have still by me), terms it no less : And if we may not give faith to such publick regal Instruments, what shall we credit ? Besides, there goes another printed kind of Remonstrance annexed to that De- claration, which intimates as much : and there is a worthy Captain in this Town, who was Co-adventurer in that Expedition, who, upon the storming of St. Thomas, heard

young

480 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

young Mr. Raleigh encouraging his Men in these words : Come on, my noble hearts, this is the Mine we come for ; and they who think there is any other are fools. Add hereunto, that Sir Richard Baker, in his last Historical Collections, intimates so much. Therefore, 'twas far from being any opinion broach'd by myself, or bottom'd upon weak grounds ; for I was careful of nothing more, than that those Letters being to breathe open Air, should relate nothing but what should be derived from good fountains. And truly, Sir, touching that Apology of Sir Walter Raleigh's you write of, I never saw it, and I am very sorry I did not ; for it had let in more light upon me of the carriage of that great action, and then you might have been assur'd that I would have done that noble Knight all the right that could be.

But, Sir, the several Arguments that you urge in your Letters are of that strength, I confess, that they are able to rectify any indifferent man in this point, and induce him to believe that it was no Chimera, but a real Mine ; for you write of divers pieces of Gold brought thence by Sir Walter himself and Capt. Kemys, and of some Ingots that were found in the Governor's Closet at St. Thomas's, with divers Crucibles and other refining Instruments : yet, under favour, that might be, and the benefit not countervail the charge, for the richest Mines that the King of Spain hath upon the whole Continent of America, which are the Mines of Potosi, yield him but six in the hundred, all expences defray'd. You write how K. James sent privately to Sir Walter, being yet in the Tower, to intreat and command him, that he would impart his whole Design to him under his hand, promising upon the word of a King to keep it secret; which being done accordingly by Sir Walter Raleigh, that very original Paper was found in the said Spanish Governor's Closet at St. Thomas's: whereat, as you have just cause to wonder, and admire the activeness of the Spanish Agents about our Court at that time, so I wonder no less at the miscarriage of some of his late Majesty's Ministers, who notwithstanding that he had pass'd his Royal Word to the contrary, yet they did

help

Book IL FAMILIAR LETTERS. 481

help Count Gondomar to that Paper ; so that the reproach licth more upon the English than the Spa?iish Ministers in this particular. Whereas you allege, that the dangerous sickness of Sir Walter being arrived near the place, and the death of (that rare Spark of courage) your Brother upon the first lauding, with other circumstances, discouraged Capt. Kemys from discovering the Mine, but wou'd reserve it for another time ; I am content to give as much credit to this as any Man can ; as also that Sir Walter, if the rest of the Fleet, according to his earnest motion, had gone with him to re- victual in Virginia (a Country where he had reason to be welcome unto, being of his own discovery), he had a purpose to return to Guyana the Spring following to pursue his first design. I am also very willing to believe that it cost Sir W. Raleigh much more to put himself in equipage for that long intended Voyage, than would have paid for his Liberty, if he had gone about to purchase it for reward of Money at home ; tho' I am not ignorant that many of the Co-adven- turers made large contributions, and the fortunes of some of them suffer for it at this very day. But altho' Gondomar p, as my Letter mentions, calls Sir Walter Pirate, I for my part am far from thinking so ; because, as you give an unanswer- able reason, the plundering of St. Thomas was an act done beyond the Equator, where the Articles of Peace 'twixt the two Kings do not extend. Yet, under favour, tho' he broke not the Peace, he was said to break his Patent by exceeding the bounds of his Commission, as the foresaid Declaration relates : For K. James had made strong promises to Count Gondomar, that this Fleet should commit no outrages upon the K. of Spain's Subjects by Land, unless they began first; and I believe that was the main cause of his death, tho' I think if they had proceeded that way against him in a legal course of trial, he might have defended himself well enough. Whereas you allege, that if that Action had succeeded, and afterwards been well prosecuted, it might have brought Gondomar's great Catholic Master to have been begg'd for at the Church-doors by Fryars, as he was once brought in

2 H the

482 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

the latter end of Q. Elizabeth's days : I believe it had much damnified him, and interrupted him in the possession of his West-Indies, but not brought him, under favour, to so low an ebb. I have observed, that it is an ordinary thing in your popish Countries for Princes to borrow from the Altar, when they are reduc'd to any straits; for they say, The Riches of the Church are to serve as Anchors in time of a storm. Divers of our Kings have done worse, by pawning their Plate and Jewels. Whereas my Letter makes mention that Sir W. Raleigh mainly laboured for his Pardon before he went, but could not compass it; this is also a passage in the foresaid printed Relation. But I could have wish'd with all my heart he had obtained it ; for I believe that neither the transgression of his Commission, nor anything that he did beyond the Line, could have shortened the line of his Life otherwise ; but in all probability we might have been happy in him to this very day, having such an heroic Heart as he had, and other rare helps, by his great knowledge, for the preservation of health. I believe without any scruple what you write, that Sir Wm. St. Geon made an overture to him of procuring his Pardon for ^1500, but whether he could have effected it I doubt a little, when he had come to negotiate it really. But I extremely wonder how that old Sentence which had lain dormant above sixteen years against Sir W. Raleigh could have been made use of to take off his head afterwards, considering that the Lord Chancellor Verulam, as you write, told him positively (as Sir Walter was acquainting him with that proffer of Sir Wm. St. Geon for a pecuniary Pardon) in these words, Sir, the knee-timber of your Voyage is Money ; spare your purse in this particular, for upon my life you have a sufficient Pardon for all that is passed already, the King having under his Broad- Seal made you Admiral of your Fleet, and given you power of the Martial Law over your Officers and Soldiers. One would think that by this royal Patent, which gave him power of life and death over the King's liege People, Sir W. Raleigh should become rectus in curia, and free from all old convic- tions.

Book 1 7. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 483

tions. But, Sir, to tell you the plain truth, Count Gondomar at that time had a great stroke in our Court, because there was more than a mere overture of a Match with Spain ; which makes me apt to believe, that that great wise Knight hi- ing such an Anti- Spaniard, was made a Sacrifice to advance the matrimonial Treaty. But I must needs wonder, as you justly do, that one and the same Man should be condemned for being a friend to the Spaniard (which was the ground of his first Condemnation), and afterwards lose his head for being their enemy by the same Sentence. Touching his return, I must confess I was utterly ignorant that those two noble Earls, Thomas of Arundel and William of Pembroke, were engaged for him in this particular ; nor doth the printed Relation make any mention of them at all : There- fore I must say, that Envy herself must pronounce that return of his, for the acquitting of his fiduciary Pledges, to be a most noble act; and waving that of K. Alphonso's Moor, I may more properly compare it to the act of that famous Roman Commander (Regulus, as I take it) who, to keep his promise and faith, returned to his enemies where he had been prisoner, tho' he knew he went to an inevitable death. But well did that faithless cunning Knight, who betray'd Sir W. Raleigh in his intended escape, being come ashore, fall to that contemptible end, as to die a poor, dis- tracted Beggar in the Isle of Lundey, having for a Bag of money falsify'd his Faith, confirmed by the tie of the holy Sacrament, as you write; as also before the year came about, to be found clipping the same Coin in the King's own house at White-hall which he had receiv'd as a reward for his Perfidiousness; for which being condemned to be hang'd, he was driven to sell himself to his shirt, to purchase his Pardon of two Knights.

And now, Sir, let that glorious and gallant Cavalier Sir W. Raleigh (who lived long enough for his own honour, tho9 not for his Country, as it was said of a Roman Consul) rest quietly in his grave, and his Virtues live in his Posterity, as I find they do strongly, and very eminently in you. P have

heard

484 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

heard his Enemies confess that he was one of the weightiest and wisest Men that this Island ever bred. Mr. Nath. Car- penter, a learned and judicious Author, was not in the wrong when he gave this discreet Character of him : Who hath not known or read of this Prodigy of Wit and Fortune, Sir Walter Raleigh, a Man unfortunate in nothing else but in the greatness of his Wit and Advancement, whose eminent Worth was sue hloth in domestic Policy, foreign Expeditions, and discoveries in Arts and Literature, loth practick and con- templative, that it might seem at once to conquer Example and Imitation !

Now, Sir, hoping to be rectified in your judgment touch- ing my opinion of that illustrious Knight your Father, give me leave to kiss your hands very affectionately for the re- spectful mention you please to make of my Brother, once your neighbour ; he suffers, good soul, as well as I, tho' in a differing manner. I also much value that favourable censure you give of those rambling Letters of mine, which indeed are nought else than a Legend of the cumbersome Life and various Fortunes of a Cadet. But whereas you please to say, That the World of Learned Men is much leholden to me for them, and that some of them are freighted with many excel- lent and quaint passages, delivered in a masculine and solid style, adorn' d with much eloquence, and struck with the choicest flowers picked from the Muse's Garden : Whereas you also please to write, that you admire my great Travels, my strenu- ous endeavours, at all times and in all places, to accumulate Knowledge, my active laying hold upon all occasions and on every handle that might (with reputation] advantage either my Wit or Fortune : These high gallant strains of expressions, I confess, transcend my merit, and are a garment too gaudy for me to put on ; yet I will lay it up among my best Reliques, whereof I have divers sent me of this kind. And whereas, in publishing these Epistles at this time, you please to say, That I have done like Hezekiah when he showed his Treasures to the Babylonians, that I have discovered my Riches to Thieves, who will lind me fast and share my goods : To

this

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 485

this I answer, that if those innocent Letters (for I know none of them but is such) fall among such Thieves, they will have no great Prize to carry away, it will be but petty-larceny. I am already, God wot, bound fast enough, having been a long time coop'd up between these Walls, bereft of all my means of subsistence and employment ; nor do I know where- fore I am here, unless it be for my sins : For I bear as upright a heart to my King and Country, I am as conformable and well-affected to the Government of this Land, specially to the High Court of Parliament, as any one whatsoever that breathes Air under this Meridian ; I will except none : And for my Religion, I defy any creature 'twixt Heaven and Earth, that will say I am not a true English Protestant. I have from Time to Time employM divers of my best Friends to get my Liberty, at leastwise leave to go abroad on Bail (for I do not expect, as you please also to believe in your Letter, to be delivered hence, as St. Peter was, by miracle), but nothing will yet prevail.

To conclude, I do acknowledge in the highest way of re- cognition, the free and noble proffer you please to make me of your endeavours to pull me out of this doleful Sepulchre, wherein you say I am entomb*d alive : I am no less obliged to you for the opinion I find you have of my weak abilities, which you pleased to wish heartily may be no longer eclipsed. I am not in despair but a day will shine, that may afford me opportunity to improve this good opinion of yours (which I value at a high rate), and let the world know how much I am, Sir — Your real and ready Servitor, J. H.

Fleet, 5 May 1645.

LXII.

To Mr. T. V., at Brussels.

MY DEAR TOM,

WHO would have thought poor England had been brought to this pass ? Could it ever have entered into the imagination of Man, that the Scheme and whole

Frame

486 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

Frame of so ancient and well-moulded a Government should be so suddenly struck off the hinges, quite out of joint, and tumbled into such a horrid Confusion ? Who would have held it possible, that to fly from Babylon, we should fall into such a Babel? That to avoid Superstition, some People should be brought to belch out such a horrid Profaneness, as to call the Temples of God, the Tabernacles of Satan ; the Lord's Supper, a Two-penny Ordinary; to make the Communion-Table a Manger, and the Font a Trough to water their Horses in ; to term the white decent Robe of the Presbyter, the Whore's Smock ; the Pipes thro' which nothing came but Anthems and holy Hymns, the Devil's Bagpipes; the Liturgy of the Church, tho' extracted most of it out of the Sacred Text, call'd by some another kind of Alcoran, by others raw Porridge, by some a Piece forg'd in Hell ? Who would have thought to have seen in England the Churches shut and the Shops open upon Christmas-day ? Could any soul have imagined that this Isle would have produced such Monsters as to rejoice at the Turks9 good successes against Christians, and wish he were in the midst of Rome ? Who would have dreamt ten years since, when Archbishop Laud did ride in state thro' London streets, accompanying my Lord of London to be sworn Lord High- Treasurer of England, that the Mitre should have now come to such a scorn, to such a national kind of hatred, as to put the whole Island in a combustion ? Which makes me call to memory a Saying of the Earl of Kildare in Ireland in the Reign of Henry VIII., which Earl having a deadly feud with the Bishop of Cassiles, burnt a Church belonging to that Diocese; and being ask'd upon his examination before the Lord-Deputy at the Castle of Dublin, why he had com- mitted such a horrid Sacrilege as to burn God's Church, he answer'd, I had never lurnt the Church unless I had thought the Bishop had been in't. Lastly, who would have imagined that the Excise would have taken footing here? A word I remember, in the last Parliament save one, so odious, that when Sir D. Carleton, then Secretary of State,

did

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did but name it in the House of Commons, he was like to be sent to the Tower; altho' he nam'd it to no ill sense, but to shew what advantage of happiness the People of England had o'er other Nations, having neither the Galels of Italy, the Taillies of France, or the Excise of Holland laid upon them ; yet upon this he was suddenly interrupted, and call'd to the Bar. Such a strange metamorphosis poor England is now come to ; and I am afraid our miseries are not come to their height, but the longest shadows stay till the evening.

The freshest news that I can write to you is, that the Kentish Knight of your acquaintance, who I writ in my last had an apostacy in his brain, died suddenly this week of an Imposthume in his breast, as he was reading a Pamphlet of his own that came from the Press, wherein he shew'd a great mind to be nibbling with my Trees : but he only shew'd his Teeth, for he could not bite them to any purpose.

William Ro: is return'd from the Wars, but he is grown lame in one of his Arms, so he hath no mind to bear Arms any more ; he confesseth himself to be an egregious fool to leave his Mercership and go to be a Musqueteer. It made me think upon the Tale of the Gallego in Spain who in the Civil Wars against Arragon, being in the field he was shot in the forehead, and being carried away to a Tent, the Surgeon searched his wound and found it mortal : so he advised him to send for his Confessor, for he was no man for this world, in regard the brain was touch'd. The Soldier wish'd him to search it again, which he did, and told him that he was hurt in the brain, and could not possibly escape: whereupon the Gallego fell into a chafe, and said he lyed ; for he had no brain at all, porque se tuviera, sesso nunca huiera venido esta guerra; for if I had had any brain, I would never have come to this War. All your Friends here are well, except the mainVd Soldier, and remember you often, 'specially Sir J. Brown, a good gallant Gentle- man, who never forgets any who deserv'd to have a place in his memory. Farewell, my dear Tom, and God send you

better

488 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

better days than we have here; for I wish you as much happiness as possibly man can have ; I wish your mornings may be good, your noons better, your evenings and nights best of all ; I wish your sorrows may be short, your joys lasting, and all your desires end in success. Let me hear once more from you before you remove thence, and tell me how the squares go in Flanders. So I rest — Your entirely affectionate Servitor, J. H.

Fleet, 3 Aug. 1644.

LXIII.

To His Majesty, at Oxon.

SIR,

I PROSTRATE this Paper at your Majesty's/***, hoping it may find way thence to your eyes, and so descend to your Royal heart.

The foreign Minister of State, by whose conveyance this comes, did lately intimate to me, that among divers Things which go abroad under my name reflecting upon the Times, there are some which are not so well taken; your Majesty being informed that they discover a spirit of Indiflferency, and Lukewarmness in the Author. This added much to the weight of my present suflfrances ; and exceedingly imbitter'd the sense of them to me, being no other than a corrosive to one already in a hectic condition. I must confess that some of them were more moderate than others ; yet (most humbly under favour) there were none of them but displayed the heart of a constant true loyal Subject; and as divers of those who are most zealous to your Majesty's service told me, they had the good success to rectify multitudes of People in their opinion of some Things : Insomuch that I am not only conscious, but most confident that none of them could tend to your Majesty's disservice any way imaginable. Therefore I humbly beseech, that your Majesty would vouchsafe to conceive of me accordingly, and of one who by this recluse passive condition hath his share of this

hideous

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 489

hideous storm : Yet he is in assurance, rather than hopes, that thoj divers cross winds have blown, these Times will bring in better at last. There have been divers of your Royal Progenitors who have had as shrewd shocks; and 'tis well known how the next transmarine Kings have been brought to lower ebbs : At this very day he of Spain is in a far worse condition, being in the midst of two sorts of People (the Catalan and Portuguese), who were lately his Vassals, but now have torn his Seals, renounced all bonds of Allegiance, and are in actual hostility against him. This great City, I may say, is like a Chess-board chequer'd, inlaid with white and black spots; tho' I believe the white are more in number, and your Majesty's Countenance, by returning to your great Council and your Court at White- hall, would quickly turn them all white. That Almighty Majesty, who useth to draw light out of darkness, and strength out of weakness, making man's extremity his oppor- tunity, preserve and prosper your Majesty according to the Prayers early and late of your Majesty's most loyal Subject, Servant, and Martyr, HOWEL.

Fleet, 3 Sept. 1644.

LXIV.

To E. Benlowes, Esq. ; upon the receipt of a Table of

exquisite Latin Poems. SIR,

I THANK you in a very high degree for that precious Table of Poems you pleas'd to send me : When I had well view'd them, I thought upon that famous Table of Pro- portion which Ptolemy is recorded by Aristceus to have sent Eleazer to Hierusalem, which was counted a stupendous piece of Art, and the wonderment of those Times : What the curiosity of that Table was I have not read, but I believe it consisted in extern mechanical artifice only. The beauty of your Table is of a far more noble extraction, being a pure spiritual work, so that it may be called the Table of your

Soul,

49° FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book //.

Soul, in confirmation of the opinion of that Divine tho* Pagan Philosopher, the high-wing' d Plato, who fancied that our Souls at the first infusion were as so many Tables, they were Alrasce Talulce, and that all our future knowledge was but a reminiscence ; but under favour, the rich and elaborate Poems which so loudly echo out your worth and ingenuity deserve a far more lasting monument to preserve them from the injury of Time than such a slender board; they deserve to be engraven in such durable dainty stuff that may be fit to hang up in the Temple of Apollo : Your Echo deserves to dwell in some marble or porphyry Grot, cut about Parnassus Mount near the source of Helicon, rather than upon such a slight superficies.

I much thank you for your visits, and other fair respects you shew me ; 'specially that you have enlarged my quarters among these melancholy walls by sending me a whole Isle to walk in, I mean that delicate purple Island I received from you, where I met with Apollo himself and all his daughters, with other excellent society. I stumble also there often upon myself, and grow better acquainted with what I have within me and without me : Insomuch that you could not make choice of a fitter ground for a Prisoner, as I am, to pass over, than of that purple Isle, that Isle of Man you sent me ; which, as the ingenious Author hath made it, is a far more dainty soil than that Scarlet Island which lies near the Baltic Sea.

I remain still wind-bound in this Fleet; when the weather mends, and the wind sits that I may launch forth, I will repay you your visits, and be ready to correspond with you in the reciprocation of any other offices of Friendship : For I am, Sir — Your affectionate Servitor, J. H.

Fleet, 25 Aug. 1645.

LXV.

To my Honourable Lady, the Lady A. Smith. MADAM,

WHEREAS you were pleas'd lately to ask leave, you may now take authority to command me: And

did

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 491

did I know any of the faculties of my mind or limbs of my body that were not willing to serve you, I would utterly renounce them, they should be no more mine, at least I should not like them near so well; but I shall not be put to that, for I sensibly find that by a natural propensity they are all most ready to obey you, and to stir at the least beck of your commands, as Iron moves towards the Load- stone. Therefore, Madam, if you bid me go, I will run ; if you bid me run, I'll fly (if I can), upon your Errand. But I must stay till I can get my heels at liberty from among these Walls ; till when, I am, as perfectly as man can be, Madam — Your most obedient humble Servitor, J. H.

Fleet ', 5 May 1645.

LXVI.

To Master G. Stone. SIR,

I HEARTILY rejoice with the rest of your Friends, that you are safely returned from your Travels, specially that you have made so good returns of the Time of your Travel, being, as I understand, come home freighted with Observations and Languages. Your Father tells me that he finds you are so wedded to the Italian and French, that you utterly neglect the Latin Tongue; that's not well. Tho* you have learnt to play at Baggammon, you must not forget Irish, which is a serious and solid game ; but I know you are so discreet in the course and method of your studies, that you will make the Daughters to wait upon their Mother, and love still your old Friend. To truck the Latin for any other vulgar Language, is but an ill barter ; it is as bad as that which Glaucus made with Diomedes, when he parted with his golden Arms for brazen ones. The proceed of this Exchange will come far short of any Gentleman's expectation, tho' haply it may prove advantageous to a Merchant, to whom common Languages are more useful. I am big with desire to meet you, and to mingle a day's

discourse

492 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IL

discourse with you, if not two; how you escap'd the claws of the Inquisition, whereunto I understand you were like to fall ; and of other Traverses of your Peregrination. Farewell, my precious Stone, and believe it, the least grain of those high respects you please to profess unto me is not lost, but answer'd with so many Carates. So I rest — Your most affectionate Servitor, J. H.

Wcstm.) 30 Nov. 1635.

LXVIL

To J. J., Esq.

SIR,

IRECEIV'D those sparkles of Piety you pleas'd to send me in a manuscript; and whereas you favour me with a desire of my opinion concerning the publishing of them, Sir, I must confess that I found among them many most fervent and flexanimous strains of devotion : I found some Prayers so piercing and powerful, that they are able to invade Heaven, and take it by violence, if the Heart doth its office as well as the Tongue. But, Sir, you must give me leave (and for this leave you shall have authority to deal with me in such a case) to tell you, that whereas they consist only of Requests, being all supplicatory Prayers, you should do well to intersperse among them some eucharistical Ejaculations, and Doxologies, some oblations of Thankfulness; we should not be always whining in a puling petitionary way (which is the Tone of the Time now in fashion) before the gates of Heaven with our fingers in our eyes, but we should lay our hands upon our hearts, and break into raptures of Joy and Praise. A Soul thus elevated is the most pleasing sacrifice that can be offer' d to God Almighty ; it is the best sort of incense. Prayer causeth the first shower of rain, but Praise brings down the second ; the one fructifieth the Earth, the other makes the Hills to skip. All Prayers aim at our own ends and interests, but Praise proceeds from the pure motions of Love and Gratitude, having no other object but the glory

of

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 493

of God. That soul which rightly clischargeth this part of devotion may be said to do the duty of an Angel upon earth. Among other Attributes of God, Prescience, or Foreknowledge, is one; for he knows our thoughts, our desires, our wants, long before we propound them. And this is not only one of his Attributes, but Prerogative royal ; therefore to use so many iterations, inculcatings, and tauto- logies, as it is no good manners in moral Philosophy, no more is it in Divinity ; it argues a pusillanimous and mis- trustful soul : Of the two, I had rather be over-long in Praise than Prayer, yet I would be careful it should be free from any Pharisaical babbling. Prayer compar'd with Praise, is but a fuliginous smoke issuing from the sense of sin and human infirmities: Praises are the true clear sparkles of Piety, and sooner fly upwards.

Thus have I been free with you in delivering my opinion touching that piece of Devotion you sent me, whereunto I add my humble Thanks to you for the perusal of it; so I am — Your most ready to be commanded, J. H.

Fleet, 8 Sfpt. 1645.

LXVIII.

To Capt. William Bridges, in Amsterdam.

MY NOBLE CAPTAIN,

I HAD yours of the tenth current ; and besides your Avisos, I must thank you for those rich flourishes wherewith your Letter was embroidered everywhere. The news under this clime is, that they have mutinied lately in divers places about the Excise, a Bird that was first hatch'd there amongst you ; here in London the Tumult came to that height, that they burnt down to the ground the Excise-House in Smitlifield, but now all is quiet again. God grant our Excise here have not the same fortune as yours there, to become perpetual ; or as that new Gabell of Orleans, which began in the time of the League, which continueth to this day, notwithstanding the Cause ceas'd

about

494 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

about threescore years since. Touching this, I remember a pleasant tale that is recorded of Henry the Great, who some years after Peace was established thro'out all the whole Body of France, going to his own Town of Orleans, the Citizens petitioned him that His Majesty would be pleased to abolish that new Tax. The King ask'd who had impos'd it upon them ; they answer' d Mons. de la Chatre (during the Civil Wars of the League), who was now dead ; the King reply'd, Mons. de la Chatre vous a ligue, qu'il vous desligue ; Mons. de la Chatre leagued you, let him then unleague you for my part. Now that we have a kind of Peace, the Gaols are full of Soldiers, and some Gentle- men's Sons of Quality suffer daily. The last week Judge Rives condemned four in your Country at Maidstone Assizes ; but he went out of the world before them, tho' they were executed four days after. You know the saying in France, that La guerre fait les latrons, & la paix les amene au gibet : War makes Thieves, and Peace brings them to the Gallows. I lie still here in limbo, in limbo innocentium, tho' not in limbo infantum; and I know not upon what Star to cast this misfortune. Others are here for their good conditions, but I am here for my good qualities, as your Cousin Fortescue jeer'd me not long since : I know none I have, unless it be to love you, which I would continue to do; tho' I tugg'd at an Oar in a Galley, much more as I walk in the Galleries of this Fleet. In this resolution I rest— Your most affectionate Servitor, J. H.

Fleet, 2 Sept. 1645.

LXIX.

To Mr. W. B., at Grundesburgh. GENTLE SIR,

YOURS of the seventh I receiv'd yesternight, and read o'er with no vulgar delight : In the perusal of it methought to have discern'd a gentle strife 'twixt the fair respects you pleas'd to shew me therein, and your ingenuity

in

Book 1L FAMILIAR LETTERS. 495

in expressing them, which should have superiority ; so that I knew not to which of the two I should adjudge the Palm.

If you continue to wrap up our young acquaintance, which you say is but yet in fasciis, in such warm choice swadlings, it will quickly grow up to maturity ; and for my part I shall not be wanting to contribute that reciprocal nourishment which is due from me.

Whereas you please to magnify some Pieces of mine, and that you seem to spy the Muses perching upon my Trees, I fear 'tis but deceptio visits; for they are but Satyrs, or haply some of the homelier sort of Wood-Nymphs, the Muses have choicer walks for their recreation.

Sir, I must thank you for the visit you vouchsafed me in this simple Cell ; and whereas you please to call it the Cabinet that holds the Jewel of our times , you may rather term it a wicker Casket that keeps a jet Ring, or a horn Lanthorn that holds a small Taper of coarse Wax. I hope this Taper shall not extinguish here ; and if it may afford you any light, either from hence or hereafter, I should be glad to impart it in a plentiful proportion, because I am, Sir — Your most affectionate Friend to serve you, J. H.

Fleet, i July.

LXX.

To I. W. of Grays-Inn, Esq. SIR,

I WAS yours before in a high degree of Affection, but now I am much more yours, since I perus'd that parcel of choice Epistles you sent me ; they discover in you a knowing and a candid clear soul: For Familiar Letters are the Keys of the Mind, they open all the Boxes of one's Breast, all the cells of the Brain, and truly set forth the inward Man ; nor can the Pencil so lively represent the Face, as the Pen can do the Fancy. I much thank you that you would please to impart them to — Your most faithful Servitor, J. H.

Fleet, i Apr. 1645.

LXXI.

496 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book If.

LXXI.

To Capt. T. P., from Madrid. CAPT. DON TOMAS,

I write my Love unto you with a Ray of the Sun, as once Aurelius the Roman Emperor wish'd to a friend of his, you know this clear Horizon of Spain could afford me plenty, which cannot be had so constantly all the seasons of the year in your cloudy clime of England. Apollo with you makes not himself so common, he keeps more State, and doth not show his face and shoot his beams so frequently as he doth here, where 'tis Sunday all the year. I thank you a thousand times for what you sent by Mr. Gresley, and that you let me know how the pulse of the Times beats with you. I find you cast not your eyes so much southward as you were us'd to do towards us here; and when you look this way, you cast a cloudy countenance, with threatning looks: Which makes me apprehend some fear that it will not be safe for me to be longer under this Meridian. Before I part, I will be careful to send you those things you write for, by some of my Lord Ambassador Aston's Gentlemen. I cannot yet get that Grammar which was made for the Constable of Castile, who you know was born dumb; wherein an Art is invented to speak with hands only, to carry the Alphabet upon one's joints, and at his fingers' ends : Which may be learn'd without any great difficulty by any mean capacity, and whereby one may dis- course and deliver the conceptions of his mind without ever wagging of his tongue, provided there be a reciprocal know- ledge and co-understanding of the art 'twixt the parties; and it is a very ingenious piece of invention. I thank you for the copy of Verses you sent me, glancing upon the Times : I was lately perusing some of the Spanish Poets here, and lighted upon two Epigrams, or Epitaphs more properly, upon our Henry VIII., and upon his Daughter Q. Elizabeth; which in requital I thought worth the sending you.

A

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 497

A Henrique octavo, Rey de Ingalatierra.

Mas de esta losafria

Cubre, Henrique, tu valor, De una Muger el amor, Y de un Error la porfia ;

Como cupo en tu grandeza, Dezidme enganado Ingles, Querer una muger a los pies, Ser de la ygksia cabesa ?

Pros'd thus in English, for I had no time to put it on feet:

O Henry, more than this cold Pavement covers thy worth, the love of a Woman and pertinacy of Error; how could it subsist with thy Greatness, tell me, O cozen'd Englishman, to cast thyself at a Woman's feet, and yet to be Head of the Church ? That upon Q. Elizabeth was this :

De Isalela, Reyna de Ingalatierra.

Aqui yaze lesabel,

Aquila nueva Athalia, Del oro Antartico Harpia, Del mar incendio cruel :

Aqui el ingenio, mas dino De loor que ha tenido el suelo, Si para llegar el cielo No huuiera errado el camino.

Here lies Jezalel, here lies the new Athalia, the Harpy of the Western Gold, the cruel Firebrand of the Sea : Here lies a Wit the most worthy of fame which the Earth had, if to arrive to Heaven she had not mist her way.

You cannot blame the Spaniard to be satyrical against Q. Elizabeth; for he never speaks of her, but he fetcheth a shrink in the shoulder. Since I have begun, I will go on with as witty an Anagram as I have heard or read, which a Gentleman lately made upon his own name Tomas, and a

a i Nun

49$ FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

Nun called Maria, for she was his devota: The occasion was, that going one evening to discourse with her at the grate, he wrung her by the hand, and join'd both their names in this Anagram, To Maria mas, I would take more : I know I shall not need to expound it to you. Hereunto I will add a strong and deep-fetch'd character, as I think you will confess when you have read it, that one made in this Court of a Courtesan :

Eres puta tan artera

Qu'en el vientre de tu madre,

Tu tuuistes de manera Que te cavalgue el padre.

To this I will join that which was made of de Vaca, hus- band to Jusepe de Vaca, the famous Comedian, who came upon the Stage with a cloke lin'd with black plush, and a great Chain about his neck ; whereupon the Duke of Medina broke into these witty lines :

Con tantfelpa en la Capa

Y tanta cadena de oro> El marido de la Vaca

Que puede ser sino toro.

The conclusion of this rambling Letter shall be a Rhyme of certain hard throaty words which I was taught lately, and they are accounted the difficultest in all the whole Castilian Language; insomuch that he who is able to pronounce them is accounted Buen Romancista, a good speaker of Spanish: Aleja y oueja y piedra que raleia, pendola tras oreja, y lugar en la ygreia, dessea a su hijo la vieja : A Bee and a Sheep, a Mill, a Jewel in the Ear, and a place in the Church, the old Woman desires her Son. No more now, but that I am, and will ever be, my noble Captain, in the front of — Your most affectionate Servitors, J. H.

Madrid, i Aug. 1622.

LXXII.

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 499

LXXII.

To Sir Tho. Luke, Knight.

SIR,

HAD you traversed all the world over, 'specially those large Continents and Christian Countries which you have so exactly surveyed, and whence you have brought over with you such useful Observations and Languages, you could not have lighted upon a choicer piece of Woman-kind for your Wife ; the Earth could not have afforded a Lady, that by her discretion and sweetness could better quadrate with your dispositions. As I heartily congratulate your happi- ness in this particular, so I would desire you to know, that I did no ill offices towards the advancement of the work, upon occasion of some discourse with my Lord George of Rutland not long before at Hambledon.

My thoughts are now puzzled about my voyage to the Baltic Sea upon the King's service, otherwise I would have ventured upon an Epithalamium; for there is matter rich enough to work upon: And now that you had made an end of wooing, I could wish you had made an end of wrang- ling, I mean of lawing, 'specially with your Mother, who hath such resolution where she once takes. Law is not only a pick-purse, but a Purgatory ; you know the saying they have in France, Les plaideurs sont les oyseaux, le palais le Champ, les Juges les rets, les ddvocats les Rats, les pro- cureurs les souris del estat : The poor Clients are the Birds, Westminster-hall the Field, the Judge the Net, the Lawyers the Rats, the Attornies the Mice of the Commonwealth. I believe this saying was spoken by an angry Client; for my part, I like his resolution who said he would never use Lawyer nor Physician but upon urgent necessity. I will conclude with this rhyme:

Poicvre playdtur> fay gran pitie de ta doleur.

Your most affectionate Servitor, J. H.

Wtstm., i May 1629.

LXXII I.

500 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

LXXIII.

To Mr. R. K. DEAR SIR,

YOU and I are upon a journey, tho' bound for several places, I for Hamlurgh, you for your last home, as I understand by Dr. Baskervil, who tells me, much to my grief, that this hectical disease will not suffer you to be long among us. I know by some experiments which I have had of you, you have such a noble Soul within you, that will not be daunted by those natural apprehensions which Death doth usually carry along with it among vulgar spirits. I do not think that you fear Death as much now, tho' it be to some (<j)o/3ep£)v (^o^epcorarov), as you did to go into the dark when you were a child ; you have had a fair time to prepare yourself. God give you a boon voyage to the Haven you are bound for (which I doubt not will be Heaven), and me the grace to follow, when I have pass'd the boisterous Sea and swelling Billows of this tumultuary Life, wherein I have already shot divers dangerous gulfs, pass'd o'er some quick- sands, rocks, and sundry ill-favour'd reaches, while others sail in the sleeve of fortune. You and I have eaten a great deal of salt together, and spent much oil in the communica- tion of our studies by literal correspondence, and otherwise, both in verse and prose; therefore I will take my last leave of you now in these few stanzas :

1. Weak crazy Mortal, why dost fear To leave this earthly Hemisphere ? Where all delights away do pass, Like thy effigies in a Glass,

Each thing beneath the Moon is frail and fickle, Death sweeps away what Time cuts with his Sickle

2. This Life at best is but an Inn, And we the Passengers, wherein The cloth is laid to some before They peep out of dame Nature's door,

And

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS.

501

And warm Lodgings left: Others there are. Must trudge to find a Room, and shift for Fare.

3. This Life s at longest but one Day ; He who in Youth posts hence away, Leaves us f tti Morn .• He who hath run His race till Manhood, parts at Noon :

And who at seventy odd forsakes this Light, He may be said to take his leave at Night.

4. One past makes up the Prince and Peasant ', Th(f one eat Roots, the other Pheasant, They nothing differ in the stuff,

But both extinguish like a snuff: Why then, fond Man, should it thy Soul dismay, To sally out oft/iese gross walls of clay I

And now, my dear Friend, adieu, and live eternally in that world of endless Bliss, where you shall have knowledge as well as all things else commensurate to your desires, where you shall clearly see the real Causes, and perfect Truth of what we argue with that incertitude, and beat our brains about here below : Yet tho' you be gone hence, you shall never die in the memory of — Your J. H.

Westm., 15 Aug. 1630.

LXXIV.

To Sir R. Gr., Knight and Bar. NOBLE SIR,

I HAD yours upon Maundy-Thursday late; and the reason that suspended my Answer till now was, that the season engaged me to sequester my thoughts from my wonted negotiations, to contemplate the great work of Man's Redemption, so great, that were it cast in counter- balance with his Creation, it would out-poyze it: For I summon'd all my intellectuals to meditate upon those Passions, upon those Pangs, upon that despicable and most dolorous Death, upon that Cross whereon my Saviour suffered, which was the first Christian Altar that ever was ;

and

5O2 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

and I doubt that he will never have benefit of the Sacrifice, who hates the harmless remembrance of the Altar whereon it was offer'd. I applied my Memory to fasten upon't, my Understanding to comprehend it, my Will to embrace it. From these three Faculties, methought I found, by the mediation of the Fancy, some beams of Love gently gliding down from the head to the heart, and inflaming all my Affections. If the human Soul had far more powers than the Philosophers afford her, if she had as many Faculties within the head as there be hairs without, the speculation of this Mystery would find work enough for them all. Truly the more I scrue up my spirits to reach it, the more I am swallowed in a gulf of admiration, and of a thousand imperfect notions ; which makes me ever and anon to quarrel with my Soul that she cannot lay hold on her Saviour, much more my Heart, that my purest Affections cannot hug him as much as I would.

They have a custom beyond the Seas (and I could wish it were the worst custom they had) that during the Passion- week, divers of their greatest Princes and Ladies will betake themselves to some Convent or reclus'd House, to wean themselves from all worldly incumbrances, and converse only with Heaven, with performance of some kind of penances all the week long. A worthy Gentleman that came lately from Italy told me that the Count of Byron, now Mareschal of France, having been long persecuted by Cardinal Richelieu, put himself so into a Monastery, and the next day news was brought him of the Cardinal's death; which I believe made him spend the rest of the week with the more devotion in that way. France brags that our Saviour had his face turn'd towards her when he was upon the Cross ; there is more cause to think that it was towards this Island, in regard the Rays of Christianity first reverberated upon her, her King being Christian 400 years before him of France (as all Historians concur), not- withstanding that he arrogates to himself the title of the first Son of the Church.

Let

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 503

Let this serve for part of my Apology. The day follow- ing my Saviour being in the grave, I had no list to look much abroad, but continued my retiredness: There was another reason also why, because I intended to take the holy Sacrament the Sunday ensuing ; which is an act of the greatest consolation, and consequence, that possibly a Christian can be capable of: It imports him so much, that he is made or marr'd by it; it tends to his damnation or salvation, to help him up to Heaven, or tumble him down headlong to Hell. Therefore it behoves a Man to prepare and recollect himself; to winnow his thoughts from the chaff and tares of the world before-hand. This then took up a good part of that day, to provide myself a wedding-garment, that I might be a fit guest at so precious a Banquet, so precious, that Manna and Angels' food are but coarse viands in comparison of it.

I hope that this Excuse will be of such validity, that it may procure my pardon for not corresponding with you this last week. I am now as freely as formerly — Your most ready and humble Servitor, J. H.

Fleet, 30 Apr. 1647.

LXXV.

To Mr. R. Howard. SIR,

HT^HERE is a saying that carrieth with it a great deal of JL caution; From him whom I trust, God defend me; for from him whom I trust not, I will defend myself. There be sundry sorts of trusts, but that of a secret is one of the greatest: I trusted T. P. with a weighty one, conjuring him that it should not take air and go abroad ; which was not done according to the rules and religion of Friendship, but it went out of him the very next day. Tho' the inconveni- ence may be mine, yet the reproach is his; nor would I exchange my Damage for his Disgrace. I would wish you take heed of him, for he is such as the Comic Poet speaks of, plenus rimarum, he is full of Chinks, he can hold nothing :

You

504 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

You know a secret is too much for one, too little for three, and enough for two; but Tom must be none of those two, unless there were a trick to sodcler up his mouth : If he had committed a secret to me, and enjoin'd me silence, and I had promised it, tho' I had been shut up in Perillus' brazen Bull, I should not have bellowed it out. T find it now true, That he who discovers his secrets to anothe^ sells him his Liberty, and becomes his Slave : Well, I shall be warier here- after, and learn more wit. In the interim, the best satis- faction I can give myself is to expunge him quite ex olio amicorum, to raze him out of the catalogue of -my Friends (tho' I cannot of my Acquaintance), where your Name is inserted in great golden Characters. I will endeavour to lose the memory of him, and that my thoughts may never run more upon the fashion of his face, which you know he hath no cause to brag of; I hate such blateroons:

Odi illos ceu claustra Erebi

I thought good to give you this little mot of advice, be- cause the Times are ticklish, of committing secrets to any, tho' not to — Your most affectionate Friend to serve you,

J. H.

Flee^ 14 Feb. 1647.

LXXVI.

To my Honourable Friend, Mr. E. P., at Paris. SIR,

LET me never sally hence from among these disconsolate walls, if the literal correspondence you please to hold so punctually with me be not one of the greatest solaces I have had in this sad condition ; for I find so much salt, such endearments and nourishes, such a gallantry and neatness in your lines, that you may give the law of Lettering to all the world. I had this week a Twin of yours, of the loth and I5th current ; I am sorry to hear of your achaques, and so often indisposition there; it may be very well (as you say) that the Air of that dirty Town doth not agree with

you,

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 505

you, because you speak Spanish} which Language you know is us'd to be breath'd out under a clearer clime; I am sure it agrees not with the sweet breezes of Peace, for 'tis you there that would keep poor Christendom in perpetual whirl- winds of Wars ; but I fear, that while France sets all wheels a-going, and stirs all the Cacod&mons of Hell to pull down the House of Austria, she may chance at last to pull it upon her own head. I am sorry to understand what they write from Venice this week, that there is a discovery made in Italy, how France had a hand to bring in the Turk, to invade the 'Territories of St. Mark, and puzzle the Peace of Italy. I want faith to believe it yet, nor can I entertain in my breast any such conceit of the most Christian King andjirst Son of the Church, as he terms himself: Yet I pray in your next to pull this thorn out of my thoughts, and tell me whether one may give any credit to this report. We are now Scot-free, as touching the Northern Army ; for our dear Brethren have truss'd up their Baggage, and put the Tweed 'twixt us and them once again : Dear indeed, for they have cost us, first and last, above nineteen hundred thousand pounds Sterling, which amounts to near eight Millions of Crowns with you there. Yet if reports be true, they left behind them more than they lost, if you go to number of Men; which will be a brave race of Mestizos hereafter, who may chance meet their Fathers in the Field, and kill them unwittingly ; he will be a wise Child that knows his right Father. Here we are like to have four and twenty Seas emptied shortly, and some do hope to find abundance of Treasure in the bottom of them, as no doubt they will ; but many doubt that it will prove but aurum Tolosanum to the finders. God grant that from Aereans we turn not to be Arians : The Earl of Strajford was ac- counted by his very Enemies to have an extraordinary Talent of judgment and parts (thoj they say he wanted moderation), and one of the prime Precepts he left his Son upon the Scaffold was, that he should not meddle with Church-lands, for they would prove a Canker to his Estate.

Here

506 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book //.

Here are started up some great knowing Men lately, that can shew the very track by which our Saviour went to Hell ; they will tell you precisely whose Names are written in the Book of Life, whose not. God deliver us from spiritual Pride, which of all sorts is the most dangerous. Here are also notable Star-gazers, who obtrude on the world such confident bold Predictions, and are so familiar with heavenly Bodies, that Ptolemy and Tycho Brake were Ninnies to them. We have likewise multitudes of Witches among us, for in Essex and Suffolk there were above two hundred indicted within these two years, and above the one half of them executed : More, I may well say, than ever this Island bred since the Creation, I speak it with horror. God guard us from the Devil, for I think he was never so busy upon any part of the Earth that was enlightned with the beams of Christianity ; nor do I wonder at it, for there's never a Cross left to fright him away. Edinburgh, I hear, is fallen into a relapse of the Plague; the last they had rag'd so violently, that the fortieth Man or Woman lives not of those that dwelt there four years since, but it is all peopled with new faces. Don and Hans, I hear, are abso- lutely accorded ; nor do I believe that all the Artificers of Policy that you use there can hinder the Peace, tho* they may puzzle it for a while: If it be so, the People which, button their doublets upward will be better able to deal with you there.

Much notice is taken that you go on there too fast in your Acquests ; and now that the Eagle's wings are pretty well clipp'd, 'tis time to look that your Flower-de-luce grow not too rank, and spread too wide. Whereas you desire to know how it fares with your Master, I must tell you, that, like the glorious Sun, he is still in his own Orb, tho' clouded for a time that he cannot shew the beams of Majesty with that lustre he was wont to do : Never did Cavalier woo fair Lady as he woos the Parliament to a Peace; 'tis much the Head should so stoop to the Members.

Farewell, my noble Friend, cheer up, and reserve yourself

for

Book II. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 507

for better days ; take our royal Master for your Pattern, who for his longanimity, patience, courage, and constancy is admir'd of all the world, and in a passive way of forti- tude hath out-gone all the nine Worthies. If the Cedar be so weather-beaten, we poor Shrubs must not murmur to bear part of the storm. I have had my share, and I know you want not yours: The Stars may change their Aspects, and we may live to see the Sun again in his full Meridian. In the interim come what will, I am — Entirely yours, J. H.

jFfaf, 3 Feb. 1646.

LXXVII.

To Sir K. D., at Rome. SIR,

THO' you know well that in the carriage and course of my rambling life I had occasion to be, as the Dutch- man saith, a Landloper, and to see much of the world abroad, yet methinks I have traveled more since I have been immurM and martyr'd 'twixt these walls than ever I did before; for I have travelled the Isle of Man, I mean this little World, which I have carried about me and within me so many years : For as the wisest of Pagan Philosophers said, that the greatest Learning was the knowledge of one's self, to be his own Geometrician ; if one do so, he need not gad abroad to see Fashions, he shall find enough at home, he shall hourly meet with new fancies, new humours, new passions within doors.

This travelling o'er of one's self is one of the paths that leads a Man to Paradise : It is true, that 'tis a dirty and dangerous one, for it is thick set with extravagant Desires, irregular Affections, and Concupiscences, which are but odd Comrades, and oftentimes do lie in Ambush to cut our Throats: There are also some melancholy companions in the way, which are our Thoughts, but they turn many times to be good Fellows, and the best company; which

makes

508 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book II.

makes me, that among these disconsolate walls I am never less alone than when I am alone ; I am oft-times sole, but seldom solitary. Some there are who are over-pestered with these companions, and have too much mind for their bodies; but I am none of those.

There have been (since you shook Hands with England] many strange Things happen'd here, which Posterity must have a strong Faith to believe ; but for my part, I wonder not at anything, I have seen such monstrous Things. You know there is nothing that can be casual, there is no success, good or bad, but is contingent to Man sometimes or other ; nor are there any Contingencies, present or future, but they have their parallels from time past : For the great Wheel of Fortune, upon whose Rim (as the twelve Signs upon the Zodiack) all worldly Chances are emboss'd, turns round perpetually; and the Spokes of that Wheel, which point at all human Actions, return exactly to the same place after such a time of Revolution : Which makes me little marvel at any of the strange Traverses of these distracted Times, in regard there hath been the like, or such like formerly. If the Liturgy is now suppress'd, the Missal and the Roman Breviary was us'd so a hundred years since : If Crosses, Churches, Organs, and Fonts are now battered down, I little wonder at it; for Chapels, Monasteries, Hermi- taries, Nunneries, and other religious Houses were us'd so in the time of old King Henry : If Bishops and Deans are now in danger to be demolished, I little wonder at it, for Allots, Priors, and the Pope himself had that fortune here, an age since. That our King is reduc'd to this pass, I do not wonder much at it; for the first time I traveled France, Lewis XIII. (afterwards a most triumphant King as ever that Country had) in a dangerous civil War was brought to such straits; for he was brought to dispense with part of his Coronation Oath, to remove from his Court of Justice, from the Council- Tall e, from his very Bed-chamber, his greatest Favourites: He was driven to be content to pay the Expense of the War, to reward those that took Arms

against

Book I L FAMILIAR LETTERS. 509

against him, and publish a Declaration that the ground of their quarrel was good; which was the same in effect with ours, viz., a discontinuance of the Assembly of the three Estates, and that Spanish Counsels did predominate in France.

You know better than I, that all Events, good or bad, come from the all-disposing high Deity of Heaven : If good , he produceth them; if lad, he permits them. He is the Pilot that sits at the stern, and steers the great Vessel of the World ; and we must not presume to direct him in his course, for he understands the use of the Compass better than we. He commands also the Winds and the Weather, and after a storm he never fails to send us a calm, and to recompense ill Times with better, if we can live to see them ; which I pray you may do, whatsoever becomes of — Your still most faithful humble Servitor, J. H.

Fleet, 3 Mar. 1646.

LXXVIII.

To Sir K. D., at his House in St. Martin's Lane. SIR,

THAT Poem which you pleased to approve of so highly in Manuscript is now manumitted, and made free denizen of the World : It hath gone from my Study to the Stall, from the Pen to the Press, and I send one of the maiden Copies herewith to attend you. 'Twas your Judg- ment, which all the world holds to be sound and sterling, induced me hereunto ; therefore, if there be any, you are to bear your part in the blame.— Your most entirely devoted Servitor, J. H.

Holborn, $fan. 1641.

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MONG other Reasons which make the English Language of so small extent, and put strangers out of conceit to learn it, one is, That we do not pronounce as we write ; which proceeds from divers superfluous Letters that occur in many of our Words, which adds to the difficulty of the Language. Therefore the Author hath taken pains to retrench such redundant unnecessary Letters in this Work (thd the Printer hath not been so careful as he should have been) as among multitudes of other words may appear in these few, done, some, come : Which tho* we, to whom the speech is con- natural, pronounce as monosyllables, yet when strangers come to read them, they are apt to make them dissyllables, as do-ne, so-me, co-me ; therefore such an e is superfluous.

Moreover, those words that have the Latin for their original, the Author prefers that Orthography rather than the French, whereby divers letters are spar'd, as Physic, Logic, Afric, not Physique, Logique, Afrique ; Favor, Honor, Labor, not Favour, Honour, Labour, and very many more; as also he omits the Dutch k in most words : Here you shall read peeple, not pe-ople, tresure, not treasure, toung, not tongue, 6^r. Parlement, not Parliament, busines, witnes, sicknes, not business, witness, sickness ; star, war, far, not starre, warre, farre, and multitudes of such words, wherein the two last Letters may well be spar'd. Here you shall also read pity, piety, witty, not piti-e, pieti-e, witti-e, as strangers at first sight pronounce them, and abundance of such like words.

The new Academy of Wits call'd 1' Academic de beaux esprits, which the late Cardinal Richlieu founded in Paris, is now in hand to reform the French Language in this particular, and to weed it of all superfluous Letters ; which makes the Tongue differ so much from the Pen, that they have exposed themselves to this contumelious Proverb, The Frenchman doth neither pronounce as he writes, nor speak as he thinks, nor sing as he pricks.

Aristotle hath a topic Axiom, that Frustra fit per plura, quod fieri potest per pauciora : WJien fewer may serve the turn, more is in vain. And as this rule holds in all things else, so it may be very well observed in Orthography.

Familiar

Familiar Letters,

Of a fresher Date.

BOOK III.

I.

To the Rt. Hon. Edward E. of Dorset (Lord Chamberlain of His Majesty9 s Household, &c.), at Knowles.

MY LORD,

AVING so advantageous a hand as Doctor S. Turner, I am bold to send your Lordship a new Tract of French Philosophy, calPd U usage de Passions, which is cried up to be a choice piece. It is a moral Discourse of the right use of the Passions, the Conduct whereof, as it is the principal Em- ployment of Virtue, so the Conquest

of them is the difficultest part of Valour : To know one's self is much, but to conquer one's self is more. We need not pick quarrels and seek enemies without doors, we have too many Inmates at home to exercise our Prowess upon ; and there is no Man, let him have his humours never so well balanc'd, and in subjection to him, but like Muscovia Wives, they will oftentimes insult, unless they be check'd : Yet we should make them our Servants, not our Slaves. Touching

the

512 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book III.

the occurrences of the Times, since the King was snatch' d away from the Parliament ; the Army, they say, use him with more civility and freedom ; but for the main work of restoring him, he is yet, as one may say, but tantalized, being brought often within the sight of London, and so off again. There are hopes that something will be done to his advantage speedily ; because the Gregarian Soldiers and gross of the Army is well affected to him, tho' some of the chiefest Commanders be still averse.

For foreign News, they say St. Mark bears up stoutly against Mahomet both by Land and Sea : In Dalmatia he hath of late shaken him by the Turban ill-fa vouredly : I could heartily wish that our Army here were there to help the Republic, and combat the common Enemy, for then one might be sure to die in the bed of Honour. The commotions in Sicily are quash'd, but those of Naples increase ; and 'tis like to be a more raging and voracious fire than Vesuvius, or any of the sulphureous Mountains about her did ever belch out. The Catalan and Portuguez bait the Spaniard on both sides, but the first hath shrewder teeth than the other ; and the French and Hollander find him work in Flanders. And now, my Lord, to take all Nations in a lump, I think God Almighty hath a quarrel lately with all Mankind, and given the reins to the ill Spirit to compass the whole earth ; for within these twelve years there have the strangest Revolu- tions and horridest Things happened not only in Europe, but all the World over, that have befallen mankind, I dare boldly say, since Adam fell, in so short a revolution of time. There is a kind of popular Planet reigns everywhere : I will begin with the hottest parts, with Afric, where the Emperor of Ethiopia (with two of his Sons) was encountered and kill'd in open field by the Groom of his Camels and Dromedaries, who have levied an Army out of the dregs of the People against him, and is like to hold that ancient Empire. In Asia the Tartar broke o'er the four-hundred-miPd Wall, and rush'd into the heart of China, as far as Quinzay, and be- leager'd the very Palace of the Emperor, who rather than

become

Book III. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 513

become Captive to the base Tartar burnt his Castle, and did make away hiniself, his thirty Wives and Children. The great Turk hath been lately strangled in the Seraglio, his own house. The Emperor of Muscovia going in a solemn Procession upon the Sabbath-day> the Rabble broke in, knock'd down and cut in pieces divers of his chiefest Coun- sellors, Favourites, and Officers before his face; and dragging their bodies to the Market-place, their heads were chopp'd off, thrown into Vessels of hot Water, and so set upon Poles to burn more bright before the Court-gate. In Naples a common Fruiterer had raised such an Insurrection, that they say above sixty Men have been slain already upon the streets of that City alone. Catalonia and Portugal have quite revolted from Spain. Your Lordship knows what knocks have been 'twixt the Pope and Parma : The Pole and the Cossacks are hard at it, Venice wrestleth with the Turk, and is like to lose her Maidenhead to him, unless other Chris- tian Princes look to it in time. And touching these three Kingdoms, there's none more capable than your Lordship to judge what monstrous Things have happened; so that it seems the whole Earth is off the hinges : And (which is the more wonderful) all these prodigious passages have fallen out in less than the compass of twelve years. But now that all the World is together by the ears, the States of Holland would be quiet : For Advice is come that the Peace is con- cluded, and interchangeably ratify'd 'twixt them and Spain; but they defer the publishing of it yet, till they have collected all the Contribution-money for the Army. The Spaniard hopes that one day this Peace may tend to his Advantage more than all his Wars have done these fourscore years, relying upon the old Prophecy,

Martc triumphabiS) Batavia, Pace pcribis.

The King of Denmark hath buried lately his eldest Son Christian, so that he hath now but one living, viz., Frederick, who is Archbishop of Breme, and is shortly to be King Elect.

2 K My

514 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book III.

My Lord, this Letter runs upon Universals, because I know your Lordship hath a publick great Soul and a spacious Understanding, which comprehends the whole World : So in a due posture of humility I kiss your hands, being, my Lord — Your most obedient and most faithful Servitor, J. H.

Fleet, 20 Jan. 1646.

II.

To Mr. En. P., at Paris. SIR,

SINCE we both agreed to truck Intelligence, and that you are contented to barter French for English, I shall be careful to send you hence from time to time the currentest and most staple stuff I can find, with weight and good measure to boot. I know in that more subtile Air of yours Tinsel sometimes passes for Tissue, Venice Beads for Pearl, and Demicasters for Severs : But I know you have so discerning a judgment, that you will not suffer yourself to be so cheated ; they must rise betimes that can put Tricks upon you, and make you take semblances for realities, pro- babilities for certainties, or spurious for true things. To hold this literal correspondence, I desire but the parings of your time, that you may have something to do, when you have nothing else to do, while I make a business of it to be punctual in my answers to you. Let our Letters be as Echoes, let them bound back and make mutual repercus- sions ; I know you that breathe upon the Continent have clearer Echoes there ; witness that in the Tuilleries, specially that at Charenton Bridge, which quavers, and renders the voice ten times when 'tis open weather, and it were a vir- tuous curiosity to try it.

For news, the world is here turn'd upside down, and it hath been long a-going so : You know a good while since we have had leather Caps and bever Shoos; but now the Arms are come to be Legs, for Bishops' Lawn-sleeves are worn for Boot-house tops ; the Waist is come to the Knee,

for

Book III. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 515

for the Points that were used to be about the middle are now dangling there. Boots and Shoos are so long-snouted, that one can hardly kneel in God's House, where all Genu- flection and Postures of devotion and decency are quite out of use : The Devil may walk freely up and down the streets of London now, for there is not a Cross to fright him any- where ; and it seems he was never so busy in any Country upon earth, for there have been more Witches arraigned and executed here, lately, than ever were in this Island since the Creation.

I have no more to communicate to you at this time, and this is too much unless it were better. God Almighty send us patience, you in your Banishment, me in my Captivity, and give us Heaven for our last Country, where Desires turn to Fruition, Doubts to Certitudes, and dark Thoughts to clear Contemplations. Truly, my dear Don Antonio, as the times are, I take little contentment to live among the Elements, and (were it my Maker's pleasure) I could will- ingly, had I quit scores with the World, make my last account with Nature, and return this small skin full of Bones to my common Mother. If I chance to do so before you, I love you so entirely well that my Spirit shall visit you, to bring you some tidings from the other World ; and if you precede me, I shall expect the like from you, which you may da without affrighting me, for I know your Spirit will be a bonus Genius. So, desiring to know what's become of my Manuscript, I kiss your hands, and rest most pas- sionately— Your most faithful Servitor, J. H.

Fleet, 20 Feb. 1646.

III.

To Master W. B.

SIR,

I HAD yours of the last week, and by reason of some sudden encumbrances I could not correspond with you by that Carrier. As for your desire to know the Pedigree and first Rise of those we call Presbyterians, I find that your

motion

516 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book III.

motion hath as much of Piety as Curiosity in it; but I must tell you 'tis a Subject fitter for a Treatise than a Letter, yet I will endeavour to satisfy you in some part.

Touching the word IIp€cr/3vT6pos, it is as ancient as Christianity itself; and every Churchman compleated in holy Orders was called Presbyter, as being the chiefest name of the Function ; and so 'tis us'd in all Churches both Eastern and Occidental to this day. We by contraction call him Priest, so that all Bishops and Archbishops are Priests, tho' not vice versd. These holy Titles of Bishop and Priest are now grown odious among such poor Sciolists, who scarce know the Hotie's of things, because they savor of Antiquity ; tho' their Minister that officiates in their Church be the same thing as Priest, and their Superintendent the same thing as Bishop: But because they are lovers of novelties, they change old Greek words for new Latin ones. The first broacher of the Presbyterian Religion, and who made it differ from that of Rome and Luther, was Calvin; who being once banish'd Geneva, was revok'd, at which time he no less petulantly than profanely apply'd to himself that Text of the holy Prophet which was meant of Christ, The Stone which the Builders refused, is made the head-stone of the Corner, &c. Thus Geneva Lake swallow'd up the Episcopal Sea, and Church- Lands were made secular, which was the white they levelled at. This Geneva Bird flew thence to .France, and hatch' d the Huguenots, which make about the tenth part of that People: It took wing also to Bohemia and Germany high and low, as the Palatinate, the Land of Hesse, and the Confederate Provinces of the States of Holland, whence it took flight to Scotland and England. It took first footing in Scotland when K. James was a child in his Cradle ; but when he came to understand himself, and was manumitted from Buchanan, he grew cold in it ; and being come to England, he utterly disclaimed it, terming it, in a public Speech of his to the Parliament, a Sect rather than a Reli- gion. To this Sect may be imputed all the Scissures that have happen'd in Christianity, with most of the Wars that

have

Book III. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 517

have lacerated poor Europe ever since ; and it may be called the Source of the civil Distractions that now afflict this poor Island.

Thus have I endeavour'd to fulfil your desires in part; I shall enlarge myself further when I shall be made happy with your conversation here ; till when, and always, I rest — Your most affectionate to love and serve you, J. H.

fleet, 29 Nov. 1647.

IV.

To Sir J. S., Knight, at Rouen. SIR,

OF all the Blessings that ever dropt down from Heaven upon Man, that of his Redemption may be call'd the Blessing paramount; and of all those Comforts and Exer- cises of Devotion which attend that Blessing, the Eucharist or holy Sacrament may claim the prime place. But as there is Devotion, so there is Danger in't, and that in the highest degree : 'Tis rank poison to some, tho* a most sovereign cor- dial to others, ad modum recipientis, as the Schoolmen say, whether they take panem Dominum, as the Roman Catholic, or panem Domini, as the Reformed Churches. The Bee and the Spider suck honey and poison out of one Flower. This, Sir, you have divinely exprest in the Poem you pleas'd to send me upon this Subject : And whereas you seem to woo my Muse to such a Task, something you may see she hath done, in pure obedience only to your commands.

Upon the Holy Sacrament.

I.

Hail holy Sacrament ! Tlie World's great Wonderment, Mysterious Banquet much more rare 7'Aan Manna, or the Angels' fare ; Each Cruniy tho* Sinners on theefeed^ Doth Cleopatra's Pearl exceed.

Oh

518 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book III.

Oh how my Soul doth hunger, thirst, and pine After these Gates so precious, so divine !

II.

She need not bring her stool

As some unbidden fool ;

The Master of this heavenly Feast

Invites and woos her for his Guest :

Tho1 deaf and lame, forlorn and blind,

Yet welcome here sh£s sure to find, So that she bring a Vestment for the day, And her old tatter d rags throw quite away.

III.

This is Bethesda's Fool,

That can both cleanse and cool

Poor leprous and diseased Souls,

An Angel here keeps and controuls,

Descending gently from the Heavens above,

To stir the waters ; may he also move My Mind, and rocky Heart so strike and rend, That tears may thence gush out with them to blend.

This Morning-fancy drew on another towards the Evening, as followeth:

As to the Pole the Lilly bends

In a Sea-compass, and still tends By a magnetic Mystery, Unto the Arctic point in Sky,

Whereby the wandering Piloteer

His course in gloomy nights doth steer ;

So the small Needle of my Heart

Moves to her Maker, who doth dart Atoms of Love, and so attracts All my Affections, which like Sparks

Fly up, and guide my Soul by this

To the true centre of her Bliss.

As one Taper lightneth another, so were my spirits en-

Jightned

Book III. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 519

lightned and heated by your late Meditations in this kind ; and well fare your Soul with all her faculties for them : I find you have a great care of her, and of the main chance, Prce quo (jni.<itj iii lice ccetera. You shall hear further from me within a few days ; in the interim be pleas'd to reserve still in your Thoughts some little room for — Your most entirely affectionate Servitor, J. H.

Fleet) 10 of Dec. 1647.

V.

To Mr. T. W., at P. Castle.

MY PRECIOUS TOM,

HE is the happy man who can square his mind to his means, and fit his fancy to his fortune : He who hath a competency to live in the port of a Gentleman, and as he is free from being a Head- Constable, so he cares not for being a Justice of Peace or Sheriff; he who is before-hand with the world, and when he comes to London can whet his knife at the Counter-gate, and needs not trudge either to a Lawyer's study or Scrivener's shop, to pay fee or squeeze wax. *Tis Conceit chiefly that gives contentment; and he is happy who thinks himself so in any condition, tho' he have not enough to keep the Wolf from the door. Opinion is that great Lady which sways the World ; and according to the impression she makes in the mind, renders one con- tented or discontented. Now touching Opinion, so various are the intellectuals of human Creatures, that one can hardly find out two who jump pat in one: Witness that Monster in Scotland in James the Fourth's reign, with two heads one opposite to the other ; and having but one bulk of Body thro'out, these two heads would often fall into Altercations pro and con one with the other, and seldom were they of one opinion, but they would knock one against the other in eager disputes; which shews that the Judgment is seated in the animal parts, not in the vital which are lodg'd in the Heart.

We

520 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book III.

We are still in a turbulent sea of distractions, nor as far as I see is there yet any sight of shore. Mr. T. M. hath had a great loss at Sea lately, which I fear will light heavily upon him : When I consider his case, I may say, that as the Philosopher made a question whether the Marine?' be to be rank'd among the number of the living or dead (being but four inches distant from drowning, only the thickness of a plank), so 'tis a doubt whether the Merchant Adventurer be to be numbred 'twixt the rich or the poor, his estate being in the mercy of that devouring element the Sea, which hath so good a stomach that he seldom casts up what he hath once swallowed. This City hath bred of late years Men of monstrous strange opinions, that, as all other rich places besides, she may be compar'd to a fat Cheese which is most subject to engender Maggots. God amend all, and me first, who am — Yours most faithfully to serve you, J. H.

Fleet, this St. Tho. Day.

VI.

To Mr. William Blois.

MY WORTHY ESTEEMED NEPHEW,

I RECEIVED those rich nuptial favours you appointed me for Bands and Hat, which I wear with very much conr tentment and respect, most heartily wishing that this late double condition may multiply new blessings upon you, that it may usher in fair and golden days, according to the colour and substance of your bridal Riband; that those days may be perfum'd with delight and pleasure, as the rich scented Gloves I wear for your sake. May such Benedictions attend you both, as the Epithalamiums of Stella in Statins, and Julia in Catullus, speak of. I hope also to be marry'd shortly to a Lady whom I have woo'd above these five years, but I have found her coy and dainty hitherto ; yet I am now like to get her good-will in part, I mean the Lady Liberty.

When you see my N. Brownrigg, I pray tell him that I did not think Suffolk Waters had such a Lethean Quality in

them

Book III. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 521

them as to cause such an Amnestia in him of his Friends here upon the Thames, among whom for Reality and Serious- ness I may match among the foremost; but I impute it to SOUK: new Task that his Muse might haply impose upon him, which hath engross'd all his Speculations ; I pray present my cordial kind respects unto him.

So, praying that a thousand Blessings may attend this Confarreation, I rest, my dear Nephew— Yours most affec- tionately to love and serve you, J. H.

Flcct} 20 March 1647.

VII.

To Henry Hopkins, ESQ. SIR,

TO usher in again old Janus, I send you a Parcel of Indian Perfume which the Spaniard calls the Holy Herb, in regard of the various Virtues it hath, but we call it Tobacco ; I will not say it grew under the King of Spain's Window, but I am told it was gathered near his Gold-Mines of Potosi (where they report that in some Places there is more of that Ore than Earth), therefore it must needs be pre- cious Stuff: If moderately and seasonably taken (as I find you always do), 'tis good for many Things; it helps Digestion taken a while after Meat, it makes one void Rheum, break wind, and keeps the Body open : A Leaf or two being steeped o'er-night in a little White-wine is a Vomit that never fails in its Operation : It is a good Companion to one that con- verseth with dead Men ; for if one hath been poring long upon a Book, or is toil'd with the Pen, and stupified with Study, it quickeneth him, and dispels those Clouds that usually o'erset the Brain. The Smoke of it is one of the wholesomest Scents that is, against all contagious Airs, for it o'er-masters all other Smells, as K. James, they say, found true, when being once a-hunting, a Shower of Rain drove him into a Pig-sty for Shelter, where he caus'd a Pipe-full to be taken on purpose : It cannot endure a Spider or a

Flea,

522 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book III.

Flea, with such-like Vermin, and if your Hawk be troubled with any such, being blown into his Feathers, it frees him : It is good to fortify and preserve the Sight, the Smoke being let in round about the Balls of the Eyes once a-week, and frees them from all Rheums, driving them back by way of Repercussion ; being taken backward 'tis excellent good against the Cholique, and taken into the Stomach, 'twill heat and cleanse it ; for I could instance in a great Lord (my Lord of Sunderland, President of York), who told me, that he taking it downward into his Stomach, it made him cast up an Imposthume, Bag and all, which had been a long Time engendring out of a Bruise he had received at Football, and so preserv'd his Life for many Years. Now to descend from the Substance of the Smoke to the Ashes, 'tis well known the medicinal Virtues thereof are very many; but they are so common, that I will spare the inserting of them here: But if one would try a petty Conclusion how much Smoke there is in a Pound of Tobacco, the Ashes will tell him : for let a Pound be exactly weigh'd, and the Ashes kept charily and weigh'd afterwards, what wants of a Pound weight in the Ashes cannot be deny'd to have been Smoke, which evaporated into Air. I have been told that Sir Walter Raw- leigh won a Wager of Queen Elizabeth, upon this Nicety.

The Spaniards and Irish take it most in Powder or Smutchin, and it mightily refreshes the Brain, and I be- lieve there's as much taken this Way in Ireland as there is in Pipes in England; one shall commonly see the Serving- maid upon the Washing-block, and the Swain upon the Plough-share, when they are tir'd with Labour, take out their Boxes of Smutchin and draw it into their Nostrils with a Quill, and it will beget new Spirits in them with a fresh Vigour to fall to their Work again. In Barlary and other Parts of Afric, 'tis wonderful what a small Pill of Tobacco will do ; for those who use to ride post thro' the sandy Desarts, where they meet not with anything that's potable or edible, sometimes three Days together, they use to carry small Balls or Pills of Tobacco, which being put under the Tongue, it

affords

Book III. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 523

affords them a perpetual Moisture and takes off the Edge of the Appetite for some Days.

If you desire to read with Pleasure all the Virtues of this modern Herb, you must read Dr. Thorns s P&tologia, an accurate Piece couch'd in a strenuous heroic Verse, full of Matter, and continuing its Strength from first to last; insomuch, that for the Bigness it may be compar'd to any Piece of Antiquity, and, in my Opinion, is beyond j3Q)TpaKOfjLvo/j&%{a or ryaXewfjLvofiaxta.

So I conclude these rambling Notions, presuming you will accept this small Argument of my great Respects to you : If you want Paper to light your Pipe, this Letter may serve the Turn ; and if it be true what the Poets frequently sing, that Affection is Fire, you shall need no other than the clear Flames of the Donor's Love to make Ignition, which is comprehended in this Distich :

Ignis Amor si fit, Tobaccum accendere nostrum, Nulla petenda tibi fax nisi Dantis Amor.

If Love be Fire, to light this Indian Weed, The Donor's Love of Fire may stand instead.

So I wish you, as to myself, a most happy new Year ; may the Beginning be good, the Middle better, and the End best of all. — Your most faithful and truly affectionate Servitor,

J.H.

Flec^ i Jan. 1646.

VIII.

To the Rt. Hon. my Lord of D. MY LORD,

THE subject of this Letter may peradventure seem a Paradox to some, but not, I know, to your Lordship, when you have pleased to weigh well the Reasons. Learning is a Thing that hath been much cried up and coveted in all Ages, especially in this last Century of Years, by People of all Sorts, tho' never so mean and mechanical : every Man strains his Fortunes to keep his Children at School; the

Cobler

524 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book III.

Cobler will clout it till Midnight, the Porter will carry Burdens till his Bones crack again, the Plough-man will pinch both Back and Belly to give his Son 'Learning; and I find that this Ambition reigns nowhere so much as in this Island. But under Favour this Word Learning is taken in a narrower Sense among us than among other Nations; we seem to restrain it only to the Book ; whereas, indeed, any Artisan whatsoever (if he know the Secret and Mystery of his Trade) may be called a learned Man : A good Mason, a good Shoe- maker, that can manage St. Crispins Lance handsomely, a skilful Yeoman, a good Shipwright, &c., may be all called learned Men ; and indeed the usefullest sort of learned Men ; for without the two first we might go barefoot, and lie abroad as Beasts, having no other Canopy than the wild Air; and without the two last we might starve for Bread, have no Commerce with other Nations, or ever be able to tread upon a Continent. These, with such-like dextrous Artisans, may be termed learned Men, and the more behoveful for the Subsistence of a Country, than those Poll/mat his ts that stand poring all Day in a Corner upon a Moth-eaten Author, and converse only with dead Men. The Chinese (who are the next Neighbours to the rising Sun on this Side of the Hemisphere, and consequently the acutest) have a whole- some Piece of Policy, That the Son is always of the Father's Trade ; and 'tis all the Learning he aims at : which makes them admirable Artisans ; for, besides the Dextrousness and Propensity of the Child, being descended lineally from so many of the same Trade, the Father is more careful to in- struct him, and to discover to him all the Mystery thereof. This general Custom or Law keeps their Heads from run- ning at random after Book-learning, and other Vocations. I have read a Tale of Rob. Grosthead, Bishop of Lincoln, that being come to this Greatness, he had a Brother who was a Husbandman, and expected great matters from him in point of Preferment; but the Bishop told him that if he wanted Money to mend his Plow or his Cart, or to buy Tacklings for his Horses, with other things belonging to his

Husbandry,

Book III. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 525

Husbandry, he should not want what was fitting ; but wished him to aim no higher, for a Husbandman he found him, and a Husbandman he would leave him.

The extravagant Humour of our Country is not to be altogether commended, that all Men should aspire to Book- K'urning : There is not a simpler Animal, and a more super- fluous Member of State, than a mere Scholar, than only a self-pleasing Student ; he is Telluris inutile pondus.

The Got /is forbore to destroy the Libraries of the Greeks and Italians, because Books should keep them still soft, simple, or too cautious in warlike Affairs. Archimedes, tho* an excellent Engineer, when Syracuse was lost, was found at his Book in his Study, intoxicated with Speculations. Who would not have thought another great learned Philosopher to be a Fool or Frantic, when being in a Bath, he leap'd out naked among the People, and cried, / have found it ! I have found it ! having hit then upon an extraordinary Conclusion in Geometry ? There is a famous Tale of Thomas Aquinas, the Angelical Doctor, and of Bonadventure, the Seraphical Doctor, of whom Alex. Hales (our Countryman and his Master) reports, that it appeared not in him whether Adam had sinned : Both these great Clerks being invited to dinner by the French King, of purpose to observe their Humours, and being brought to the Room where the Table was laid, the first fell a eating of Bread as hard as he could drive ; at last breaking out of a brown Study, he cried out, Con" clusum est contra Manichceos. The other fell a-gazing upon the Queen, and the King asking him how he lik'd her, he answered, Oh, Sir, if an earthly Queen be so beautiful, what shall we think of the Queen of Heaven ? The latter was the better Courtier of the two. Hence we may infer that your mere Book Men, your deep Clerks, whom we call the only learned Men, are not always the civilest or the best Moral Men, nor is too great a Number of them convenient for any State, leading a soft sedentary Life, especially those who feed their own fancies only upon the public stock. Therefore it were to be wished that there reign'd not among the people

of

526 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book III.

of this Land such a general itching after Book-Learning, and I believe so many Free-Schools do rather hurt than good : nor did the Art of Printing much avail the Christian Com- monwealth, but may be said to be well near as fatal as Gunpowder, which came up in the same Age : For, under correction, to this may be partly ascribed that spiritual Pride, that variety of Dogmatists, which swarm among us. Add hereunto, that the excessive number of those who converse only with Books, and whose profession consists in them, is such, that one cannot live for another, according to the dignity of the Calling: A Physician cannot live for the Physicians, a Lawyer (civil and common) cannot live for Lawyers, nor a Divine for Divines. Moreover, the Multi- tudes that profess these three best Vocations, 'specially the last, make them of far less esteem. There is an odd opinion among us, that he who is a contemplative Man, a Man who weds himself to his study, and swallows many books, must needs be a profound Scholar, and a great learned Man, tho3 in reality he be such a dolt, that he hath neither a retentive faculty to keep what he hath read, nor wit to make any useful Application of it in common discourse; what he draws in lieth upon dead Lees, and never grows fit to be broach'd. Besides, he may want Judgment in the choice of his Authors, and knows not how to turn his hand either in weighing or winnowing the soundest opinions. There are divers who are cried up for great Clerks who want discretion. Others, tho' they wade deep into the causes and knowledge of things, yet they are subject to screw up their wits, and soar so high, that they lose themselves in their own Speculations; for thinking to transcend the ordinary pitch of Reason, they come to involve the common Principles of Philosophy in a Mist; in- stead of illustrating things, they render them more obscure ; instead of a plainer and shorter way to the Palace of Know- ledge, they lead us thro' briery, odd uncouth paths, and so fall into the fallacy call'd notum per ignotius. Some have the hap to be term'd learned Men, tho' they have gathered up but the scraps of Knowledge here and there, tho' they be

but

Book III. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 527

but smatterers, and mere sciolists, scarce knowing the Holies of things; yet, like empty casks, if they can make a Sound, and have a Gift to vent with Confidence what they have suck'd in, they are accounted great Scholars. Among all book-learned Men, except the Divine, to whom all learned Men should be Lacqueys, the Philosopher who hath waded thro' all the Mathematics, who hath dived into the secrets of the elementary World, and converseth also with celestial Bodies, may be term'd a learned Man : The critical Historian and Antiquary may be called also a learned Man, who hath conversed with our Forefathers, and observ'd the carriage and contingencies of matters pass'd, whence he draws in- stances and cautions for the benefit of the Times he lives in : The Civilian may be call'd likewise a learned Man, if the revolving of huge Volumes may entitle one so ; but touching the Authors of the Common Law, which is peculiar only to this Meridian, they may be all carried in a IVheel-larrow , as my Countryman Dr. Gwyn told Judge Finch: The Physician must needs be a learned Man, for he knows himself inward and outward, being well vers'd in Autology, in that Lesson Nosce Teipsum ; and as Adrian VI. said, he is very necessary to a populous Country, for were it not for the Physician, Men would, live so long and grow so thick, that one could not live for the other ; and he makes the Earth cover all his faults.

But what Dr. Gwyn said of the common Law-books, and Pope Adrian of the Physician, was spoken, I conceive, in merriment; for my part, I honour those two worthy Profes- sions in a high degree. Lastly, a Polyglot, or good Linguist, may be also term'd a useful learned Man, 'specially if vers'd in School-Languages.

My Lord, I know none of this Age more capable to sit in the Chair, and censure what is true Learning and what not, than yourself: Therefore in speaking of this subject to your Lordship, I fear to have committed the same Error as Phormio did in discoursing of War before Hannibal. No more now, but that I am, my Lord — Your most humble and obedient Servant, J. H.

IX.

528 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IIL

IX.

To Doctor J. D. SIR,

I HAVE many sorts of Civilities to thank you for, but amongst the rest, I thank you a thousand times (twice told) for that delightful fit of Society and conference of Notes we had lately in this little Fleet-Cabin of mine upon divers Problems, and upon some which are exploded (and that by those who seem to sway most in the Commonwealth of Learning) for Paradoxes, merely by an implicit faith, without diving at all into the Reasons of the Assertors. And whereas you promised a further expression of yourself by way of a discoursive Letter, what you thought of Coper- nicus's opinion touching the movement of the Earth, which hath so stirr'd all our modern wits ; and whereof Sir J. Brown pleased to oblige himself to do the like touching the Philosopher's Stone, the Powder of Projection, and potable Gold, provided that I would do the same concerning a peopled Country, and a species of moving Creatures in the concave of the Moon, which I willingly undertook upon those con- ditions; To acquit myself of this obligation, and to draw on your Performances the sooner, I have adventured to send you this following Discourse (such as it is) touching the Lunary World.

I believe 'tis a Principle, which not many will offer to controvert, that as Antiquity cannot privilege an Error, so Novelty cannot prejudice Truth. Now, Truth hath her de- grees of growing and expanding herself, as all other things have; and as Time begets her, so he doth the obstetricious Office of a Midwife to bring her forth. QMany Truths are but Embryos or Problems ; nay, some of them seem to be mere Paradoxes at first. The opinion that there were Anti- podes was exploded when it was first broached ; it was held absurd and ridiculous, and the thing itself to be as impossible as it was for Men to go upon their heads, with their heels

upwards :

Book III. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 529

upwards: nay, 'twas acljudg'd to be so dangerous a Tenet, that you know well the Bishop's name, who in the primi- tive Church was by sentence of condemnation sent out of this world without a Head, to go to and dwell among his Antipodes, because he first hatch'd and held that opinion. \\ ut now our late Navigators, and East-India Mariners, who use to cross the Equator and Tropiques so often, will tell you, That it is as gross a paradox to hold there are no Antipodes, and that the negative is now as absurd as the affirmative seem'd at first. For Man to walk upon the Ocean when the Surges were at the highest, and to make a heavy dull piece of Wood to swim, nay, fly upon the Water, was held as impossible a thing at first, as it is now thought impossible for Man to fly in the Air : Sails were held then as uncouth as if one should attempt to make himself Wings to mount up to Heaven d la volte. Two hundred and odd years ago, he would have been taken for some frantic Fool, that would undertake to batter and blow up a Castle with a few barrels of a small contemptible black Powder.

The great Architect of the World hath been observ'd not to throw down all Gifts and Knowledge to Mankind con- fusedly at once ; but in a regular parsimonious method, to dispense them by certain degrees, periods, and progress of time, leaving Man to make industrious researches and in- vestigations after Truth : He left the World to the disputa- tions of Men, as the wisest of Men saith, who in acquisition of natural Truths went from the Hysop to the Cedar. One Day certifieth another, and one Age rectifieth another : The Morrow hath more experience than the precedent Day, and is oft-times able to be his School-master ; the Grandchild laughs at some things that were done in his Grandsire's days ; insomuch that hence it may be inferr'd, that natural human Knowledge is not yet mounted to its Meridian and highest point of elevationT] I confess it cannot be denied without gross ingratitude, but we are infinitely obliged to our Fore- fathers for the Fundamentals of Sciences ; and as the Herald hath a rule, Mallem cum patribus quam cumfratribus errare,

2 L I

530 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book III.

I had rather err with my Fathers than Brothers; so it holds in other kinds of Knowledge. But those Times which we term vulgarly the old World, were indeed the Youth or Adolescence of it ; and tho3, if respect be had to the par- ticular and personal Acts of Generation, and to the Re- lation of Father and Son, they who fore-liv'd and preceded us may be called our Ancestors, yet if you go to the Age of the World in general, and to the true Length and Longevity of things, we are more properly the older Cosmopolites : In this respect the Cadet may be term'd more ancient than his elder Brother, because the World was older when he enter' d into it. Moreover, besides Truth, Time hath also another Daughter, which is Experience, who holds in her Hands the great Looking-glass of Wisdom and Knowledge.

But now to the intended task touching an habitable World^ and a Species of living Creatures in the Orb of the Moon, which may bear some analogy with those of this elementary World: Altho3 it be not my purpose to maintain and ab- solutely assert this Problem, yet I will say this, that who- soever crieth it down for a new neoterical Opinion, as divers do, commit a grosser error than the Opinion may be in its own nature : For 'tis almost as ancient as Philosophy her- self; I am sure 'tis as old as Orpheus, who sings of divers fair Cities and Castles within the Circle of the Moon. Moreover, the profoundest Clerks and most renowned Philo- sophers in all Ages have affirmed it. Towards the first Age of Learning, among others, Pythagoras and Plato avouchM it; the first of whom was pronounced the wisest of Men by the Pagan Oracle, as our Solomon is by holy Writ. In the middle Age of Learning, Plutarch speaks of it ; and in these modern times, the most speculative and scientificallest Men, both in Germany and Italy, seem to adhere to it, subinnuat- ing that not only the Sphere of the Moon is peopled with Selenites or Lunary Men, but that likewise every Star in Heaven is a peculiar World of itself, which is coloniz'd and replenish'd with Astrean Inhabitants, as the Earth, Sea, and Air are with Elementary, the Body of the Sun not excepted,

who

Book III. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 531

who hath also his Solar Creatures, and they are accounted the most sublime, the most pure, and perfectest of all : Tin Elementary Creatures are held the grossest of all, having more matter than form in them : The Solar have more form than matter ; the Selenites, with other Astrean Inhabitants, are of a mix'd nature, and the nearer they approach the Body of the Sun, the more pure and spiritual they are: Were it so, there were some grounds for his speculation who thought that human Souls, be they never so pious and pure, ascend not immediately after the dissplution from the corrupt mass of flesh before the glorious presence of God, presently to behold the Beatifical Vision, but first into the Body of the Moon, or some other Star, according to their degrees of goodness, and actuate some Bodies there of a purer com- position ; when they are refined there, they ascend to some higher Star, and so to some higher than that, till at last by these degrees they be made capable to behold the Lustre of that glorious Majesty, in whose sight no impurity can stand. This is illustrated by a comparison, that if one, after he hath been kept close in a dark dungeon a long time, should be taken out, and brought suddenly to look upon the Sun in the Meridian, it would endanger him to be struck stark blind ; so no human Soul suddenly sallying out of a dirty prison, as the Body is, would be possibly able to appear before the incomprehensible Majesty of God, or be sus- ceptible of the Brightness of his all-glorious Countenance, unless he be fitted thereunto before-hand by certain degrees, which might be done by passing from one Star to another, which, we are taught, differ one from the other in Glory and Splendor.

Among our modern Authors that would furbish this old Opinion of Lunary Creatures, and plant Colonies in the Orb of the Moon, with the rest of the celestial Bodies, Gasper Galileo Galilei is one, who by artificial Prospectives hath brought us to a nearer commerce with Heaven, by drawing it sixteen times nearer Earth than it was before in ocular Appearance, by the Advantage of the said Optic Instrument.

Among

532 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book III.

Among other Arguments which the Assertors of Astrean Inhabitants do produce for proof of this high Point, one is, that it is neither repugnant to Eeason or Religion to think, that the Almighty Fabricator of the Universe, who doth nothing in vain, nor suffers his handmaid Nature to do so, when he created the erratic and fix'd Stars, he did not make those huge immense Bodies, whereof most are bigger than the Earth and Sea, tho' conglobated, to twinkle only, and to be an ornament to the Roof of Heaven ; but he plac'd in the Convex of every one of those vast capacious Spheres some living Creatures to glorify his Name, among whom there is in every of them one supereminent, like Man upon Earthf to be Lord paramount of all the rest. To this haply may allude the old opinion, that there is a peculiar Intelli- gence which guides and governs every Orb in Heaven.

They that would thus colonize the Stars with Inhabitants, do place in the body of the Sun, as was said before, the purest, the most immaterial, and refined intellectual Crea- tures, whence the Almighty calls those he will have to be immediately about his Person, and to be admitted to the Hierarchy of Angels. This is far dissonant from the opinion of the Turk, who holds that the Sun is a great burning Globe designed for the damned.

They who are transported with this high speculation, that there are Mansions and habitable Conveniences for Crea- tures to live within the bodies of the celestial Orbs, seem to tax Man of a high presumption, that he should think all things were created principally for Him; that the Sun and Stars are serviceable to him in chief, viz., to measure his days, to distinguish his seasons, to direct him in his Navi- gations, and pour wholesome Influences upon him.

No doubt they were created to be partly useful and com- fortable to him ; but to imagine that they are solely and chiefly for him, is a thought that may be said to be above the pride of Lucifer : They may be beneficial to him in the -generation and increase of all elementary Creatures, and yet have peculiar Inhabitants of their own besides, to con- cur

Book III. FAMILIAR LETTERS.

533

cur with the rest of the World in the service of their Creator. 'Tis a fair prerogative for Man to be Lord of all terrestrial, aquatick, and airy Creatures; that with his harping Iron he can draw ashore the great Leviathan ; that he can make the Camel and huge Dromedary to kneel to him, and take up his burden ; that he can make the fierce Bull, tho* ten times stronger than himself, to endure his yoke ; that he can fetch down the Eagle from his nest, with such privileges. But let him not presume too far in comparing himself with heavenly Bodies, while he is no other thing than a worm crawling upon the surface of this Earth. Now the Earth is the basest Creature which God hath made, therefore 'tis call'd his Footstool ; and tho' some take it to be the Centre, yet it is the very sediment of the elementary World, as they say the Moon is of the celestial ; 'tis the very sink of all cor- ruption and frailty ; which made Trismegist say, that Terra non mundus est nequitice locus ; the Earthy not the World, is the seat of wickedness : And tho', 'tis true, she be susceptible of Light, yet the Light terminates only in her Superficies, being not able to enlighten anything else, as the Stars can do.

Thus have I proportioned my short discourse upon this spacious Problem to the size of an Epistle; I reserve the fulness of my Opinion in this point, till I receive yours touching Copernicus.

It hath been always my practice, in the search and even- tilation of natural Verities, to keep to myself a philosophical freedom, and not to make any one's Opinion so magisterial and binding, but that I might be at Liberty to recede from it upon more pregnant and powerful reasons. For as in theological Tenets 'tis a rule, Quicquid non dcscendit a monte Scripturce, eadem authoritate contemnitur, qua approlatur ; Whatsoever descends not from the mount of holy Scripture, may be by the same Authority rejected as well as received : So in the disquisitions and winnowing of physical Truths, Quicquid non descendit a monte Rationis, &c. Whatsoever descends not from the mount of Reason, may be as well rejected as approved of.

So

534 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book III.

So, longing after an opportunity to pursue this point by mixture of oral discourse, which hath more elbow-room than a Letter, I rest with all candor and cordial affection — Your faithful Servant, J. H.

Fleet) this 2 of Nov. 1647.

X.

To the Right Honourable the Lady E. D. MADAM,

THOSE Rays of Goodness which are diffusedly scattered in others, are all concentred in you ; which, were they divided into equal portions, were enough to complete a whole Jury of Ladies : This draws you a mixture of Love and Envy, or rather an Admiration, from all who know you, 'specially from me, and that in so high a Degree, that if you would suffer yourself to be adored, you should quickly find me religious in that kind. However, I am bold to send your Ladyship this, as a kind of Homage, or Heriot, or Tribute, or what you please to term it, in regard I am a true Vassal to your Virtues : And if you please to lay any of your Commands upon me, your Will shall be a Law to me, which I will observe with as much Allegiance as any Branch of Magna Charta ; they shall be as binding to me as Lycurgus's Laws were to the Spartans; and to this I subscribe, J. H.

Fleet) this 10 of Aug. 1647.

XI.

To R. B., Esquire, at Grundesburgh. SIR,

WHEN I o'er-look'd the List of my choicest Friends to insert your Name, I paus'd a-while, and thought it more proper to begin a new collateral File, and put you in the front thereof, where make account you are plac'd. If anything upon Earth partakes of angelick Happiness (in civil Actions) 'tis Friendship ; it perfumes the thoughts with

such

Book III. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 535

such sweet Idaeas, and the heart with such melting Passions : such are the effects of yours to me, which makes me please myself much in the speculation of it.

I am glad you are so well return'd to your own Family ; and touching the Wheelwright you write of, who from a Cart came to be a Captain, it made me think of the per- petual rotations of Fortune, which you know Antiquity seated upon a Wheel in a restless, tho* not violent, Volu- bility: And truly it was never more verified than now, that those Spokes which were formerly but collateral, and some of them quite underneath, are now coming up apace to the top of the Wheel. I hope there will be no cause to apply to them the old Verse I learn' d at School,

Asperius nihil est humify cum surgit in altum.

But there is a transcendent over-ruling Providence, who can not only check the rollings of this petty Wheel, and strike a Nail into it that it shall not stir, but stay also when he pleaseth the Motions of those vast Spheres of Heaven, where the Stars are always stirring, as likewise the whirlings of the Primum Mobile itself, which the Astronomers say draws all the World after it in a rapid Revolution. That Divine Providence vouchsafe to check the Motion of that malevolent Planet, which hath so long lowr'd upon poor England, and send us better days. So, saluting you with no vulgar Respects, I rest, my dear Nephew — Yours most affectionately to serve you, J. H.

Fleet, this 26 of July 1646.

XII.

To Mr. En. P., at Paris.

SIR,

THAT which the Plots of the Jesuits in their dark Cells, and the Policy of the greatest Roman Catholic Princes have driven at these many Years, is now done to their hands, which was to divide and break the Strength of these three Kingdoms, because they held it to be too great

a

536 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book III.

a Glory and Power to be in one Heretical Prince's Hands (as they esteemed the King of Great Britain), because he was in a Capacity to be Umpire, if not Arbiter of this Part of the World, as many of our Kings have been.

You write thence, that in regard of the sad Condition of our Queen, their Country-woman, they are sensible of our Calamities ; but I believe, 'tis the Populace only, who see no farther than the Rind of Things : your Cabinet- Coun- cil rather rejoiceth at it, who, or I am much deceived, con- tributed much in the Time of the late sanguine Cardinal to set afoot these Distractions, beginning first with Scotland, who, you know, hath always serv'd that Nation for a Brand to set England a-fire for the Advancement of their own Ends. I am afraid we have seen our best Days; we knew not when we were well : so that the Italian Saying may be well apply' d to poor England, I was well, I would be better, I took Physic and died. No more now, but that I rest still — Yours entirely to serve you, J. H.

Fleet, 20 Jan. 1647.

XIII.

To John Wroth, Esq., at Petherton-Park. SIR,

I HAD two of yours lately, one in Italian, the other in French (which were answer'd in the same Dialect), and as I read them with singular Delight, so I must tell you, they struck an admiration into me, that in so short a Revolution of Time you should come to be so great a Master of those Languages both for the Pen and Parley. I have known divers, and those of pregnant and ripe Capacities, who had spent more Oil and Time in those Countries, yet could they not arrive to that double Perfection which you have ; for if they got one, they were commonly defective in the other. Therefore I may say, that you have not Spartam nactus, which was but a petty Republic, sed Italiam & Galliam nactus es, has orna ; you have got all Italy and France, adorn these. Nor is it Language that you have only brought home

with

Book III. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 537

with you; but I find that you have studied the Men and the Manners of those Nations you have convers'd withal : Neither have you courted only all their fair Cities, Castles, Houses of Pleasure, and other Places of Curiosity, but you have pried into the very Mysteries of their Government, as I find by those choice Manuscripts and Observations you have brought with you. In all these Things you have been so curious, as if the Soul of your great Uncle, who was em- ployed Ambassador in the Imperial Court, and who held correspondence with the greatest Men of Christendom in their own Language, had transmigrated into you.

The freshest News here is, that those Heart-burnings and Fires of Civil Commotions which you left behind you in France, cover'd over with thin Ashes for the Time, are broken out again ; and I believe they will be never quite extinguished till there be a Peace or Truce with Spain, for till then there is no Hope of Abatement of Taxes. And 'tis fear'd the Spanish will out-weary the French at last in fighting ; for the Earth herself, I mean his Mines of Mexico and Peru, afford him a constant and yearly Treasure to support his Armies; whereas the French King digs his Treasure out of the Bowels and vital Spirits of his own Subjects.

I pray let me hear from you by the next Opportunity, for I shall hold my Time well employed to correspond with a Gentleman of such choice and gallant Parts: In which De- sires I rest — Your most affectionate and faithful Servitor,

J. H.

29 Aug. 1649.

XIV. To Mr. W. B.

HOW glad was I, my choice and precious Nephew, to receive yours of the 24th current; wherein I was sorry, tho' satisfied in point of Belief, to find the ill Fortune of Interception which befell my last unto yon.

Touching the Condition of Things here, you shall under-

stand,

538 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book III.

stand, that our Miseries lengthen with our Days; for tho' the Sun and the Spring advance nearer us, yet our Times are not grown a whit the more comfortable. I am afraid this City hath fool'd herself into a Slavery ; the Army, tho' forbidden to come within ten Miles of her, by Order of Parliament, quarters now in the Bowels of her ; they threaten to break her Percullies, Posts, and Chains, to make her per- vious upon all occasions : they have secured also the Tower, with Addition of Strength for themselves : besides a Famine doth insensibly creep upon us, and the Mint is starv'd for want of Bullion ; Trade, which was ever the Sinew of this Island, doth visibly decay, and the Insurance of Ships is risen from two to ten in the Hundred : Our Gold is ingrossed in private Hands, or gone beyond Sea to travel without License ; and much I believe of it is return'd to the Earth (whence it first came) to be buried where our late Nephews may chance to find it a thousand Years hence, if the World lasts so long; so that the exchanging of white Earth into red (I mean Silver into Gold) is now above six in the Hundred : and all these, with many more, are the dismal Effects and Concomitants of a Civil War. Tis true, we have had many such Hack Days in England in former Ages ; but those, paralleled to the present, are as a shadow of a Mountain compared to the Eclipse of the Moon. My Prayers early and late are, that God Almighty would please not to turn away his Face quite, but cheer us again with the Light of his Countenance. And I am well assured you will join with me in the same Orison to Heaven's Gate ; in which Confidence I rest — Yours most affectionately to serve you, J. H.

Flee^ 10 of Dec. 1647.

XV.

To Sir K. D., at Paris. SIR,

NOW that you are return'd, and fix'd a-while in France, an old Servant of yours takes leave to kiss your

Hands,

Book III. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 539

Hands, and salute you in an intense Degree of Heat and Height of Passion. 'Tis well you shook hands with this infortunate Isle when you did, and got your liberty by such a Royal Mediation as the Queen's Regents; for had you staid, you would have taken but little comfort in your Life, in regard that ever since there have been the fearfullest Dis- tractions here that ever happened upon any Part of the Earth : a belluin Kind of humanity never rangM so among Men, insomuch, that the whole Country might have taken its appellation from the smallest Part thereof, and be called the Isle of Dogs / for all Humanity, common Honesty, and that Mansuetude, with other moral Civilities which should distinguish the rational Creature from other Animals, have been lost here a good while. Nay, besides this Cynical, there is a kind of Wolvish Humour hath seiz'd upon most of this People, a true Lycanthropy, they so worry and seek to devour one another ; so that the wild Aral and fiercest Tartar may be calPd civil Men in comparison of us : there- fore he is the happiest who is furthest off from this woful Island. The King is straitened of that Liberty he formerly had in the Isle of Wight, and as far as I can see, may make up the Number of Nebuchadnezzar3 s Years before he be restored: the Parliament persists in their first Propositions; and will go nothing less. This is all I have to send at this time, only I will adjoin the true Respects of — Your most faithful humble Servitor, J. H.

Fleet, this 5 of May 1647.

XVI.

To Mr. W. Blois, in Suffolk.

SIR,

YOURS of the ijth current came safely to hand, and I kiss your Hands for it ; you mention there two others that came not, which made me condole the Loss of such Jewels, for I esteem all your Letters for being the precious Effects of your Love, which I value at a high Rate, and

please

540 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book ///.

please myself much in the Contemplation of it, as also in the Continuance of this Letter-Correspondence, which is perform'd on your Part with such ingenious Expressions, and embroidered still with new Flourishes of Invention. I am still under hold in this fatal Fleet ; and like one in a Tempest at Sea, who hath been often near the Shore, yet is still toss'd back by contrary Winds, so I have had frequent Hopes of Freedom, but some cross Accident or other always intervened ; insomuch that I am now in Half-despair of an absolute Release till a general Gaol-delivery : yet notwith- standing this outward Captivity, I have inward Liberty still, I thank God for it.

The greatest News is, that between twenty and thirty thousand well-arm'd Scots have been utterly routed, rifled, and all taken prisoners, by less than 8000 English. I must confess 'twas a great Exploit, whereof I am not sorry, in regard that the English have regain'd hereby the Honour which they had lost abroad of late Years in the Opinion of the World, ever since the Pacification at Berwick, and divers Traverses of War since. What Hamilton's Design was, is a Mystery ; most think that he intended no Good either to King or Parliament. So, with my daily more and more en- deared Affections to you, I rest — Yours ever to love and serve you, J. H.

Flce^ 7 May 1647.

XVII.

To Mr. R. Baron, at Paris. GENTLE SIR,

I RECEIVED and presently ran over your Cyprian Aca- demy with much Greediness, and no vulgar Delight ; and, Sir, I hold myself much honour'd for the Dedication you have been pleas'd to make thereof to me, for it deserv'd a far higher Patronage. Truly, I must tell you without any Compliment, that I have seldom met with such an ingenious mixture of Prose and Verse, interwoven with such varieties

of

Book III. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 541

of Fancy and charming strains of amorous Passions, which have made all the Ladies of the Land in love with you. If you begin already to court the Muses so handsomely, and have got such footing on Parnassus, you may in time be Lord of the whole Hill ; and those nice Girls, because Apollo is now grown unwieldy and old, may make choice of you to officiate in his room, and preside over them.

I much thank you for the punctual Narration you pleas'd to send me of those Commotions in Pam ; I believe France will never be in perfect repose while a Spaniard sits at the Stern, and an Italian steers the Rudder. In my opinion Mazarine should do wisely, now that he hath feather'd his nest so well, to truss up his Baggage, and make over the Alps to his own Country, lest the same fate betide him as did the Marquis of Ancre his Compatriot. I am glad the Treaty goes on 'twixt Spain and France ; for nothing can portend a greater good to Christendom than a Conjunction of those two great Luminaries ; which if it please God to bring about, I hope the Stars will change their Aspects, and we shall see better days.

I send here inclosed a second Bill of Exchange, in case the first I sent you in my last hath miscarry'd : So, my dear Nephew, I embrace you with both my Arms, and rest — Yours most entirely to love and serve you, while J. H.

Fleet, 20 June 1647.

XVIII.

To Mr. Tho. More, at York. SIR,

I HAVE often partak'd of that pleasure which Letters use to carry along with them ; but I do not remember to have found a greater proportion of delight than yours afford me. Your last of the 4th current came to safe hand, wherein methought each line, each word, each syllable breath'd out the Passions of a clear and candid Soul, of a virtuous and gentle Spirit. Truly, Sir, as I might perceive

by

542 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book III.

by your ingenuous and pathetical expressions therein, that you were transported with the heat of true Affection towards me in the writing, so was I in the reading, which wrought upon me with such an Energy that a kind of extasy pos- sess'd me for the time. I pray, Sir, go on in this corre- spondence, and you shall find that your lines will not be ill bestow'd upon me ; for I love and respect you dearly well : Nor is this Love grounded upon vulgar Principles, but upon those extraordinary parts of Virtue and Worth which I have discovered in you, and such a Love is the most permanent, as you shall find in — Your most affectionate Uncle, J. H.

Fleet, i of Sep. 1647.

XIX.

To Mr. W. B., 3° Maii. SIR,

"\/"OUR last Lines to me were as delightful as the Season, A they were as sweet as Flowers in May ; nay, they were far more fragrant than those fading Vegetables, they did cast a greater suavity than the Arabian Spices use to do in the Grand Cairo, where when the Wind is Southward, they say the Air is as sweet as a perfum'd Spanish Glove. The Air of this City is not so, specially in the heart of the City, in and about Paul's Church, where Horse-dung is a yard deep ; insomuch that to cleanse it would be as hard a task as it was for Hercules to cleanse the Augean Stable, by drawing a great River thro' it, which was accounted one of his twelve Labours. But it was a bitter taunt of the Italian, who pass- ing by Paul's Church, and seeing it full of horses, Now I perceive (said he) that in England Men and Beasts serve God alike. No more now, but that I am — Your most faithful Servant, J. H.

XX.

Book III. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 543

XX.

To Sir Paul Pindar, Kt.t upon the Version of an Italian Piece into English, calVd St. Paul's Progress upon Earth ; a new and a notable kind of Satire.

SIR,

ST. PAUL having descended lately to view Italy and other places, as you may trace him in the following Discourse, he would not take wing back to Heaven before he had given you a special visit, who have so well deserv'd of his Church here, the goodliest pile of Stones in the Chris- tlan World of that kind.

Of all the Men of our times, you are one of the greatest examples of Piety and constant Integrity, which discovers a noble Soul to dwell within you, and that you are very conversant with Heaven ; so that methinks I see St. Paul saluting and solacing you in these black times, assuring you that those pious works of Charity you have done and daily do (and that in such a manner, that the left hand knows not what the right doth) will be as a triumphant Chariot to carry you one day up to Heaven, to partake of the same Beatitude with him. Sir, among those that truly honour you, I am one, and have been so since I first knew you ; therefore as a small testimony hereof, I send you this fresh Fancy compos'd by a noble Personage in Italian, of which Language you are so great a Master.

For the first part of the Discourse, which consists of a Dialogue 'twixt the two first Persons of the Holy Trinity, there are examples of that kind in some of the most ancient Fathers, as Apollinarius and Nazianzen ; and lately Grotius hath the like in his Tragedy of Christ's Passion : Which may serve to free it from all exceptions. So I most affectionately kiss your hands, and am, Sir — Your very humble and ready Servant, J. H.

Fleet i 25 Martii 1646.

XXL

544 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book III.

XXI.

To Sir Paul Neale, Kt., upon the same Subject. SIR,

ST. PAUL cannot reascend to Heaven before he gives you also a salute ; my Lord, your Father, having been a Star of the greatest magnitude in the Firmament of the Church. If you please to observe the manner of his late progress upon earth, which you may do by the guidance of this discourse, you shall discover many things which are not vulgar, by a curious mixture of Church and State-Affairs : You shall feel herein the pulse of Italy, and how it beats at this time since the beginning of these late Wars 'twixt the Pope and the Duke of Parma, with the grounds, procedure, and success of the said War ; together with the Interest and Grievances, the Pretences and Quarrels that most Princes there have with Rome.

I must confess, my Genius hath often prompted me that I was never cut out for a Translator, there being a kind of servility therein : For it must needs be somewhat tedious to one that hath any free-born thoughts within him, and genuine conceptions of his own (whereof I have some, tho' shallow ones) to enchain himself to a verbal servitude, and the sense of another. Moreover, Translations are but as turn-coated things at best, 'specially among Languages that have Advantages one of the other, as the Italian hath of the English, which may be said to differ one from the other as Silk doth from Cloth, the common wear of both Countries where they are spoken. And as Cloth is the more substantial, so the E?iglish Tongue, by reason 'tis so knotted with con- sonants, is the stronger and the more sinewy of the two : But Silk is more smooth and slick, and so is the Italian Tongue, compared to the English. Or I may say, Transla- tions are like the wrong side of a Turkey Carpet, which useth to be full of thrums and knots, and nothing so even as the right side : Or one may say (as I spake elsewhere), that

Translations

Book IIL FAMILIAR LETTERS. 545

Translations are like Wines ta'en off the lees, and poured into other vessels, that must needs lose somewhat of their first strength and briskness, which in the pouring, or passage rather, evaporates into Air. •

Moreover, touching Translations, it is to be observ'd, that every Language hath certain Idioms, Proverbs, and peculiar Expressions of its own, which are not rendible in any other, but paraphrastically ; therefore he overacts the office of an Interpreter who doth enslave himself too strictly to Words or Phrases. I have heard of an excess among Limners, call'd too much to the Life, which happens when one aims at Similitude more than Skill : So in version of Languages, one may be so over-punctual in words, that he may mar the matter. The greatest fidelity that can be expected in a Translator, is to keep still a-foot and entire the true genuine sense of the Author, with the main design he drives at: And this was the principal thing which was observ'd in this Version.

Furthermore, let it not be thought strange that there are some Italian words made free denizons of England in this discourse ; for by such means our Language hath grown from time to time to be copious, and still grows more rich, by adopting, or naturalizing rather, the choicest foreign words of other Nations ; as a Nosegay is nothing else but a tuft of flowers gather'd from divers beds.

Touching this present Version of Italian into English, I may say, 'tis a thing I did when I had nothing to do : 'Twas to find something whereby to pass away the slow hours of this sad condition of Captivity.

I pray be pleas'd to take this as a small Argument of the great respects I owe you for the sundry rare and high Virtues I have discovered in you, as also for the obligations I have to your noble Lady, whose hands I humbly kiss, wishing you both, as the Season invites me, a good new Year (for it begins but now in Law) as also a holy Lent, and a healthful Spring. — Your most obliged and ready Servitor, J. H.

Fleet t 25 Martij.

2 M XXII.

546 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book III.

XXII.

To Dr. W. Turner. SIR,

I RETURN you my most thankful Acknowledgments for that Collection, or farrago of Prophecies, as you call them (and that very properly, in regard there is a mixture of good and bad), you pleas' d to send me lately; 'specially that of Nostredamus, which I shall be very chary to preserve for you. I could requite you with divers Predictions more, and of some of the British Bards, which were they translated into English would transform the World to wonder.

They sing of a Red Parliament and White King, of a race of People which should be called Pengruns, of the fall of the Church, and divers other things which glance upon these times. But I am none of those that afford much faith to rambling Prophecies, which (as was said elsewhere) are like so many odd grains sown in the vast field of Time, whereof not one in a thousand comes up to grow again, and appear above ground. But that I may correspond with you in some part for the like courtesy, I send you these following prophetic Verses of Whitehall, which were made above twenty years ago to my knowledge, upon a Book call'd Balaam's Ass, that consisted of some Invectives against K. James and the Court in statu quo tune : It was composed by one Mr. Williams, a Counsellor of the Temple, but a Roman, Catholic, who was hang'd, drawn, and quartered at Charing- Cross for it ; and I believe there be hundreds that have Copies of these Verses ever since that time about Town yet living. They were these :

Some seven years since Christ rid to Court,

And there he left his Ass : The Courtiers kicked him out of doors,

Because they had no * grass. * grace.

The Ass went mourning up and down,

And tlms I heard him bray,

V

Book ///. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 547

Jf that they could not give me grass,

They might have given me hay ; But sixteen hundred forty three.

Whoso Jer shall see that day, Will nothing find within that Court,

But only grass and hay, &c.

Which was found to happen true in Whitehall, till the Soldiers coming to quarter there, trampled it down.

Truly, Sir, I find all things conspire to make strange mutations in this miserable Island; I fear we shall fall from under the Scepter to be under the Sword: And since we speak of Prophecies, I am afraid among others that which was made since the Reformation will be verified, The Church- man was, the Lawyer is, the Soldier shall be. Welcome be the will of God, who transvolves Kingdoms and tumbles down Monarchies as Mole-hills at his pleasure. So I rest, my dear Doctor — Your most faithful Servant, J. H.

Fleet, 9 Aug. 1648.

XXIII.

To the Hon. Sir Edward Spencer, Kt.9 at his House

near Branceford. SIR,

WE are not so bare of intelligence between these walls, but we can hear of your doings in Branceford: That so general applause whereby you were cried up Knight of the Shire for Middlesex, sounded round about us upon London Streets, and echo'd in every corner of the Town ; nor do I mingle speech with any, tho' half affected to you, but highly approve of and congratulate the Election, being glad that a Gentleman of such extraordinary parts and probity, as also of such a mature judgment, should be chosen to serve the Public.

I return you the Manuscript you lent me of D&monology, but the Author thereof and I are two in point of opinion that way ; for he seems to be on the negative part, and truly he writes as much as can be produc'd for his purpose.

But

548 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book III.

But there are some men that are of a mere negative genius, like Johannes ad oppositum, who will deny, or at least cross and puzzle anything, tho' never so clear in itself, with their hit, yet, if, &c. ; they will flap the lye in Truth's teeth, tho' she visibly stand before their face without any vizard : Such perverse cross-grain' d spirits are not to be dealt withal by arguments, but palpable proofs; as if one should deny that the fire burns, or that he hath a nose on his face; there is no way to deal with him, but to pull him by the tip of the one, and put his finger into the other. I will not say that this Gentleman is so perverse ; but to deny there are any Witches, to deny that there are not ill Spirits which seduce, tamper, and converse in divers shapes with human Creatures, and impel them to actions of malice ; I say, that he who denies there are such busy Spirits, and such poor passive Creatures upon whom they work, which commonly are call'd Witches ; I say again, that he who denies there are such Spirits, shews that he himself hath a Spirit of Contradiction in him, opposing the current and consentient Opinion of all Antiquity. We read that both Jews and Romans, with all other Nations of Christendom, and our Ancestors here in England, enacted Laws against Witches ; sure they were not so silly as to waste their brains in making Laws against Chimeras, against non-entia, or such as Plato's Kteritismata' s were. The Judicial Law is apparent in the holy Codex, Thou shall not suffer a Witch to live : The Roman Law, which the Decemviri made, is yet extant in the twelve Tables, Qui fruges incantassent, pcenis danto : They who shall inchant the fruit of the Earth, let them be punish'd. The Imperial Law is known by every Civilian; Hi cum hostes natures sint, supplicio afficiantur : These, meaning Witches, because they are enemies to Nature, let them be punish'd. And the Acts of Parliament in Eng- land are against those that invoke ill Spirits, that take up any dead man, woman, or child, to take the skin or lone of any dead body, to employ it to Sorcery or Charm, whereby any one is lam'd or made to pine away, 8cc., such shall be

guilty

BookllL FAMILIAR LETTERS. 549

guilty of flat Felony, and not capable of Clergy or Sanc- tuary, &c.

What a multitude of examples are there in good authentic Authors of divers kinds of Fascinations, Incantations, Pre- stigiations, of Philtres, Spells, Charms, Sorceries, Charac- ters, and such like ; as also of Magic, Necromancy, and Divinations ? Surely the Witch of Endor is no fable ; the burning of Joan d? Arc the Maid of Orleans in Rouen, and of the Marchioness of d'Ancre of late years in Paris, are no fables: The execution of Nostredamus for a kind of Witch, some fourscore years since, is but a modern story, who among other things foretold, Le Senat de Londres tucra son Roy, The Senate of London shall kill their King. The best historians have it upon record, how Charlemain's Mis- tress enchanted him with a Ring, which as long as she had about her, he would not suffer her dead Carcase to be carryM out of his chamber to be buried ; and a Bishop taking it out of her mouth, the Emperor grew to be as much be- witch'd with the Bishop ; but he being cloy'd with his excess of favour, threw it into a Pond, where the Emperor's chiefest pleasure was to walk till his dying day. The story tells us, how the Waldenses in France were by solemn Arrest of Par- liament accus'd and condemn' d of Witchcraft. The Malteses took St. Paul for a Witch. St. Augustin speaks of Women who could turn Men to Horses, and make them carry their burdens : Danceus writes of an inchanted Staff, which the Devil, Summoner-like, was us'd to deliver some Market- women to ride upon. In some of the Northern Countries, 'tis as ordinary to buy and sell Winds as it is to do Wines in other parts ; and hereof I could instance in some examples of my own knowledge. Every one knows what Olaus Magnus writes of Erich's (King of Sweethland's) cornered Cap, who could make the Wind shift to any point of the Compass, according as he turn'd it about.

Touching Diviners of things to come, which is held a species of Witchcraft, we may read they were frequent among the Romans ; yea, they had Colleges for their Augurs and

Aruspices,

550 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book III.

Aruspices, who us'd to make their Predictions sometimes by Fire, sometimes by flying of Fowls, sometimes by inspection into the Entrails of Beasts, or invoking the dead, but most frequently by consulting with the Oracles, to whom all Nations hath recourse except the Jews. But you will say, that since Christianity display 'd her Banner, the Cross hath scar'd away the Devil and struck the Oracles dumb : As Plutarch reports a notable passage of Thamus, an Italian Pilot, who a little after the birth of Christ, sailing along the Coasts of Calabria in a still silent night, all his Passengers being asleep, an airy cold Voice came to his ears, saying, Thamus, Thamus, Thamus, The great God Pan is dead, who was the chiefest Oracle of that Country. Yet tho' the Light of the Gospel chas'd away those great Owls, there be some Bats and little Night-birds that fly still abroad, I mean petty Spirits, that by secret pactions, which are made always with- out witness, enable Men and Women to do evil. In such compacts beyond the Seas, the Party must Jirst renounce Christ, and the extended Woman, meaning the blessed Virgin ; he must contemn the Sacrament, tread on the Cross, spit at the Host, &c. There is a famous story of such a Paction, which Fryar Louis made some half a hundred years ago with the Devil in Marseilles, who appeared to him in shape of a Goat, and promised him the enjoyment of any Woman whom he fancied, with other Pleasures, for 41 years ; but the Devil being too cunning for him, put the figure of I before, and made it 14 years in the Contract (which is to be seen to this day, with the Devil's claw to it), at which time the Fryar was detected for Witchcraft, and burnt ; and all those Children whom he had christned during that term of fourteen years were re-baptiz'd : The Gentlewomen whom he had abus'd put themselves into a Nunnery by them- selves. Hereunto may be added the great rich Widow that was burn'd in Lions, because 'twas prov'd the Devil had lain with her ; as also the History of Lieutenant Jaquette, which stands upon record with the former : But if I should insert them here at large, it would make this Letter swell too much.

But

Book III. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 551

But we need not cross the Sea for examples of this kind ; we have too too many (God wot) at home. King James a great while was loth to believe there were Witches ; but that which happened to my Lord Francis of Rutland'* Children convinc'd him, who were bewitch'd by an old Woman that was servant at Belvoir- Castle ; but being dis- pleas'd, she contracted with the Devil (who convers'd with her in form of a Cat, whom she calPd Rutlerkiri) to make away those Children, out of mere malignity and thirst of revenge.

But since the beginning of these unnatural Wars, there may be a cloud of Witnesses produced for the proof of this black Tenet: For within the compass of two years, near upon three hundred Witches were arraigned, and the major part executed in Essex and Suffolk only. Scotland swarms with them now more than ever, and Persons of good Quality executed daily.

Thus, Sir, have I huddled together a few Arguments touching this Subject; because in my last communication with you, methought I found you somewhat unsatisfied, and staggering in your opinion touching the affirmative part of this Thesis, the discussing whereof is far fitter for an elaborate large Treatise than a loose Letter.

Touching the new Commonwealth you intend to establish, now that you have assigned me my part among so many choice Legislators : Something I shall do to comply with your Desires, which shall be always to me as Commands, and your Commands as Laws ; because I love and honour you in a very high degree for those gallant free-born thoughts and sundry parts of virtue which I have discerned in you : Which makes me entitle myself — Your most humble and affectionate faithful Servant, J. H.

Fleet, 20 Feb. 1647.

XXIV.

552 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book III.

XXIV.

To Sir William Boswel, at the Hague. SIR,

THAT black Tragedy which was lately acted here, as it hath fillM most hearts among us with consternation and horror, so I believe it hath been no less resented abroad. For my own particular, the more I ruminate upon it, the more it astonisheth my imagination, and shaketh all the cells of my Brain ; so that sometimes I struggle with my Faith, and have much ado to believe it yet. I shall give over wondring at anything hereafter, nothing shall seem strange unto me ; only I will attend with patience how England will thrive, now that she is let blood in the Basilical Vein, and cur'd, as they say, of the King's-Evil.

I had one of yours by Mr. Jacob Boeue, and I much thank you for the Account you please to give me of what I sent you by his conveyance. Holland may now be proud, for there is a younger Commonwealth in Christendom than herself. No more now but that I always rest, Sir — Your most humble Servitor, J. H.

Fleet, 20 Mar. 1648.

XXV.

To Mr. W. B., at Grundsburgh. SIR,

NEVER credit me, if Liberty itself be as dear to me as your Letters, they come so full of choice and learned applications, with such free unforc'd strains .of ingenuity ; insomuch that when I peruse them, methinks they cast such a kind of fragrancy, that I cannot more aptly compare them than to the Flowers which are now in their prime season, viz., to Roses in June. I had two of them lately, which methought were like Quivers full of barb'd Arrows pointed with gold, that penetrated my breast. — Tali quis nollet ab ictu Ridendo tremulas mortis non ire sub umbras ?

Your

Book Iff. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 553

Your expressions were like those Mucrones and Mclllti Gloluli, which you so ingeniously apply mine unto ; hut these Arrows of yours, tho' they have hit me, they have not hurt me, they had no killing quality, but they were rather as so many cordials ; for you know Gold is restorative. I am suddenly surpriz'd by an unexpected occasion, therefore I must abruptly break off with you for this time : I will only add, my most dear Nephew, that I rest — Yours entirely to love and serve you, J. H.

///«<? 3, 1648.

XXVI.

To R. K., Esq., at St. Giles's.

SIR,

I FFERENCE in Opinion, no more than a differing Complexion, can be cause enough for me to hate any. A differing Fancy is no more to me than a differing Face. If another hath a fair Countenance, tho* mine be black; or if I have a fair Opinion, tho' another have a hard-favoured one, yet it shall not break that common league of Humanity which should be betwixt rational creatures, provided he corresponds with me in the general offices of Morality and civil uprightness : This may admit him to my acquaintance and conversation, thoj I never concur with him in opinion : He bears the Image of Adam, and the Image of the Almighty, as well as I ; he had God for his Father, tho' he hath not the same Church for his Mother. The omniscient Creator, as he is only Kardiognostic, so he is the sole Lord of the whole inward Man : It is he who reigns o'er the faculties of the soul, and the affections of the Heart : 'Tis he who regulates the Will, and rectifies all obliquities in the Under- standing by special illuminations, and oftentimes reconciles Men as opposite in Opinions, as Meridians and Parallels are in point of extension, whereof the one draws from East to West, the other from North to South.

Some of the Pagan Philosophers, 'specially Themistius,

who

554 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book III.

who was Praetor of 'Byzantium, maintained an opinion, that as the pulchritude and preservation of the World consisted in varieties and dissimilitudes (as also in eccentric and contrary motions), that as it was replenished with such numberless sorts of several Species, and that the Individuals of those Species differ'd so much one from the other, 'speci- ally Mankind, amongst whom one shall hardly find two in ten thousand that hath exactly (tho* Twins) the same tone of Voice, similitude of Face, or ideas of Mind ; therefore, the God of Nature ordainM from the beginning, that he should be worshipped in various and sundry forms of Adorations, which nevertheless like so many Lines should tend all to the same Centre. But Christian Religion prescribes another Eule, viz., that there is but una via, una veritas, there is but one true way to Heaven, and that but a narrow one ; whereas there be huge large roads that lead to Hell.

God Almighty guide us in the first, and guard us from the second, as also from all cross and uncouth by-paths, which use to lead such giddy brains that follow them to a confus'd labyrinth of Errors ; where being entangled, the Devil, as they stand gaping for new Lights to lead them out, takes his advantage to seize on them for their spiritual Pride, and insobriety in the search of more Knowledge. — Your most faithful Servant, J. H. -

1648.

Familiar

Familiar Letters.

BOOK IV.

I.

To Sir James Crofts, Knight, near Lempster.

PISTLES, or (according to the word in use) Familiar Letters, may be call'd the larum Bells of Love : I hope this will prove so to you, and have power to awaken you out of that silence wherein you have slept so long; yet I would not have this larum make any harsh obstreperous sound, but gently summon you to

our former correspondence. Your returns to me shall be more than larum Bells, they shall be like silver Trumpets to rouze up my spirits, and make me take pen in hand to meet you more than half-way in the old field of Friendship. It is recorded of Galen, one of Nature's Cabinet- Clerks, that when he slept his Siesta (as the Spaniard calls it) or afternoon sleep, to avoid excess that way, he us'd to sit in such a posture, that having a gold Ball in his hand, and a copper Vessel underneath, as soon as his Senses were shut, and the Phantasy began to work, the Ball would fall down,

the

556 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book

the noise whereof would awake him, and draw the Spring- lock back again to set the outward Senses at liberty. I have seen in Italy a Finger-ring, which in the boss thereof had a Watch ; and there was such a Trick of Art in it, that it might be so wound up, that it would make a small Pin to prick him who wore it, at such an hour as he pleasM in the night. Let the Pen between us have the virtue of that Pin : But the Pen hath a thousand virtues more. You know that Anser, Apis, Vitulus, the Goose, the Bee, and the Calf, do rule the World ; the one affording Parchment, the other two Sealing-Wax, and Quills to write withal. You know also how the gaggling of Geese did once preserve the Capitol from being surpriz'd by my Countryman Bren- nus, which was the first foreign Force that Rome felt. But the Goose-quill doth daily greater things, it conserves Em- pires (and the feathers of it get Kingdoms, witness what Exploits the English perform' d by it in France), the Quill being the chiefest instrument of Intelligence, and the Ambassador's prime Tool : Nay, the Quill is the useful'st thing which preserves that noble Virtue Friendship, which else would perish among Men for want of practice.

I shall make no more sallies out of London this Summer, therefore your Letters may be sure where to find me : Matters are still involved here in a strange confusion, but the Stars may let down milder influences; therefore chear up, and reprieve yourself against better times, for the World would be irksome to me if you were out of it. Hap what will, you shall be sure to find me — Your ready and real Servant, J. H.

II.

To Mr. T. Morgan.

oIRj

I RECEIVED two of yours upon Tuesday last, one to your Brother, the other to me; but the Superscriptions were mistaken, which makes me think on that famous Civilian Doctor Dale, who being employ'd to Flanders by Gl. Eliza- beth.

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 557

leth, sent in a Packet to the Secretary of State two Lettters, one to the Queen, the other to his Wife; but that which was meant for the Queen was superscribed, To his dear Wife ; and that for his Wife, To her most excellent Majesty : So that the Queen having open'd his Letter, she found it be- ginning with Sweet Heart, and afterwards with my Dear, and Dear Love, with such expressions, acquainting her with the state of his body, and that he began to want money. You may easily guess what motions of mirth this Mistake rais'd, but the Doctor by this oversight (or cunningness rather) got a supply of money. This perchance may be your policy, to endorse me your Brother, thereby to endear me the more to you: But you needed not to have done that, for the name Friend goes sometimes further than Brother ; and there be more examples of Friends that did sacrifice their lives for one another than of Brothers ; which the Writer doth think he should do for you, if the case requir'd. But since I am fallen upon Dr. Dale, who was a witty kind of Drole, I will tell you instead of news (for there is little good stirring now) two other facetious Tales of his ; and Familiar Tales may become Familiar Letters well enough : When Q. Elizabeth did first propose to him that foreign employ- ment to Flanders, among other encouragements she told him, that he should have 20.9. per diem for his expences: Then, Madam, said he, I will spend 19$. a-day. What will you do with the odd shilling? the Queen reply'd. I will reserve that for my Kate, and for Tom and Dick; meaning his Wife and Children. This induc'd the Queen to enlarge his Allowance. But this that comes last is the best of all, and may be call'd the superlative of the three, which was, when at the overture of the Treaty the other Ambassadors came to propose in what Language they should treat, the Spanish Ambassador answer'd, that the French was the most proper, because his Mistress entitled herself Queen of France: Nay, then, said Dr. Dale, let us treat in Hebrew, for your Master calls himself King of Jerusalem.

I performed the civilities you enjoin'd me to your Friends

here,

558 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IV.

here, who return you the like centuplicated, and so doth — Your entire Friend, J. H.

May 12.

III.

To the Eight Honourable the Lady E. D. MADAM,

THERE is a French saying, that Courtesies and Favours are like Flowers, which are sweet only while they are fresh, but afterwards they quickly fade and wither. I cannot deny but your favours to me might be compar'd to some kind of Flowers (and they would make a thick Posie), but they should be to the flower calPd Life everlasting; or that pretty Vermilion Flower which grows at the foot of the Mountain j&tna in Sicily, which never loses anything of its first colour and scent. Those favours you did me thirty years ago, in the lifetime of your incomparable Brother Mr. R. Altham (who left us in the flower of his age), methinks are as fresh to me as if they were done yesterday.

Nor were it any danger to compare Courtesies done to me to other Flowers, as I use them ; for I distil them in the limbeck of my Memory, and so turn them to Essences.

But, Madam, I honour you not so much for Favours, as for that precious brood of Virtues, which shine in you with that brightness, but 'specially for those high motions whereby your Soul soars up so often towards Heaven : Insomuch, Madam, that if it were safe to call any Mortal a Saint, you should have that title from me, and I would be one of your chiefest Votaries; howsoever, I may without any superstition subscribe myself — Your truly devoted Servant, J. H.

April*.

i

IV.

To my Lord Marquis of Hartford. MY LORD,

RECEIVED your Lordship's of the nth current, with the Commands it carried, whereof I shall give an ac- count

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 559

count in my next. Foreign Parts afford not much matter of intelligence, it being now the dead of Winter, and the season unfit for Action : But we need not go abroad for news, there is store enough at home. We see daily mighty things, and they are marvellous in our eyes ; but the greatest marvel is, that nothing should now be marvelPd at, for we are so habituated to wonders, that they are grown familiar unto us.

Poor England may be said to be like a Ship tossM up and down the surges of a turbulent Sea, having lost her old Pilot ; and God knows when she can get into safe harbour again : Yet doubtless this Tempest, according to the usual operations of Nature, and the succession of mundane effects by contrary agents, will turn at last into a calm, tho' many who are yet in their nonage may not live to see it. Your Lordship knows that the /cocr/zo?, this fair frame of the Universe, came out of a Chaos, an indigested Lump ; and that this elementary World was made of millions of In- gredients repugnant to themselves in nature; and the whole is still preserved by the reluctancy and restless combatings of these Principles. We see how the Shipwright doth make use of knee-timber, and other cross-grain'd pieces as well as of streight and even, for framing a goodly Vessel to ride on Neptune's back. The Printer useth many contrary Charac- ters in his Art, to put forth a fair Volume; as d is a p revers'd, and n is a u turn'd upward, with other differing Letters, which yet concur all to the perfection of the whole Work. There go many and various dissonant Tones to make an harmonious Consort; this put me in mind of an excellent passage which a noble speculative Knight (Sir P. Herbert) hath in his late Conceptions to his Son : How a holy Anchorite being in a Wilderness, among other contem- plations, he fell to admire the method of Providence, how out of Causes which seem lad to us he produceth oftentimes good Effects; how he suffers virtuous, loyal, and religious Men to be oppress'd, and others to prosper. As he was transported with these Ideas, a goodly young Man appeared

to

560 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IV.

to him, and told him, Father, I know your thoughts are dis- tracted, and I am sent to quiet them ; therefore if you will accompany me a few days, you shall return very well satisfied of those doubts that now encumber your mind. So going along with him, they were to pass over a deep River, whereon there was a narrow bridge ; and meeting there with another Passenger, the young Man justled him into the Water, and so drowned him. The old Anchorite being much astonished hereat, would have left him ; but his Guide said, Father, le not amaz'd, because I shall give you good reasons for what I do, and you shall see stranger things than this before you and I part ; lut at last I shall settle your judgment, and put your mind in full repose. So going that night to lodge in an Inn where there was a crew of Banditti and debauched Ruffians, the young Man struck into their company,, and revell'd with them till the morning, while the Anchorite spent most of the night in numbring his Beads ; but as soon as they were departed thence, they met with some Officers who went to apprehend that crew of Banditti they had left behind them. The next day they came to a Gentleman's house which was a fair Palace, where they receiv'd all the courteous hospi- tality which could be ; but in the morning as they parted there was a Child in a cradle, which was the only Son of the Gentleman ; and the young Man spying his opportunity, strangled the Child, and so got away. The third day they came to another Inn, where the Man of the house treated them with all the civility that could be, and gratis ; yet the young Man imbezzl'd a Silver Goblet, and carried it away in his pocket, which still increased the Amazement of the Anchorite. The fourth day in the evening they came to lodge at another Inn, where the Host was very sullen, and uncivil to him, exacting much more than the value of what they had spent; yet at parting, the young Man bestowed upon him the Silver Goblet he had stolen from that Host who had used them so kindly. The fifth day they made towards a great rich Town ; but some miles before they came at it, they met with a Merchant at the close of the

day,

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 561

day, who had a great charge of money about him ; and asking the next passage to the Town, the young Man put him in a clean contrary way. The Anchorite and his Guide being come to the Town, at the gate they spied a Devil, who lay as it were centinel, but he was asleep : They found also both Men and Women at sundry kinds of sports, some dancing, others singing, with divers sorts of revellings. They went afterwards to a Convent of Capuchins, where, about the gate, they found legions of Devils laying siege to that Monastery, yet they got in and lodged there that night. Being awaked the next morning, the young Man came to that Cell where the Anchorite was lodged, and told him, / know your heart is full of horror, and your head full of con- fusion, astonishments, and doubts, for what you have seen since thejirst time of our association. But know, I am an Angel sent from Heaven to rectify your judgment, as also to correct a little your curiosity in the researches of the ways and acts of Providence too far ; for tho' separately they seem strange to the shallow apprehension of Man, yet conjunctly they ail tend to produce good effects.

That Man which I tumbled into the River was an act of Providence ; for he was going upon a most mischievous design that would have damnified not only his own soul, but destroyed the Party against whom it was intended ; therefore I pre- vented it.

The cause why I conversed all night with that Crew of Rogues, was also an act of Providence, for they intended to go a-robbing all that night ; but I kept them there purposely till the next morning, that the hand of Justice might seize upon them.

Touching tlie kind Host from whom I took the Silver Goblet, and the clownish or knavish Host to whom I gave it, let this demonstrate to you, that good Men are liable to crosses and losses, whereof bad Men oftentimes reap the benejit : but it commonly produceth patience in the one, and pride in the other.

Concerning that noble Gentleman whose Child I strangled

2 N after

562 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book

after so courteous entertainment, know that that also was an act of Providence, for the Gentleman was so indulgent and doting on that Child, that it lessened his love to Heaven ; so I took away the cause.

Touching the Merchant whom I misguided in his way, it was likewise an act of Providence, for had he gone the direct way to this Town, he had been robb'd, and his throat cut9 therefore I preserved him ly that deviation.

Now, concerning this great luxurious City, whereas we spied but one Devil who lay asleep without the gate, there being so many about this poor Convent, you must consider, that Lucifer being already assured of that riotous Town by cor- rupting their manners every day more and more, he needs but one single Centinel to secure it: But for this holy Place of retirement, this Monastery inhabited by so many devout Souls, who spend their whole lives in acts of mortification, as exer- cises of Piety and Penance, he hath brought so many legions to beleaguer them; yet he can do no good upon them, for they bear up against him most undauntedly, maugre all his in- fernal power and stratagems. So the young Man, or divine Messenger, suddenly disappeared and vanish'd ; yet leaving his Fellow-traveller in good hands.

My Lord, I crave your pardon for this extravagancy, and the tediousness thereof; but I hope the sublimity ,of the Matter will make some compensation, which, if I am not deceived, will well suit with your genius; for I know your Contemplations to be as high as your Condition, and as much above the Vulgar. This figurative story shews that the ways of Providence are inscrutable, his intention and method of operation not conformable oftentimes to human judgment, the Plummet and Line whereof is in- finitely too short to fathom the depth of his Designs ; there- fore let us acquiesce in an humble admiration, and with this confidence, that all things co-operate to the best at last, as they relate to his glory, and the general good of his Crea- tures, tho' sometimes they appear to us by uncouth circum- stances and cross mediums.

So

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 563

So in a clue distance and posture of humility I kiss your Lordship's hands, as being, my most highly honoured Lord — Your thrice-obedient and obliged Servitor,

J.H.

V.

To Richard Baker, Esq. SIR,

NOW that Lent and the Spring do make their approach, in my opinion Fasting would conduce much to the advantage of Soul and Body. Tho" our second Institution of observing Lent ainVd at civil respects, as to preserve the brood of Cattle, and advance the profession of Fishermen, yet it concurs with the first Institution, viz., a true spiritual End, which was to subdue the Flesh; and that being brought under, our other two spiritual Enemies, the World and the Devil, are the sooner overcome. The Naturalists bbserve, that morning-spittle kills Dragons, so fasting helps to destroy the Devil, provided it be accompanied with other acts of devotion. To fast for one day only from about nine in the morning to four in the afternoon, is but a mock-fast. The Turks do more than so in their Rami- rams and Beirams; and the Jew also, for he fasts from the dawn in the morning till the stars be up in the night, as you observe in the devout and delicate Poem you pleas'd to communicate to me lately. I was so taken with the sub- ject, that I presently lighted my Candle at your torch, and fell into these Stanzas :

1. Now Lent is come, let us refrain From carnal Creatures, quick, or slain ; Lets fasi ', and macerate the Flesh, Impound, and keep it in distress,

2. For forty days, and then we shall Have a Replevin /h?/« the thrall,

By that blesfd Prince, who for this fast Will give us Angels' food at last.

3. But

564 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book

3. But to abstain from Beef, Hog, Goose, And let our Appetites go loose

To Lobsters, Crabs, Prawns, or such Fish, We do not fast, but feast in this.

4. Not to let down Lamb, Kid, or Veal Hen, Plover, Turkey-cock, or Teal, And eat Botargo, Caviar, Anchovies, Oysters, and like fare ;

5. Or to forbear from Flesh, Fowl, Fish, And eat Potatoes in a dish

Done o'er with Amber, or a mess Of Ringds in a Spanish dress :

6. Or to refrain from each hot thing Which Water, Earth, or Air doth bring,

And lose a hundred pound at Gleek, Or be a Saint when we should sleep.

7. Or to leave play with all high dishes, And feed our thoughts with wanton wishes, Making the Soul, like a light Wench, Wear patches of Concupiscence :

8. This is not to keep Lent a-right, But play the juggling Hypocrite:

He truly Lent observes, who makes the inward Man To fast, as well as make the outward feed on bran.

The French Reformists have an odd way of keeping Lent, for I have seen the walls of their Temples turn'd to shambles, and Flesh hanging upon them on Lent-Swidays ; insomuch that he who doth not know their practice would take their Churches to be Synagogues of Jews, and that the bloody Levitical Sacrifices were offer' d there.

And now that my thoughts are in France, a witty passage of Henry the Great comes into my mind, who being himself in the field, sent to the old Count of Soissons to accompany him with what forces he could make. The Count answered, That he was grown decrepit and crazy ; besides, his Estate was so, being much exhausted in the former Wars, and all

that

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 565

that he could do now for His Majesty was to pray for him : Doth my Cousin of Soissons, said the King, answer me so ? They say, That Prayer without Fasting hath nothing of that efficacy, as when they are join d. Venire de St. Gris, By the belly of St. Gris, I will make himy*as/, as well as pray ; for I will nut pay him a penny of his ten thousand Crowns Pension, which he hath yearly, for these respects.

The Christian Church hath a longer and more solemn way of fasting than any other Religion, take Lent and Ember-weeks together. In some Churches the Christian useth the old way of mortification, by sackcloth and ashes, to this day; which makes me think on a facetious tale of a Turkish Ambassador in Venice, who being returned to Constantinople, and ask'd what he had observed most re- markable in that so rare a City , he answer'd, that among other things the Christian hath a kind of Ashes, which thrown upon the head doth perfectly cure madness ; for in Venice I saw the People go up and down the streets (said he) in ugly antique strange disguises, as being in the eye of human reason stark mad ; but the next day (meaning Ash- Wednesday) they are suddenly cur'd of that madness by a sort of ashes which they cast upon their heads.

If the said Ambassador were here among us, he would think our modern Gallants were also all mad, or subject to be mad, because they ashe and powder their Pericraniums all the year long. So, wishing you Meditations suitable to the season, and good Thoughts which are best when they are the offsprings of good Actions, I rest — Your ready and real Friend, J. H.

Ash- Wednesday > 1654.

VI.

To Mr. R. Manwayring.

MY DEAR DICK,

IF you are as well when you read this as I was when I wrote it, we are both well ; I am certain of the one,

but

566 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IV.

but anxious of the other,, in regard of your so long silence ; I pray, at the return of this Post, let your Pen pull out this Thorn that hath got into my thoughts, and let me have often room in yours, for you know I am your perfect Friend, J. H.

VII.

To Sir Edward Spencer, Knight. SIR,

I FIND by your last of the first current, that your thoughts are much busied in forming your new Com- monwealth ; and whereas the Province that is allotted to me is to treat of a right way to govern the Female Sex, I hold my lot to be fallen upon a fair ground, and I will endeavour to husband it accordingly. I find also that for the establishment of this new Republic, you have culPd out the choicest Wits in all Faculties ; therefore I account it an honour that you have put me in the List, tho' the least of them.

In every species of Government, and indeed among all Societies of Mankind (Reclus'd Orders, and other Regulars excepted), there must be a special care had of the Female kind ; for nothing can conduce more to the propagation and perpetuity of a Republic, than the well managing of that gentle and useful Sex : for tho' they be accounted the weaker vessels, yet are they those in whom the whole Mass of Mankind is moulded ; therefore they must not be us'd like Saffron-bags, or Verde-bottles, which are thrown into some by-corner when the Wine and Spice are taken out of them.

It was an opinion truly befitting a Jew to hold, That Woman is of an inferior creation to Man, being made only for Multiplication and Pleasure ; therefore hath she no ad- mittance into the body of the Synagogue. Such another opinion was that of the Pagan Poet, who stutter' d out this verse, that there are but two good hours of any Woman : Trjv /Jitav ev Oa\dfjLco, rrjv /JLICLV iv Oavarw : Unam in thalamo, alteram in tumulo ; One hour in Bed, the other in the

Grave.

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 567

Grave. Moreover, I hold also that of the Orator to be a wild extravagant speech, when he said, That if Women were not conterranean and mingled with Men, Angels would descend and dwell among us. But a far wilder speech was that of the Dog-Philosopher, who term'd Women necessary Evils. Of this Cynical Sect, it seems, was he who would needs make Orcus to be the Anagram of Uxor, by contracting c s into an x, Uxor & Orcus — idem.

Yet I confess, that among this Sex, as among Men, there are some good, some bad, some virtuous, some vicious, and some of an indifferent nature, in whom Virtue makes a com- pensation for Vice. If there was an Empress in Rome so cunning in her lust, that she would take in no passenger until the vessel was frieghted (for fear the resemblance of the Child might discover the true Father), there was a Zenobia in Asia who would not suffer her Husband to know her carnally any longer, when once she found herself quick. If there were a Queen of France that poison'd her King, there was a Queen in England who, when her Husband had been shot with an envenom'd Arrow in the Holy Land, suck'd out the Poison with her own mouth, when none else would do it. If the Lady Barbara, wife to Sigismond the Emperor, being advis'd by her ghostly Father after his death to live like a Turtle, having lost such a Mate that the World had not the like, made this wanton answer, Father, since you would have me to lead the life of a Bird, why not of a Sparrow, as well as of a Turtle ? which she did after- wards ; I say, if there were such a Lady Barbara, there was the Lady Beatrix, who, after Henry her Emperor's death, lived after like a Dove, and immur'd herself in a Monastic Cell. But what shall I say of Q. Artemisia, who had an Urnful of her Husband Mausoluss Ashes in her closet, whereof she would take down a dram every morning nex her heart, saying that her Body was the fittest place to be a Sepulchre to her dear Husband, notwithstanding that she had erected such a Tomb for the rest of his Body, that to this day is one of the wonders of the World ?

Moreover,

568 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IV.

Moreover, .it cannot be deny'd but some Females are of a high and. harsh nature; witness those two that of our greatest Clerks for Law and Learning (Lord B. and C.) did meet withal, one of whom was said to have brought back her Husband to his horn-book again : As also Moses and Socrates' s Wives, who were Zipporah and Xantippe : you may guess at the humour of one in the holy Code ; and for Xantippe, among many instances which might be produc'd, let this serve for one. After she had scolded her Husband one day out of doors, as the poor man was going out, she whippM up into an upper loft, and threw a piss- pot full upon his Sconce, which made the patient Philo- sopher (or Foolosopher) to break into this speech for the venting of his passion, I thought after so much thunder we sJtould have rain. To this may be added my neighbour Strowd's Wife in Westminster, who once ringing him a peal as she was basting his roast (for he was a Cook) after he had newly come from the Tavern upon Sunday Evening; she grew hotter and hotter against him, having Hell and the Devil in her mouth, to whom she often bequeathed him. The staring Husband having heard her a great while with silence, at last answer'd, I prithee, sweet-heart, do not talk so much to me of the Devil, because I know he will do me no hurt, for I have married his Kinswoman. I know there are many that wear horns, and ride daily upon Coltstaves ; but this proceeds not so often from the fault of the Female, as the silliness of the Husband who knows not how to manage a wife.

But a thousand such instances are not able to make me a Misogenes, a Female-foe ; therefore towards the policying and perpetuating of this your new Republic, there must be some special rules for regulating of Marriage : for a Wife is the best or the worst fortune that can betide a man thro'out the whole train of his life. Plato's Promiscuus Conculitus, or Copulation, is more proper for Beasts than rational Creatures. That incestuous custom they have in China, that one should marry his own Sister, and in default of one, the next akin,

I

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 569

I utterly dislike: Nor do I approve of that goatish latitude of Lust which the Alcoran allows, for one Man lo have eight Wives, and as many Concubines as he can well maintain ; nor of another branch of their Law, that a man should marry after such an age under pain of mortal sin (for then what would become of me?) No, I would have every man left at liberty in this point, for there are men enough besides to people the Earth.

But that opinion of a poor shallow-brain'd Puppy, who upon any cause of disaffection would have men to have a privilege to change their Wives, or to repudiate them, deserves to be hiss'd at rather than confuted ; for nothing can tend more to usher in all confusion and beggary thro'out the World : Therefore that Wiseacre deserves of all other to wear a toting horn. In this Republic one Man should- be contented with one Wife, and he may have work enough to do with her ; but whereas in other Commonwealths Men use to wear invisible horns, it would be a wholesome constitution, that they who upon too much jealousy and restraint, or ill usage of their Wives, or indeed not knowing how to use and man them aright (which is one of the prime points of masculine discretion), as also they who according t9 that barbarous custom in Rtissia do use to beat their Wives duly once a week ; but specially they who in their absence coop them up, and secure their bodies with locks : I say, it would be a very fitting Ordinance in this new-moulded Commonwealth, that all such who impel their Wives by these means to change their Riders, should wear plain visible horns, that Passengers may beware of them as they go along,

and give warning to others Cornuferit ille, Caveto. For

indeed nothing doth incite the mass of blood, and muster up libidinous thoughts, more than diffidence and restraint.

Moreover, in coupling Women by way of Matrimony, it would be a good Law, and consentaneous to Reason, if out of all Dowries exceeding j^ioo there should be two out of every Cent, deducted, and put into a common Treasury for putting off hard-favour' d and poor Maids.

Touching

570 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IV.

Touching Virginity and the Vestal Fire, I could wish 'twere the worst custom the Roman Church had, when gentle Souls, to endear themselves the more to their Creator, do immure their Bodies within perpetual bounds of Chastity, dieting themselves and using austerities accordingly; whereby, bidding a farewel, and dying to the World, they bury them- selves alive, as it were, and so pass their time in constant exercises of Piety and Penance night and day, or in some other employments of Virtue, holding Idleness to be a mortal sin. Were this cloyster'd course of Life merely spontaneous and unforced, I could well be contented that it were practised in your new Republic.

But there are other kind of Cloysters in some Common- wealths, and among those who are accounted the wisest and best policied, which Cloysters are of a clean contrary nature to the former : these they call the Courtesan Cloysters. And as in others, some Females shut up themselves to keep the sacred fire of Pudicity and Continence, so in these latter there are some of the handsom'st sorts of Females who are conniv'd at to quench the flames of irregular Lust, lest they should break into the lawful married bed. 'Tis true, Nature hath pour'd more active and hotter blood into the Veins of some Men, wherein there are stronger appetites and motions ; which motions were not given by Nature to be a torment to Man, but to be turii'd into Delight, Health, and Propagation. Therefore they to whom the gift of Continence is deny'd, and have not the conveniency to have delita vasa, and law- ful Coolers of their own by way of Wedlock, use to extin- guish their fires in these Venerean Cloysters, rather than abuse their neighbours' Wives, and break into other men's inclosures. But whether such a custom may be conniv'd at in this your Republic, and that such a Common may be allow'd to them who have no Inclosures of their own, I leave to wiser Legislators than myself to determine, 'specially in South-East hot Countries where Venerean Titillation (which Scaliger held to be a fix'd outward sense, but ridiculously) is in a stronger degree ; I say, I leave others to judge whether

such

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 571

such a Rendezvous be to be conniv'd at in hotter Climes, where both Air and Food, and the blood of the Grape do all concur to make one more libidinous. But it is a vulgar error to think that the heat of the Clime is the cause of Lust : it proceeds rather from adust Choler and Melancholy that predominate, which humours carry with them a salt and sharp itching quality.

The dull Hollander (with other North-West Nations, whose blood may he said to be as butter-milk in the veins) is not so frequently subject to such fits of Lust, therefore he hath no such Cloysters or Houses for Ladies of pleasure : Witness the tale of Hans Boolikin, a rich Boor's Son, whom his Father had sent abroad a Fry ar ing, that is, sh roving in our Language ; and so put him in an equipage accordingly, having a new Sword and Scarf, with a gold Hatband, and money in his Purse to visit handsome Ladies : but Hans not knowing where to go else, went to his Grandmother's house, where he fell a courting and feasting of her. But his Father questioning him at his return where he had been a Fryaring, and he answering that he had been at his Grandmother's ; the Boor reply'd, God's Sacrament ! I hope thou hast not lain with my Mother : Yes, said Boobikin, Why should not I lie with your Mother, as you have lain with mine ?

Thus in conformity to your desires, and the task impos'd upon me, have I scribbled out this piece of Drollery, which is the way, as I take it, that your design drives at ; I reserve some things till I see what others have done in the several Provinces they have undertaken towards the settlement of your new Republic. So, with a thousand thanks for your last hospitable favours, I rest, as I have reason, and as you know me to be — Your own true Servant, J. H.

Lend. 24 Jan.

VIII.

572 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IV.

VIII.

To Mr. T. V., Barrister, at his Chambers in the Temple.

COUSIN TOM,

I DID not think it was in the power of Passion to have wrought upon you with that violence ; for I do not remember to have known any (of so season'd a judgment as you are) lost so far after so frail a thing as a Female. But you will say, Hercules himself stoop'd hitherto; 'tis true he did, as appears by this Distich :

Lenam non potuit^ potuit superare Lesenam ; Quern Fera non potuit vincere, vicit Hera.

The saying also of the old Comic Poet makes for you, when he said, Qui in amorem cecidit, pejiis agit quam si saxo saliat ; To be Tormented with Love, is worse than to dance upon hot stones. Therefore partly out of a sense of your suffering, as well as upon the seriousness of your re- quest, but specially understanding that the Gentlewoman hath Parts and Portion accordingly, I have done what you desir'd me in these lines, which tho' plain, short, and sudden, yet they display the manner how you were surpriz'd, and the depth of your Passion.

To Mrs. E. B.

Apelles, Prince of Painters, did All others in that Art exceed ; But you surpass him, for He took Some pains and time to draw a Look ; You in a trice and moment's space Have pourtray* d in my Heart your Face.

I wish this Hexastic may have power to strike her as deep as I find her Eyes struck you. The Spaniard saith, there are four things requir'd in a Woer, viz., to be Savo, Secreto, Solo, and Sollicito ; that is, to be Sollicitous, Secret, Sole, and Sage. Observe these rules, and she may make herself your Client, and so employ you to open her Case,

and

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 573

and recover her portion, which I hear is in Hucksters' hands.

So, my dear Cousin, I heartily wish you the accomplish- ment of your desires, and rest upon all occasions — At your dispose, J. H.

IX.

To Sir R. Williams, Knight. SIR,

I AM one among many who much rejoice at the fortunate Windfall that happened lately, which hath so fairly rais'd and recruited your fortunes. It is commonly seen, that Uli est multum Phantasies (viz., ingenii) Hi est parum Fortunce; & uli est multum Fortunce, Hi est parum Phantasice. Where there is much of Fancy, there is little of Fortune ; and where there's much of Fortune, there's little of Fancy. It seems that Recorder Fleet wood reflected upon one part of this saying, when in his speech to the Londoners, among other passages whereby he sooth'd and stroak'd them, he said, When I consider your Wit, I admire your Wealth. But touching the Latin saying, it is quite evinc'd in you, for you have Fancy and Fortune (now) in abundance : And a strong argument may be drawn, that Fortune is not blind, by her carriage to you, for she saw well enough what she did, when she smiFd so lately upon you.

Now, he is the really rich man who can make true use of his riches ; he makes not Nummum his Numen, Money his God, but makes himself Dominum Nummi, but becomes Master of his Penny. The first is the arrantest beggar and slave that is ; nay, he is worse than the Orcadian Ass, who, while he carrieth Gold on his back, eats thistles : He is baser than that sordid Italian Stationer, who would not allow himself brown Paper enough to wipe his Posteriors.

Now, it is observ'd to be the nature of Covetousness, that when all other sins grow old, Covetousness in some sordid souls grows younger and younger; hence I believe sprung the City-Proverb, That the Son is happy whose Father went

to

574 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IV.

to the Devil. Yet I like the saying Tom Waters hath often in his mouth, J had rather leave when J die than lack while I live. But why do I speak of these things to you, who have so noble a Soul, and so much above the vulgar?

Your Friend Mr. Watts is still troubled with coughing, and truly I believe he is not to be long among us ; for, as the Turk hath it, A dry Cough is the Trumpeter of Death: He presents his most affectionate respects to you, and so doth, my most noble Knight — Your ever obliged Servitor,

J.H.

X.

To Sir R. Gary, Knight. SIR,

I HAD yours of the 2Oth current on St. Thomas's Eve, which was most welcome to me ; and (to make a seasonable comparison) yours are like Christmas, they come but once a year; yet I made very good cheer with your last, specially with that Seraphic Hymn which came in- closed therewith to usher in his holy Tyde : and to corre- spond with you in some measure that way, I have return'd you another of the same subject. For, as I have observ'd, two Lutes being tun'd alike, if one of them be play'd upon, the other, tho' being a good way distant, will sound of itself, and keep symphony with the first that's play'd upon (which, whether it proceeds from the mere motion of the Air, or the emanation of Atoms, I will not undertake to determine ;) so the sound of your Muse hath scrued up mine to the same key and tune in these Ternaries :

Upon the Nativity of our Saviour.

1. Wonder of Wonders, Earth and Sky, Time mingleth with Eternity,

And Matter with Immensity.

2. The Sun becomes an Atom and a Star, Turns to a Candle, to light Kings from far To see a spectacle so wondrous rare.

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 575

3. A Virgin bears a Son, that Son doth bear A World of Sin, acquitting Man's arrear, Since guilty Adam 1-ig-tree leaves did wear.

4. A Majesty both infinite and just Offended was ; therefore the Offering must Be such, to expiate frail flesh and dust.

5. When no such Victim could be found Thro' out the wlwle expansive Round Of Heawn, of Air, of Sea, or Ground ;

6. The Prince of Life himself descends. To make Astragali/// amends,

And human Souls from Hell defends.

7. Was ever such a Love as this, That W eternal Heir of Bliss Should stoop to such a low abyss ?

The Muse, confounded with the Mystery according to the subject matter, ends with a question of Admiration.

So wishing you, as heartily as to myself (according to the instant season, and the old compliment of England), a merry Christmas, and consequently a happy New- Year, I subscribe myself — Your entirely devoted Servant,

J. H.

St. Innocents-Day, 1654.

XI.

To J. Sutton, Esq. SIR,

WHEREAS you desire my opinion of the late History translated by Mr. Wad: of the Civil Ware of Spain, in the beginning of Charles the Emperor's Reign, I cannot choose but tell you, that it is a faithful and pure maiden Story, never blown upon before in any Language but in Spanish, therefore very worthy your perusal: for among those various kind of studies that your contemplative Soul delights in, I hold History to be the most fitting to your Quality.

Now,

576 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IV.

Now, among those sundry advantages which accrue to a Reader of History, one is, that no modern Accident can seem strange to him, much less astonish him : He will leave off wondring at anything, in regard he may remember to have read of the same, or much like the same, that hap- pen'd in former times ; therefore he doth not stand staring like a Child at every unusual spectacle, like that simple American, who, the first time he saw a Spaniard on horse- back, thought the Man and the Beast to be but one Creature, and that the Horse did chew the rings of his bit, and eat them.

Now, indeed, not to be an Historian, that is, not to know what foreign Nations and our Forefathers did, Hoc est semper esse Puer, as Cicero hath it, this is still to be a Child who gazeth at everything. Whence may be inferred, there is no Knowledge that ripeneth the Judgment, and puts one out of his nonage, sooner than History.

If I had not formerly read the Barons9 Wars in England, I had more admir'd that of the Leaguers in France: He who had read the near upon fourscore years Wars in Low Germany, I believe never wonder' d at the late thirty years Wars in High Germany. I had wonder'd more that Richard of Bourdeaux was knock' d down with Halbards, had I not read formerly that Edward of Caernarvon was made away by a hot Iron thrust up his Fundament. It was strange that Murat the great Ottoman Emperor should be lately strangled in his own Court at Constantinople; yet con- sidering that Osman his Predecessor had been knockM down by one of his ordinary slaves not many years before, it was not strange at all. The Blazing-Star in Virgo thirty-four years since, did not seem strange to him, who had read of that which appeared in Cassiopeia and other Constellations some years before. Hence may be inferred, That History is the great Looking-glass thro' which we may behold with ancestral eyes, not only the various Actions of Ages past, and the odd Accidents that attend time, but also discern the different humours of Men, and feel the pulse of former times.

This

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 577

This History will display the very intrinsecals of the Castilian, who goes for the prime Spaniard; and make the opinion a Paradox, which cries him up to be so constant to his Principles, so loyal to his Prince, and so conformable to Government : For it will discover as much levity and tumul- tuary passions in him as in other Nations.

Among divers other examples which could be produc'd out of this story, I will instance in one: When Juan de Padillia, an infamous fellow, and of base Extraction, was made General of the People, among others there was a Priest, that being a great Zealot for him, us'd to pray pub- lickly in the Church, Let us pray for the holy Commonalty, and His Majesty Don Juan de Padillia, and for the Lady Donna Maria Pachecho his Wife, &c. But a little after some of Juan de Padillia's Soldiers having quarter'd in his house, and pitifully plundered him, the next Sunday the same Priest said in the Church, Beloved Christians, you know how Juan de Padillia passing this way, some of his Bri- gade were billeted in my House; truly they have not left me one Chicken, they have drunk up a whole barrel of Wine, devoured my Bacon, and taken away my Catalina, my Maid Kate ; / charge you therefore pray no more for him. Divers such traverses as these may be read in that Story ; which may be the reason why it was suppress'd in Spain, that it should not cross the Seas, or clamber o'er the Pyreneans to acquaint other Nations with their foolery and baseness : yet Mr. Simon Digly, a Gentleman of much worth, got a Copy, which he brought over with him, out of which this Translation is deriv'd ; tho' I must tell you, by the bye, that some passages were commanded to be omitted, because they had too near an analogy with our Times.

So in a serious way of true Friendship, I profess myself — Your most affectionate Servitor, J. H.

London, \$Jan.

2 O XII.

578 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IV.

XII.

To the Lord Marquis of Dorchester. MY LORD,

*~ I ^HERE is a sentence that carrieth a high sense with it, A viz., Ingenia Principum fata Temporum, The fancy of the Prince is the fate of the Times ; so in point of Peace or War, Oppression or Justice, Virtue or Vice, Profaneness or Devotion : for Regis ad exemplum. But there is another saying, which is as true, viz.. Genius plebis est fatum Prin- cipis, The happiness of the Prince depends upon the humour of the People. There cannot be a more pregnant example hereof, than in that successful and long-liv'd Queen, Q. Elizabeth, who having come, as it were, from the Scaffold to the Throne, enjoyM a wonderful Calm (excepting some short gusts of Insurrection that happen'd in the beginning) for near upon forty-five years together. But this, my Lord, may be imputed to the temper of the People, who had had a boisterous King not long before, with so many revolutions in Religion, and a Minor King afterward, which made them to be governed by their Fellow-subjects. And the Fire and Faggot being frequent among them in Q. Mary's days, the humours of the common People were pretty well spent, and- so were willing to conform to any Government, that might preserve them and their Estates in quietness. Yet in the Reign of that so popular and well-belov'd Queen there were many Traverses, which trench' d as much if not more upon the Privileges of Parliament, and the Liberties of the People, than any that happen'd in the Reign of the two last Kings ; yet it was not their fate to be so popular. Touching the first, viz., Parliament ; in one of hers, there was a motion made in the House of Commons, that there should be a Lecture in the morning some days of the week before they sat, whereunto the House was very inclinable : The Queen hearing of it, sent them a Message, that she much wonder7 d at their rashness, that they should offer to introduce such an Innovation.

Another

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 579

Another Parliament would have proposed ways for the regulation of her Court; but she sent them another such Message, That she wondred, that being call'd by her thither to consult of publick Affairs, they should intermeddle with the government of her ordinary Family, and to think her to be so ill an Housewife, as not to be able to look to her own House herself.

In another Parliament there was a motion made, that the Queen should entail the Succession of the Crown, and declare her next Heir : but Wentworth, who proposed it, was committed to the Tower, where he breath'd his last ; and Bromley upon a less occasion was clapp'd in the Fleet.

Another time the House petitioning that the Lords might join in private Committees with the Commoners, she utterly rejected it. You know how Stulbs and Page had their hands cut off with a Butcher's Knife and a Mallet, because they writ against the Match with the Duke of 4njou; and Penry was hangM at Tyburn, tho* Alured, who writ a bitter Invec- tive against the late Spanish Match, was but confin'd for a short time : how Sir John Heywood was shut up in the Tower, for an Epistle Dedicatory to the Earl of Essex, &c.

Touching her Favourites, what a Monster of a Man was Leicester, who first brought the Art of poisoning into England ! How many of her Maids of Honour did receive claps at Court? Add hereunto, that Privy-Seals were common in her days, and pressing of Men more frequent, especially for Ireland, where they were sent in handfuls, rather to con- tinue a War (by the cunning of the Officers) than to conclude it The three Fleets she sent against the Spaniard did hardly make the Benefit of the Voyages to countervail the Charge. How poorly did the English Garrison quit Havre-de- Grace ? and how were we baffled for the Arrears that were due to England (by Article) for the Forces sent into France ? For Buildings, with all kind of Braveries else that use to make a Nation happy, as Riches and Commerce, inward and out- ward it was not the twentieth part so much in the best of

her

580 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IV.

her days (as appears by the Custom-House Books) as it was in the Reign of her Successors.

Touching the Religion of the Court, she seldom came to Sermon but in Lent-time, nor did there use to be any Ser- mon upon Sundays, unless they were Festivals : Whereas the succeeding Kings had duly two every morning, one for the Houshold, the other for themselves, where they were always present, as also at private Prayers in the Closet; yet it was not their fortune to gain so much upon the affections of City, or Country. Therefore, my Lord, the felicity of Q,. Elizabeth may be much imputed to the rare temper and moderation of Men's minds in those days ; for the Purse of the common People, and Londoners, did beat nothing so high as it did afterwards when they grew pamper'd with so long peace and plenty. Add hereunto, that neither Hans, Jocky, or John Calvin had taken such footing here as they did get afterwards, whose humour is to pry and peep with a kind of malice into the carriage of the Court and mysteries of State, as also to malign Nobility, with the Wealth and Solemnities of the Church.

My Lord, it is far from my meaning hereby to let drop the least Aspersion upon the Tomb of that rare renowned Queen ; but it is only to observe the differing temper both of Time and People. The fame of some Princes is like the Rose, which, as we find by experience, smells sweeter after 'tis pluck' d : the memory of others is like the Tulip and Poppy, which make a gay shew and fair flourish while they stand upon the stalk, but being cut down they give an ill- favour'd scent. It was the happiness of that great long-livM Queen to cast a pleasing odour among her People both while she stood, and after she was cut off by the common stroke of Mortality ; and the older the World grows, the fresher her Fame will be. Yet she is little beholden to any foreign Writers, unless it be the Hollanders ; and good reason they had to speak well of her, for she was the chiefest Instrument, who, tho' with the expence of much English Blood and Bullion, rais'd them to a Republic, by casting that fatal

bone

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 581

bone for the Spaniard to gnaw upon, which shook his teeth so ill-favour'dly for fourscore years together. Other Writers speak bitterly of her for her carriage to her Sister the Queen of Scots ; for her ingratitude to her Brother Philip of Spam ; for giving advice, by her Ambassador with the Great Turk, to expel the Jesuits, who had got a College in Pera ; as also that her Secretary Walsingham should project the poisoning of the Waters of Douay ; and lastly, how she suffered the Festival of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in September to be turn'd to the celebration of her own Birth-day, &c. But these stains are cast upon her by her Enemies; and the Aspersions of an Enemy use to be like the dirt of Oysters, which doth rather cleanse than contaminate.

Thus, my Lord, have I pointed at some Remarks, to shew how various and discrepant the humours of a Nation may be, and the genius of the Times, from what it was ; which doubtless must proceed from a high all-disposing Power: A Speculation that may become the greatest, and knowing'st spirits, among whom your Lordship doth shine as a Star of the first magnitude ; for your House may be call'd a true Academy, and your Head the Capitol of Knowledge, or rather an Exchequer, wherein there is a Treasure enough to give Pensions to all the Wits of the Time. With these thoughts I rest, my most highly honoured Lord — Your very obedient and ever obliged Servant, J. H.

Lond.t this 15 of Aug.

XIII.

To Mr. R. Floyd. COUSIN FLOYD,

THE first part of Wisdom is to give good Counsel, the second to take it, and the third to follow it. Tho* you be young, yet you may be already capable of the two latter parts of Wisdom, and it is the only way to attain the first : Therefore I wish you to follow the good Counsel of your Uncle J., for I know him to be a very discreet well- weigh'd Gentleman; and I can judge something of Men,

for

582 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IV.

for I have studied many : Therefore if you steer by his compass in this great business you have undertaken, you need not fear shipwreck. This is the Advice of — Your truly affectionate Cousin, J. H.

Lend., 6 Apr.

XIV.

To ray Reverend and Learned Countryman, Mr. R. Jones.

SIR,

IT is, among many other, one of my imperfections, that I am not vers'd in my maternal Tongue so exactly as I should be : The Reason is, that Languages and Words (which are the chief creatures of Man, and the keys of Knowledge) may be said to stick in the memory like nails or pegs in a Wainscoat-door, which useth to thrust out one another oftentimes. Yet the old British is not so driven out of mine (for the Cask savours still of the Liquor it first took in) but I can say something of this elaborate and ingenious Piece of yours, which you please to communicate to me so early: I cannot compare it more properly than to a basket of Posies gather' d in the best Garden of Flowers, the sacred Scriptures, and bound up with such Art, that every Flower directs us where his bed may be found. Whence I infer, that this Work will much conduce to the Advancement of Bt,/3\iocro(f)la, or Scripture-knowledge, and consequently to the public good. It will also tend to the honour of our whole Country, and to your own particular repute: There- fore I wish you good success, to make this Child of your Brain free denizen of the World. J. H.

London, 17 Sept.

XV.

To J. S., Esq., at White-Fryers. SIR,

THIS new piece of Philosophy comes to usher in the new Year to you, dropt from the brain of the subtilest

Spirits

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 583

Spirits of France, and the great Personage (the Duke of Espernon), tho' heterodoxal, and cross-grain'd to the old Philosophers. Among divers other Tenets, he holds that Privatio is unworthy to be one of the three Principles of natural Things, and would put Love in the place of it. But you know, Sir, that among other infirmities which Nature hath entaiPd upon Man while he gropes here for Truth among the Elements, discrepancy of Notions, and desire of Novelty, are none of the least.

Now, touching this critical Tract, there's not any more capable to censure it than yourself, whose Judgment is known to be so sound and magisterial: Let the pettiness of the Gift be supplied by the pregnancy of the Will, which swells with mountains of Desires to serve you, and to shew in Action, as well as in Words, how ready I would be — At your disposing, J. H.

Lend., 2 Jan.

XVI.

To the Earl of Lindsey, Great Chamberlain of England,

at Ricot. MY LORD,

I MOST humbly thank your Lordship for the noble Present you commanded to be sent me from Grims- thorp, where, without disparagement to any, I may say you live as much like a Prince as any Grandee in Christendom. Among those many heroik Parts (which appear'd so much in that tough Battel of Keinton, where having all your Officers kill'd, yet you kept the Field, and preserved your wounded Father from the fury of the Soldier, and from death for the time ; as also for being the inseparable Cubicular Companion the King took comfort in in the height of his troubles), I say, among other high parts to speak you noble, you are cried up, my Lord, to be an excellent Horseman, Huntsman, Forester. This makes me bold to make your Lordship the Judge of a small Discourse, which, upon a critical dispute touching the Vocal Forest that goes abroad

in

584 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IV.

in my name, was impos'd upon me, to satisfy them who thought I knew something more than ordinary what belong'd to a true Forest.

There be three places for Venery, or Venatical Pleasure, in England, viz., a Forest, a Chase, and a Park; they all three agree in one thing, which is, that they are habitations for wild Beasts : The two first lie open, the last inclos'd : The Forest is the most noble of all, for it is a Franchise of so princely a tenure, that, according to our Laws, none but the King can have a Forest ; if he chance to pass one over to a Subject, 'tis no more Forest, but Frank-chace. More- over, a Forest hath the Pre-eminence of the other two, in Laws, in Officers, in Courts, and kinds of Beasts. If any offend in a Chase or Park, he is punishable by the Common Law of the Land : But a Forest hath Laws of her own, to take cognizance of all trespasses ; she hath also her peculiar Officers, as Foresters, Verderers, Regarders, Agisters, &c., whereas a Chase or Park hath only Keepers and Wood- wards. A Forest hath her Court of Attachments, Swainmote- Court, where matters are as pleadable and determinable as at Westminster-Hall. Lastly, they differ something in the species of Beasts : The Hart, the Hind, the Boar, the Wolf, are Forest-Beasts ; the Buck, the Doe, the Fox, the Matron, the Roe, are Beasts belonging to a Chase and Park.

The greatest Forester, they say, that ever was in Engla?id was King Canutus the Dane, and after him St. Edward; at which time Liber Rufus, the Red-book for Forest-Laws, was made ; whereof one of the Laws was, Omnis homo alstineat d Venariis meis super pcenam Vitce : Let every one refrain from my places of hunting, upon pain of death.

Henry Fitx-Empresse (viz.,ihe Second) did coafForest much Land, which continued all his Reign, tho5 much complain'd of : But in King John's time most of the Nobles and Gentry met in the great Meadow 'twixt Windsor and Stanes, to petition the King that he would disafforest some, which he promised to do, but death prevented him. But in Henry III.'s Time, the Chart a de Forest a (together with Magna Chart a)

were

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 585

were establish'd; so that there was much Land disafforested, which hath been call'd Pourlieus ever since, whereof there were appointed Rangers, &c.

Among other innocent Animals which have suffered by these Wars, the poor Deer have felt the fury thereof as much as any; nay, the very Vegetables have endur'd the brunt of it : Insomuch that it is not improperly said, That England of late is full of New Lights, her Woods being cut down, and so much destroy'd in most places. So, craving your Lordship's pardon for this rambling piece of paper, I rest, my most highly honoured Lord — Your obedient and ever obliged Servant, J. H.

Lend., 3 Aug.

XVII.

To Mr. E. Field, at Orleans. SIR,

IN your last you write to me, that you are settled for a while in Orleans, the loveliest City upon the Loire, and the best School for gaining pure Language; for as the Attiqne dialect in Greece, so the Aurelian in France doth bear the bell : But I must tell you, tho' you live now upon a brave River, which divides France well near in two parts, yet she is held the drunkenest River in Christendom, for she swallows thirty-two other Rivers, which she disgorgeth all into the Sea at Nantes; she may be call'd a more drunken River than Elro in Spain, which takes her name from Elrio, according to the proverb there, Me llamo Elro porque de todas aguas levo, I call myself Elro because I drink of all waters.

Moreover, tho* you sojourn now in one of the plentiful'st Continents upon Earth, yet I believe you will find the People, I mean the Peasants, nowhere poorer and more slavish; which convinceth two Errors, one of Aristotle, who affirms that the Country of Gallia, tho' bordering upon Spain, hath no Asses: If he were living now, he would avouch the greatest part of the Inhabitants to be all Asses, they lie

under

586 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IV.

under such an intolerable burden of taxes. The second Error is, That France is held to be the freest Country upon Earth to all People; for if a Slave comes once to breathe French Air, he is free ipso facto, if we may believe Bodin ; it being a fundamental Law of France, Servi peregrini, ut primum Gallic fines penetraverint, lileri simto ; Let Stranger- slaves, as soon as they shall penetrate the borders of France, be free. I know not what privilege Strangers may claim; but for the native French themselves, I hold them to be under the greatest servitude of any other Nation. There is another Law in France, which inhibits Women to rule; but what benefit doth accrue by this Law all the while that Women are Regent, and govern those who do rule ? which hath been exemplify'd in three Queen-Mothers together. The Huguenots have long since voted the first two to Hell, to increase the number of the Furies ; and the Spaniard hath voted the third thither to make up the half- dozen, for continuing a more violent War against her now only Brother, and with more eagerness than her Husband did.

So I wish you all happiness in your Peregrination, advising you to take heed of that turbid humour of Melancholy, which they say you are too prone to. For, take this for a rule, that he who makes much of Melancholy will never be rid of a troublesome Companion. So I rest, gentle Sir — Your most affectionate Servant, J. H.

Lond., 3 May.

XVIII.

To the Lady E., Countess Dowager of Sunderland.

MADAM,

I AM bold to send your La. to the Country a new Venice Looking-glass, wherein you may behold that admir'd Maiden-City in her true complexion, together with her Government and Policy, for she is famous all the world over. Therefore, if at your hours of leisure you please to

cast

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 587

cast your eyes upon this Glass, I doubt not but it will afford you some objects of entertainment.

Moreover, your Ladyship may discern thro* this Glass the motions, and the very heart of the Author, how he con- tin ueth still, and resolves so to do, in what condition soever he be, Madam — Your most constant and dutiful Servant,

J. H.

London, i$June.

XIX.

To the Rt. Hon. the Earl of Clare. MY LORD,

AMONG those high Parts that go to make up a Grandee, which I find concentred in your Lordship, one is the exact knowledge you have of many Languages, not in a superficial vapouring way, as some of our Gallants have now-a-days, but in a most exact manner both in point of Practice and Theory. This induced me to give your Lord- ship an account of a task that was impos'd lately upon me by an emergent occasion, touching the Original, the Growth, the Changes, and present Consistence of the French Language, which I hope may afford your Lordship some entertainment.

There is nothing so incident to all sublunary things as corruptions and changes : Nor is it to be wouder'd at, con- sidering that the Elements themselves, which are the Prin- ciples or primitive Ingredients whereof they be compounded, are naturally so qualified. It were as easy a thing for the Spectator's eye to fasten a firm shape upon a running Cloud, or to cut out a garment that but a few days together might fit the Moon (who, by privilege of her situation and neigh- bourhood, predominates more over us than any other Celes- tial body), as to find stability in anything here below.

Nor is this common frailty, or fatality rather, incident only to the grosser sort of Elementary Creatures, but Man- kind, upon whom it pleas'd the Almighty to imprint his own Image, and make him, as it were, Lord Paramount of

this

588 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IV.

this lower World, is subject to the same lubricity of Muta- tion : Neither is his Body and Blood only liable thereunto, but the Ideas oj his Mind, and interior operations of his Soul, ReligioJi herself, with the notions of Holiness, and the formality of saving Faith not excepted ; nay, the very faculty of Reason (as we find it too true by late experience) is subject to the same instableness.

But to come to our present purpose, among other privi- leges which are peculiar to mankind, as Emanations flow- ing from the Intellect, Language is none of the least. And Languages are subject to the same fits of inconstancy and alteration as much as anything else, 'specially the French Language : Nor can it seem strange to those who know the airy volatile humour of that Nation, that their Speech should partake somewhat of the disposition of their Spirit ; but will rather wonder it hath receiv'd no oftner change, 'specially considering what outward Causes did also concur thereunto ; as, that their Kings should make six several Voyages to conquer or conserve what was got in the Holy Land ; con- sidering also how long the English, being a People of another Speech, kept firm footing in the heart of France : Add hereunto the Wars and Weddings they had with their Neighbours, which, by the long sojourn of their Armies in other Countries caus'd by the first, and the foreign Cour- tiers that came in with the second, might introduce a fre- quent alteration. For Languages are like Laws or Coins, which commonly receive some change at every shift of Princes : or as slow Rivers, by insensible alluvions, take in and let out the Waters that feed them, yet are they said to have the same beds ; so Languages, by a regardless adop- tion of some new words, and manumission of old, do often vary, yet the whole bulk of the Speech keeps entire.

Touching the true ancient and genuine Language of the Gauls, some would have it to be a dialect of the Dutch, others of the Greek, and some of the British or Welsh. Concerning this last opinion, there be many reasons to fortify it, which are not altogether to be slighted.

The

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 589

The first is, That the antient Gauls us'd to come fre- quently to be instructed here by the British Druids, who were the Divines and Philosophers of those times ; which they would not probably have done, unless by mutual com- munication they had understood one another in some vulgar Language : for this was before the Greek or Latin came this side the Alps, or that any Books were written ; and there are no meaner Men than Tacitus, and Casar himself, who record this.

The second reason is, That there want not good Geo- graphers, who hold that this Island was tied to Gallia at first (as some say Sicily was to Calabria, and Denmark to Germany) by an Isthmus or neck of land, from Calais to Dover ; for if one do well observe the quality of the Cliffs on both shores, his eyes will judge that they were but one homogeneal piece of earth at first, and that they were slented and shiver'd asunder by some act of violence, as the impetu- ous waves of the Sea.

The third reason is, That before the Romans conquered the Gauls, the Country was call'd Wallia, which the Romans calPd Gallia, turning W into G, as they did elsewhere: yet the Walloon keeps his radical Letter to this day.

The fourth reason is. That there be divers old Gaulick words yet remaining in the French which are pure British, both for sense and pronunciation ; as Havre, a Haven, which is the same in Welsh, derechef, again; Putaine, a Whore ; Airain, brass money ; Prou, an interjection of stop- ping or driving of a beast : but 'specially, when one speaks any old word in French that cannot be understood, they say, // parle Baragouin, which is to this day in Welsh, White- Bread.

Lastly, Pausanias saith, That Mark, in the Celtik old French Tongue, signifieth a Horse; and it signifieth the same in Welsh.

But tho' it be disputable whether the British^ Greek, or Dutch was the original Language of the Gauls, certain it is that it was the Walloon; but I confine myself to

Gallia

590 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IV.

Gallia Celtica, which, when the Roman Eagle had fastened his talons there, and planted twenty-three Legions up and down the Country, he did in tract of time utterly extinguish : It being the ordinary ambition of Rome, wheresoever she prevail'd, to bring in her Language and Laws also with the Lance, which she could not do in Spain, or this Island, be- cause they had posts and places of Fastness to retire to, as Biscay and Wales, where Nature hath cast up those Moun- tains as propugnacles of defence 5 therefore the very abori- ginal Languages of both Countries remain there to this day. Now, France being a passable and plain pervious Continent, the Romans quickly diffus'd and rooted themselves in every part thereof, and so co-planted their Language, which in a short revolution of time came to be call'd Romand. But when the Franconians, a People of Germany, came after- wards to invade and possess Gallia, both Speech and People were call'd French ever after, which is near 1300 years since.

Now, as all other things have their degrees of growing, so Languages have before they attain a perfection. We find that the Latin herself in the times of the Salines was but rude ; afterwards under Ennius and Cato the Censor it was refinM in twelve Tables; but in Cczsar, Cicero, and Sallusfs time it came to the highest pitch of purity ; and so dainty were the Romans of their Language then, that they would not suffer any exotic or strange word to be enfranchised among them, or enter into any of their Diplo- mata, and publick Instruments of Command or Justice. The word Emllema having got into one, it was thrust out by an express Edict of the Senate ; but Monopolium had with much ado leave to stay in, yet not without a large Preface and Apology. A little after, the Latin Tongue in the vul- garity thereof began to degenerate and decline very much ; out of which degeneration sprang up the Italian, Spanish, and French.

Now, the French Language being set thus upon a Latin stock, hath receiv'd since sundry habitudes, yet retaining to

this

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 591

this day some Latin words entire, SLS animal, cadaver , tribunal, non, /;///*, ////*', 05, with a number of others.

Chilperic, one of the first race of French Kings, com- manded by publick Edict, that the four Greek Letters S X $ "¥ should be added to the French Alphabet to make the Language more masculine and strenuous; but afterwards it was not long observ'd.

Nor is it a worthless observation, that Languages use to comply with the Humour, and to display much the Inclina- tion of a People. The French Nation is quick and spriteful, so is his Pronunciation ; the Spaniard is slow and grave, so is his Pronunciation : For the Spanish and French Lan- guages being but branches of the Latin Tree, the one may be call'd Latin shortened, and the other Latin drawn out at length; as, Corpus, Tempus, Caput, &c., are monosyllables in French, as Corps, Temps, Caps, or Chef; whereas the Spaniard doth add to them, as Cuerpo, Tiempo, Cabeca. And indeed of any other the Spaniard affects long words, for he makes some thrice as long as they are in French ; as of levement arising, he makes levantamiento ; of Pensee, a thought, he makes Pensamiento ; of Compliment, he makes Complimiento. Besides, the Spaniard doth use to pause so in his pronunciation, that his Tongue seldom foreruns his Wit, and his brain may very well raise and superfcete a second thought before the first be utter'd. Yet is not the French so hasty in his utterance as he seems to be ; for his quickness or volubility proceeds partly from that concatena- tion he useth among his syllables, by linking the syllable of the precedent word with the last of the following ; so that sometimes a whole Sentence is made in a manner but one Word : and he who will speak the French roundly and well must observe this Rule.

The French Language began first to be polish'd, and arrive at that delicacy she is now come to, in the midst of the Reign of Philip de Falois. Marot did something un- der Francis I. (which King was a Restorer of Learning in general, as well as of Language) ; but Ronsard did more

under

592 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IV.

under Henry II. Since these Kings there is little difference in the context of Speech, but only in the choice of words and softness of Pronunciation, proceeding from such wanton Spirits that did miniardize and make the Language more dainty and feminine.

But to shew what changes the French have receivM from what it was, I will produce these few instances in verse and prose, which I found in some antient Authors : The first shall be of a Gentlewoman that translated jEsop's Fables many hundred years since out of English into French where she concludes :

Aufinement de cesf Escuit Qu'en Romans ay tourn'e 6° dit ; Me nommaray par remembrance, Marie ay nom je suis de France ; Per V amour de Conte de Guillaume Le plus vaillant de ce Royaume, M'entremis de ce livrefaire Et de VAnglois en Roman traire, Esope appelle Fon cil Livre, Qdon translata 6° fit Escrivre ; De Griec en Latin le tourna> Et le Roy Alvret qui Varna^ Le translata puis en Angloiz, Et je I1 ay tourne en Francois.

Out of the Roman de la Rose I will produce this Example :

Quand ta bouche toucha la moye, Ce fut dont au Cczur feus joy e ; Sire juge, donnes sentence Par may, Car lapucelle est moye.

Two of the most antient and approved'st Authors in France are Geoffrey de Villardouin, Marshal of Campagne, and Hugues de Bersy, a Monk of Clugny, in the Reign of Philippe August e, above 500 years since : from them I will borrow these two ensuing Examples; the first from the Marshal, upon a Croisada to the Holy Land.

Scachiex

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 593

Scac/ti<\r fjuc /'an 1188 cms apres Vim-anmtion al temps Innocent 3. Apostoille de Rome, & Philippe Roy de France, & Ric/iard Roy d' Engleterre, eut un Saint homme en France, <iu i ct nom Folque de Nuilly, & il ere prestre, & tenoit le puroichre de la v'dle & ce Folque commenfa a parler de Biex, ££ nostre sire Jit mamls miracles par luy, &c.

Hugues de Bersy, who made the Guiot Bible so much spoken of in France, begins thus in verse :

Ifoun siede puant 6* horrible Mestuet commencer une Bible, Per poindre, & per aiguillonncr Et per bans exemplcs donner, Ce n'est une Bible bisongere Mais fine, 6- voire en droituriere Mironer est a toutis gens.

If one would compare the English that was spoken in those times, which is about 560 years since, with the pre- sent, he should find a greater alteration.

But to know how much the Modern French differs from the Ancient, let him read our Common Law, which was held good French in William the Conqueror's time.

Furthermore, among other observations, I find that there are some single words antiquated in the French, which seem to be more significant than those that are come in their places; as, Maratre, Paratre, Filatre, Serourge, a Step- mother, a Step-father, a Son or Daughter-in-law, a Sister- in-law, which now they express in two words, Belle mere, Beau pere, Belle sceur. Moreover, I find there are some words now in French which are turn'd to a counter-sense ; as, we use the Dutch word crank, in English, to be well- dispos'd, which in the Original signifieth to be sick. So in French, Cocu is taken for one whose wife is light, and hath made him a passive Cuckold; whereas clean contrary, Cocu. which is the Cuckow, doth use to lay her eggs in another Bird's nest. This word pleiger is also to drink after one is drunk to ; whereas the first true sense of the word was, that if the party drunk to was not dispos'd to drink himself, he

2 p would

594 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IV.

would put another for a pledge to do it for him, else the party who began would take it ill. Besides, this word Airy, derived from the Latin Apricus, is taken in French for a close place or shelter, whereas in the Original it signifieth an open free Sunshine. They now term in French a free boon Companion, Roger Ion temps; whereas the Original is, Rouge Ion temps, reddish and fair weather : They use also in France, when one hath a good bargain, to say, II a joue a loule vue, whereas the Original is, A bonne vue. A Beacon or Watch-Tower is call'd Beffroy, whereas the true word is L'ejfroy : A travelling Warrant is calPd Pasport, whereas the Original is Passe per tout. When one is grown hoarse, they use to say, // a veu le loup, he hath seen the Wolf ; whereas that effect of hoarseness is wrought in whom the Wolf hath seen first, according to Pliny and the Poet, Lupl ilium videre priores. There is one saying or pro- verb which is observable, whereby France doth confess her- self to be still indebted to England, which is, when one hath paid all his Creditors, he useth to say, fay paye tous mes Anglois ; so that in this, and other phrases, Anglois is taken for Greancier or Creditor. And I persume it had its Founda- tion from this, That when the French were bound by Treaty at Bretigny to pay England so much for the ransom of King John, then prisoner, the contribution lay so heavy upon the People^ that for many years they could not make up the Sum. The occasion might be seconded in Henry VIIF.s time at the surrendry of Bullen, and upon other Treaties ; as also in Q. Elizabeth's Reign, besides the Moneys which she had disburs'd herself to put the Crown on Henry IV/s Head : which makes me think on a passage that is recorded in Pasquier, that happen'd when the Duke of Anjou, under pretence of wooing the Queen, came over into England, who being brought to her presence, she told him, He was come in good time to remain a pledge for the Monies that France ow'd her Father, and other of her Progenitors ; whereunto the Duke answer'd, That he was come not only to le a Pledge, but her close Prisoner.

There

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 595

There be two other sayings in French, which tho' they be obsolete, yet are they worthy the knowledge ; the first is, 11 a perdu ses cheveux, he hath lost his hair, meaning his honour : For in the first race of Kings there was a Law, calPd La loy de la Cheveleure, whereby it was lawful for the Noblesse only to wear long hair, and if any of them had committed some foul and ignoble Act, they us'd to be condemnM to have their long hair to be cut off as a mark of ignominy ; and it was as much as if he had been fleuerdeliz'd, viz., burnt on the back or hand, or branded in the face.

The other Proverb is, // a quitlt sa ceinture, he hath given up his girdle; which intimated as much as if he had become bankrupt, or had all his Estate forfeited : It being the ancient Law of France, that when any upon some offence had that penalty of confiscation inflicted upon him, he us'd before the Tribunal of Justice to give up his Girdle, implying thereby, that the Girdle held everything that belong'd to a man's Estate, as his budget of Money and Writings, the keys of his House, with his Sword, Dagger, and Gloves, S£c.

I will add hereunto another Proverb which had been quite lost, had not our Order of the Garter preserved it, which is, Hony soil qui mal y pense ; this we English, III to him that thinks ill : Tho* the true sense be, Let him be berayed who thinks any ill ; being a Metaphor taken from a child that hath beray'd his clouts : And I dare say, there's not one of a hundred in France who understands this word now-a- days.

Furthermore, I find in the French Language, that the same fate hath attended some French words, as usually attends Men, among whom, some rise to perferment, others fall to decay and an undervalue. I will instance in a few: The word Maistre was a word of high esteem in former times among the French, and appliable to Noblemen, and others in high Office only ; but now 'tis fallen from the Baron to the Boor, from the Count to the Cobler, or any other mean Artisan ; as Maistre Jean le Savetier, Mr. John the Cobler ; Maistre Jaquet le Cabaretier, Mr. Jammy the Tapster.

Sire,

596 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book

Sire was also appropriate only to the King : But now, adding a name after it, 'tis appliable to any mean Man, upon the Endorsement of a Letter or otherwise : But this word Sovereign hath rais'd itself to that pitch of greatness, that it is applied now only to the King, whereas in times past the President of any Court, any Bailiff or Seneschal, was used to be so call'd Sovereign.

Mareshal likewise was at first the name of a Smith, Farrier, or one that dress'd Horses ; but it is climb'd by degrees to that height, that the chiefest Commanders of the Gend- armery and Militia of France are come to be call'd Marshals, which about a hundred years since were but two in all, whereas now they are twelve.

This Title Majesty hath no great Antiquity in France, for it began in Henry II.'s time. And indeed the style of France at first, as well as of other Countries, was to Tutoyer, that is, to Thou any person that one spake unto, tho' never so high : But when the Commonwealth of Rome turn'd to an Empire, and so much Power came into one man's hand, then, in regard he was able to confer Honour and Offices, the Courtiers began to magnify him, and treat him in the plural number by You, and by degrees to deify him by trans- cending Titles ; as we read in Symmachus, in his Epistles to the Emperor Theodosius, and to Falentinian, where his style to them is, Vestra ceternitas, vestrum mimen, vestra perennitas, vestra dementia : So that You in the plural number, with other Compliments and Titles, seem to have their first rise with the Western Monarchy, which afterwards by degrees descended upon particular persons.

The French Tongue hath divers Dialects, viz., the Picardy, that of Jersey and Guernsey, appendixes once of Normandy ; the Provencal, the Gascon or the speech of Languedoc, which Scaliger would etymologize from Langue d'oc, whereas it comes from Langue de Got,, in regard the Goths and Saracens, who by their incursions and long stay in Aquitaln first cor- rupted the speech of Gallia : The Walloon is another dialect, which is under the K. of Spain : They also of Liege have

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 597

a dialect of the French, which among themselves they call Romand to this day.

Touching the modern French that's spoken now in the King's Court, the Court of Parliament, and in the Univer- sities of France, there had been lately a great competition which was the best; but by the learnedst, and most in- different persons, it was adjudgM that the Style of the King's Court was the purest and most elegant, because the other two did smell, the one of Pedantry, the other of Chiquanery. And the late Prince of Conde, with the D. of Orleans that now is, were us'd to have a Censor in their Houses, that if any of their Family spoke any word that savourM of the Palace or the Schools, he should incur the penalty of an Amercement.

The late Cardinal Richlieu made it part of his glory to advance Learning, and the French Language. Among other Monuments he erected an University where the Sciences should be read and disputed in French for the ease of his Countrymen, whereby they might presently fall to the matter, and not spend time to study words only.

Thus have I presum'd to send your Lordship a rambling discourse of the French Language, past and present ; humbly expecting to be corrected when you shall please to have perused it. So I subscribe myself — Your Lordship's thrice obedient Servant, J. H.

Lend., i Oct.

XX.

To Dr. Weames. SIR,

I RETURN you many thanks for the Additionals you pleas'd to communicate to me, in continuance of Sir Philip Sidney's Arcadia; and I admir'd it the more, because it was the composition of so young a Spirit : Which makes me tell you, without any compliment, that you are Father to a Daughter that Europe hath not many of her equals ; therefore all those gentle Souls that pretend to Virtue should

cherish

598 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IV.

cherish her. I have herewith sent you a few lines that relate to the Work, according to your desire.

To Mrs. A. W.

If a Male Soul by transmigration can Pass to a Female, and her Spirits Man, Then, sure, some sparks £/ Sidney's Soul have flown Into your breast, which may in time be blown To flames ; for 'tis the course of Enthean Fire, To kindle by degrees, and brains inspire. As Buds do Blossoms turn to Fruit, So Wits ask time to ripen and recruit : But yours gives time the start, and all may see In this smooth piece of early Poesy, Which, like Sparks of one Flame, may well aspire, If Phoebus please, to a Sidneyan Fire.

So, with my very affectionate respects to yourself, and to your choice Family, I rest — Your ready and real Servant,

J. H.

London, 9 Nov.

XXI.

To the incomparable Lady, the Lady M. Gary.

MADAM,

I HAVE discovered so much of Divinity in you, that he who would find your equal, must keep one in the other World. I might play the Oracle, and more truly pronounce you the wisest of Women, than he did Pytha- goras the wisest of Men : For questionless, that He or She are the wisest of all human Creatures who are careful of preserving the noblest part of them, I mean the Soul. They who prink, and pamper the Body, and neglect the Soul, are like one who, having a Nightingale in his House, is more fond of the wicker Cage than of the Bird : Or rather, like one who hath a Pearl of an invaluable Price, and esteems the poor Box that holds it more than the Jewel. The Eational Soul is the Breath of God Almighty, she is his

very

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 599

very Image: Therefore who taints his Soul, may be said to throw dirt in God's face, and make his breath stink. The Soul is a spark of Immortality, she is a divine Light, and the body is but a socket of Clay that holds it. In some this Light goes out with an ill-favourM stench ; but others have a Save-all to preserve it from making any snuff at all. Of this number, Madam, you are one that shines clearest in this Horizon, which makes me so much — Your Ladyship's truly devoted Servant, J. H.

London, 3 Nov.

XXII.

To the Lord Bishop ofRo., at Knolls. MY LORD,

THE Christian Philosopher tells us, That a good Con- science is a perpetual Feast : And the Pagan Philo- sopher hath a saying, That a virtuous Man is always drunk. Both these sayings aim at one sense, viz., That an upright, discreet Man is always full of good notions, and good motions ; his Soul is always in tune, and the Faculties thereof never jarring : He values this World as it is, a vale of trouble and a valley of tears, full of encumbrances and revolutions; and stands arm'd against all events: Sifractus illalatur Orbis.

While you read this, you have your own character; for I know none more capable both for the practical part, as well as the theory, to give precepts of Patience, and pre- scribe rules of Morality and Prudence to all Mankind. Your Mind is like a Stone-bridge over a rapid River, which tho' the waters beneath be perpetually working, roaring, and

bubling, yet the Bridge never stirs; Pons manet immotus:

so among those monstrous mutations and traverses that have lately happened, you are still the same.

Mtns immota manet

I received your last under the covert of Sir John Sackvil, to whom I present my affectionate Service, with a thousand

Thanks

600 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IV.

Thanks for that seasonable Present he pleas'd to send me, which will find me and my friends some employment ; so, desiring your benediction, I conclude, and subscribe myself, my Lord — Your truly devoted Servant, J. H.

London, 7 Dec.

XXIII.

To Sir W. Mason, Knight. SIR,

I PRESENT you with the second part of the Vocal Forest; but before you make an entrance into the last Walk thereof, be pleas'd to take this short caution along with you, which tends to rectify such who I hear are over-rash and critical in their censure of what is there con- tain'd, not penetrating the main design of the Author in that allegorical Discourse, nor in the quality of the Times, or the prudential Cautions, and Indifferences that an his- torical Piece expos'd to public view should require, which may make them perchance to shoot their Bolts at random, and with wry looks at those Trees. Therefore let the dis- cerning Surveyor, as he crosseth this last Walk, take a short Advertisement beforehand ; that whatsoever he meets therein glancing on the Oak, consists of imperfect suggesr tions, foreign criticisms, and presumptions, &c. Now every petty Sciolist in the Laws of Reason can tell that presump- tions were never taken yet for proofs, but for left-handed arguments, approaching rather the nature of cavillations than consequences.

Moreover, Apologues, Parables, and Metaphors, tho' press' d never so hard, have not the strength to demonstrate, or positively assert any Thesis: For as in Theology, the highest of Sciences, it is a received principle, Scriptura para- lolica non est argumentativa ; so this Maxim holds good in all other Composures and Arts. JTis granted, that in the Walks of this Forest there be some free and home expres- sions drawing somewhat nearer to the nature of Satyrs, for otherwise it had been a vain superfluous curiosity to have

spent

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 601

spent so much oil and labour in shrouding Realities under Disguises, unless the Author had promisM himself before- hand a greater latitude and scope of liberty to pry into some miscarriages and solecisms of State; as also to question and perstring some sorts of Actors, especially the Cardanian and Classican, who, as the whole World can witness, were the first Raisers of those hideous Tempests which pour'd down in so many showers of blood upon unfortunate Druina, and all her coaflforested Territories.

Now touching that which is spoken of the Oak in the last Walk, if any intemperate Basilean take exceptions thereat, let him know, that, as 'twas said before, most of them are but traducements and pretensions; yet it is a human principle (and will ever be so to the world's end), that there never was yet any Prince (except one), nor will there ever be any hereafter, but had his frailties ; and these frailties in Kings are like stains in the purest Scarlet, which are more visible : What are but motes in others are as Learns in them, because that being mounted so high, they are more exposed to the eye of the World. And if the Historian points haply at some of those motes in the Royal Oak, he makes good what he promised in the Entrance of the Forest, that he would endeavour to make a constant grain of even- ness and impartiality to pass through the whole bulk of that Arlorical Discourse.

We read that there being a high feud 'twixt Cicero and Vatinius, who had crooked bow-legs, Vatinius having the advantage of pleading first, took occasion to give a touch himself of his natural imperfection that way, that he might tollere ansam, that he might by way of prevention cut off the advantages and intention which Cicero might have had to asperse him in that particular : The Application hereof is easy and obvious.

But if the sober-minded Reader observe well what is spoken elsewhere of the Oak throughout the body and series of the story, he will easily conclude, that 'twas far from the design of the Author, out of any self or sinister ends, to let

any

602 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IV.

any sour droppings fall from these Trees to hurt the Oak. And give me leave to tell you, That he who hath but as much wit as may suffice to preserve him from being begg'd for a Fool, will judge so.

Lastly, they who know anything of the Laws of History do well know, that Verity and Indifference are two of the prime virtues that are requisite in a Chronicler. The same Answer may serve to stop their mouths, who would say something, if they could tell what, against my Survey of the Signory of Venice, and dedicated to the Parliament of England, as if the Author had chang'd his principles, and were affected to Republiques ; whereas there's not a syllable therein but what makes for Monarchy : Therefore I rather pity than repine at such poor Critiques, with the shallow- ness of their Judgments.

Thus much I thought good to intimate to you, not that I mistrust your own censure, which I know to be candid and clear, but that if there be occasion you may vindicate — Your truly affectionate Servant, J. H.

Lond., 4 Apr.

XXIV.

To the Eight Honourable the La. E. Savage, afterwards

Countess Rivers. EXCELLENT LADY,

AMONG those multitudes that claim a share in the loss of so precious a Lord, mine is not the least. O how willingly could I have measur'd with my feet, and perform'd a pilgrimage over all those large Continents wherein I have travelled, to have reprieved him ! Truly, Madam, I shall mourn for him while I have a heart beating in my breast ; and tho' time may mitigate the sense of grief, yet his Memory shall be to me, like his Worth and Virtues, ever- lasting. But it is not so much to be lamented that he hath left us (it being so infinitely to his advantage), as that he hath left behind so few like him.

I confess, Madam, this is the weightiest cross that possibly

could

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 603

could come to exercise your patience; but 1 know your Ladyship to be both pious and prudent in the highest degree : Let the one preserve you from excess of sorrow, which may prove irreligious to Heaven ; and the other keep you from being injurious to yourself, and to that goodly brave Issue of his, which may serve as so many living Copies of the Original.

God Almighty comfort your Ladyship; so prayeth, Madam — Your most humble and sorrowful Servant, J. H.

London^ 2 Feb.

XXV.

To the Eight Honourable John Lord Sa. MY LORD,

I SHOULD be much wanting to myself, if I did not con- gratulate your lately descended Honours: But truly, my Lord, this Congratulation is like a Vapour exhal'd from a Soil overwhelm'd with a sudden inundation ; such is the state of my mind at this time, it being o'ercast with a thick Fog of grief for the death of your incomparable Father.

I pray from the centre of my Heart that you may inherit his high Worth and Virtues, as you do all things else; and I doubt it not, having discovered in your nature so many pregnancies and sparkles of innated Honour. So I rest in quality of — Your Lordship's most humble Servant,

J.H. London, 10 Dec.

XXVI.

To Mr. J. Wilson. SIR,

I RECEIVED yours of the loth current, and I have many thanks to give you, that you so quaintly acquaint me how variously the pulse of the Pulpiteers beat in your Town. Touching ours here (by way of correspondence with you), I'll tell you of one whom I heard lately ; for dropping casually into a Church in Thames-street, I fell upon a

Winter-

604 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book

Winter-Preacher, who spoke of nothing but of the fire and flames of Hell ; so that if a Scythian or Greenlander, who are habituated to such extreme cold, had heard and under- stood him, he would have thought he had preach'd of Paradise. His mouth methought did fume with the Lake of Brimstone, with the infernal Torments, and the thun- drings of the Law, not a syllable of the Gospel : So I con- cluded him to be one of those who use to preach the Law in the Church, and the Gospel in their Chambers, where they make some female Hearts melt into pieces. He re- peated his text once, but God knows how far it was from the subject of his Preachment; he had also hot and fiery incitements to War, and to swim in blood for the Cause. But after he had run away from his Text so long, the Spirit led him into a wilderness of Prayer, and there I left him.

God amend all, and begin with me, who am — Your assured Friend to serve you, J. H.

London, $July.

XXVII.

To Sir E. S.

SIR,

IN the various courses of my wandring life, I have had occasion to spend some part of my time in literal correspondences with divers; but I never remember that I pleas' d myself more in paying these civilities to any than to yourself: For when I undertake this task, I find that my Head, my Hand, and my Heart go all so willingly about it. The Invention of the one, the graphical Office of the other, and the Affections of the last, are so ready to obey me in per- forming the work ; work do I call it ? JTis rather a sport, my Pen and Paper are as a Chess-board, or as your Instru- ments of Music are to you, when you would recreate your harmonious Soul. Whence this proceeds I know not, un- less it be from a charming kind of virtue that your Letters carry with them to work upon my spirits, which are so full of facete and familiar friendly strains, and so punctual in

answering

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 605

answering every part of mine, that you may give the Law of Epistolizing to all Mankind.

Touching your Poet-Laureat Skelton, I found him at last (as I told you before) skulking in Duck-lane, pitifully tatu-r'd and torn ; and, as the times are, I do not think it worth the labour and cost to put him in better cloaths, for the Genius of the Age is quite another thing : yet there be some Lines of his, which I think will never be out of date for their quaint sense : and with these I will close this Letter, and salute you, as he did his Friend, with these options :

Salve plus decies quam sunt momenta dierum, Quot species generum, quot res, quot nomina rerum, Quot pratis flores, quot sunt & in orbe colores, Quot pistes, quot aves, quot sunt &* in aquore naves, Quot volucrum pennce, quot sunt tormenta gehenna, Quot cali stella, quot sunt miracula Thoma : Quot sunt virtutes, tantas tibi mitto salutes.

These were the wishes in time of yore of Jo. Skelton, but now they are of — Your J. H.

London, 4 Aug.

XXVIII.

To R. Davis, Esq.

SIR,

DID your Letters know how truly welcome they are to me, they would make more haste, and not loiter so long in the way ; for I did not receive yours of the 2nd of June till the 1st of July ; which is time enough to have travelled not only a hundred English, but so many Helvetian miles, that are five times bigger; for in some places they contain forty furlongs, whereas ours have but eight, unless it be in Wales, where they are allow'd better measure, or in the North Parts, where there is a wea-bit to every mile. But that yours should be a whole month in making scarce 100 English miles (for the distance between us is no more)

is

606 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IV.

is strange to me, unless you purposely sent it by John Long the Carrier. I know, being so near Lemster's-Qre, that you dwell in a gentle Soil, which is good for Cheese as well as for Cloth; therefore if you send me a good one, I shall re- turn my Cousin your Wife something from hence that may be equivalent : If you neglect me, I shall think that Wales is relapsed into her first barbarisms ; for Stralo makes it one of his arguments to prove the Britons barbarous, because they had not the Art of making Cheese till the Romans came : But I believe you will preserve them from this im- putation again. I know you can want no good grass thereabouts, which, as they say here, grows so fast in some of your fields, that if one should put his Horse there over night, he should not find him again the next morning. So, with my very respectful commends to yourself, and to the partner of your Couch and Cares, I rest, my dear Cousin — Yours always to dispose of, J. H.

Land., 5 July.

XXIX.

To W. Roberts, Esq. SIR,

/npvHE Dominical Prayer, and the Apostolical Creed,, JL (whereof there was such a hot dispute in our last Conversation) are two Acts tending to the same Object of devotion; yet they differ in this, that we conclude all in the first, and ourselves only in the second : One may leg for another, but he must believe for himself, there is no Man can believe by a Deputy. The Articles of the Creed are as the twelve Signs in the Zodiak of Faith, which make way for the Sun of Righteousness to pass through the centre of our Hearts, as a Gentleman doth wittily compare them. But what offence the Lord's-Prayer or the Creed have committed (together with the Ten Commandments) as to be as it were banished the Church of late years, I know not; considering that the whole office of a Christian may be said to be comprehended in them : For the last prescribes

us

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 607

us what we should do, the second what we should believe, the third how and what we should pray for. Of all the Hereticks that I ever heard of, I never read of any who bore Analogy with these.

Touching other Opinions, they are but old fancies newly furbish'd. There were Adamites in former times, and Re- laptizers : There were Iconoclastce, destroyers of Images ; but I never read of Stauroclasta, destroyers of Crosses : There were also Agoniclita, who held it a superstition to bow the knee ; besides, there were those who stumbled at the Resurrection, as too many do now : There were Aereans also who malign'd Bishops and the Hierarchy of the Church, but we read those Aerians turn'd Arians, and Atheists at last. The greatest Greek and Latin Fathers inveigh against those Aerians more bitterly than against any other: Chry- sostom saith, Her cliques who have learnt of the Devil not to give due honour to Bishops; and Epiphanlus saith, // is the voice of a Devil, rather than of a Christian, that there is no difference 'twixt a Bishop and a Presbyter, &c.

Good Lord, what fiery clashings we have had lately for a Cap and a Surplice! What an Ocean of human blood was spilt for Ceremonies only, and outward Formalities, for the bare position of a Table ! But as we find the ruffling Winds to be commonly in Cemeteries, and about Churches, so the eagerest and most sanguinary Wars are about Re- ligion ; and there is a great deal of weight in that distich of Prudentius :

Sic mores produnt animum, & mihi creditc semper^ Junctus cum f also tst dogmate cadis amor.

Let the Turk spread his Alcoran by the Sword, but let Christianity expand herself still by a passive Fortitude, wherein she always gloried.

We live in a strange Age, when every one is in love with his own Fancy, as Narcissus was with his Face: And this is true spiritual Pride, the usherer-in of all Confusions. The Lord deliver us from it, and grant we may possess our Souls

with

608 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IV.

with patience, till the great Wheel of Providence turn up another spoke that may point at Peace and Unanimity among poor mortals. In these hopes I rest — Yours en- tirely, J. H. London, 5 Jan.

XXX.

To Howel Gwyn, Esq.

MY MUCH ENDEARED COUSIN,

I SEND you herewith, according to your desires, the British or Welsh Epitaph (for the Saxons gave us that new name, calling us Welshmen or Strangers in our own Country), which Epitaph was found in the West-Indies upon Prince Madoc near upon 600 years since :

Madoc wif mw y die wedd Jawn genan Owen Gwyneth, Nifunnum dirfy enridd oedd, Ni da mowr ondy moroedd.

Which is Englistid thus in Mr. Herbert's Travels :

Madoc ap Owen was 1 cattd, Strong, tall, and comely, not inthrall'd With home-bred pleasure, but for Fame Thro' Land and Sea 2 sought the same.

This British Prince Madoc (as many Authors make men- tion) made two Voyages thither, and in the last left his bones there, upon which this Epitaph lay. There be other pregnant remarks that the British were there, for there is a Promontory not far from Mexico callM Cape Britain; there is a creek calPd Gyndwor, which is in Welsh, White- water; with other words, as you shall find in Mr. Herbert and others : They had also the sign of the Cross in reverence among them.

And now that I am upon British Observations, I will tell you something of this name Howel, which is yourjirst, and my second name : Passing lately by the Cloysters of the

Abbey

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 609

Abbey at // V.< \tmin slcr, I stept up to the Library that Arch- bishop Willitims erected there, and I lighted upon a French •Historian, Bertrane a Argentre, Lord of Forges, who was President of the Court of Parliament in Renes, the chief Town of Little Britany in France, calPd Armorica, which is a pure Welsh word, and signifies a Country bordering upon the Sea, as that doth, and was first coloniz'd by the Britons of this Island in the reign of Theodosius the Emperor, -A*1' 387* whose Language they yet preserve in their radical words : In that Historian I found that there were four Kings of that Country of the name Howel, viz., Howel the First, Howel the Second, Howel the Great (who bore up so stoutly against JEtius the famous Roman General), and Howel the Fourth, that were all Kings of Armorica, or the Lesser Britany, which continued a Kingdom till the year 874, at which time the Title was chang'd to a Duchy, but Sovereign of itself, till it was reduc'd to the French Crown by Francis I. There are many Families of Quality of that name to this day in France : And one of them desired to be acquainted with me, by the mediation of Mons. Augier, who was there Agent for England. Touching the Castle of good K. Howel hard by you, and other ancient places of that name, you know them better than I ; but the best Title which England hath to Wales is by that Castle, as a great Antiquary told me. So in a true bond of Friendship, as well as of Blood, I rest — Your most affectionate Cousin, J. H.

London, 8 Oct.

XXXI.

To Mr. W. Price, at Oxon.

MP PRECIOUS NEPHEW,

THERE could hardly better news be brought to me, than to understand that you are so great a Student, and that having pass'd through the briars of Logic, you fall so close to Philosophy : Yet I do not like your method in one thing, that you are so fond of new Authors, and neglect the

2 a old,

6io FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IV.

old, as I hear you do. It is the ingrateful Genius of this Age, that if any Sciolist can find a hole in an old Author's coat, he will endeavour to make it much more wide, thinking to make himself somebody thereby ; I am none of those ; but touching the Ancients, I hold this to be a good moral Rule, Laudandum quod lene, ignoscendum quod aliter dixerunt : The older an Author is, commonly the more solid he is, and the greater teller of Truth. This makes me think on a Spanish Captain, who being invited to a Fish-dinner, and coming late, he sat at the lower end of the Table where the small Fish lay, the great ones being at the upper end ; there- upon he took one of the little Fish and held it to his Ear : His comrades ask'd him what he meant by that; he answer'd in a sad tone, Some thirty years since my Father passing from Spain to Barbary, was cast away in a Storm, and I am asking this little Fish whether he could tell any tidings of his body ; he answers me, that he is too young to tell me anything, lut those old Fish at your end of the table may say something to it : So by that trick of drollery he got his share of them. The application is easy, therefore I advise you not to neglect old Authors ; for tho' we be come as it were to the Meridian of Truth, yet there be many Neoterical Commentators and self-conceited Writers, that eclipse her in many things, and go from olscurum to obscurius.

Give me leave to tell you, Cousin, that your Kindred and Friends, with all the world besides, expect much from you in regard of the pregnancy of your Spirit, and those Advan- tages you have of others, being now at the source of all Knowledge. I was told of a Countryman, who coming to Oxford, and being at the Towns-end, stood listning to a flock of Geese and a few Dogs that were hard by ; being ask'd the Reason, he answer'd, that he thought the Geese about Oxford did gaggle Greek, and the Dogs barked in Latin. If some in the world think so much of those irrational poor creatures that take in University Air, what will your Friends in the Country expect from you, who have the Instruments of Reason in such a perfection, and so well strung with a

tenacious

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 611

tenacious Memory, a quick Understanding, and rich Inven- tion ? All which I have discovered in you, and doubt not hut you will employ them to the comfort of your Friends, your own credit, and the particular contentment of — Your truly affectionate Uncle, J. H.

Lond. 3 Feb.

XXXII.

To Sir K. D., in Paris.

SIR,

I HAD been guilty of such an offence, whereof I should never have absolved myself, if I had omitted so hand- some an opportunity to quicken my old Devotions to you. Among those multitudes here who resent your hard condi- tion and the protractions of your Business, there is none who is more sensible that so gallant and sublime a Soul (so much renowned throughout the World) should meet with such harsh traverses of Fortune. For myself, I am like an Almanack out of date, I am grown an unprofitable thing, and good for nothing as the times run ; yet in your business I shall play the Whetstone, which tho' it be a dull thing of itself, and cannot cut, yet it can make other bodies to cut : So shall I quicken those who have the managing of your business, and power to do you good, whensoever I meet them. So I rest — Your thirty years Servant, J. H.

Lond., 2 Sept.

XXXIII.

To Mr. R. Lee, in Antwerp. SIR,

AN Acre of Performance is worth the whole Land of Promise; besides, as the Italian hath it, Deeds are Men, and Words Women. You pleas' d to promise me, when you shook hands with England, to barter Letters with me ; but whereas I writ to you a good while since by Mr. Simons, I have not received a syllable from you ever since. The Times here frown more and more upon the Cava- liers,

6i2 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IV.

Hers, yet their minds are buoy'd up still with strong hopes ; some of them being lately in company of such whom the Times favour, and reporting some comfortable news on the Royalists' side, one of the other answer'd, Thus you Cava- liers still fool your selves, and build always Castles in the Air : Thereupon a sudden reply was made, Where will you have us to build them else, for you have taken all our Lands from us? I know what you will say when your read this : A pox on those true Jests.

This Tale puts me in mind of another: There was a Gentleman lately, who was offer'd by the Parliament a parcel of Church or Crown-Lands, equal to his Arrears ; and asking counsel of a Friend of his which he should take, he answer'd, Crown-Lands by all means, for if you take them, you run a hazard only to be hang'd ; lut if you take Church-Land, you are sure to be damn'd. Whereunto the other made him a shrewd reply, Sir, Til tell you a Tale: There was an old Usurer not far from London, who had train'd up a Dog of his to bring his meat after him in a Hand-basket, so that in time the Shag-dog was so well bred, that his Master us'd to send him by himself to Smithfield Shambles with a basket in his mouth, and a note in the bottom thereof to his Butcher, who accordingly would put in what joint of meat he writ for, and the Dog would carry it handsomely home. It happen'd one day, that as the Dog was carrying a good Shoulder of Mutton home to his Master, he was set upon by a Company of other huge Dogs, who snatch' d away the basket, and fell to the Mutton : The other Dog measuring his own single strength, and finding he was too weak to redeem his Master's Mutton, said within himself (as we read the like of Chrysippus's Dog), Nay, since there is no remedy, you shall be hang'd before you have all ; I will have also my share, and so fell a eating amongst them. I need not, said he, make the application to you, 'tis too obvious, there- fore I intend to have my share also of the Church-Lands.

In that large List of Friends you have left behind you here, I am one who is very sensible that you have thus banish'd

yourself;

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 613

yourself; it is the high Will of Heaven that matters should be thus. Therefore Quod dlvinitus accidit humiliter, quod al homimiui vmliterj'erendum; we must manfully bear what comes from Men, and humbly what comes from above. The Pagan Philosopher tells us, Quod divinitus contingit, homo a se nulla arte dispellet ; there is no fence against that which comes from Heaven, whose Decrees are irreversible.

Your Friends in Fleet-street are all well, both long-coats and short-coats, and so is — Your inalterable Friend to love and serve you, J. H.

9 Nov.

XXXIV.

To Sir J. Tho., Knight. SIR,

THERE is no Request of yours but is equivalent to a Com- mand with me ; and whereas you crave my thoughts touching a late History published by one Mr. Wilson, which relates the Life of K. James, tho' I know for many years your own judgment to be strong and clear enough of itself, yet to comply with your desires, and to oblige you that way another time to me, I will deliver you my opinion.

I cannot deny but the thing is a painful Piece, and pro- ceeds after a handsome method, in drawing on the series and thread of the Story ; but it is easily discernible, that a partial Presbyterian Vein goes constantly throughout the whole Work, and you know it is the Genius of that People to pry more than they should into the Courts and Com- portments of Princes, and take any occasion to traduce and bespatter them : So doth this Writer, who endeavours all along (among other things) to make the world believe that K. James and his Son after him were inclined to Popery, and to bring it into England; whereas I dare avouch, that neither of them entertained the least thought that way, they had as much design to bring in Prester-Jokn as the Pope, or Mahomet as soon as the Mass. This Conceit made the Writer to be subject to many Mistakes and Misrepre-

sensations,

614 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IV.

sentations, which so short a cirpuit as a Letter cannot comprehend.

Yet I will instance in one gross mistake he hath in relating a passage which concerns Sir Elias Hicks, a worthy Knight, and a Fellow-servant of yours and mine. And he doth not only misrepresent the business, but he foully asperseth him with the terms of unworthiness and infamy. The truth of that passage is as followeth, and I had it from very good hands.

In the year 1621, the French King making a general War against them of the Religion, beleaguer' d Montaulan in Person, while the Duke of Espernon blocked up Rochel. The King having lain a good while before the Town, a cunning report was rais'd that Rochel was surrendered ; this report being blown into Montaulan, must needs dishearten them of Rochel, being the prime and tenablest propugnacle they had : Mr. Hicks happened to be then in Rochel, being commended by Sir George Goring to the Marquis de la Force, who was one of them that commanded in chief, and treated Mr. Hicks with much civility, so far as that he took him to be one of his domestic Attendants. The Rochellers had sent two or three special Envoys to Montaulan to ac- quaint them with their good condition, but it seems they all miscarried ; and the Marquis being troubled in his thoughts one day, Mr. Hicks told him, that by God's favour he would undertake and perform the service to Montaulan : Hereupon he was put accordingly in equipage ; so after ten days' journey he came to a place call'd Moysak, where my Lord of Don- caster, afterwards Earl of Carlisle, was in quality of Ambas- sador from England, to observe the French King's proceedings, and to mediate a Peace 'twixt him and the Protestants. At his first Arrival thither, it was his good hap to meet casually with Mr. Peregrin Fairfax, one of the Lord Ambassador's retinue, who had been a former Comrade of his : Among other Civilities he brought Mr. Hicks to wait upon the Ambassador, to whom he had credential Letters from the Assembly of Rochel, acquainting his Lordship with the good state they were in ; Mr. Hicks told him besides, that he was

engag'd

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 615

engag'd to go to Mnutnul-nn as an Envoy from Rochel, to give them true information how matters stood. The Ambassador replied, That it was too great a trust to be put upon so young shoulders: So Mr. Hicks being upon going to the French Army which lay before Montaulan, Mr. Fairfax would n accompany him thither to see the Trenches and Works ; being come thither, they met with one Mr. Tho. Well, that belong'd to the Marshal St. Gerand, \vho lodgM them both in his own Hut that night; and having shew'd them the Batteries and Trenches the day after, Mr. Hicks took notice of one place which lay most open for his design, resolving with himself to pass that way to the Town. He had told Fairfax of his purpose before, who discovering it to Well, Well ask'd him whether he came thither to be hang'd ; for divers were us'd so a little before. The next day Hicks taking his leave of Well, desir*d Fairfax to stay behind ; which he refusing, did ride along with him to the place which Hicks had pointed out the day before for his design, and there Fairfax left him : So having got betwixt the Corps de Gard and the Town, he put spurs to his horse, and waving his pistol above his head, got in, being pursu'd almost to the Walls of the Town by the King's Party. Being enter'd, old Marshal de la Force, who was then in Montaulan, having heard his relations of Rochel, fell on his neck and wept, saying, That he would give 1000 Crowns he were as safely got back to Rochel as he came thither: And having stay'd there three weeks, he, in a sallie that the Town made one Evening, got clear through the Leaguer before Montaulan, as he had formerly done before that of the Duke of Esper- non, and so recoverM Rochel again. But to return to Mr. Fairfax; after he had parted with Mr. Hicks, he was taken prisoner, and threaten'd the rack ; but whether out of the Apprehension thereof, or otherwise, he died a little after of a Fever at Moysac; tho' 'tis true that the Gazettes in Paris do publish that he died of the torture, with the French Mercury since,

Mr. Hicks being return'd to London, was questioned by

Sir

616 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IV.

Sir Ferdinando Fairfax for his Brother's death : Thereupon Mr. Welb being also come back to London, who was upon the very place where these things happen'd in France, Mr. Hicks brought him along with him to Sir Ferdinand's Lodgings, who did positively affirm that Mr. Hicks had communicated his design to Mr. Peregrin Fairfax (and that he reveaPd it first to him) ; so he did fairly vindicate Mr. Hicks, wherewith Sir Ferdinand remained fully satisfied, and all his Kindred.

Whosoever will observe the carriage and circumstance of this Action, will needs confess that Mr. Hicks (now Sir Elias Hicks) did comport himself like a worthy Gentleman from the beginning to the end thereof : The design was generous, the conduct of it discreet, and the conclusion very pros- perous, in regard it preserv'd both Montaulan and Rochet for that time from the fury of the Enemy; for the King rais'd his siege a little after from before the one, and Esper- non from before the other. Therefore it cannot be deny'd but that the said Writer (who so largely intitles his Book the History of Great Britain, tho' it be but the particular Reign of K. James only) was very much to blame for brand- ing so well a deserving Gentleman with infamy and un- worthiness, which are the words he pleaseth to bestow upon him ; and I think he would willingly recant and retract his rash censure were he now living, but Death pressed him away before the Press had done with his Book, whereof he may be said to have dy'd in Child-bed.

So presenting herewith unto you my hearty respects and love, endear'd and strengthened by so long a tract of time, I rest — Your faithful true Servant, J. H.

.) 9 Nov.

i

XXXV.

To Mr. R. Lewis, in Amsterdam. COUSIN,

FOUND yours of the first of February in the Post-house, as I casually had other business there, else it had mis-

carry'd ;

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 617

carry'd ; I pray be more careful of your directions hereafter. I much thank you for the aviso's you sent me how matters pass thereabouts : Methinks that Amsterdam begins to smell rank of a Hans Town, as if she would be independent and paramount over the rest of the Confederate Provinces ; she hath some reason in one respect, because Holland contributes three parts of five, and Amsterdam herself near upon the one moiety of those three parts, to maintain the Land and Naval Forces of the States-General. That Town likewise, as I hear, begins to compare with Penice, but let her stay there a while ; yet she may in some kind do it, for their situation and beginning have been alike, being both in- dented with Waters, and both Fisher-Towns at first.

But I wonder at one news you write me, that Amsterdam should fall on repairing and beautifying Churches, whereas the news here is clean contrary ; for while you adorn your Churches there, we destroy them here. Among other, poor Paul's looks like a great Skeleton, so pitifully handled, that you may tell her ribs thro* her skin ; her body looks like the Hulk of a huge Portugal Carake, that having cross'd the Line twelve times, and made three Voyages into the East-Indies, lies rotting upon the Strand. Truly I think not Turk or Tartar, or any Creature except the Devil him- self, would have us'd Paul's in that manner : You know that once a Stable was made a Temple, but now a Temple is become a Stable among us. Proh superi ! quantum mortalia pectora Ccecae Noctis habent.

There are strange Heteroclites in Religion now-a-days; among whom, some of them may be said to endeavour the exalting of the Kingdom of Christ, in lifting it upon Belze- bub's back, by bringing in so much Profaneness to avoid Superstition. God deliver us from Atheism, for we are within one step of it ; and touching Judaism, some corners of our City smell as rank of it as yours doth there.

I pray be punctual in your returns hereafter ; for, as you say well and wittily, Letters may be said to be the chief est Organs (tho' they have but Paper-pipes) through which

Friendship

618 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IV.

Friendship doth use to breathe and operate. For my part, I shall not be wanting to set those Organs a working for the often conveyance of my best Affections unto you. Sir T. Williams, with his choice Lady, How over through the same Pipe their kind respects unto you, and so do divers of your Friends besides ; but 'specially, my dear Cousin — Yours,

j. H.

Lend., $Jan.

XXXVI.

To J. Anderson, Esq. SIR,

YOU have been often at me (tho' I know you to be a Protestant so in grain, that all the Water of the Tyler is not able to make you change colour) that I should impart to you in Writing what I observ'd commendable and discom- mendable in the Roman Church, because I had eaten my Bread often in those Countries where that Religion is pro- fess'd and practis'd in the greatest height. Touching the second part of your request, I need not say anything to it ; for there be Authors enough in our Church to inform you about the Positions and Tenets wherein we differ, and for which we blame them. Concerning the Jirst part, I will give you a short intimation what I noted to be praise-worthy and imitable in point of practice.

The Government of the Roman Church is admirable, being moulded with as much Policy as the Wit of Man can reach unto ; and there must be Civil Policy as well as Ecclesiasti- cal us'd to keep such a world of People of several Nations and Humours in one Religion : ThoJ at first when the Church extended but to one Chamber, then to one House, after to one Parish, then to one Province, such Policy was not so requisite. For the Church of Christ may be compared to his Person in point of degrees of growing ; and as that Coat which serv'd him in his Childhood, could not fit him in his Youth, nor that of his Youth when he was come to his Manhood, no more would the same Government (which

compar'd

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 619

compar'cl to the Fundamentals of Faith, that are still the same, are but as'outward garments) fit all 4ges of the Church, in regard of those millions of Accidents that used to attend Time, and the mutable humours of Men. Insomuch that it was a wholesome caution of an ancient Father, Distinguas inter tempera, & concordalis cum Scriptura. This Govern- ment is like a great Fabric rear'd up with such exact rules of Art and Architecture, that the Foundation, the Roof, Sides, and Angles, with all the other parts, have such a dependence of mutual support by a rare contignation, con- cinnity, and intendings one in the other, that if you take out but one Stone, it hazards the downfall of the whole Edifice. This makes me think that the Church of Rome would be content to part with, and rectify some things, if it might not endanger the Ruin of the whole ; which puts the World in despair of an Oecumenical Council again.

The Uniformity of this Fabric is also to be admir'd, which is such as if it were but one entire continued homo- geneous Piece : For put case a Spaniard should go to Poland, and a Pole should travel to the furthest part of Spain, whereas all other objects may seem ne'er so strange to them in point of Lodging, Language, and Diet, tho* the Com- plexion and Faces, the Behaviour, Garb, and Garments of Men, Women, and Children, be differing, together with the very Air and Clime of the place; tho* all things seem strange unto them, and so somewhat uncouth and comfort- less; yet when they go to God's House in either Country, they may say they are there at home: For nothing differs there either in Language, Worship, Service, or Ceremony; which must needs be an unspeakable comfort to either of them.

Thirdly, It must needs be a commendable thing that they keep their Churches so cleanly and amiable, for the Dwellings of the Lord of Hosts should be so : To which end your greatest Ladies will rise before day sometimes in their Night-clothes to fall a sweeping some part of the Church, and decking it with flowers, as I heard Count Go?idomar's Wife us'd to do here at Ely-House Chapel;

besides,

620 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IV.

besides, they keep them in constant repair, so that if but a quarry of glass chance to be broken, or the least stone be out of square, 'tis presently mended. Moreover, their Churches stand wide open early and late, inviting, as it were, all Comers ; so that a poor troubled soul may have Access thither at all hours to breathe out the Pantings of his Heart, and Ejaculations of his Soul either in Prayer or Praise : Nor is there any exception of persons in their Churches, for the Cooler will kneel with the Count, and the Laundress gig by geoul with her Lady ; there being no Pews there to cause pride and envy, contentions and quarrels, which are so rife in our Churches.

The comely prostrations of the body, with genuflection, and other Acts of Humility in time of divine Service, are very exemplary : Add hereunto, that the Reverence they shew to the holy Function of the Church is wonderful; Princes and Queens will not disdain to kiss a Capuchin's Sleeve, or the Surplice of a Priest. Besides, I have seen the greatest and beautifull'st young Ladies go to Hospitals, where they not only dress, but lick the sores of the sick.

Furthermore, the conformity of Seculars, and resignment of their Judgments to the Governors of the Church, are remarkable. There are not such Scepticks and Cavillers there, as in other places ; they humbly believe that Lazarus was three days in the grave, without questioning where his Soul was all the while ; nor will they expostulate how a Man who was born blind from his Nativity, should pre- sently know the shapes of Trees, whereunto he thought the first Men he ever saw were like, after he receiv'd sight. Add hereunto, that they esteem for Church-preferments most commonly a Man of a pious good disposition, of a meek spirit, and godly life, more than a Learned Man, that is either a great Linguist, Antiquary, or Philosopher; and the first is advanced sooner than the latter.

Lastly, They think nothing too good or too much for God's House j or for his Ministers ; no Place too sweet, no Buildings too stately for them, being of the best Profession.

The

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 621

The most curious Artists will employ the best of tlu-ir to compose Hymns and Anthems for God's House, 6*c.

But methinks I hear you say, that you acknowledge all this to be commendable, were it not that it is accompanied with an odd opinion that they think to merit thereby, ac- counting them Works of Supererogation.

Truly, Sir, I have discours'd with the greatest Magnifiers of meritorious Works, and the chiefest of them made me this Comparison, that the Blood of Christ is like a great Vessel of Wine, and all the Merits of Men, whether active or passive, were it possible, must be put into that great Vessel, and so must needs be made Wine ; not that the Water hath any inherent Virtue of itself, to make itself so, but as it receives it from the Wine.

It is reported of Cosmo de Medici, that having built a goodly Church, with a Monastery thereunto annex'd, and two Hospitals, with other Monuments of Piety, and endow'd 'em with large Revenues; as one did much magnify him for these extraordinary Works, for which doubtless he merited a high reward in Heaven, he answered, 'Tis true, I employed much Treasure that way, yet when I look over my Ledger- Book of Accounts, I do not find that God Almighty is indebted to me one Penny, but I am still in the arrear to him.

Add hereunto the sundry ways of mortification they have by frequent long fastings, and macerations of the flesh by their retiredness, their abandoning the World, and sequestra- tions from all mundane Affairs; their notable humility in the distribution of their Alms, which they do not use to hurl away in a kind of scorn as others do, but by putting it gently into the beggar's hand.

Some shallow-pated Puritan, in reading this, will shoot his bolt, and presently cry me up to have a Pope in my belly ; but you know me otherwise, and there's none knows my intrinsecals better than you. We are come to such tinu-s, that if any would maintain those Decencies, and humble Postures, those Solemnities and Rites which should be practis'd in the holy House of God (and Holiness becomes

his

622 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IV.

his House for ever), nay, if one passing through a Church should put off his hat, there is a giddy and malignant race of People (for indeed they are the true Malignant s) who will give out that he is running post to Rome ; notwithstanding that the Religion establish' d by the Laws of Engla?id did ever allow of them ever since the Reformation began, yet you know how few have run thither Nay, the Lutherans, who use far more Ceremonies symbolizing with those of Rome, than the English Protestants ever did, keep still their dis- tance, and are as far from her now as they were at first.

England had lately (thoj to me it seems a great while since) the Face and Form, the Government and Gravity, the Constitutions and Comeliness of a Church; for she had something to keep herself handsome ; she had wherewith to be hospitable, and do Deeds of Charity, to build Alms-houses, Free-schools, and Colleges, which had been very few in this Island, had there been no Church-Benefactors : She had brave degrees of Promotion to incite industry, and certainly the conceit of Honour is a great encouragement to Virtue : Now, if all Professions have steps of Rising, why should Divinity, the best of all Professions, be without them ? The Apprentice doth not think it much to wipe his Master's shoes, and sweep the gutters, because he hopes one day to be an Alderman : The common Soldier carrieth hopes in his Knap- sack, to be one day a Captain or Colonel : The Student in the Inns of Courts turns over Ploydon with more alacrity, and tugs with that crabbed study of the Law, because he hopes one day to be a Judge : So the Scholar thought his labour sweet, because he was buoy'd up with hopes that he might be one day a Bishop, Dean, or Canon. This comely subordination of Degrees we once had, and we had a visible conspicuous Church, to whom all other Reformists gave the upper hand ; but now she may be said to have crept into corners, and fallen to such a contempt, that she dares scarce shew her face. Add hereunto what various kinds of con- fusions she is involved in ; so that it may be not improperly

said,

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 623

said, while she thought to run away so eagerly from Babylon, she is fallen into a Babel of all Opinions: Insomuch that they who came lately from Italy say, how Rome gives out, that when Religion is lost in England, she will be glad to come to Rome again to find one out, and that she danceth all this while in a circle.

Thus have I endeavoured to satisfy your Importunity as far as a sheet of paper could reach, to give you a touch what may be not only allowable but laudable, and consequently imitable in the Roman Church ; for

Fas tst &• ab Host* doctri.

But I desire you would expound all with the same sense wherewith I know you abound; otherwise I would not be so free with you upon this ticklish subject : Yet I have cause to question your Judgment in one thing, because you magnify so much my talent in your last. Alas, Sir, a small Handkerchief is enough to hold mine, whereas a large Table- Cloth can hardly contain that rich Talent which I find God and Nature hath intrusted you withal. In which opinion I rest always — Your ready and real Servant, J. H.

Lond.t 3 July.

XXXVII.

To Doctor Harvey, at St. Lawrence Poultney. SIR,

I REMEMBER well you pleas'd not only to pass a favour- able censure, but give a high character of the first part of Dodona9s Grove ; which makes this Second to come and wait on you, which, I dare say, for variety of fancy, is nothing inferior to the first. It continueth an historical Account of the Occurrences of the Times in an allegorical way, under the shadow of Trees; and I believe it omits not any material passage which happen'd as far as it goes. If you please to spend some of the parings of your time, and fetch a walk in this Grove, you may haply find therein some recreation : And if it be true what the Ancients write of

some

624 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book

some Trees, that they are fatidical, these come to foretell, at leastwise to wish you, as the season invites me, a good New- year, according to the Italian compliment, Buon principio, miglior mezzo, ed ottimo fine. With these wishes of happi- ness in all the three degrees of comparison, I rest — Your devoted Servant, J. H.

Lond., 2 Jan.

XXXVIII.

To R. Bowyer, Esq.

SIR,

TRECEIVT) yours of the tenth current, where I made X a new Discovery, finding therein one Argument of your Friendship, which you never urg'd before ; for you give me a touch of my failings in point of literal corre- spondence with you. To this give me leave to answer, That he who hath glass-windows of his own, should take care how he throws stones at those of his Neighbours. We have both of us our failings that way, witness else yours of the last of May, to mine of the first of March before ; but it is never over-late to mend : Therefore I begin, and do penance in this white sheet for what is past ; I hope you will do the like, and so we may absolve one another without a ghostly Father.

The French and Spaniard are still at it like two Cocks of the game, both of them pitifully bloodied ; and 'tis thought they will never leave, till they peck out one another's eyes. They are daily seeking new Alliances to fortify themselves, and the quarrel is still so hot, that they would make a league with Lucifer to destroy one another.

For home news, the freshest is, that whereas in former times there were complaints that Churchmen were Justices of Peace, now the clean contrary way, Justices of the Peace are become Churchmen; for by a new dot of that Thing in Westminster call'd a Parliament, the power of giving in Marriage is pass'd over to them, which is an Ecclesiastical Rite everywhere else throughout the World.

A

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 625

A Cavalier coming lately to a Bookseller's shop, desirM to buy this Matrimonial 4ct, with the rest of that holy Parliament, but he would have them all bound in CalPs Leather, bought out of Mr Baritone's Shop in Fleet-street.

The soldiers have a great spleen to the Lawyers, insomuch that they threaten to hang up their Gowns among the Scots Colours in West minster-hall ; but their chiefest aim is at the regulation of the Chancery, for they would have the same Tribunal to have the power of Justice and Equity, as the same Apothecary's shop can afford us Purges and Cordials. So with my kind and cordial respects unto you, I rest — Your entire and truly affectionate Servant, J. H.

Lond.) 9 Nov.

XXXIX.

To Mr. J. B., at his House in St. Nicholas Lane.

SIR,

WHEN I exchanged speeches with you last, I found (yet more by your discourse than countenance) that your spirits were towards a kind of ebb, by reason of the interruption and stop which these confused Times have put to all mercantile Negotiations both at home and abroad. Truly Sir, when after a serious recollection I had ruminated upon what had dropp'd from you then, I extremely wondered, which I should not have done at another ; in regard since the first time I had the advantage of your Friendship, I discovered that you were naturally of generous and freeborn thoughts. I have found also, that by a rare industry you have stor'd up a rich stock of Philosophy, and other parts of Prudence ; which induc'd me to think that no worldly Revolution, or any cross-winds, tho* never so violent, no not a Hurricane could trouble the Calm of your Mind. There- fore to deal freely with you, you are not the same Man I took you for.

I confess 'tis a passive Age, and the stoutness of the prudent'st and most philosophical Men were never put to

2 R such

626 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IV.

such a trial. I thank God, the School of Affliction hath brought me to such a habit of Patience, it hath caus'd in me such symptoms of Mortification, that I can value this World as it is. It is but a vale of Troubles, and we who are in it are like so many Ants trudging up and down about a Mole-hill. Nay, at best we are but as so many Pilgrims, or Passengers travelling on still towards another Country : 'Tis true, that some do find the way thither more smooth and fair; they find it flowry, and tread upon Camomile all along : Such may be said to have their Paradise here, or to sail still in Fortune's sleeve, and to have the wind in the poop all the while, not knowing what a storm means ; yet both the Divine and Philosopher do rank these among the most unfortunate of men. Others there are who in their journey to their last home do meet with rocks and craggs, with ill-favour'd sloughs and bogs, and divers deep and dirty passages. For my part I have already pass'd through many such, and must expect to meet with more : Therefore you also by your various Adventures, and Negotiations in the world, must not think to escape them ; you must make account to meet with encumbrances and disasters, with mis- chances and crosses. Now 'twas a brave generous saying of a great Armenian Merchant, who having understood how, a Vessel of his was cast away, wherein there was laden a rich Cargazon upon his sole Account, he struck his hand on his breast, and said, My Heart, I thank God, is still afloat, my Spirits shall not si?ik with the Ship, nor go an Inch lower.

But why do I write to you of Patience and Courage ? In doing .this, I do no otherwise than Phormio did, when he discoursed of War before Hannibal : I know you have Pru- dence enough to cheer up and instruct yourself; only let me tell you, that you superabound with fancy, you have more of mind than of body, and that sometimes you over- charge the Imagination, by musing too much upon the odd traverses of the World: Therefore I pray rouse up your Spirits, and reserve yourself for better times, that I may long enjoy the sweetness of your Friendship; for the Ele- ments

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 627

ments arc the more pleasing to me, because you live with me amongst them. So God send you such tranquillity of thoughts as I wish. — Your true Friend, J. H.

5 April*

XL.

To Major J. Walker, in Coventry. SIR,

I HEARTILY congratulate your return to England, and that you so safely cross'd the Scythian rale; for so old Gildas calls the Irish Seas, in regard they are so boisterous and rough. I understand you have been in sundry hot and hazardous encounters, because of those many scars and cuts you wear about you ; and as Tom Dawson told me, it was no less than a miracle that none of them were mortal, being eleven in all. It makes me think on a witty compli- ment that Captain Miller put upon the Persian Ambassador when he was here, who showing him many Wounds that he had received in the Wars against the Turk, the Captain said, That his Lordship's skin after his death would yield little money, because it had so many holes in it.

1 find the same Fate hangs o'er the Irish, as befell the old Britons here; for as they were hemm'd in among the Welsh Mountains, so the Irish are like now to be all kennell'd in Connaught. We see daily strange revolutions, and God knows what the issue will be at last ; howsoever, let us live and love one another, in which resolution I rest — Entirely yours, J. H.

2 May.

XLI.

To Mr. T. C., at his House upon Tower-hill. SIR,

TO inaugurate a good and jovial New-year to you, I send you a morning's draught, viz., a Bottle of Metheglin. Neither Sir John Early-corn or Bacchus had anything to do with it, but it is the pure juice of the Bee, the laborious

Bee,

628 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IV.

Bee, and King of Insects. The Druids and old British Bards were wont to take a carouse hereof before they enter'd into their Speculations; and if you do so when your Fancy labours with anything, it will do you no hurt, and I know your fancy to be very good.

But this Drink always carries a kind of state with it, for it must be attended with a brown toast; nor will it admit but of one good draught, and that in the morning; if more, it will keep a humming in the head, and so speak too much of the House it comes from, I mean the Hive, as I gave a caution elsewhere : And because the bottle might make more haste, I have made it go upon these poetick feet :

J. H. T. C. Salutem, 6° annum Platonicum.

Non Vitis, sed Apis succum tibi mitto bibendum. Quern legimus Bardos olim potasse Britannos. Qualibet in bacca Vitis Megera latescit, Qualibet in gutta Mellis Aglaia nitet.

The juice qfBees, not Bacchus, here behold, Which British Bards were wont to quaff of old ; The Berries of the Grape with Furies swell. But in the Honeycomb the Graces dwell.

This alludes to a saying which the Turks have, that there lurks a devil in every berry of the Vine. So I wish you as cordially as to myself an auspicious and joyful New-year, because you know I am — Your truly affectionate Servitor,

J.H.

XLII.

To Sir E. S. SIR,

AT my return to Lo?idon, I found two of yours that lay in bank for me, which were as welcome to me as the New-year, and as pleasing as if two Pendants of Orient Pearl had been sent to a French Lady: But your Lines, methought, did cast a greater lustre than any such Muscle- leads ; for they displayed the whiteness of a comely and

knowing

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 629

knowing Soul, which reflecting upon my Faculties did much enlighten them with the choice notions I found therein.

I thank you for the Absolution you send me for what's past, and for your other Invitation: But I have observ'd a civility they use in Italy and Spain, not to visit a sick person too often, for fear of putting him to waste his spirits by talk, which they say spends much of the inward man. But when you have recover'd yourself, as I hope you will do with the season, I shall return to kiss your hands, and your feet also, could I ease you of that podagrical pain which afflicts you.

I send you a thousand thanks for your kind Acceptance of that small New-year's Gift I sent, and that you concur with divers others in a good opinion of it. So I rest — Your own true Servant, J. H.

Lond., 18 Feb.

XLIII.

To the truly honoured the Lady Sibylla Brown, at her

House near Sherburn. MADAM,

WHEN I had the Happiness to wait upon you at your being in London, there was a Dispute rais'd about the ten Sibyls by one, who, your Ladyship knows, is no great Friend to Antiquity; and I was glad to apprehend this opportunity to perform the promise you drew from me then, to vent something upon this subject for your Lady- ship's satisfaction.

Madam, in these peevish times, which may be call'd the Rust of the Iron Age, there is a race of cross-grain'd People, who are malevolent to all Antiquity. If they read an old Author, it is to quarrel with him, and find some hole in his coat ; they slight the Fathers of the primitive Times, and prefer John Calvin, or a Casaubon before them all. Among other tenets of the first times, they hold the ten Sihjls to be fictitious and fabulous, and no better than Urganda, or the Lady of the Lake, or such doting beldams. They suck not to term their Predictions of Christ to be mere Mock- Oracles,

630 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IV.

Oracles, and odd arrepititious frantick Extravagancies. They cry out, that they were forg'd and obtruded on the World by some officious Christians, to procure credit and counte- nance to their Religion among the Pagans.

For my part, Madam, I am none of this incredulous per- verse race of men ; but what the current and concurrent testimonies of the primitive Times do hold forth, I give credit thereto without any scruple.

Now touching the Works of the Sibyls, they were in high request among the Fathers of the first four Centuries, in- somuch that they us'd to urge their Prophecies for the Conversion of Pagans, who therefore calPd the Christians Silyllianists, nor did they hold it a word of reproach. They were all Virgins, and for reward of their chastity, 'twas thought they had the gift of Prophecy; not by any endow- ment of Nature, or inherent human Quality, or ordinary Ideas in the Soul, but by pure divine Inspirations, not de- pending on second Causes in sight. They spake not like the ambiguous Pagan Oracles in riddles, but so clearly, that they sometimes go beyond the Jewish Prophets; they were callM Siolulce, that is, of the Counsels of God ; Sios, in the Eolic Dialect, being Deus. They were preferred before all the Chaldean Wizards, before the Bacides, Branchidce, and others; as also before Tyresias, Manto, Matis, or Cassandra, &c.

Nor did the Christians only value them at that height, but the most learned among the Ethniks did so, as Varro, Livy, and Cicero ; the first being the greatest Antiquary, the second the greatest Historian, and the third the greatest Orator, that ever Rome had ; who speak so much of that famous Acrostick that one of them made of the Name of our Saviour, which sure could not be the work of a Christian, as some would maliciously obtrude, it being so long before the Incarnation.

But for the better discharge of my engagement to your Ladyship, I will rank all the ten before you, with some of their most signal Predictions.

The Silyls were ten in number, whereof there were- five born in Europe, to wit, Sibylla Delphica, Cumcea, Samia,

Cumana,

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 631

Cumana, and Tyiurtinu ; the rest were born in Asia and Africa.

The first was a Persian callM Samberthe, who plainly fore- told many hundred years before, in these Words, The Womb of the Virgin shall be the Salvation of the Gentiles, &c.

The second was Sibylla Lybica, who among other Prophe- cies hath this, The day shall come that Men shall see the King of all living things, and a Virgin Lady of the World shall hold him in her lap.

The third was Delphica, who saith, A Prophet shall be born of a Virgin.

The fourth was Sibylla Cumcea, born in Campania in Italy, who hath these words, that God s/iall be born of a Virgin, and converse with sinners.

The fifth was the famous Erythrcea, born at Babylon, who composed that famous Acrostick which St. Augustine took so much pains to translate into Latin. Which begins, The Earth shall sweat signs of Judgment •, from Heaven shall come a King who shall reign for ever, viz., in human Flesh, to the end that by his presence he may judge the world. A River of Fire and Brimstone shall fall from Heaven, the Sun and Stars shall lose their light, the Firmament shall be dissolved, and the Moon shall be darkened; a Trumpet shall sound from Heaven in woful and terrible manner : And the opening of Earth shall discover confused and dark Hell; and before the Judge shall come every King, &c.

The sixth was Sibylla Samia, who saith, He being rich9 shall be born of a poor Maid : The Creatures of the Earth shall adore him, and praise him for ever.

The seventh was Cumana, who saith, That he should come from Heaven, and reign here in poverty ; he should rule in silence, and be born of a Virgin.

The eighth was Sibylla Hellespont™, who foretells plainly that A Woman shall descend of the Jews, call'd Mary, and of her shall be born the Son of God, and that without carnal copulation, &c.

The ninth was Phrygia, who saith, The highest shall come

from

632 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IV.

from Heaven, and shall confirm the Counsel in Heaven ; and a Virgin shall le shewed in the tallies of the Desarts, &c.

The tenth was Tilurtina, born near Tyler, who saith, The invisible Word shall le born of a Virgin, he shall converse with sinners, and shall of them le despised, &c.

Moreover, St. Austin reciteth these Prophecies following of the Sibyls : Then he shall le taken ly the wicked hands of Infidels, and they shall give him buffets on his face, they shall spit upon him with their foul and accursed mouths, he shall turn unto them his shoulders, suffering them to le whipped : He also shall le crown'd with thorns ; they shall give him gall to eat and vinegar to drink : Then the veil of the Temple shall rend, and at mid-day it shall le dark night, &c.

Lactantius relateth these Prophecies of theirs, He shall raise the dead, the impotent and lame shall go, the deaf shall hear, the Hind shall see, and the dumb speak, &c.

In fine, out of the works of the Sibyls may be deduced a good part of the Miracles and Sufferings of Christ ; there- fore for my part I will not cavil with Antiquity/ or traduce the primitive Church, but I think I may believe without danger, that those Sibyls might be select instruments to announce the dispensations of Heaven to Mankind. Nor do I see how they do the Church of God any good service or advantage at all, who question the truth of their Writings (as also Trismegistus his Pymandra, and Aristceus, &c), which have been handed over to posterity as incontroulable truths for so many Ages.

Thus, Madam, have I done something of that task you impos'd upon me touching the ten Sibyls ; whereunto I may well add your Ladyship for the eleventh : For among other things I remember you foretold confidently that the Scottish Kirk would destroy the English Church ; and that if the Hierarchy went down, Monarchy would not be of long continuance.

Your Ladyship I remember foretold also, how those un- happy Separatists the Puritans would bring all things at last into a confusion, who since are calPd Presbyterians, or Jews

of

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 633

of the New Testament; and they not improperly may be call'd so, for they sympathize much with that Nation in a revengeful sanguinary humour and thirsting after blood. I could produce a cloud of examples, but let two suffice.

There liv'd a few years before the Long Parliament near Clun-Castle in Wales, a good old Widow that had two sons grown to Men's estate, who having taken the holy Sacra- ment on a first Sunday in the month, at their return home they enter'd into a dispute touching their manner of receiv- ing it. The eldest Brother, who was an orthodox Protestant (with the Mother) held it was very fitting, it being the highest act of devotion, that it should be taken in the humblest posture that could be, upon the knees; the other, being a Puritan, oppos'd it, and the dispute grew high, but it ended without much heat. The next day being both come home to dinner from their business abroad, the eldest Brother, as it was his custom, took a nap upon a cushion at the end of the table, that he might be more fresh for labour. The Puritan Brother, call'd Enoch Evans, spying his oppor- tunity, fetch'd an axe, which he had provided it seems on purpose, and stealing softly to the table, he chopp'd off his Brother's head : The old Mother hearing a noise, came sud- denly from the next room, and there found the body and head of her eldest Son both asunder, and reaking in hot Blood : 0 Villain ! cried she, hast thou murdered thy Brother ? Yes, quoth he, and you shall after him; and so striking her down, he dragg'd her body to the threshold of the door, and there chopp'd off her head also, and put them both in a bag: But thinking to fly, he was apprehended and brought before the next Justice of Peace, who chanced to be Sir Robert Howard; so the Murderer the Assizes after was condemned, and the Law could but only hang him, tho' he had committed Matricide and Fratricide.

I will fetch another example of their cruelty from Scotland. The late Marquis of Montrose, being betray'd by a Lord in whose house he lay, was brought prisoner of War to Edin- burgh ; there the common Hangman met him at the Towns- end,

634 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IV.

end, and first pull'd off his hat, then he forc'd him up to a Cart, and hurried him like a condemned person, tho' he had not yet been arraign'd, much less convicted, through the great street, and brought him before the Parliament; where being presently condemned, he was posted away to the Gallows, which was above thirty Foot high. There his hand was cut off first, then he was lifted up by pullies to the top, and then hang'd in the most ignominious manner that could be. Being taken down, his head was chopp'd off, and nail'd to the high Cross ; his arms, thighs, and legs, were sent to be set up in several places, and the rest of his body was thrown away, and depriv'd of Christian burial. Thus was this Nobleman us'd, tho' one of the ancient'st Peers of Scot- land, and esteem'd the greatest honour of that Country both at home and abroad. Add hereunto the mortal cruelty they us'd to their young King, with whom they would not treat unless he first acknowledg'd his Father to be a Tyrant, and his Mother an Idolatress, &c.

So I most humbly kiss your hands, and rest always, Madam — Your Ladyship's most faithfully devoted Ser- vant, J. H.

London , 30 Aug.

XLIV.

To Sir. L. D., in Paris. NOBLE KNIGHT,

AMOURS of the 22d current came to safe hand ; but what JL you please to attribute therein to my Letters, may be more properly applied to yours in point of intrinsic value : For by this correspondence with you, I do as our East-India Merchants use to do, I venture beads and other bagatels, out of the proceed whereof I have pearl and other oriental jewels returned me in yours.

Concerning the posture of things here, we are still involved in a cloud of Confusion, 'specially touching Church-matters : A race of odd crack-brain' d Schismatiques do croak in every corner; but, poor things, they rather want a Physician to

cure

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 635

cure them of their madness, than a Divine to confute them of their errors. Such is the height of their spiritual pride, that they make it nothing to interpret every tittle of the Apocalypse; they make a shallow rivulet of it, that one may pass over and scarce wet his ankles; whereas the greatest Doctors of the Church compar'd it to a deep Ford wherein an Elephant might swim. They think they are of the Cabinet-Council of God, and not only know his Attri- butes, but his Essence : Which made me lately break out upon my pillow into these metrical Speculations :

1. If of the smallest Stars in Sky We know not the Dimensity ;

If those bright Sparks which them compost -, The highest mortal Wits do pose,

How then, poor shallow Man, cartst thou

The Maker of these Glories know?

2. If we know not the Air we draw,

Nor what keeps Winds and Waves in awe ; If our small skulls cannot contain The flux and saltness of the Main ;

If scarce a Cause we ken below,

How can we the Supernal know 1

3. Jf it be a mysterious thing

Why Steel should to the Loadstone cling; If we know not why Jett should dt\ And with such kisses hug a Straw ;

If none can truly yet reveal

Hw sympathetic Powders heal:

4. If we scarce know the Earth we tread. Or half the Simples there are bred, With Minerals, and thousand things \VJiichfor Man's health and food she brings ;

#" Nature's so obscure, then how Can we the God of Nature know f

5. What the Bat'* eye is to the Sun, Or of a Gloworm to the Moon,

The

636 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IV.

The same is Human Intellect,

If on our Maker we reflect,

Whose Magnitude is so immense, That it transcends both Soul and Sense.

6. Poor purblind Man, then sit thee still, Let wonderment thy Temples fill ; Keep a due distance, do not pry Too near, lest like the silly Fly,

While she the wanton with the flames doth play, First fries her Wings, then fools her Life away.

There are many things under serious debate in Parliament, whereof the results may be callM yet but the imperfect pro- ductions of a grand Committee ; they may in time come to the maturity of Votes, and so of Acts.

You write that you have the German Diet, which goes forth in my name ; and you say, that you never had more matter for your money. I had valued it the more ever since, in regard that you please to set such a rate upon't: For I know your opinion is current and Sterling. I shall shortly by T. B. send you a new History of Naples, which also did cost me a great deal of oil and labour.

Sir, if there be anything imaginable wherein I may steed or serve you here, you well know what interest and power you may claim both in the Affections of my Heart, and the Faculties of my Soul. I pray be pleas'd to present the humblest of my service to the noble Earl your Brother, and preserve still in your good opinion — Your truly obliged Servant, J. H.

XLV.

To Sir E. S., Knight. SIR,

NOW that the Sun and the Spring advance daily towards us more and more, I hope your health will keep pace with them ; and that the all-searching beams of the first will dissipate that fretful humour, which hath confined you so long to your Chamber, and barr'd you of the use of your

true

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 637

true supporters. But tho' your Toes be slugs, yet your Temples are nimble enough, as I find by your last of the 1 2th current ; which makes me think on a speech of Severus the Emperor, who having lain sick a long time of the Gout at York, and one of his Nobles telling him that he wonder'd much how he could rule so vast an Empire, being so lame and unwieldy, the Emperor answer'd, that He ruTd the Empire with his Brain not with his Feet: So it may be said of you, that you rule the same way the whole State of that Microcosm of yours, for every Man is a little World of himself.

Moreover, I find that the same kind of spirit doth govern your Body as governs the great World, I mean the celestial Bodies : For as the motions whereby they are regu- lated are musical, if we may believe Pythagoras, whom the Tripod pronounced the wisest Man; so a true harmonious Spirit seems to govern you, in regard you are so naturally inclined to the ravishing Art of Musick.

Your Friends here are well, and wish you were so too : For my part, I do not only wish it, but pray it may be so ; for my Life is the sweeter in yours, and I please myself much in being — Your truly faithful Servant, J. H.

i Martii.

XLVI.

To Mr. Sam. Bon, at his House in the Old Jury. SIR,

IRECEI V'D that choice parcel of Tobacco your Servant brought me, for which I send you as many returns of gratitude, as there were grains therein, which were many (and cut all methinks with a Diamond cut), but too few to express my acknowledgment. I had also therewith your most ingenious Letter, which I valued far more : The other was but a potential Fire, only reducible to smoke ; but your Letter did sparkle with actual Fire, for methought there were pure flames of Love and Gentleness waving in every line. The Poets do frequently compare Affection to Fire;

therefore

638 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IV.

therefore whensoever I take any of this Farina, I will imagine that I light my Pipe always at the Flames of your Love.

I also highly thank you for the Italian Manuscripts you sent me of the late Revolutions in Naples, which will infi- nitely advantage me in exposing to the World that Stupen- dous piece of Story. I am in the arrear to you for sundry courtesies more, which shall make me ever entitle myself — Your truly thankful Friend and Servant, J. H.

ffolborti, 3 June.

XLVII.

To W. Sands, Esq. SIR,

THE Calamaties and Confusions which the late Wars did bring upon us were many and manifold, yet England may be said to have gain'd one Advantage by it ; for whereas before she was like an Animal that knew not his own strength, she is now better acquainted with herself, for her Power and Wealth did never appear more both by Land and Sea. This makes France to cringe to her so much. This makes Spain to purchase Peace of her with his Italian Patacoons : This makes the Hollander to dash his colours, and veil his bonnet so low unto her : This makes the Italian Princes, and all other States that have any- thing to do with the Sea, to court her so much. Indeed, touching the Emperor, and the Mediterranean Princes of Germany , whom she cannot reach with her Cannons, they care not much for her.

Nor indeed was the true Art of governing England known till now ; the Sword is the surest sway over all People, who ought to be cudgelPd rather than cajol'd to obedience, if upon a glut of plenty and peace they should forget it. There is not such a windy wavering thing in the world as the common People ; they are got ty an Apple, and lost for a Pear; the Elements themselves are not more inconstant: So that it is the worst solecism in Government for a Prince to depend merely upon their Affections. Riches and long

Rest

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 639

Rest make them insolent and wanton : It was not Tarqnin's wantonness so much as the People's, that ejected Kings in Rome; it was the People's Concupiscence, as much as Don Rodrigo's Lust, that brought the Moors into Spain, &c.

Touching the Wealth of England, it never also appeared so much by public Erogations and Taxes, which the Long Parliament rais'd : Insomuch, that it may be said the last King was beaten by his own Image more than anything else. Add hereunto, that the World stands in Admiration of the capacity and docibleness of the English, that Persons of ordinary Breeding, Extraction, and Callings, should be- come Statesmen and Soldiers, Commanders and Counsellors, both in the Art of War and Mysteries of State, and know the use of the Compass in so short a tract of time.

I have many thanks to give you for the Spanish Discourse you pleas'd to send me; at our next conjuncture I shall give you an Account of it : in the interim I pray let me have still a small corner in your thoughts, while you possess a large room in mine, and ever shall while JAM. HOWKL.

XLVIII.

To the R. H. theE.ofS. MY LORD,

SINCE my last, that which is the greatest Subject of our discourses and hopes here, is the Issue of our Treaty with the Dutch : It is a piece that hath been a good while on the Anvil, but it is not hammered yet to any shape. The Parliament likewise hath many things in debate, which may be calPd yet but Embryo's, in time they may be hatch'd into Acts.

The Pope, they write, hath been of late dangerously sick, but hath been cur'd in a strange way by a young Padua Doctor, who having kilPd a lusty young Mule, clapp'd the Patient's Body naked in the Paunch thereof; by which gentle fomentation he recovered him of the Tumours he had in his Knees and elsewhere.

Donna Olympia sways most, and hath the highest ascen- dant

640 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IV.

dant over him ; so that a Gentleman writes to me from Rome, that among other Pasquils this was one, Papa magis amat Olympiam quam Olympum. He writes of another, That the Bread being not long since grown scant, and made coarser than ordinary by reason of the Tax that his Holiness laid upon Corn, there was a Pasquil fix'd upon a corner- stone of his Palace, Beatissime Pater, fac ut hi lapidesjiant panes; O blessed Father, grant that these Stones be made Bread. But it was an odd Character that our Country- man Dr. B. gave lately of him, who being turn'd Roman Catholic, and expecting a Pension, and having one day attended his Holiness a long time about it, he at last broke away suddenly ; a Friend of his asking, why ? he replied, It is to no purpose for me to stay longer, for I know he will give me nothing, because I find by his Physiognomy that he hath a negative Face. 'Tis true, he is one of the hard-favoured' st Popes that sat in the Chair a great while ; so that some call him L'Huomo de tre pele, The Man with three Hairs; for he hath no more Beard upon his Chin.

St. Mark is still tugging with the great Turk, and hath bang'd him ill-favouredly this Summer in Dalmatia by Land, and before the Dardanelll by Sea.

Whereas your Lordship writes for my Lustra Ludovici^ or the History of the last French King and his Cardinal, I shall ere long serve your Lordship with one of a new Edition, and with some Enlargements. I humbly thank your Lordship for the favourable, and indeed too high a character you please to give of my Survey of Venice; yet there are some who would detract from it, and (which I believe your Lordship will something wonder at) they are Cavaliers, but the shallowest and silliest sort of them ; and such may well deserve the epithet of Malignants. So I humbly kiss your hands in quality of — Your Lordship's most obedient and ever obliged Servant, J. H.

XLIX.

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 641

XLIX.

To the R. H. the Earl Rivers, at his House in Queen-street.

MY LORD,

THK least command of yours is enough to set all my Intellectuals on work ; therefore I have done some- thing, as your Lordship shall find herewith, relating to that gallant Piece call'd The Gallery of Ladies, which my Lord Marquis of Winchester (your Brother) hath set forth.

Upon the glorious Work of the Lord Marquis of Winchester.

1. *T^HE World of Ladies must be honoured muck, •*• That so sublime a Personage, that such

A noble Peer, and Pen, should thus display Their Virtues, and expose them to the day.

2. His Praises are like those coruscant Beams Which Phoebus on high Rocks of Crystal streams : The Matter and the Agent grace each other,

So Danae did when Jove made her a Mother.

3. Queens, Countesses and Ladies, go unlock Your Cabinets, draw forth your richest stock Of Jewels, and his Coronet adorn

With Rubies, Pearl, and Saphires yet unworn.

4. Rise early, gather Flowers now T tK Spring, Twist wreaths of Laurel, and fresh Garlands bring To crown the Temples of this high-born Peer,

And make him your Apollo all the year : And when his Soul shall leave this earthly Mine, Then offer sacrifice unto his Shrine.

I send also the Elegy upon the late Earl of Dorset, which your Lordship spake of so much when I waited on you last ; and I believe your Lordship will find therein every Inch of that noble Peer characteris'd inwardly and outwardly.

2 s An

642 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IV.

An ELEGY upon the most accomplish'd and heroick Lord, J&dward Earl of Dorset, Lord-Chamberlain to his late Majesty of Great Britain, and Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter, &c.

Alluding to -

The Quality of the Times.

His admired Perfections.

His goodly Person.

His ancient Pedigree.

His Coat of Arms crested with a Star.

The Condition of Mortality.

The Author's Passion, closing with an Epitaph.

KRDS have been long declining (we well know) And making their last Testament ; but now They are defunct, they are extinguish'd all, And never like to rise by this Lord's fall : A Lord whose Intellectuals alone Might make a House of Peers, and prop a Throne, Had not so dire a Fate hung o'er the Crown, That Privilege Prerogative should drown.

Where-e'er he sat, he sway'd, and Courts did awe, Gave Bishops Gospel, and the Judges Law, With such exalted reasons, which did flow So clear and strong, that made Astrea bow To his Opinion ; for where he did side, Advantag'd more than half the Bench beside.

But is great Sackville dead ? Do we him lack, And will not all the Elements wear black ? Whereof he was compos'd, a perfect Man, As ever Nature in one frame did span : Such high-born Thoughts, a Soul so large and free, So clear a Judgment, and vast Memory, So princely, hospitable, and brave Mind, We must not think in haste on "earth to find, Unless the Times would turn to Gold again, And Nature get new strength in forming Men.

His Person with it such a State did bring, That made a Court as if he had been King.

No

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 643

No wonder, since he was so near a-kin

To Norfollts Duke, and the great Maiden-Queen.

He Courage had enough by conqu'ring one, To have confounded that whole Nation : Those Parts which single do in some appear, Were all concentred here in one bright Sphere.

For Brain, Tongue, Spirit, Heart, and Personage, To mould up such a Lord will ask an Age. But how durst pale white-liver'd Death seize on So dauntless and heroic a Champion ? Yes, to die once is that uncancell'd debt Which Nature claims, and raiseth by Eschet On all Mankind, by an old Statute past Primo Adami, which will always last Without Repeal ; nor can a second Lease Be had of Life when the first Term doth cease. Mount noble Soul, among the Stars take place, And make a new one of so bright a Race : Mxy Jove out-shine, that Venus still may be In a benign Conjunction with Thee, To check that Planet which on Lords hath lour'd, And such malign Influxes lately pour'd. Be now a Star thyself, for those which here Did on thy Crest, and upper Robes appear : For thy Director take that Star, we read, Which to thy Saviour's Birth three Kings did lead.

A Corollary.

have I blubbered out some Tears and Vene On this renowned Heroe, and his Htrse ; And could my Eyes have dropt dmvn Pearls upon't In lieu of Tears, God knows, I would have donJt : But Tears are real, Pearls for their Emblems got The first are fitter to express my Woe. Let this small Mite suffice, until J may A larger tribute to his Ashes pay ;

In the meantime this Epitaph shall shut, And to my Elegy a period put.

HERE

644 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IV.

TTERE lies a Grandee by Birth, Parts, and Mind, -V? Who hardly left his Parallel behind. Here lies the Man of Men, who should have been An Emperor, had Fate or Fortune seen.

Totus in lachrymas solutus, sic singultivit, J. H.

So I most humbly kiss your Lordship's hands, and rest in the highest degree of service and affection, ever most ready — At your Lordship's command, J. H.

Lond., 20 Dec.

L.

To T. Harris, Esq. SIR,

YOURS of Dec. 10. I had the 2d of this January, and I account it a good Augury that it came so seasonably to usher in the New-year^ and to cheer up my thoughts, which your Letters have a virtue to do always whensoever they come, they are so full of quaint and copious quick expressions. When the Spaniards at their first Coalition in the West-Indies did begin to mingle with the Americans, that silly People thought that those little white Papers and Letters which the Spaniards us'd to send one to another, were certain kind of Conjurers or Spirits that us'd to go up and down to tell tales, and make discoveries. Among other examples, I remember to have read one of an Indian Boy sent from a Mexico Merchant to a Captain, with a Basket of Figs and a Letter. The Boy in the way did eat some of them, and the Captain, after he had read the Letter, ask'd him what became of the rest ? Whereat the Boy stood all astonish'd ; and being sent with another Basket a little after to the same party, his maw began to yern again after some of the Figs, but he first took the Letter and clapt it under a great stone hard by, upon which he sat while he was eating, thinking thereby that the Spirit in the Letter could not discover him, &c. Whether your Letters be Spirits or no, I will not dispute, but I am sure they beget new Spirits in

me

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTER-. 645

me ; and quod e/fidt tale illud ipsum est magis tale ; if I am possess'd with melancholy , they raise a Spirit of mirth in me; if my thoughts are contracted with Sadness, they presently dilate them into/oy, &c., as if they had some subtil invisible Atoms whereby they operate ; which is now an old Philo- sophy newly furbish'd, and much cried up, that all natural Actions and Motions are perform'd by emission of certain Atoms, whereof there is a constant effluvium from all ele- mentary bodies, and are of divers shapes, some angular, others cyclindrical, some spherical ; which Atoms are still hovering up and down, and never rest till they meet with some pores proportionable and cognate to their figures, where they acquiesce. By the expiration of such Atoms the Dog finds the scent as he hunts, the Pestilence infects, the Loadstone attracts Iron, the Sympathetic!* Powder or Zapkyrian Salt calcined by Apolimean heat, operating in July or August till it come to a 1 unary complexion ; I say, by the virtue and intervention of such Atoms, 'tis found that this said Powder heals at a distance, without topical applications to the place affected. They who are of this opinion, hold that all sublunary Bodies operate thus by Atoms, as the heavenly Bodies do by their Influences. Now it is more visible in the Loadstone than any other Body ; for by help of artificial Glasses a kind of mist hath been discern'd to expire out of it, as Dr. Highmore doth acutely, and so much like a Philosopher, observe. For my part, I think it more congruous to Reason, and to the course of Nature, that all Actions and Motions should be thus perform'd by such little atomical Bodies, than by Accidents and Qualities, which are but notional things, having only an imaginary subsistence, and no essence of themselves at all, but as they inhere in some other. If this Philosophy be true, it were no great absurdity to think that your Letters have a kind of atomical energy which operates upon my Spirits, as I formerly told you.

The Times continue still untoward and troublesome; therefore now, that you and I carry above a hundred years upon our backs, and that those few grains of Sand which

remain

646 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book IV.

remain in the brittle glasses of our lives are still running out, it is time, my dear Tom, for us to think on that which of all future things is the most certain, I mean our last removal, and emigration hence to another World : 'Tis time to think on that little hole of earth which shall hold us at last. The time was, that you and I had all the fair Continent of ILurope before us to range in; we have been since confin'd to an Island, and now Lincoln holds you, and London me : We must expect the day that sickness will confine us to our Chambers, then to our Beds, and so to our Graves, the dark silent Grave, which will put a period to our pilgrimage in this World. And observable it is, what method Nature doth use in contracting our liberty thus by degrees, as a worthy Gentleman observes.

But tho' this small bagful of Bones be so confm'd, yet the noblest part of us may be said to be then set at liberty, when having shaken off this slough of flesh, she mounts up to her true Country, the Country of Eternity ; where one moment of Joy is more than if we enjoy'd all the pleasures of this World a million of years here among the Elements.

But till our Threads are spun up, let us continue to enjoy ourselves as well as we can ; let those grains I spoke of before run gently by their own motion, without jogging the glass by any perturbation of mind, or musing too much upon the Times.

Man's life is nimble and swift enough of itself, without the help of a Spur, or any violent motion : Therefore he spoke like a true Philosopher, who excepted against the title of a Book calPd De statu vitce> for he should rather have entitled it De cursu vita ; for this Life is still upon the speed.

You and I have luckily met abroad under many Meri- dians ; when our course is run here, I hope we shall meet in a Region that is above the wheel of Time : And it may be in the concave of some Star, if those glorious Lamps are habitable. Howsoever, my Genius prompts me, that when I part hence I shall not downwards ; for I had always soar- ing

Book IV. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 647

ing thoughts being but a Boy, at which time I had a mighty desire to be a Bird, that I might fly towards the Sky.

So my long-endeared Friend, and I- VI low-Traveller, I rest — Yours verily and invariably, J. H.

Holborn, lojan.

To the Sagacious Reader.

T JTdavis portam, sic pandit Epistola pectus ; *-^ Clauditur Hac cfra, dauditur Ilia sera.

As Keys do open Chests, So Letters open Breasts

T E A O 2.

Gloria Lausq ; Deo S&culorum in sacula sunto.

A DOXOLOGICAL Chronogram including this present J\ year MDCLV. and hath numeral Letters enough to extend to the year Nineteen hundred twenty seven, if it please God this World should last so long.

SUPPLEMENT.

LETTERS, &c, OF AND ABOUT HOVVELL

NOT PREVIOUSLY COLLECTED.

Mainly from Unpublished Sources.

To LORD CONWAY. (Pub. Rec. Off. Stat. Pap. Dom. Chaa. I. xix. No. 100.)

Right honw« &

my very good Lo :

There is a partie that hath lately hanted the Court who may be fufpected to come for no good, his father was an englifti Minifler & chaplaine to Sr Charles Cornwallyes & after- ward an officer to ye Inquifition in y" Court of Spaine where he obtained a penfion for himfelf, his wief & children.

This man (a bufie pragmaticall fellowe) comes from Bruflells & hath dependencye on Gondamar.

Yor lo : may pleafe to comand that he be brought before yo' by thefe bearers who tell me wilbe employed by yo' lo : in ocafions of this nature So I moft humbly take my leaue & will euer hue Yor lo : moft faithfull

Servant

JA HOWELL The panic's name is James Wadefworth.

MIDDLE TEMPLE this Thurfday

(Endorsed).

650 SUPPLEMENT!

(Endorsed).

Januarii 1625 [Seal, a Mr Howell

Giuinge infcrnalon of a fufpecled pson one To ye right honble my Wadfworth.

very good Lo : ye lord Conway principall Secreatary to his Matie

att Court

II.

THE EARL OF SUNDERLAND TO LORD Vise. WENTWORTH.

(Stafford Letters, i. p. 48.) My very good Lord

I underftand your Lordfhip hath beftowed the next Attorney's Place in Reverfion at York upon James Howell, my Secretary, I muft thank you for it, and the rather becaufe he hath defervingly and faithfully ferved me in that Place, wherin I hear your Lordfhip hath fucceeded me. I wifh you much Happinefs in it, & reft very faithfully

Your Lordfhip's Friend

E. SUNDERLAND. ST MARTIN'S LANE Dec. 15. 1628.

III.

To THE LORD VISCT WENTWORTH, LORD PRESIDENT OF THE

NORTH.

(Stafford Letters, i. p. 50.) My ever honoured good Lord,

Herewith I fend your Lordfhip the inflrument you pleafed to pafs unto me for the reverfion of the next Attorney's place in York, for which, by your Lordfhip's appointment, Mr Radcliffe hath given me fatiffaction. I was always and mail ever continue fo fenfible of fo free and noble a favour, that in the whole courfe of my life I fhall endeavour to make Expreffions of my Thankful- nefs, and how much I am, My Lord

Your Lordfhip's

Moft true and humble fervant.

JA. HOWELL. ST MARTIN'S LANE May 5. 1629.

IV.

SUPPLEMENT. 651

IV.

LEGATIO COMITIS LEICESTRI^ IN DANIAM 1632.

(Bodl. MS. RawL C. 354.)

Diarium et fidelis relacio Legacionis Illuftiflimi Comitis Ley- cefl[r]encis ad Chriftianum quartum Regem Uaniae, etc. Jacobo Ho well Oratore.

Defignatus fuit Legatus extraordinarius ad Chriflianum quartum Regem Daniae et alios principes Danica flirpe oriundos, Regi- aeque Magnae Brittaniae Maieflati materno fanguine coniunctos, Robertas Sydneius Comes Leyceftriae, vt luclum ageret pro morte Reginae Sophia. Frederici fecundi vxoris, Regum, Magnae Brittaniae, Daniaeque Matris et Auxce : et de alijs arduis maximique ponderis negotijs tractaret

Regia Magnae Brittanniae Maieflas fe declarabat 6* Aprilis 1632 sed retrofpiciens quatuor integros menfes in mandatis dedit (regij in diclum Comitem fauoris gratia) vt litterae priuati figilli inchoarent 6° Decembris proxime praecaedentis, ex quo die con- fignatae fuerunt diclo Comiti oclo librae pro quotidiano falario, vfque dum ad regiam perfonam reuerteretur.

Vale dixit Regiae Maieflati in aedibus Oatlandia 16* Augufli, ciuus, pro more ofculatis manibus cum primarijs generofum qui eum in hac legatione concomitabantur, et duabus mille libris anticipatis, cum tefleris numarijs Philippo Burlemachi firmatis in Hamburgho recipiendis, ad iter fefe accinxit ; Ab aedibus fuis in Penlhurft difceflit 14° Septembris cum quibufdam domeflicis famulis verfus Roffam, vbi integer fuus comitatus ex numero circiter 55 perfonarum confiftens, inter quas plurimi erant genero- filTima profapia oriundi (quorum primarius fuit Phillippus Baro de Lifle dicli Comitis primogenitus) excellentiae fuae praeftolabantur.

A dicla vrbe tribus currubus et numerofo equorum Cohorte vehebatur ad Margftts vbi marium Admirallus Penin«1on (hoc enim titulo tune temporis fungebatur) in regia Naue Conutrtina diclum Dom. Legatum expeclabat

Qua Naue, vento Noto-Zephiro (trenufe afflante, tridui (j>acio appulit in flumine Alvis et pedem figens Glucstadio dimorabatur ibi 4' diebus, Deinde conduclus fuit a Gubernatore dicli loci regijs currubus et 50 ad minimum apertis vehicuiis ad Rendef- burgum in terra Holfatica vbi Rex Comitijs interfuit. Hofpiiium Dom. Legato defignatum fuit in aedibus cuiufdam Junfperiti, et reliquis fui Comitatus in alijs domibus, vbi fpacio integrae heb- domadis fumptu Regio epulabatur, 50 circiter Regijs famulis ad inferuiendum conftitutis.

Princeps

652 SUPPLEMENT.

Princeps Fredericus fecundus regijs Danise filius Coadiutor Epifcopatus Bremenfis, poftridie decoro generoforum agmine ftipatus dictum Dominum Legatum inuifit, et die fequente Det lief Ranzouius nobilium Holfatise primarius et ditiffimus. 7° die poft appulfum fuam in dicto loco, admiffus fuit Dominus Legatus ad Arcem Regis, magno generofum Aulicorum numero, et 50 ex proprio Comitatu pullatis veftibus et atratis penulis fub longis decoro agmine fuam perfonam circumeuntibus. Deductus ad praefentiam regiam D. Jacobus Howell (qui erat a fecretis dicto Domino Legato) oracionem quandam encomiafticam in- choauit in laudem defunclae Reginae, qua ad finem perducta et literis credentialibus a domino legato regijs manibus oblatis, ad Chriftianum 5um Regis primogenitum eleclum Daniae principem, fefe vertit cum fimili Oratione, et deinde ad Fredericum dicli Regis filium fecundum (ambo enim prope Regem circumftabant) ; Hoc peraclo refponfum fuit diclis Orationibus a Doclore Doorne Jurifperito, et regis \sic\ apertis vlnis Dominum Legatum amplec- tente, et manus primarijs fui Comitatus ad ofculandum porrigente, redu6lus fuit eodem Comitatu ad Hofpitium fuum.

Poftridie poftulauit Dominus Legatus (condignas agendo grist pro regio fauore) vt prop[r]ia quadra fe aleret et famuli Regis manumitterentur quod (vnoquoque eorum qui inferuierant ample et magnus fice renumerato) conceffum fuit. Poftero die aliam obtinuit audientiam Dominus Legatus, qua propofitiones in paginis fubfequentibus infertas folemni modo Regijs manibus exhibuit, quibus proximo die refponfum fuit, Rege prima luce verfum Gluckftadium comigrato, Cui triduo poftea Reduci dictus dominus Legatus alias tradidit propofitiones, quibus etiam fubito refponfum fuit, a quibufdam confiliarijs ad hoc ex induftria defignatis, vt in paginis fubfequentibus conftat.

Poftremb, definitiua Regis Daniae ad diclas propofitiones habita Refolutione, poftulauit Dominus legatus colloquium cum ante memoratis Confiliarijs, quod concessum fuit, et in quodam angulo Ecclefise Cathedralis conuenientis, omnia ea quae a Domino Legato prius fuerant propofita, cum fingulis Regis Daniae refponfis perlecla, difcuffa ac euentilata ffuerunt, In quo colloquio Diclus Dominus Legatus in fauorem Reginae Bohemias multa Inftruc- tiones fuas excedentia) prop[r]ium honorem patrimoniaque tan- gentia ad conciliandam auitam haereditariam portionem propofuit, quibus Durus Auunculus furdas praebuit aures.

Triduo poftea vocatus fuit Dominus Legatus ad epulandum regia menfa cum fuo comitatu, vbi liberis pro more, compota- tionibus vfque ad vefperum protraclum fuit prandium. Poftero die Rex ante lucano tempore Gluckfladium tendit iter, Domi- nufque Legatus ad Gottorpium Frederici Ducis Holfatiae, (Regis

Danorum

SUPPLEMENT. 653

Danorutn Nepotis ex forore) Arcera, et inde ad II u 1cm, ad Auguftam Duciffam viduam Hollatiae Danorum Regis ibrorcm, proficifcitur, Quibus in locis intra muros Arcium hofpitatus, comiter receptus, et magnified epulatus ell

Illinc ad Hamburghum fefe contulit vbi a fenatoribus dic"lae Ciuitatis et Anglis Mercatoribus honorifice tractatus fuit ; Et ROBERTUM ANSTRUTHERUM ex aula Caefarea nupenime Re- ducem legatum, conueniens, eum fecum peniuxit cum ditto Admirallo Penington, et regia Naue Conuertina, in Angliam, et ventis minime fauentibus, pod velificationem dierum appulit dictus dominus Legatus apud Margatts, 3° die Decembris inde vere die lubito veclus fuit ad Aulam vbi ad regias manus ofcu- landas iubitb admiflus, exaclifiimam reddebat rationem vniuersae legationis, lumma cum Regiae Maiettatis iatiffactione, et indelebili fuipfius honore.

V.

TO SIR F. WlNDEBANK.

(Pub. Rec. Off. Dom. Chas. I. ccxlv. No. 33.)

Right honble

The packett to Orleans was fafely fent, but j well hoped to haue had ere nowe fome newes from thence, confidering the ftrictnes of frequent correfpondence we agreed vpon at the time of our feparation ; from other places there came pods this week, as Bruxells & Holland, the one brings newes that y* treaty being nowe vtterly diflblud, the dates Army is in the field againe, & had a defigne to make fudden incuriions vp and downe Brabant & plunder the Countrey before them, but y* enemies army gathering into a head, & y* Boores rifmg vp p'uented them. It feemes ther is fome defigne on both fides, for ther was lately a Bidday by ye one and a Bead-day by the other folemnly enioynd. The Spaniards fortifie apace y* Ifle of St. Stephen & Arfen Vth they haue lately taken, being both vpon the Maze, to block vp all approches that way towards Maeflricht & make it ripe for a next yeares fiege, for they haue ben maders of yc field a good while, but now that y* Hollander hath had forae recreuts & thefe new addicons of forces from Germany & a late fupply of 20oBt crowns from France, he hath bruffled vp his feat here againe & is vpon the offenfme.

From Germany aduife comes, that ye d of Friedland hath made more deep inrodes into Saxony & taken Lipfick & Hoik is before Erford.

The Duke of Feria hath crofft the Hills and is come to

Alfdtia,

654 SUPPLEMENT.

Alfatia, to affift ye Lorainer, & relieve Nancy (as the Frencs did Cafal) fome fay ye King is already before ye towne, but tis thought he may throw [his cap at it, as Charles ye Em- perour did when he was forc'd to burne his tente, & fly by Torchlight ; the Dukes fitter was lately come thither but gott out difguifed & came in mans habitt to Luxembourg whence me was brought to Bruxells. Our Turky Marchants are like to fuffer much by a fight y* happened lately in ye Archiepielago twixt 2 Englim fhipps of Alderman Freemans, who contrary to ye Capitu- lacofis of peace betweene vs & the great Turk taking in a cargazon of corne for Italic & pceiuing] the 7 Gallies of Rhodes to make towards them, by way of preuention fearing to be fur- prif'd, they lett fly at them, funk ye generall & flew ye Bafha with diuers others, ye 6 gallies yl remaind went & gaue aduife to ye great fleet hard-by confifting of 80 gallies more who (as they yearly do) were come to leuy, & cary home ye Turks tribut from Greece & other parts adjacent, & in a dead calme made way to ye 2 fhippes deuiding themfelfs into 4 fquadrons. The mipps having betweene them 140 men, & nere vpon 50 peeces of Ordinance refilled manfully (p'ferring death before ilauery) & funk 6 of ye gallies, killed 2000 Turks, & fought till they were reduced to that extremity y* fetting fyre to both ye fhipps thofe wch remaind being not many leapt unto ye fea & fo were taken vp prifoners but ye great fleet of gallies is fo tottered & torne that they haue loft this yeares voyage & returnd to the Port (con- ftantinople) empty. The Confulls and Marchants feare fome barbarifme wilbe offered vpon their perfons, or at leail fome fear- full auenia vpon their goods, this is Alderman Freemans relacion. The Lo ; denbigh is returned from ye great Mogor full of Jewells. So with my very humble obferuance j reft ready

Att yor Lo : comandmts JAMES HOWELL.

WESTMINSTER, this 28 of Aug: 1633.

(Endorsed).

28 Aug. 1633 Mr. Howell rec. at

To the right honble Sr Bags Efs. 4 Sept.

Francis Windebank Knight principall Secretary of State, & one of his Maties mofl honble priuy Counfell this

VI.

SUPPLEMENT. 655

VI.

DR. T. HOWELL TO SIR F. WINDEBANK.

(Pub. Rec. Off. Dom. Chas. I. cccxiii. No. 2.)

Honorable Sr

I am truly forry and afham'd to heare that my brother hath Lately broken in vpon you, foe farre beyond y* bounds of common modefly. Wether I have not longe groan'd vndr the weight of fome iealous thoughts, and accordingly complain'd, lead happily he might be troublefome to yr Honor and I alfo might fuffer with him, befide this euidence, I am fure Dr. Turner will teflify w* me wch put me divers tim's vpon a purpofe to cleare my felfe. But fmce it is nowe growne foe high, lead any mif-prifion mould fettle, as touching me, I am forc't thus to addrefie my felfe to yr Honor for my owne iuflificaon. yf eur therefore I have found any fauor in yr fight (not that I knowe any iuft. caufe for it (aue only yr owne goodnes) Let me humbly befeech you, fmce he fayles meerely by the Card and compafle of his owne Genius, that his aclions may not any way reflecl upon me, but that each of vs w^out any relacon to other, may (land or fall in y* opinion, according to y* refultance of his pticular deeds, and the quality of his owne fmgle conu'faon. for then, I am confident for my owne pt, that I (hall doe nothinge to deferve yr iuft difpleafure, though I doe not flatter myfelfe, that by any (Irength or merit of mine I can winne vpon yr fauor faue only in this, that (as zealoufly as any othf) I doe & will eur wifli yc continuance & enlargem* of all profpity both to yr Honor & all yours, & (hall mod gladly embrace any opor- tunity that you (ha'll vouchfafe to giue, or I can take, to exprefle my felfe

Yr Hono" affectionate and

humble fervant

THO: HOWELL. WALBROOKE 2/ebr. 1635.

(Endorsed).

2 Feb. 1635

To the Honorable Sr Francis D. Howell.

Windebanke, principall Secretary [Sca]f m bird ^^

of State to his Ma* wings extended.]

p'fent thefe.

VII.

656 SUPPLEMENT.

VII.

MR. HOWELL TO THE LORD DEPUTY.

(Stafford Letters, i. 488).

My mofl honoured good Lord,

The late coming of the Prince Palatine is the greatefl news here at prefent, he (laid windbound five weeks at Flufhing, having launched out twice and been beaten back. About Dover, the three Hollands' Men-of-War, which tranfported him, paffmg by fome of the King's Ships my Lord of Lindfey had left in the Downs, Sir John Pennington giving a volley of mot, one of the Cannons having a Bullet in it grazed over the Ship where the Palfgrave was, & killed four of his Train, for which the Gunner is like to fuffer. There are various opinions of the reafon of his coming, that which founds beft is, that he is come to endear him- felf to his Uncle, & follicite his own Bufinefs, & know what to truft to, to advance the Treaty of the Match with Poland, and do fome good offices for the Hollanders who are brought to a low ebb, the flream having turned extreamly againft them this Summer ; though in the Indies it hath run as much with them, having made themfelves fole Mafters of the Staple & Trade of Sugars in Brafil (though nobody is the better for it but them- felves) whither the Spaniard hath a great Fleet going or gone from Lifbon.

From Germany there is late advice that the fquandered Rem- nants of Swedes, which were towards the Baltick Sea, made head under Bannier, and have given a fmart blow to the Duke of Saxe.

The French fhuffle yet well enough upon the Frontiers of Germany & Lorrain. The Queen-Mother is a dying in Ghent in Flanders in a religious Convent. The French Cardinal bears up ftill, though Hatred and Danger increafe daily. The Cardinal Ginetti, the Pope's Legate de Latere, is not yet come to Conftance. I believe it will be the Spring before he come. Now that the Peace is concluded betwixt the Pole and the Swede by the Inter- vention of the Kings of England and France, the Parliament fits in Poland about the Match with the young Lady Elizabeth : Mr. Gordon went thither hence, from whom there is news daily ex- pected. The Ban 6° Arriere Ban in France is difmiffed for this Winter, & fome difbanded themfelves, of wh'om fome received exemplary Punimment. The Siege is ftill continued by Crequy before Valencia upon the Territories of Milan.

For home matters, there hath been much grief at Court lately for the Lofs of two noble Lords, the Lord of S* Albans and my

Lord

SUPPLEMENT. 657

Lord Savage, efpccially the latter. There are two or three Houfes fhut up in Greenwich, though there died none but out of one.

The Bufmefs betwixt Sir And Pell and Sir James Bagge was determined lately in the Star Chamber, & I never heard a Caufe fo equally canvafled, of the eighteen Judges nine fined him & the other quitted him, & my Lord Keeper's odd Voice carried it ; but I hear that it will prove no cenfure, the redundant Voice being to be for Mercy and not Juftice. They fay my Lord Bimop of Lincoln's Pardon is ready to pafs the great leal with a perfect Redintegration into the King's Favour, Abolition of all old Matters, & my Lord Cottington had a great hand in it. The four youngefl Prebends of Weftminfler have eagerly banded thern- felves againft. him lately divers ways.

There is a Lottery afoot for bringing in frelh waters by Aquae- duels into the Covent Garden (where the new Town is almoft finimed) & White Hall. There have been lately new Impofitions fet upon Wines and Linnen Cloth & other Commodities, which is thought will enhance his Majeft/s Cuftoms ,£80,000 a year. The Levy of the Ship money in Towns & Country is done, & the Money almoft come in : there is a Computation made, it will amount to two Subfidies & an half. There is nought elfe worth the Advertifement, therefore I mud humbly take my Leave, reding ever

Your Lordfhip's

truly devoted Servant Jam. HOWELL.

WESTMINSTER Nov. 28. 1635.

VIII.

HOWELL'S APPOINTMENT AS CLERK OF COUNCIL. (Privy Council Minutes.)

Att the Court att Nottingham the 30th of Auguft 1642.

Prefent

Lord Keeper La Vifc. Savile

Lo. D. of Richmond Mr Comptroler Lo. g. Chamberlaine Mr Secf Nicholas

This day James Howell Efqr was by his Ma* command fworne dark of the Counfell in extraordinary.

2 T XI.

658 SUPPLEMENT.

ix. ^

To MY HONORED AND KNOWN FRIEND, SIR I. C. KNIGHT.

(12 Tr. pp. 169-71.)

Sir,

Among many other Barbarifmes which like an impetuous Torrent have lately ruih'd in upon us, the interception and open- ing of Letters is none of the leaft, For it hath quite bereft all ingenious Spirits of that correfpondency and fweet communication of fancy which hath bin alwaies efleemed the beft fuel of affection and the very marrow of friendfhip. And truly, in my judgment, this cuftom may be termed not only a Barbarifme, but the bafeft kind of Burglary than can be, 'tis a plundering of the very brain, as is fpoken in another place.

We are reduced here to that fervile condition, or rather to fuch a height of flavery, that we have nothing left which may entitle us free Rationall creatures ; the thought it felf cannot fay 'tis free, much lefs the tongue or pen. Which makes me impart unto you the traverfes of thefe turbulent times under the following fables. I know you are an exquifite Aflronomer. I know the deep infpection you have in all parts of Philofophy, I know you are a good Herald, and I have found in your Library fundry books of Architecture and Comments upon Vitruvius. The unfolding of thefe Apologues will put you to it in all thefe, and will require your fecond, if not your third thoughts, and when you have concocted them well, I believe (elfe I am much deceived in your Genius) they will afford you fome entertainment and do the errand upon which they are fent, which is, to communicate unto you the mofl material paffages of this long'd-for Parlement, and of thefe fad confufions which have fo unhing'd, diftorted, traverfd, tumbled and diflocated all things, that England may be termed now, in comparifon of what it was, no other than an Anagram of a Kingdom. One thing I promife you, in the perufal of thefe Parables, that you mall find no gingles in them, the common dialect and difeafe of thefe times. So I leave you to the gard and guidance

Of God and Vertu who do f till advance

Their Favorite, maugre the Frownes 0/" Chance

Your conftant fervitor J. H.

X.

SUPPLEMENT. 659

To SIR K. DIGBY.

(Twelve Treat if es, p. 194.)

Sir, I long to receive your opinion of thefe rambling pieces of fancy, you may peradventure, have more, when the times are open ; furely the wind will not hold dill in this unlucky hole, for it is too violent to lad. It begins (thanks be to God) to fift already, and amongft. thofe multitudes, who expect the change, I am one that lyeth at the Cape of Good Hope^ though a long time under hatches (in the Fleet). Howfoever, though all the winds in the compafs (hall blufler upon me ; nay though a Haraucana mould rage, I am arm'd and refolvM to bear the brunt, to welcome the Will of God, and poflefle my foul with patience.

If you defire a further intimation of things, I refer you to a Difcourfe of mine call'd The Tru Informer, who will give you no vulgar fatiffaclion. So I am

Yours > as at firft, inalterable J.H.

XI.

Dedication to Vol. II. of Letters.

To His HIGHNES JAMES DUKE OF YORK ; A Star of the greateft Magnitude in the Conflellation of Charles- Wayn.

Sir,

This Book was engendred in a Cloud, born a Captive, and bred up in the dark (hades of Melancholy : He is a true Benoni the fon of forrow, nay, which is a thing of wonderment, He was begot in the Grave by one who hath been buried quick any time thefe five and fifty months : Such is the hard condition of the Author, wherein he is like to continue, untill fome good Angell roll off the (lone, and raife him up, for Prifoners are capable of a double Refurreaion : my Faith afcertains me of one but my fears make me doubtfull of the other, for, as far as I fee yet, I may be made to moulder away fo long among thefe walls, n

66o SUPPLEMENT.

I be carried hence with my feet forward : Welcom be the will of God and the Decrees of Heaven.

Your Highneffes, moft

humble and moft obedient Servif

JAMES HOWELL.

From the Prifon of the Fleet this May day 1647-

XII.

To JOHN SELDEN.

Brit. Mus. Harl. 7003 f. 374.

Sr

The principall aym of this final prefent is to bring you thanks for the plefure & profit j haue receaud from yor Works wher- with you haue enrichd the whole Comon Wealth of Lerning, & wherin may be difcoverd fuch a fullnes & vniverfality of know- ledg that it may well be fayed Quod Seldenus nefcit, nemo fcit, And this was a kind of character that fome of the renownedft men beyond the feas gaue of you in fom difcourfe j mingled with them : Moreouer thefe fmall peeces (\vch j fhalbe bold to pourfue with a vifit) com to introduce mee to yor knowledg not you to mine, for it were an Ignorance beyond Barbarifm not to know you : May you pleafe when (having nothing elf to do) you haue caft yor eys vpon them to throw them into fom corner of the loweft fhelf that flands in yor library wher it wilbe an honor for them to be found herafter, & if thefe bee admitted j haue more to follow. So hoping that this obligation will not be held an intrufion j reft

(Endorsed.} Sr

For the moft Honored Yor moft humble & ready

John Selden Efqr fervitr

this. JAM. HOWELL.

XIII.

SUPPLEMENT. 661

XIII.

To THE COUNCIL OF STATE.

(Brit. Mus. Add 32,093, f. 370).

It is humbly offerd to y* Confideration

of The Right Hon"6 ye Counfell of State

That, Wheras vpon this Change of Government, & devolution of Interefl from kingly power to a ComSn Wealth ther may happen fom queftion touching the primitiue and Inalienable Right that Great Britain claymes to the Souuerainty of her own feas as hath allready appeerd by the late clafli that broke out twixt vs & Holland (which may well be foyed to be a Comon Wealth of England's Creation;) It were expedient, humbly under favor, that a new Treatife be compiled for the vindication, and continu- ance of this Right notwithstanding this Change ; And if the State be pleafed to impofe fo honorable a comand vpon yr Subfcriber Hee will employ his beft abilities to perform it ; In which Tretife not only all the learned Reafons & Authorities of Mr. Selden fhalbe produced, but the Truth of the Thing fhalbe reinforcd and aflerted by further arguments, Examples and Evidences ; And it were requifit that this fayed Treatife (hold go published in French as well as Englifli, French being the mod comunicable language of Comerce among thofe nations whom the knowledg herof doth mod concern, and fo may much avayle to difperfe the truth, & fatiffie the world in this point

JAM HOWELL.

(Endorsed.)

Mr. Howell

dominion Sea.

XIV.

To JUDGE RUMSEY.

(Organon Sa/utis, Pref.)

To his Highly efteemed Friend and Compatriot Judge Rumfey, upon his Provanfr or rare pecloral Inflrument and his rare experiments of Cophie and Tobacco.

Sir,

Since I knew the World, I have known divers forts of Inftrv- ments: The firfl that I was acquainted withall, was AriJtotUs

Organon

662 SUPPLEMENT.

Organon, or Inftrument at Oxford: Another was the great happy Inflrument at Munfter : The third was the Inftrument which was made after the diffolution of the late long Parliament ; That'm Oxford was Inftrumentum Logicce, The Inflrument of Logick ; That in Munfler was Inftrumentum Pads, The Inflrument of Peace ; The lafl was Inftrumentum Politicum, The Inflrument of Policy. Now your Inflrument is mofl properly called The Inftrument of Health^ and may take place among the refl. Without controverfie, it was an Invention very happily lighted upon, and obligeth all mankinde to give you thanks : For he who finds out any thing conducing to humane health, is the befl Cofmopolite, the befl among the Citizens of the World ; health being the moll precious Jewel of Nature, without which we cannot difcharge our duties to God or Man. But indeed there's no perfection of health in this life, when we converfe with the Elements ; the befl is a valitudi- nary kinde of difpofition ; and this proceeds from the perpetual conflict of the humors within us for predomination ; which were they equally ballanced, and in peace Methufelatts yeers would be but a fhort life among us. Now this Combate and malignity of the Humors arifeth from the flomach ; which like a boyling pot on the fire, is flill boyling within us, and hath much froth ; whence, if the concoction be not very good, there are il-favoured fumes, and fuliginous evaporations that afcend into the head; where being diflill'd they defcend into Catarrhes and Defluxions, fome- times upon the Optiques, and that may be called the Gout in the Eyes ; if they fall upon the Teeth, it may be call'd the Gout in the Mouth ; if into the Hands 'tis Chiragra ; if in the Hip, Sciatica ; if in the Knees, Gonagra ; if in the Feet, Podogra. Now, Sir,, Your Inftrument ferves to take away the grounds of thefe Dif- tempers, by rummaging and fcouring the flomach, and make it expectorate that froth, or phlegmy fluffe which lodgeth there, and that in a more gentle manner than any Drugge. 'Tis true that Rhubarbe is good again fl Choler, Agarick againfl Phlegme, and Hellebore againfl Melancholy, but they ufe to flir the humours fo violently by their naufeoufnes, that their operation is a fickneffe of it felf all the while : Your Inflrument caufeth no fuch thing, nor leaves any lurking dreggs behinde, as Druggs ufe to do.

Touching Coffee, I concurre with them in opinion, who hold it to be that black broth which was uf'd of old in Lacedemon, whereof the Poets fing ; Surely it mufl needs be falutiferous, becaufe fo many fagacious, and the wittiefl fort of Nations ufe it fo much ; as they who have converfed with Shajlres and Turbants doe well know. But befides the exficcant quality it hath to dry up the crudities of the flomach, as alfo to comfort the Brain, to fortifie the fight with its fleem & prevent Dropfies, Gouts, the

Scurvie

SUPPLEMENT. 663

Scurvie, together with the fpleen, and Hypochondriacal winds (all of which it doth without any violence or diftemper at all) I fay, befides all thefe qualities, 'tis found already, that this Coffu drink both caufed a greater Sobriety among the Nations : for whereas formerly Apprentices £ Clerks with others ufed to take their mornings draught in Ale, Beer, or Wine, which by the dizzines they caufe in the Brain, make many unfit for bufmefs, they ufe now to play the Good-fellows in this wakeful and civil drink : Therefore that worthy Gentleman, Mr. Afudiford, who introduced the practice hereof firfl to London, deferves much refpecl of the whole Nation.

Concerning Tobacco which the Spaniards call la Ycrra sanfa, the holy herb, in regard of the fundry virtues it hath : without doubt 'tis alfo a wholfom vegetal, if rightly applyed and feafon- ably taken ; it helps concoction, makes one void Rheume, break winde, and keeps the body open : A leaf or two deeped in white Wine, or Beer over night, is a Vomit that never fails ; It is a good companion to fedentary men, and ftudents, when they are (lupified by long reading or writing, by diflipating thofe Vapours which ufe to o're-cloud the Brain : The smoak of it is pafling good againft all contagious airs ; In fo much, that if one takes Wo or three puffs in the morning, before he goes abroad, there's no infectious air can fallen upon him ; for it keeps out all other fents, according to the Axiome, /«///* exiftcnsprohibttalicnum.

But, Sir, I find you have made other experiments of thefe two fimples, which though not fo guftfull, conduce much to humane health : And touching your J-'ravang, or Whale-bone Inftrument, let me tell you, that it hath purchafcd much repute abroad among Forreiners ; In fo much, that fome, in imitation of yours, have found a way to make fuch an Inftrument in dudlible Gold, and you know what a Cordial Gold is. I have been told of another kinde of new Inftrument that will conveniently reach from the mouth, to let in the fmoak of Tobacco at the fundament, and it hath done much good. Certainly, there are in Natures Cabinet many boxes yet undifcovered, there are divers myfteries and Magnalia's yet unknown ; there be fundry effects which me would produce, but (he wants the hand of Art to co-operate, as it were by the hand of Mid-wifery : the World muft needs confefs that you have done her a great good Office herein.

So with my heartly kinde refpeas unto you, wifhmg that 1 happy occafion were offered, whereby I might be Incremental unto you, I reft, Worthy Sir,

Your moft affectionate

Friend and Companion, JAMES HOWELL.

XV.

664 SUPPLEMENT.

XV.

To SIR EDWARD WALKER.

(Autograph collection of Mr. A. Morrison.)

Sr

Now that a correfpondence may bee kept with more freedom and that neither writer or letter run fo much danger of fhippwrack j thought it not amiffe to give you this invitation in that kind ; Touching affairs here, fmce the late Diffolution of the Parlement the counfell of State carry all the Sway fmoothly before them, & Monk profeffeth ftill an exact & conftant obedience to the Civill power. The Anababtifts have fhewd their teeth lately, but they are kept from biting, for a great ftore of armes were taken away lately from them ; Generall Monk flicks ftill clofe to the Citty of London who made a privat ouverture lately to the counfell of State, how Trade was lamentably delayed, And the Mint ftarvd, and that ther was no way to feed the one and advance the other without a peace with Spaine, wch was impoffible to bee done but by calling in king Charles. Tis thought certainly ther wilbe a a Houfe of Peers the next Parlement wch will infallibly begin 25° of Aprill ftylo loci ; The new militia is upon fettling in the countrey, and divers Lords, knights & others of good principles are chofen Comiffioners among whom the Earle of Oxford is chief for Effex, Dorfett for Suffex, Rivers for Chemire, etc.

If I knew that this letter would come fafely to Hand, I wold bee more large which upon yor anfwer to this I fhalbe in my next.

I pray Sir fend mee word whither my Lo: of Briftoll bee return'd to Bruxells fo I moft affectionatly kiffe yor hands & if ther bee any thing imaginable wherin I may ferve you here you know what power you haue to comand

Much honored Sir

Yor very humble & ready

Servant JAM. HOWELL.

LONDON, this zyd of March, 1659.

From Mr. Lee a Lawyers Houfe ag* the Pye Inne in Fetter Lane where I fhalbe ready to receave yor addreffes & comands.

(Endorsed).

For the much Honored Sr Edward Walker Knight at the Engliih Court in Bruxells.

XVI.

SUPPLEMENT. 665

XVI.

A letter of Advice confiding all of Proverbs (running in one congruous and concurrent fenfc) to one that was Towards Marriage,

Lexicon Tetraglotton.

Sir,

Although I am none of thofe that love to have an Oare in every ones Boat, Or fuch a bufie body as deferves to be hitt in the teeth, that I fhould keep my breath to cool my pottage, yet, you and I having eaten a peck of Hilt together, and having a hint that you are upon a bufmefs that will either make or mar you, for a man's bed fortune or his word's, a Wife, I would wim you to look before you leap, and make more than two words to a bargain.

Tis true that Marriages are made in Heaven, it is alfo true that Marriage and hanging goeth by Deftiny ; But if you are difpofed to marry, marry a fhrew rather than a fheep, for a Fool is fulfome, yet ye run a rilk alfo in the other, for a fhrew may fo tye your nofe to the Grindftone, that the gray Mare will prove the better Horfe ; Befides, there is another old fayed Saw, that every one knows how to tame a fhrew but he that hath her ; If it be your Fortune to meet with fuch a one, (he may chance put you to the charge of buying a long fpoon, for he mud have a long fpoon who will eat with the Devill.

Moreover, if you needs mud marry, do not fetch your wife from Dunmow, for fo you may bring home two fides of a Sow, Nor from Weftminjter^ for he who goeth to M'eftminfter for a Wife, to Pauls for a Man, and to Smithfield for a Horfe, may have a Jade to his Horfe, a Knave to his Man, and a Wagg-tail to his Wife.

But if you needs mud marry let her rather be little than big?, for of two evils the lead is to be chofen, yet there is another hazard in that alfo, for a little pott is foon hott, and as (he will be little and lowd, if you give her an inch (he will take an ell, (he will alwayes have a Rowland for your Oliver, and two words for one, fuch a Wife though (he be as tender as a Parfons Lcmman, yet (he may prove a wolf in Lambs (kinn, Indead of a Rofe you will have a Burr ; If you meet with fuch a one, you may be put to anfwer as he was who having a damnable fcold to his Wife, and being alked by Sir Tho: Badger who recommended her unto him? he fayed an old Courtier, Sir; what Courtier f feyed Sir Tho: 'Twas the Devill, Sir.

Furthermore take heed of two hanfome a Wife, for then (he i likely not to be all your own, and fo (he may bring you to your

Horn-book

666 SUPPLEMENT.

Horn-book again, or rather make you Horn-madd, and then you have brought your Hoggs to a fair Market.

But by all means, be wary of too coftly and lavifhing a Wife, for fo you may quickly turn a Noble to nine pence, and come home by broken Croffe, me will in a fhort time make hunger to dropp out at your nofe, me will thwitten a Mill-poft to a pudding- prick, the Goofe will drink as deep as the Gander, and then, When all is gone and nothing left, what waits the Dagger with the dudgeon heft ? The Wolf will be then flill at your door, and the black Ox will tread on your toe, your Neighbours will make mowes at you, and fay, you are as wife as Walthams Calf, who went nine miles to fuck a Bull and came home more thirfty than when he went.

You mull alfo be wary how you marry one that hath cad her Rider, left you fall into a Quagmire wherein another was loft, I mean a Widdow, for fo you will be fubject to hav a Deaths head putt often in your Dim ; Touching the complexion of your Wife, the Spaniard holdeth black to be the wholefomeft, for He hath a Proverb, Muger negra trementina en ella, A black woman hath Turpentine in her, the Frenchman is for the broun, when he faith, Fille brunette gaye 6° nette, A broun Laffe is gay and cleanly, But they both will tell you, that touching a red-haired and bearded woman, falute them a hundred paces off.

Laftly, take heed by all means of doting fo far upon any one Female, as to marry her for meer Affection ; 'Tis true, that one hair of a woman will draw more than a hundred yoake of Oxen, yet meer Affection is but blind Reafon, and there are more Mayds than Malkin ; 'Tis true that in love ther's no lack, yet it is as true, that nothing hath no favour, and there muft be Suet as as well as Oatmeal to make a Pudding ; In this cafe it is better to buy a Quart of Milk by the penny than keep a Cow, and to follow the Italian Proverb, videlicet, Commend the Sea, but keep thy felf afhoar, Commend the Hills, but keep thy felf on the Plains, Commend a wedded Life but keep thy felf a Batchelor ; According to another wife Proverb, He who marrieth doth well, but he who marrieth not, doth better ; Wherunto attendeth a third, That next to a fingle Life, a married Life is beft ; I will conclude with that of the Italian, Honeft men ufe to marry but Wife men not.

When you read this, I know you will be apt to fay, that a Fools Bolt is foon fhott, or crie out, Witt whither wilt thou ? yet, though I am none of the feven Sages, I can look as farr into a Milftone as another, and you know that the ilander by feeth more then the Gamefter.

What I write is the Language of a Friend, and could I fteed you herein I would do it with as good a will as ever I came from

School

SUPPLEMENT. 667

School, for I am yours as much as any Wife can be, or rather, that I may conclude with the old Roman Proverb, 1 am Yours, Usque ad Aras

Yours to the Altar J. H.

XVII.

To CHARLES II. (Pub. Rec. Off. Dom. Chas. II. i. No. 116.)

To the Kings mod ex1 Matie

The humble peton o£ James Howell Efqr

Sheweth, That hauing bin by hfs late Ma*** imediat comand fworne one of the Clerks of his Privy Counfell about i8 yeers fince, And coming to London a little after vpon his MaUe* affairs, he was comitted one of the firfl prifoners in the Fleet where he lay above 8 yeers, & continued vnder bayle 7 years after during which time hee was plunderd 3 feverall times to his vtter vndoing.

Hee humbly prays yor Ma* wold pleafe to comand that he may be confirmd in the fayed place, Or that yor Maly would be gracioufly pleafed to haue him in yor Royall thoughts fome other way for a Liuelihood

And Hee (hall pray euf

JAM HOWELL.

(Enclosure.)

The Cafe truly dated

When the Court was at York j was comanded by my Lord of Briftol to attend the King one morning in his Bed- chamber, when his Ma* told me, That he wold giue orders to fweare me Clerk of tht Counfell in Seer: Nicholas his place, but he was ptly engaged to S' Jo: Jacob, cV // he had it not, j Jho/d haue it prefently, hmvfoeu' s4 his Ma9, j will giue order you JJialbt fworne now, cV y firjl place that falls you Jhalbefure of it, Vpon \vch words j had ye honor to Kifle his hand, fo his Ma* Himfelf gare comand to Sr Dudley Carleton to fweare me, weh was done accordingly before divers privy Counfellors.

Sr Jo: Jacob keeping flill in thefe Parts quitted his defigne that way, & j coming a little after to London, & being vpon point of returning prefently to Court, j was app'hended & comitted

prifoner

668 SUPPLEMENT.

prifoner to ye Fleet vnder ye notion of a dangerous perfon by ye Long Parlement where j lay clofe aboue 8 years notwithftanding my often petitioning for my enlargement, & continued 7 years after vnder good bayl to be forth coming within fo many howers during wch traverfes j was plunderd 3 times.

The time y* j was fworn ther were but 3 Clerks of the Counfell viz. Sr Tho: Mewtis, Sr Dud; Carlton, & Sr Rich: Brown wherof ye 2 firft died a while after during my imprifonment, yet fince, ther haue bin three Clerks gott over my head etts

JAM. HOWELL.

XVIII.

To CHARLES II. (Pub. Rec. Off. Dom. Chas. II. xvii. No. 6.)

To the Kings mofl ex* Matie

The humble peton of James Howell Efqr Clerk of the Counfell to his late Maiefty

of ever bleffed Memory

Sheweth, That wheras yor Maty is gracioufly pleafed for the Regula- tion & aduancement of Trade to award a Royall Comiffion to fome of the knowingft Marchants, & others whom yor Maty mall pleafe to nominat for the intent aforefayed And wheras yor petr hath bin verfd & employd by their late Maties in affaires of that nature to Spaine, Germany, & Denmark

He prayeth, yor Matie wold pleafe to comand that He may ferve yor Matie in quality of an Affiftant & Secretary to the fayed Comiffion, & He mall employ his befl endevours to acquit himfelf to his duty therein

And duly pray etts.

XIX.

To LORD CLARENDON.

(Dom. Chas. II., xxxix., No. 52). My Lord,

Yor lopp having bin pleafd to promife mee the contribution of yor favour, j take this great boldnes to defire, yor lopp wold pleafe to move his Matie that j may attend the la: Infanta (who comes to be our Queen) in quality of Her Tutor for Languages :

For

SUPPLEMENT. 669

For having the Spanilh Tpung (with the Portuguez dialect) As allfo y,e Italian & French both" for the Practice and Theory fo farr that j have published a Great Dictionary with Gramars to all the Three dedicated to the King at his firfl. coming (for which his Ma"* pro- mifed to fett a mark of his favor vpon me) of which Dictionary j was not wanting to prefent yor lo1"* with one, Having allfo a com- pendious choice method of Inftruclion I hope j fhalbe thought par negotio, which in all humblenes is left to consideration by

Yor lot** mod obedient

and ready fervant

JAM HOWELL.

(Endorsed.)

R. 11° July 1661 Mr Jam : Howell to be Tutor for Languages To my Lo : Chancelor to f Queen.

XX.

GRANT TO HOWELL. (Pub. Rec. Off. Signet Office Docket, Feb. 1661.)

Warrant to the Excheq' to pay to James Howell Efqr y* fumm of 200" as of his ma* free guift w* out ace*. Subfc* by Mr Berd by warrant under his mate Sign manuall ut fupra.

XXI.

JAMES HOWELL'S WILL.

(Somerfet Houfe I. Carr. 323.)

London J4° &** J666.

[lacob' Howell.] In The name of God Amen, y lames Howell of the Parifh of S* Andrews in Holborn Efquire : being fickly in body but well in mind?and memory doe make this my laft will and teftament. Aboue all I bequeath my foule to him that gaue it my etertiall God and maker. I Defire my body may be carried decently in a herfe : And buried in the Middle Temple Church as privately as can be Alt the ffoote of the next great Filler This fide the little Quier where I have directed Mf Marfliall to fett up a large Black Marble with a Braffe Pidhire of

mine

670 SUPPLEMENT.

mine in the Middle with my Armes and a Latin Epitaph. Touch- ing my worldly goods I bequeath vnto my brother Howell Howell Twenty ffive pounds To my lifter Gwin fforty millings to buy her a Ring And fforty millings to my filler Roberta Ap-Rice I bequeath vnto my niece Elizabeth Banifler Twenty pounds and my filver watch with my beft Cloak and fuite I bequeath vnto my Nephew Arthur Howell ffour pounds and my light coloured Coate with my Montero Capp I bequeath vnto my Nephew George at Oxon fforty millings my feale of Armes my Standifh and Privat Clafped Prayer booke I bequeath Mrs. Leigh my Landlady Tenn pounds for her felfe and towards the Portion of her daughter Edith. Item I bequeath ffoure pounds to one Strafford a Heelmaker by Somerfet Houfe. Of this my will I make my nephew Henry Howell fole Executor and Adminiflrator not doubting but he will fee the pre- mifes performed accordingly Witnefs my hand and feale

JAM: HOWELL

In the prefence of J. Lowe /

Memorandum that I leave Mr. Playford the Sexton of the Temple Church twenty millings to buy him a Ring/ Mr. Brife of Old-flreete ffoure pounds to be fpeedily paid / Item to Mr. Matthew Pinder an old Jacobus to fcuy him a Ring / All the reft of my worldly goods [I] leave to my prfent Execute" Except Thirty pounds in a white Bagg which is defigned for a Tomb wherein I defire my Executor to be ve"ry carefull/ lam: Howell/ In the prfenfe of I. Lowe.

[Proved by Henry Howell 18 Feb. 1666-7.]

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Hawaii, James

AUTHOR

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