()I5. i.)i)a. ■FKOM •nil'. OKir.lX.M.oK M M(K i !■ I( Alii) , I \ TllF. i 'i il.i.K< •TH >N' OK TIIK MOSr NOIil.l'. Till'. MAKonS ()!■■ S.M.I SIU'KY. PUBlilSMg© BY WslttiAM UAKeteY. 1847. BURGHLEY. THE LIFE OF WILLIAM CECIL, LORD BURGHLEY, LORD HIGH TREASURER OF ENGLAND, ETC.; BIOGEAPHICAL NOTICES OF HIS SUCCESSOES THE EARLS AND MARQUISES OF EXETER; A DESCEIPTION OF BURGHLEY HOUSE, WITH A COMPLETE AND ACCURATE GUIDE TO THE SEVERAL PAINTINGS, TAPESTRIES, ANTIQUITIES, AND OTHER ARTICLES OF INTEREST AND VERTU WITH WHICH IT IS ENRICHED ; AND A BEIEF NOTICE OF THE FAMILY MONUMENTS, &c., IN ST. MARTIN'S CHURCH, STAMFORD BARON. TO WHICH IS APPENDED A LIST OF THE AETISTS BY WHOM THE COLLECTION OF PICTURES IN THE ABOVE RESIDENCE WAS PAINTED, WITH THE PLACES WHERE THEY WERE BORN, AND THE DATES OF THEIR BIRTHS AND DEATHS. BY THE REV. W. H. CHARLTON, M.A., RECTOR OF ST. GEOBGe's, STAMFORD, AND DOMESTIC CHAPLAIN TO THE MARaUIS OF EXETER. STAMFOED : PUBLISHED BY AND FOR W. LANGLEY, HIGH-STREET. 1847. STAMFORD : PRINTED BY SAMUEL SHARP, HIGH-STREET. '©0 ®ht - ©f. &C. ©f. ~ ^bi^ attempt U vnoxh tlu Uuuvp of h'l^ h^r^^lnp^ AnteM0v§ (^sarticttlnrlji of tijait Hlu^tnou^ Statesman, w I) a, far n |jmod ofwie^tampWd duration, directed the Cotmril^ of tbi^ i^vmt Empire, with coti^ummatc tui^dom. ttbiltlp, and ^wcrrffii,) and to Jie^mbe tbc naltiabk curiosities smh wiivk^ of art ^epo^ited in ()i|i Loi*^,^hip>' Priucelg Ee^i^ence, ttiitl) .^incere ri?|S|i^i:t ^i^dicatielJ hp !)i^ faithful and demoted S^ruant, ll(9illiam Hmrp Cbarlton.iT^ LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. HER MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY THE QUEEN. HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN DOWAGER, HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE ALBERT. HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE. Abel and Sons Messrs., Northampton Aboyne, Earl of, Orton Hall, Peterborough Adkins C. S., Esq., Northampton Agutter Mr., St, Albans Alcock Mrs. Henry, Aireville, Skipton, Yorkshire Allsop John, Esq., Aldenham, Herts Althorp Mr., Stamford Arden W., Esq., Bourn, Lincolnshire Arnold Rev, C, Rector of TinweU, Rutland Artis E. T., Esq., Castor, Northamptonshire Atlay Rev. H., Rector of Great Casterton and Pickworth, Rutland Atlay Rev. C, Rector of Barrowden, Rutland Atlay Rev, J., Fellow and Assistant Tutor of St. John's College, Cambridge Atlay H, C, Esq., Stamford Austin Mr. S., Hertford Back John, Esq., Byfleet Lodge, Cobham, Surry Bagley Mr., Stamford iv LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. Bainbridge Rev. G., Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge Baker R. W., Esq., Cottesmore, Rutland Banks Miss, Stamford Banting Wm., Esq., St. James' street, London Barber Edward, Esq., Stamford Barclay Mrs. Gumey, Cumberland-place, London, 2 copies Barclay J., Esq., Farringdon-street, London Barker George, Esq., London Barratt Mr. F. R., Pianist, West Deeping, Lincolnshire Barrington Sir Matthew, Bart., Dublin Bates Rev. J., Rector of Crowland, Lincolnshire Battiscombe Mr. G. H., London Beaufort, His Grace the Duke of, K.G., Arlington-street, London Bedford, Her Grace the Duchess of, Wobum Abbey, Bedfordshire Begrez L., Esq., Jermyn-street, London Bellars Mrs., Barnack, Northamptonshire Bellerby H., Esq., Stamford Benedict Jules, Esq., Manchester-square, London Bennett Mr. Wm., St. Peter's, St. Albans Bentley Mr., Stamford Berry Mrs., Chester Terrace, Regent's Park, London Betton Rev. Joseph, Rector of St. Michael's, Stamford Bicknell Mrs., Heme Hill, Surry Binney W. S., Esq., Bryanstone-square, London Birkett Edmund Lloyd, Esq., M.D., Cloak -lane, London Blagg Thomas Ward, Esq., Town Clerk, St. Albans Blake Fras., Esq., Greenwich BlottMr. T.W., Stamford Blott Mr. John, ditto Bonney, the Venerable H. Kaye, D.D., Archdeacon of Lincoln, King's CUfFe, Northamptonshire Bonney Miss, Normanton, Rutland Boor, Mr. H., Stamford Bowman F., Esq., Belmont Cottage, Duddington, Northamptonshire Boys E., Esq., St. Albans Brandon Messrs. R. and J. A., Beaufort Buildings, London Brett E. P., Esq., Stamford Brogden, Rev. James, St. Albans LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS, Bromhead Mr. Richard, Stamford Browell James, Esq., Guy's Hospital, London Brown Alexander R., Esq., M.D., Stamford Brown, Miss F., ditto Browning Edward, Esq., ditto Browning H. B., Esq., ditto Bryan Mr. W., Bringhurst, Rutland Bryan F. F., Esq., Lyddington, Rutland Bryant Edward Newton, Esq., Holloway, London Burbidge Mrs. William, Stamford Hill, Middlesex Burdett W., Esq., Stamford Burghley Lord, Burghley House, Stamford Burton Mr. G., Stamford Carbonell J. T., Esq., Regent-street, London Carbonell "V^. C, Esq., ditto Carnarvon, the Right Hon. the Earl of, Grosvenor-square, London Cattle Mr. Christopher, Inkerson Cay ley Edward, Esq., Stamford Cecil, Lord Brownlow, Burghley House, Stamford Cecil, Lord Thomas, ditto Chabbonel Mr., Burghley, Stamford Chadwell Mr., Peterborough Chadwick Major, Brighton Chapman Rev.W. E., Edenliam, Lincolnshire Chaplm Rev. H., Vicar of Ryhall with Essendine, Rutland Charlton Rev.W. H., Dorset-square, London, 2 copies Charlton Miss, ditto Charlton C. W., Esq., Harrington-street, London Charlton Rev. C, Incumbent of St. Paul's, Akiwick, Northumberland Chauncey Mrs., Blackheath Clapton Mr., Stamford Clarke Thomas, Esq., Windsor, and Balham-hill, Surry Clarke Rev. J. S., Denham Vicarage, near Scole, Suffolk Clerk, the Right Hon. Sir George, Bart., M.P., London Clifford, the Hon, Charles, Irnham, Lincolnshire Clinton, the Dowager Lady, St. James's Place, London Clubb Messrs. and Son, London LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. Coales John, Esq., St. Albans Cohen Daniel Whitaker, M.D., Highbury-place, London Coles Benjamin, Esq., Alnwick, Northumberland Coles Mrs., ditto Congreve Mr., Stamford Cooke J. B., Esq., Manchester Cookson W. T., Esq., Stamford Cooper Rev. L., "Vicar of Empingham, Rutland, and Rector of Mablethorpe St. Mary, Lincolnshire Cooper Mrs. , Stamford Cooper A. T., Esq., Hereford-street, Gloucester-square, London Cooper Mrs., the Rectory, West Rasen, Lincobishire Creasy Mr., Sleaford, Lincolnshire, 2 copies Crofton Mrs., Preston, Lancashire Crosby Mr., Stamford Dalton Rev. J. N., Vicar of Greetham, Rutland Dampier C. R., Esq., Colins Hays House, Bruton, Somerset Daniell Mr. W., Bourn, Lincolnshire, 10 copies Davis Miss, Stamford Dawbam Robert, Esq., Wisbeach Deacon F., Esq., Preston, Lancashire Denshire Colonel, Thetford, Lincolnshire Devas William, Esq., Long Ditton, Surry Devas Thomas, Esq., New Finchley Road, St. John's Wood, London Devas Mrs. Thomas, ditto Dickson S., Esq., M.D., Bolton-street, Piccadilly, London Dillon C. W., Esq., Rathbone-place, London Dobinson Francis, Esq., Egham Lodge, Surry Dodsworth Rev. J., Vicar of Bourn, Lincolnshire Dove J. F., Esq., Hopleys, Bury St. Edmund's, 2 copies Dudding Rev. H. N., Vicar of St. Peter's, St. Albans Dunning Thomas, Esq., Newmarket Eaton Mrs., Easton, Northamptonshire Edis Mr. R., Huntingdon Ellis Rev. W. W., Rector of St. Clement Danes, London Ellis E. J., Esq., Lyons LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. VII Elwall Mrs,, Barnes, Surry Errington G. H., Esq., Colchester Everington William, Esq., Gloucester Terrace, Regent's Park, London Everington Wm., jun,, Esq., Endsleigh-street, Tavistock-square, London Exeter, the Most Noble the Marquis of, K.G., Burghley House, Stamford, 18 copies Exeter, the Most Honorable the Marchioness of, ditto, 3 copies Faircloth W. W., Esq., St. Albans Ferraby B. B., Esq., Bourn, Lincolnshire Field Mr. , Oxford-street, London Figg Mr. C. H., London Finch G., Esq., M.P., Burley-on-the-Hill, Rutland Finch Lady Louisa, ditto Forbes Mr. J., Stamford Fordham Edward Allen, Esq., St, Albans Foster Miss, ditto Fourdrinier H. W., Esq., London Fowell Mr. J., St. Albans French W., Esq., Stamford Fysh Miss, ditto Gape Thomas Foreman, Esq, , St, Albans Gardiner Captain Cooper, Stamford Gardner Arthur, Esq., Barrister at Law, Cliancery-lane, London Gilchrist H. T,, Esq,, Stamford Gill Richard, Esq,, Barrowden, Rutland Gillard Mr. Charles, Lichfield Gleadowe Rev. R. W., Chester Golden John, Esq., Caenby Hedl, Spittal, Lincolnshire Gordon John, Esq., Muston, Grantham Grant Mr. J. C, Stamford Gretton Rev. F. E., Rector of St. Mary's, Stamford Griffin Rev. W. N., Fellow and Assistant Tutor of St. John's College, Cambridge Guernsey Lord, The Bury, Leamington Spa H., Rev. I. G., Oxford Hardwicke, Earl of, Wimpole, Cambridgeshire vm LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. Haman Mrs. John, Sussex-square, London Harwood John, Esq., Fenchurch-street, London Haycock Charles, Esq., Stamford Hayward Thomas, Esq., St. Albans Hayward Mrs., St. Peter's, St. Albans Hayward Mr. Isaac Newton, Welwyn, Herts Heathcote Mrs. Henry, North LufFenham, Rutland Hewett Mr., Burghley, Stamford Hickman T., Esq., Weston Park, near Campden Hicks Edward, Esq., Lymington, Hants Higgs William, Esq., Burghley Park, Stamford, 2 copies Hildyard J., Esq., Recorder of Stamford, Carlton Club, London Hildyard Rev. W., Rector of Market Deepmg, Lincolnshire Hill Mr,, Easton, Northamptonshu-e Hoare Noel, Esq., Muswell Hill, Middlesex Hollway J., Esq., Hundleby, Spilsby, Lincolnshire Hopkinson W. L., Esq., M.D., Stamford Horden Mr., jun., Merchant, ditto Hornbuckle Rev. T. W., Rector of Staplehurst, Kent Hume Joseph, Esq., M.P., Bryanstone-square, London Hunt Samuel, Esq., Hambleton, Rutland Hurlock Mrs., Newmarket Hurst Miss Harriet, Stamford Hurst Mrs. Elizabeth Isabella, ditto Hutt Mr. Richard, Trinity-street, Cambridge Isham Rev. Chas. E., Rector of Polebrook, Northamptonshire Jackson T. H., Esq., Stamford Jackson M. W., Esq., ditto Jackson John, Esq., Hampstead Jackson Hugh, Esq., ditto Jackson Thomas, jun., Esq., Crowland, Lincolnshire James Rev. John, D.D., Canon and Vicar of Peterborough, and Vicar of Maxey, Northamptonshire Jeffs Mr. G., Stamford Jeffs Mr. J. T., ditto Jeyes J. W., Esq., Uppingham Johnson Rev. W. H., Vicar of Witham-on-the-Hill, Lincolnshire Johnson Mr., Ironmonger-street, Stamford LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. Johnson, the Misses, Spalding Jones Rev. D. E., Rector of St. John's, Stamford Jones J. E., Esq., Oakham Kent Mr. Thomas Weedon, St. Albans Kent Mr. John, ditto Knight Mrs., Oaklands, St. Albans Laing George, Esq., St. Albans Langley Mr., ditto Langley Mrs., ditto Langley Miss, ditto Langley Thomas, Esq., Lichfield Langridge Mr., St. Albans Large Mr. H., Nottingham Lauman Dr., Burlington House, Fulham Lawrence Mr. Wm. Exton, Cawthorpe, Bourn Layton Mr., Organist of St. Martin's and St. Mary's, Stamford Lewis Miss, Dorset-square, London Light T. D., Esq., Prerogative Office, Doctors' Commons, London Lindsay Mrs., Brighton Lipscombe J. T., Esq., St. Albans Littledike Mr. R. P., Stamford Lomax Captain, Childwick, Bury Lovaine Lord, Albury Park, near Guildford Lowe Henry, Esq., Birmingham Lowe Miss, Pilsgate, Northamptonshire Lucas Richard, Esq., Edith "Weston, Rutland Lydekker G. W., Esq., St. Albans, and Hare-court, Temple, London Mc Donald Alexander, Esq., Regent-street, London Mackinnon W. A., Esq., M.P., F.R.S., Carlton Club, London Maguire Mr., Burghley, Stamford Mann Mr. Samuel, Newmarket Marfleet Mr. Joseph, Crowland, Lincolnshire Margetts Mrs., Huntingdon Marks R., Esq., Fulham Marshall Rev. W., Wellington Terrace, St. John's Wood, London xu LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. Royds Mrs. James, Woodlands, Cheshire Royds Mrs. Edward, Everton Village, Liverpool Rumball John Horner, Esq., Mayor of St. Albans Russell Mr. Joseph, St. Albans Ryde Mr., Greenwich Ryde Miss, Stamford Ryder, Hon. Granville Dudley, M.P., Westbrook, Hemel Hempstead Sacre Mrs., Park-road, London Salisbury, the Most Noble the Marquis of, K.G., Hatfield, Herts Sanger John, Esq., Oxford-street, London Savile George, Esq., Tinwell, Rutland Scott Page Nicol, Esq., St. Giles's, Norwich Searancke Francis Joseph, Esq., St. Albans Seymour Sir Horace B., M.P., Stoke, Chichester Sharp Mr. Samuel, Stamford Shearman Samuel, Esq., ditto Shilcock R. J., Esq,, Bourn, Lincolnshire Shirley Mrs., SaUsbury-square, London Shirley Henry, Esq., Newbury, Berks Shirley John, Esq. , High-street, Marylebone, London Simpson Francis, jun., Esq., Stamford Simpson Octavius, Esq., ditto Simpson Mrs. E., ditto Smith Abel, Esq., M.P., Berkeley-square, London Smith Benjamin, Esq., Horbhng, Lincolnshire Smyth Rev. W., Rector of South Elkington, Lincolnshire Smythies Raymond Brewster, Esq., Bedford Southern Mrs., Burghley, Stamford Southwell Rev. M. R., Vicar of St. Stephen's, near St. Albans Sowerby George, Esq., Ketton Hall, Rutland Spencer, the Right Hon. the Earl, Althorp, Northamptonshire Spencer, the Right Hon. the Countess, ditto Spencer Rev. Woolley, Confrater of Brown's Hospital, Stamford Spry Rev. John Hume, D.D., Rector of St. Marylebone, London Stackhouse Rev. J., Uffington, Lincolnshire Stamford Library Standwell Mr., Great Casterton, Rutland LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. xm Stanley, the Right Hon. Lord, St. James's square, London Stocker James, Esq., Guy's Hospital, London Story J. S., Esq., Clerk of the Peace for the County of Hertford, St. Albans Sturt G., Esq., ditto Sudbury J. L., Esq., Cambridge Sutton Sir Richard, Bart., Cottesmore, Rutland Sutton Miss, ditto Sutton Robert, jun., Esq., Hamilton Terrace, St. John's Wood, London Swann Rev. C. H., Rector of Stoke Dry, Rutland Syrett Mr. Thomas, St. Albans Taylor, the Misses, Harewood-square, London, 2 copies Tennant Mrs. C, Glasgow, 8 copies Thompson William, Esq., Stamford Thorpe Edward, Esq., Tin well, Rutland Tooley Mr. W., Crowland, Lincolnshire Townsend T., Esq., St. Ettiene Trewman Arthur H. P., Esq., Wimbledon, Surry Trowell J., Esq., Crowland, Lincolnshire Turner T. C, Esq., Leicester Valpy J. M., Esq., Edgbaston, Birmingham Verdie Mr., Burghley, Stamford Verulam, the Right Hon. the Earl of, Gorhambury, St. Albans, Herts Walford Thomas, Esq., the Pryor's Bank, Fulham Walford Arthur, Esq., Lowndes-square, London Walford Frederick, Esq., Bolton-street, Piccadilly, London Walford T. J. G., Esq., New Square, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London Walters Rev. N., Vicar of AU Saints', Stamford Ward James, Esq., Greenwich Wardroper Edmund, Esq., Midhurst, Sussex Wass Chas. W., Esq., Adelphi, London Waterfield Mr., Stamford Webster Rev. S. K., Barnack, Northamptonshire Weddell S., Esq., Stamford Welch Mr. J. S., St. James' street, London LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. Weldon Marsh, Esq., Buckden, Hunts Wellesley Lady Charles, Apsley House, London White J., Esq., Montague-square, London White Mr., Gas Works, Stamford WUkinson J., Esq., Potterton, Yorkshire Williams Allen, Esq., St. Thomas street, Southwark, London Williams Allen, Esq., M.D., ditto Willis F., Esq.. M.D., ShUliagthorpe House, Lincolnshire WUson J. W. R., Esq., Broughton House, near Preston, Lancashire Wilson Mrs. Sarah, Crowland, Lincolnshire Wilson Mr., Stamford Windyear Edward, Esq., Hertford Wing Rev. W., Rector of Stibbington, Hunts Wolf Mr. G., London Woodward Mr. W., Stamford Wright Thomas Tyrwhitt, Esq., Leicester Yorke Mrs., Thrapston, Northamptonshire Young Sir Charles, Garter, College of Arms Zillwood Rev. I. O., Rector of Compton, Hants CONTENTS. PAGE Preface Genealogical, Table — to face page .. .. 1 Origin and Descent of the Family of Cecil . . 1 Life. OF Sir William Cecil, Lord Treasurer BURGHLEY . . . . . . . . 5 Ten Precepts addressed by the same to his second Son, Robert, afterwards Earl of Salisbury . . 104 Memoir of Thomas, First Earl of Exeter . . 110 — William, Second Earl . . 127 David, Third Earl . . . . 133 John, Fourth Earl . . 134 John, Fifth Earl 139 John, Sixth Earl 143 John, Seventh Earl 144 Brownlow, Eighth Earl . . ib. Brownlow, Ninth Earl 145 Henry, Tenth Earl, and First Mar- auis 146 Brownlow, Second and Present Marquis . . . . 147 xvi CONTENTS. PAGE Description of Burghley House : — History of the Manor of Burghley . . 159 Period of the Erection of the House .. .. 162 Entrance Lodges and Park .. .. 165 Exterior of the House .. .. .. 167 Porter's Lodge . . . . . . . . 170 First Corridor .. .. .. .. 171 Queen Victoria's Hall .. .. .. 172 Saloon and Corridors . . . . . . ..177 West Front Hall .. .. .. 180 Inner Court or Quadrangle .. .. 182 Chapel Room . . . . . . . . 183 Chapel .. .. .. .. ..186 Billiard Room .. .. .. .. 187 Ball Room . . . . . . . . . . 190 Brown Drawing Room .. .. .. 193 Black and Yellow Bed Chamber .. .. 197 West Dressing Room . . . . . . 200 North Dressing Room . . .. .. 202 China Closet . . . . . . . . 204 Queen Elizabeth's Bed Room . . . . . . 205 Pagoda Room . . . . . . . . 206 Purple Satin Bed Room .. .. ..211 Purple Satin Dressing Room , . . . 212 State-Bed Dressing Room, or First George Room . . 216 Jewel Closet . . . . . . . . 220 State Bed Room, or Second George Room . . 223 State Dressing Room, or Third George Room . . 227 Great Drawing Room, or Fourth George Room . . 230 Fifth George Room . . . . . . 235 Grand Staircase . . . . . . . . 236 Dining Room . . . . . . . . 24 1 CONTENTS. xvii PAGE Marble Plall . . . . . . . . 243 Red Drawing Room . . . . . . 246 Blue Drawing Room . . . . . . . . 249 Green Dressing Room . . . . . . 253 Japan Closet . . . . . . . . 256 Crimson Velvet Bed Room . . . . 267 Crimson Velvet Dressing Room . . . . 268 Blue and Silver West Dressing Room . . 269 Blue and Silver Bed Chamber . . . . . . 270 Blue and Silver North Dressing Room . . 271 Closet . . . . . . . . . . 272 Ante-Library . . . . 273 Library . . . . . . . . , _ 274 North Front Hall . . . . . . 276 Stone Parlour . . . . . . . . 277 Kitchen . . . . . , {f,^ Steward's Room and other Offices . . . . 278 Demesne . . . . . . . . 279 WOTHORP . . . . . . . . 281 Plans op Burghley House — to/ace page . . 282 St. Martin's Church, Stamford Baron . . 283 List of Painters . . . . . . . . 297 Index to the Portraits . . . . . . 315 a PREFACE. The original design of the present volume was to supply the want of an accurate guide and hand-book to the contents of Burghley House ; the publications which have hitherto appeared upon the subject, incorrect and deficient as they were in many essential points, having been for some time out of print. "With the view of imparting additional interest to the proposed undertaking, and in order to render the work as complete as possible, it was thought desirable to prefix to it an account of the noble family connected with the mansion, from its earliest origin ; and, more especially, to record the history of the eminent statesman, who was its distinguished ornament and ennobler. In compiling the life of the Lord Treasurer Burghley, — which, as it was the most important, has also proved by far the most arduous part of his engagement, — the author has derived material assistance from the biography of that minister contained in Macdiarmid's Lives of British Statesmen, full permission to that effect having been courteously conceded by the publishers XX PREFACE. of the work in question. He is also indebted for much information contained in other parts of the memoir, particu- larly for many of the remarks which are olFered in the notes, to Nares's more elaborate account of the Life and Actions of the same illustrious statesman. With regard to that portion of the work which comprises the description of Burghley House, the author is desirous of observing that he does not pretend to give a professedly critical notice of its contents; his main design having been to ensure accuracy and correctness in the particulars which he has related, and thereby to furnish a key to the treasures of the mansion which might be of material service to its numerous visiters. To the kind and valuable assistance which he has in this respect received from its present owners, who have supphed him with every information which was essential to his purpose, and which it might otherwise have been impossible for him to procure, he feels that he shall have been chiefly indebted for any success which may have attended his efforts to fulfil the object which he has had more immediately in view. The limited time and attention which the more important professional duties of the author have permitted him to bestow upon the present work, will, he hopes, be admitted as an excuse for any imperfections which may be detected in its details ; for he feels conscious that, under any circum- stances, he should have found great difficulty in recording, as it deserves, the history of so illustrious a character as the Great Lord Burghley, or of offering such an account of the edifice reared under his auspices as should be commen- surate witli its interest and importance. Should he, however, PREFACE XXI succeed in rendering any of his readers more familiar witli the character of a statesman, of whom it is to be lamented that so few biographical memoirs have been published, or in affording them greater facilities for inspecting the works of art deposited in one of the most celebrated mansions in the kingdom, the sole object with which he ventures to offer the present volume to their notice will be effectually accomplished. Stamford, May 17th, 1847. Back of Foldout Not Imaged GENEALOGICAL TABLE CORRECTED FROM THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENT IN THE POSSESSION OF HIS LORDSHIP. -.l.,i,M. dB^ IK,, d K„sH i,K..,..„.d,„™KpE,«, HISTORT OF THE HOUSE OF CECIL. ITS OEIGIN AND DESCENT. FAMiLYX)f Cecil, the name of which has been at different times written in various ways, as Sitsilt, Sicelt, Seycil, Seisel, Syssell, Cycyl, Cicil, &c., is descended from the anei«nt house of Sitsilt, of Alterennes, in Herefordshire J The first person of the name respecting whom anything particular is recorded is Robert Sitsilt, who, being an assistant to Robert Fitzhamon in the conquest of Glamorganshire^ in the year 1091, the fourth year of the reign of "William Rufus, was presented by the said Robert Fitzhamon, in return for his services, with lands in Wales, and after- wards by marriage became possessed of Alterennes, in that part of Herefordshire called Ewyas Lands, with other lands in Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, ' Camden's Britannia, ii., 442. According to Verstegan, the family is i>nginally descended from the Roman CoBcilii. — Restitution of Decayed Ldclligence: London, 1628, p. 312. - Dugdale's Baronage of England, ii., 405. 2 ORIGIN AND DESCENT OF and Monmouthshire.^ He was succeeded by his son, Sir James Sitsilt, Baron of Beauport, or Beaupere, in Glamorgan- shire, who was slain at the siege of Wallingford Castle, in the fourth year of the reign of King Stephen, having on a vesture on which was wrought in needle-work his arms or ensigns, respecting which a controversy afterwards arose at Halidown- hill, near Berwick, in the year 1333,^ between Sir John Sitsilt (the descendant of the above-named Sir James^) and Sir William Fackenham, each party challenging the arms as his own proper right, and olFering to maintain the same by single combat. Edward III., however, who was then King, ordered the heralds to determine the matter by civil right ; and accordingly, after examination, they decided the claim in favour of Sir John Sit- silt, as being lineally descended from Sir James Sitsilt, who was slain at Wallingford,^ The fourth in descent from this Sir John Sitsilt was Philip the son of Richard Sicelt^ (as the name was then written), who had issue — Philip, the inheritor of the family estates in Hereford- shire, and David, the younger son, who was the grandfather of William Cecil, the great Lord Burghley. This David, having purchased an estate in Lincolnshire in 22d Henry VIL, foimded ' " The Sitsilts," says Aubrey, in his History of Surrey, " were ori- ginally of Monmouthshire, and a family of great antiquity. I was in Monmouth church anno 1656, and there was in a window a very old escutcheon (as old as the church) belonging to the aforesaid family. It did hang a little dangerously, and I fear 'tis now spoiled. They are vulgarly called Sei/sil." 2 Barnes's Hist, of Edward the Third, p. 75. For the intermediate branches of the family, see the genealogical table. ^ Barnes's Hist, of Edward the Third, p. 75. ^ Collins' Peerage of England, ed. Brydges, ii., 586. According to Nares, however, PhUip was third in descent, and Richard, his son, fourth. See Nares's Memoirs of Lord Burghley, vol. i., pp. 8, 11, where the sub- ject is discussed at length ; also Dugdale's Baronage of England, ii., 405. THE FAMILY OF CECIL. 3 a chantry in St. George's church, Stamford ; and, in the 3d of ITcnry VIII., was constituted water-baihfF of Whittlesey-mere, in the county of Huntingdon, and keeper of the swans there and throughout all the waters and fens in the counties of Hunting- don, Cambridge, Lincoln, and Northampton, for the term of thirty years. In the 5th year of the same reign, he was made one of the King's Serjeants at arms ; and, through the influence which he thus obtained at court, he procured for Richard, his son and heir, the office of a page of the crown.i Three years afterwards, he obtained a grant for himself and his son of the kcepership of ClyfF Park, in the county of Northampton, and was also constituted steward of the King's lordship of Coly Weston, in that county, and escheator of the county of Lincoln.2 In the 23d year of Henry VIII., he was made Sheriff of Northamptonshire. He was three times Alderman of Stamford, and departed this life in the year 1541,3 having given directions that his body should be interred in the parish church of St. George in Stamford.^ Richard, his son and heir, having, through his father's interest, as above stated, been appointed one of the pages to King Henry VIII., attended the sovereign in that capacity on the occasion of his celebrated interview, in the year 1520, with the French King Francis I., on the " Field of the Cloth of Gold." In the 22d year of the same reign, being then groom of the robes to the King, he obtained a grant of the office of con- ' Collins, ii., 587. 2 Ibid. 3 Collins, ii., 587. From an entry in Lord Burghley's M.S. Diary, his death would appear to have taken place five years before—" Anno 1536. David Cecill, avus mens, mortuus est." * He also left money in his will for " a prieste to sing a year" in the same church. A 2 4 ORIGIN AND DESCENT OP stable of Warwick Castle, then in the crown. About five years afterwards, he had a grant of the office of bailiff of the King's water, called Wittlesey-mere, and of those waters called Great Crick and Mary's, in the counties of Cambridge, Lincoln, Huntingdon, and Northampton, for the term of thirty years, after the expiration of the term granted to David Cecill, his father. In the year 1539, he was sheriff of Rut- landshire ;i and, shortly afterwards, he had a grant assigned to him, his heirs, and assigns for ever, (being designated Richard Cecyll, of Burley, in the county of Northampton, Esq.,) of the site of St. Michael's priory, near Stamford, and the church, and 299 acres of arable land lying in the parish of St. Martin's in Stamford, in the county of Northampton.^ In 1543, he was made steward of the King's manors of Nassington, Yarwell, and Upton, in the county of Northamp- ton, for life ; and in 1 545, he purchased the manor of Esyngdon, in the county of Rutland, then also in the crown, as parcel of the Earl of Warwick's lands. ^ The following year, he surrendered his custody of Warwick Castle, retaining the office of yeoman of the robes, which he served both to Henry VIII. and his son Edward VI., and, departing this life. May 19th, 1552,"* was buried in St. Margaret's church, West- minster ; leaving issue, by Jane his wife (the daughter and heiress of William Heckington, of Bourn, in the county of Lincoln, Esq.,) besides three daughters, his son and heir — William Cecil, First Lord Burghley, the illustrious subject of the following memoir. 1 Wright's Rutlandshire, p. 12. " Collins' Peerage of England, ii., 588. 3 Ihid. This is the date on the family monument in St. Martin's, Stamford ; but, according to Nares, he died March 19th, 1553. See his Memoirs of Lord Burghley, vol. i., p. 14, and the note there. THE FAMILY OF CECIL. .5 LIFE OP THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. ' U 'O 'O U 'O Was bora at Bourn, in Lincolnshire, on the 13th day of September, 1520,1 in the house of his paternal grandfather, David Cecil, Esq., or, accord- ing to some, in that of his mother's father,^ "William Heckington, Esq., of the same place.^ During his youth, he seems to have given early proofs of that genius and application which were so conspicuously displayed in the more advanced part of his life, being, as we are told, " in his infancy so pregnant -J|\in wit, and so desirous and apt to learn, as in J j expectation foretold his great future fortune."* He was educated, first in the grammar-school at Grantham, and subsequently in that at Stamford ; and in May, 1535, being then in the fifteenth year of his age, he became a member of St. John's College, Cambridge. It is well known ^ The following memorandum to this effect occurs in his own M.S. Diary : — " Ego, GuUelmus Cecil, natus sum apud Burn in Com. Lincoln, xiii Septembris, Anno Domini 1520." 2 Nares, Peck, &c., adopt the latter opinion. ■* He was also christened at Bourn. — Dugdale's Baronage, vol.ii.,p. 406. - Life of William, Lord Burghley, by a Domestic, ed. by Collins, p, 6. 6 LIFE OF that ill those days students commenced their academical lifv at a much earher age than at the present time, and Cecil had doubtless, by his previous diligence and application, well qualified himself in every respect for a course of study at the university. Here, he sulfered no obstacle to stand in his way, and seemed resolved on excelling his fellow students by the earnestness and intensity of his application, which was carried to such a length that he hired the college bell-ringer to call him up at four o'clock in the morning, in order that he might devote certain hours to study without interruption. The conse- quences of the sedentary nature of his pursuits unfortunately showed themselves in a painful humour which he contracted in his legs ; and although he was almost entirely cured of this distemper, yet it was considered by his medical attendants to have been the principal cause of the gout to which in the latter part of his life he became a continual martyr.^ His great industry soon procured for him the favorable notice of his supe- riors. Dr. Medcalf, who was then master of the college, encouraged his perseverance by occasionally giving him presents and by other particular marks of favour.^ At the age of six- teen, he became a public lecturer upon logic ; and at nineteen, he delivered lectures upon the Greek language, which was at that time considered a most unusual and rare accomplishment. He also made considerable proficiency in other branches of learning, and improved his natural good abilities so much, by his unwearied application, that he became as distinguished for his scholarship at the university as he was afterwards celebrated for his talents and capacity as a statesman through- out the world. Amongst his cotemporaries at Cambridge, ' Life of William, Lord Burghley, p. 6. - Fuller's History of the University of Cambridge, p, 95. THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEYo 7 (witli many of whom he contracted a warm and lasting friend- ship,) were Smith^, Cheke^, Parker^, Ascham*, Bacon^, &c. Having taken his degree of Master of Arts, he removed to Gray's Inn at the age of twenty-one years, ^ where he appUed himself to the study of the law with the same assiduity which had hitherto marked his character. He was also much engaged about this time in antiquarian researches ; and such was his proficiency in discovering and arranging the ancient pedi- grees of the most distinguished families, that he soon acquired the reputation of being a most accomplished herald.^ It is ^ Afterwards Sir Thomas Smith, Public Orator, and Professor of Civil Law in the University. The following lines by a poet of those times give us some idea of the variety of his attainments : — Quis primus Rhetor ? Smithus. — Quis maximus Hermes Linguarum ? Smithus. — Gcometres ? Smithus et idem. Summus Arithmeticus ? Srnithus. — Legumque peritus Ante alios ? Smithus. — Physicus celeberrimus ? Ohe Smithus multiscius. — Morum vitseque magister Optimus? et Smithus. — (Musarum Lacrymm.) ^ Sir John Cheke, subsequently Regius Professor of Greek and PubUc Orator. In 1544, he was appointed one of the tutors to Prince Edward. During the persecution of the Protestants in the reign of Queen Mary, he became reconciled to the Church of Rome by Cardinal Pole, but was after- wards seized with such shame and remorse for his apostacy, that he did not long survive it. He was the brother of the first wife of Lord Burghley ; and from the assistance which he rendered the latter during his studies at Cambridge, is often described as his tutor. ^ Matthew Parker, afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury. ■• Roger Ascham, tutor to the Princess (afterwards Queen) Ehzabeth, and Latin secretary successively to Edward VI., Mary, and Elizabeth. Afterwards Sir Nicholas Bacon, Lord Chancellor under Queen Elizabeth. " Anno 1541, Mail vi., veni ad Grayes In, cum essem natus annos xjci." — Lord Burghley' s M.S. Diary. Bacon's Works. — The following extract from a letter addressed many years after by Cecil to his son's tutor at Paris, will show the light in which he continued to regard the study in question : — " My desyre is to have my " son know the estates and familyes of the nobilitie of that realme ; in LIFE OF also worthy of mention that he made an invariable practice of recording with his pen every thing which occurred to him as deserving notice either in reading or writing, which he arranged in the most accurate and methodical manner ; and, whilst this habit necessarily afforded him great quickness and facility in committing his thoughts to writing, he took care, at the same time, to study, what must ever be considered an indispensable qualification for the bar, an easy and graceful manner of expressing himself. During his residence at Gray's Inn, an incident occurred, which is thus related in his " Life by a Domestic"^, a work to which frequent reference will be made in the course of these pages : — " He would manie " tymes," says he, " be merry amonge young gentlemen, who " weare most desirous of his companie, for his wittie mirth and " merry temper : among the rest, I hard him tell this merriment " of himself — that a mad companion inticed him to plaie, where " in short tyme he lost all his money, bedding, and books, to " his companion, having never used plaie before, and being " among his other company, told how such a one had misled " him, saieing he would presently have a device to be even with " him ; and with along tronke made a hole in the wall near his "plaiefellow's bed's head, and in a fearefuU voice spoke thus " thorough the tronke, ' O, mortal man, repent, repent of thy " which nature, you know I have here bene dilligent. I wold have hym " acquaynted with some herald, to understand the principall family es and " there allyancies." — Bur gen's Life and Times of Sir Thomas Gresham, vol.i., p. 229. 1 Although described as the "Narrative of & Domestic," we must bear in mind that in those days there were often included under that term (which, according to its proper signification, implies, not merely menials, but any inmate of the same establishment,) many persons of family and reputation. The domestic in question appears to have been a faithful attendant, or retainer, who lived in the house with the Lord Treasurer during the last twenty-five years of his life, and whose narrative was long preserved by the Earls of Exeter at Burghley, until it became worn out by age. THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 9 '* ' horrible syime, plaie, cosenage, and such lewdncs, or els thow " ' art damned, and canst not be saved ;' which, at midnight all " alone, so amazed him as to drive him into a sweate for feare. " Most penitent and heavy, the next daie, in presence of the " yewthes, he told with tremblinge what a fearefuU voice spake " to him at midnight, vowinge never to plaie againe, and calling " for Mr. Cecill asked him forgivnes on his knees, and restored " all his money, bedding, and books. So two gamesters weare "both reclaymed with this merry device, and never plaid " more." Soon after he commenced his residence at Gray's Inn, Cecil married Mary^ the daughter of Peter Cheke, one of the Esquire Bedels of the University of Cambridge, and sister to Sir John Cheke before referred to.^ By this lady, who was descended from a very ancient family at Molston, in the Isle of Wight,^ and who died a little more than a twelvemonth after her marriage, he had one son, Thomas, afterwards first Earl of Exeter. It is evident that Cecil's brilliant accomplishments, added to his singular industry and perseverance, would have rendered him a bright ornament to the profession of the bar, for which, as we have seen, he was originally intended. Acci- dent, however, contributed to alter his views in this respect, and, by bringing him under the immediate notice of liis 1 " Anno lf)4:l, Aug. via. , nupsi Maries Cheke, Cantabrigice." — M.S. Diary. The use of the word nupsi in this passage is remarkable, and, it is needless to add, not strictly classical. It is not, however, to be expected that the hasty notices of a private journal should always consist of the purest Latin ; and that the mistake in question arose from inadvertence, is evident from the following entry which Lord Burghley elsewhere makes of the same event, as well as of his second marriage : — " 1541, 8th Aug. Duxi in tavorem Maria Cheke." " Dec. 21st, 1545. Duxi in uxorem Mildre Coqua." - Vide supra, p. 7. Strypc's Life of Sir John Cheke. 10 LIFE OF sovereign, paved the way to that eminence and celebrity which he subsequently acquired as a statesman and a minister. Happening to be at the court with his father, who was at that time groom of the robes to King Henry VIII., he fell in with two Irish priests, who had come over to England in the train of their chieftain, O'Neil ;i and entering into a discussion with them on the subject of the Pope's supremacy, which they failed not strenuously to uphold, he so baffled and confounded them by means of his superior skill in argument, that they had not another word to say, but, as we are told, " flung away in a chafe, no less discontented than " ashamed to be foiled in such a place by so younge a berdless " yewth."3 Upon the particulars of this discussion (which had been conducted throughout in Latin) being reported to Henry, that monarch, no less pleased with this early indication of talent than the zeal and success with which the young advocate had refuted the Pope's claims to supremacy, immediately sent for him, and, finding the first impression which he had conceived of his abilities fully confirmed in the course of a lengthened interview, took him at once into his service, and shortly after- wards granted to him the reversion of the lucrative and honor- able appointment of Gustos Brevium, in the Common Pleas. The introduction which Cecil thus obtained at court was sub- sequently improved by other circumstances. His brother-in- law Cheke was soon after this summoned from Cambridge to superintend the education of Prince Edward ; and, in addition to the interest which his father, by virtue of his office about ' O'NeU was one of the refractory Irish chieftains, who had endea- vored to advance the cause of the Pope in Ireland, and to encourage the party that wished to invite James V., King of Scotland, Henry's nephew, to the sovereignty of the country ; but, being foiled in these attempts, he now came over to pay his allegiance to the English monarch. - Life of William, Lord Burghley, p. 9. THE LORD TEEASURER HURGHLEY. 11 the King's person, would naturally enjoy, Cecil's connexion at court was still further cemented by his second marriage, in December, 1545, with Mildred daughter of Sir Anthony Cooke, who was engaged, in conjunction with Cheke, in educating the young Prince. It was about this time that he was introduced to the Earl of Hertford afterwards Duke of Somerset, uncle to Prhice Edward; and not long after probably to Cranmer, who was the Prince's godfather. By the interest derived from these introductions, particularly that to Somerset (who, on the death of Henry VIII., was appointed Protector to the young King Edward VI.), he was enabled to cultivate a connexion which, in a few years, elevated him to the highest offices of the state. ^ In the year 1547, the first year of the new reign, Cecil succeeded to his office of Gustos Brevium, the income derived from which appointment was something short of ^240 per annum. The same year, he was appointed by Somerset master of the requests, an office which appears to have been created by the Protector, for the purpose of relieving himself of some of his own arduous and accumulated labours and although Cecil did not occupy this post for any considerable period, yet he discharged its duties during the time they lasted with his usual zeal and attention. About the same time, he attended the expedition which was sent into Scotland, to establish by force of arms the treaty of marriage which had been projected by the late King Henry VIII. between his son Edward and Mary the young Queen of Scots, and was present at the memorable battle of Musselburg or Pinkey, fought on the 10th of September, 1547, in which the English were Camden's Annal. Eliz., p. 774. Peck's Desiderata Curiosa, Lib. 1,8, note. " Anno 1547, in astute fui in Scotia.^' — M.S. Diary. 12 LIFE OF completely victorious. On this occasion, he narrowly escaped with his life ; for one of his companions, observing a cannon pointed directly at him, hastily pushed him on one side, and thus saved his friend from destruction, although in so doing he unfortunately had his own arm shattered by the ball.i On his return home, success attended Cecil in every under- taking. He not only continued to advance in the good opinion of the Protector, but he was soon favored with the acquaintance and friendship of Edward himself ; and such was the regard entertained by both towards the young statesman, as well as the high opinion which they had conceived of his talents and endowments, that, in the following year, he was promoted to the office of secretary of state,^ being then just twenty-eight years of age. As his rising fortunes seem hitherto to have kept pace with those of Somerset, so it was to be expected that he should be involved also in the downfall and disgrace which shortly befell his friend and patron. Accordingly, when that nobleman became the -vdctim of a conspiracy formed against him, to which, it must be confessed, his imprudent and ostentatious exercise of power had too readily exposed him, Cecil shared the imprisonment to which he was consigned in the Tower.^ His incarceration here, however, was not of long duration, as we find him liberated at the expiration of three months, principally through the influence of the Duke of Northumberland, who had been the chief instigator of the above conspiracy, but, perceiving the talent and ability which marked the character of Cecil, and thinking probably that he might be made the means of forwarding his own ambi- ' Life of William, Lord Burghley, p. 10. 2 *' Sept. 1548. Co-optatussum in officium Secretarii." — M.S. Diary. ^ " Mense Novemhris, Hi. Edw. vi.,fui in Turre." — M.S. Diary. THE LORD TREASURER BURGIILEY. 13 tious views, he not only procured his release from the Tower, but had him reinstated in his former office of secretary of state. He was also admitted into the King's privy council, and the following year, Oct. 9th, 1551, received at his hands the honor of knighthood. This sudden change of fortune, as might be expected, has not failed to lay the subject of the present notice open to the imputation of ingratitude to his former patron ; and some have even gone so far as to allege that he had a secret under- standing with Northumberland before the disgrace of Somerset, and that he was rewarded for his baseness in the manner we have described. There appears, however, no real ground to warrant such an imputation, which in fact was only brought against him by those who became jealous of the elevated position which he subsequently reached. Nares^ enters largely upon his defence in this particular; and the writer of the Life by the Domestic, before referred to, tells us^ that his sole aim and object throughout was to discharge the duties of his office conscientiously, and that, when each Duke endeavoured in turn to mould him to his own purpose, he refused to take bribes or gifts from either, but studied only to promote the interests of his sovereign : and, as a proof that in accepting favors from Northumberland he considered himself bound by no subservient devotion to his interests, it is only necessary to state that, when that nobleman was afterwards desirous of bringing about a marriage between his son and Lady Jane Grey, Cecil offered the most determined oppo- sition to his wishes, and thereby incurred the whole weight of his displeasure and resentment. The same remarks will apply in reference to his conduct on the occasion of the second fall of 1 Memoirs of Lord Burghley, vol. i., chap. xxii. ^ Page 11. 14 LIFE OF Somerset, who, having been released from his former imprison- ment and restored to his seat in the council, was soon afterwards accused of plotting the destruction of his great rival, and, being brought to trial on the charge, was convicted and executed. It is said, that, in the midst of the trouble in which he was thus a second time involved, Somerset appealed for assistance to the Secretary, who returned for answer, " that, if he M^as innocent, he might trust to that ; and if he was otherwise, he could not help him ." Although such a reply appears to savour of ingrati- tude towards one from whom he had received many substantial favours, yet it must be remembered that even Edward himself was unable to save Somerset, to whom he was so nearly related, from the fate which his restless spirit of ambition had at length brought upon him : Cecil, therefore, finding that any interpo- sition on his part could be of no possible avail, merely acted the part of prudence in declining to interfere. It is only necessary to add, in reference to this subject, that the Duchess of Somerset, the widow of the Protector, was so far from considering him guilty of any baseness or ingratitude towards her husband, that she left him in her will a particular token of her friendship and esteem. Having thus endeavoured to rescue Cecil from the charges in question, we must now proceed to consider his conduct as secretary of state, and turn our attention to some of those improvements in the administration and commerce of the country which he soon began to carry into execution. It has been too generally the custom to regard this states- man solely as the minister of Queen Elizabeth, and to connect his great talents and services exclusively with the reign of that sovereign. It has even been argued that the good fortune and successful career of Elizabeth were the means of establishing the reputation of the minister, and that the latter owed his fame rather to her proverbial pros- THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 15 perity than to his own merits and qualifications. The evidence, however, which Cecil alforded during this reign, of his genius and capacity as a statesman, and the rising proofs which he gave of future greatness, are sufficient to assure us that he must have attained to eminence under any circumstances ; and it is not too much to assert that, had Edward not been cut off by a premature death, he would have risen to a position no less elevated than that which he sub- sequently acquired under Elizabeth. Whilst other public men were engaged in the private feuds and dissensions which at this time pervaded the court, the Secretary was busily employed in the discharge of his official duties, and in direct- ing his efforts in particular to an equalization of the income and expenditure of the country. The King's debts^, which in those days were inseparably connected with the public liabilities of the nation, amounted to a great sum, which Cecil endeavoured as much as possible to reduce, as well as to discountenance the system which was then resorted to by the sovereign of borrowing money from foreign merchants at a high rate of interest. He also took measures to prevent the debasing of the coin, a practice which had become prevalent, and which was at one time carried to such a length as even to threaten an insurrection on the part of the nation. ^ But the improvements which he effected in the commerce of the empire, tended still more to advance his reputation. Hitherto the trade of England had been almost wholly engrossed by foreigners, who were allowed to settle in the country, to buy up the chief part of its produce, and to export it to the continental marts, to the severe loss and injury of the ' There is still to be seen, in Strype's Memorials of Edward VI., book ii., a statement of these debts in the month of February, 1551, printed from a manuscript drawn up by Sir William Cecil. ' Nares' Memoirs of Lord Burghley, i., 398. 16 LIFE OF native merchants, who were unable to enter into competition with their more wealthy neighbours. Great complaints had been already made of this monopoly, but Cecil seems to have been the first who directed to them any serious attention ; and, although he was unable at present to accomplish all that he wished, yet he undoubtedly laid the foundation of those improvements which were subsequently carried out, and the good effects of which may be said to be experienced at this day. A company of foreign merchants had settled in the metropolis, called, from their place of residence near London- bridge, merchants of the Steel or Still yard, whose gains were so enormous as to give them at length a complete monopoly of the whole foreign trade of the kingdom, and not only to exclude the English merchants, but also to keep other foreign traders at a distance. As the Steel-yard merchants had, by their excessive exportations, frequently forfeited their charter, although their wealth and influence as often enabled them to purchase a new one, Cecil, by a proper representation of the whole matter to the council, caused them to be altogether deprived of it, and to be subjected to the same impositions as other aliens.^ This had the effect of encouraging the English merchants to make use of greater exertions, and was a chief cause of that enterprise and industry which have ever since so strongly marked their character. He also projected another scheme for the benefit of com- merce, namely, the establishment of what were denominated National Marts. The staple of English produce had been hitherto transferred to foreign cities, being fixed first of all at Calais, and afterwards in the flourishing town of Antwerp, in which place it remained at the beginning of Edward's reign. Perceiving the disadvantages to which Englishmen were thus 1 Hayward's Life and Reign of Edward VI. THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 17 subject, Cecil's project was to abolish the staple at Antwerp, and, in lieu of it, to establish two free ports in England, one at Southampton, the other at Hull : the former intended for the southern, and the latter for the north-eastern trade of the kingdom. 1 The following is Sir John Hayward's account of this scheme : — " In these times (1552) it was conceived by many, that, by " erecting of a mart in England the realm would be much " inriched, and made more famous and less obnoxious to other " countries. The places deemed most meet were Hull for the " East countries, and Southampton for the South. London " was judged no ill place, but Southampton was thought more " convenient for the first beginning. This matter detained " the Lords of the Council in a deliberation both serious and " long, with great strength and variety of reasons on both " sides." It was at length determined that the scheme should be carried out; the preparations, however, for elfecting it were interrupted by the King's illness and death, which took place not long afterwards. Cecil, meanwhile, had been steadily advancing in the favour and good opinion of his sovereign. No other subject seems to have been admitted into more close and intimate friendship with him ; and many of the productions ostensibly attributed to the pen of Edward, are supposed to have been in a great measure the work of his Secretary. It is said that the Princess Mary, on receiving a letter from her royal brother, urging her in very pressing terms to abjure the errors of popery, exclaimed, "Ah ! Mr. Cecil's pen has taken great pains here." Sir William was, on the 12th of April, 1553, made Chancellor of the Order of the Garter,^ by which appointment he obtained ' Nares, i., 423. ^ We shall find him hereafter created Knight of the same illustrious order. B 18 LIFE OF the addition of a hundred marks to his income He is also supposed to have succeeded his father, who died March 22d of the same year, in his office of master or yeoman of the robes, although this is not altogether certain. ^ The young King's health now began to show evident symptoms of decline. Whilst the apprehension caused by this circumstance was very general in the minds of the nation, to whom he had universally endeared himself by his virtuous and amiable quahties, there were not wanting some who sought to render the event the means of furthering their own daring and ambitious schemes. Northumberland resolved on using the influence which he possessed over the mind of Edward, to secure the succession to the throne in favour of one of his own family. The right of Mary and Elizabeth, the two surviving daughters of Henry VIII., had already been called in question on the score of illegitimacy. This repre- sentation was successfully urged on the now enfeebled monarch by Northumberland, who further persuaded him to set aside the pretensions of another claimant, namely, Mary, Queen of Scots, on the ground of her strong attachment to the Roman Catholic rehgion. By these means, he cleared the way for Lady Jane Grey, whose distant pretensions to the throne were derived through her mother, the Duchess of Suffolk, who was niece to Henry VIII.; and having prevailed on the King to acknowledge this lady as the future sovereign, Northumber- land put the finishing stroke to his policy by marrying her to his fourth son. Lord Guildford Dudley. It is not to be expected that Edward gave his consent without some scruples to this wholesale transfer of the ^ The entry in his Diary, on the occasion of this appointment, runs thus : — " Paid the embroiderer for xxxvj. schutchyus for my servtmts' " coats, at ijs. each, nil. xiis." - See Nares, i., 437. THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 19 crown; but he was the more easily reconciled to it from the great affection which he entertained towards the Lady Jane, the admiration which he felt for her superior qualities, and, above all, from his assurance of her strong devotion to the Protestant faith. In order to confirm this alteration in the succession, Northumberland obtained from the Prince a patent, to which he required the signature of all the members of the privy council, and, amongst others, that of Cecil, who, for the part which he took in this transaction, has again been subject to censure and misrepre- sentation. It has been asserted, that he was among the first to support the schemes of Northumberland, and that he even assisted in drawing up the instrument for altering the suc- cession. From the testimony, however, of an old servant, Roger Alford, once his under-secretary, we find that Cecil, from the first moment that such a plan was in contemplation, expressed his aversion to it, and proceeded to declare, that " whatever became of it, he would never partake of that device." It further appears, that both threats and promises were employed in vain to extort his consent ; that he refused to affix his signature as a privy counsellor ; and that he was at length only induced, at the earnest entreaty of the King him- self, to sign his name, and that only as a witness to the transaction. It is not to be supposed, indeed, that it was a scheme likely to meet either with his consent or approval. Even had he been disposed, from his attachment to the principles of the Reformation, to join in measures for prevent- ing the succession of Mary, who was the next heir to the throne, yet the only ground of exception which he could have ventured to take, namely, the previous declaration of her illegitimacy by parliament, was equally valid against her sister Elizabeth, in whose cause he was known even at this early B 2 20 LIFE OP period to have greatly interested himself. In fact, Cecil seems to have held himself as much aloof as possible from any share or concern in the matter, and even to have withdrawn from an enterprize which he could hardly fail to perceive was likely to bring down ruin on its promoters. Finding it still persisted in, he proceeded to make such a disposition of his property as to secure it with safety to his eldest son, in the event of his being imprisoned, or forced to quit the kingdom.^ This view of his conduct is further confirmed by the circum- stances which occurred on the death of Edward. Northum- berland having called upon him, as secretary of state, to pre- pare a proclamation setting forth the title and succession of Lady Jane, and also to write a letter affirming Mary's ille- gitimacy, he at once refused to comply with either demand. It was probably on this account that he was so graciously received by Mary, to whom, in company with several other of the privy counsellors, he took an early opportunity of joining himself. The unfavorable termination of the attempt to alter the succession to the cro\ra is well known. Totally opposed as she herself was to the schemes of Northumberland the unfortunate victim of his insurmountable ambition was anxious to remain in privacy and retirement, and nothing but his urgent entreaties and solicitations, united to those of her husband, could per- suade her to allow herself to be put in nomination to a throne, to which she was well aware that she had no just or valid claim. The consequences of this bold and mistaken step were soon apparent. Mary was welcomed by the people in every direction with the loudest acclamations ; and Lady Jane Grey, after enjoying the empty title of sovereign for a brief period of ten days, was consigned to imprisonment in the Tower, and > Burnet's Hist, of Reformation, vol, ii., 223. THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 21 the following year suffered execution with her husband ; North- umberland, who had been the cause of all her misfortunes, having been beheaded immediately after Mary's accession, although he descended to the most abject suppplications in order to save his hfe. Cecil, having obtained a general pardon from the Queen for whatever she might have considered culpable in his former conduct, determined for the present to retire from public life, although Mary, who seems to have been well acquainted with his great talents and capacity for business, was very desirous to retain him in her service, and even olfered to him the appointment which he had formerly held of secretary of state.i As the acceptance, however, of such an office necessa- rily implied a renunciation of the Protestant faith to which he was so warmly attached, Cecil did not hesitate a moment firmly, though respectfully, todechne theoflFer; answering, that " he was taught and bound to serve God first, and next the "Queen; but if her service shold put him out of God's " service, he hoped her Majestic wold give him leave to choose " an everlastinge rather than a momentarie service. And for " the Queene, she had byn his so gracious ladie, as he wold " even serve and praie for her in his heart ; and with his bodye " and goods, be as ready to serve in her defensce, as anie of " her loyall subjects, so she wold please to graunt him leave " to use his conscience to himself, and serve her at lardg as a " private man, rather than to be her greatest counsellor."^ In accordance with this resolution, Cecil remained aloof from the court, and, by taking no prominent part in the pubUc ^ " William Cecil had been secretary of estate to Edward VI., and " discharged the office so well, that, if his religion had not stood in the " way, he had been continued in the same post under Mary."— Rapi?i, vol.iii., pp. 275-276. 2 Life of William, Lord Burghley, p. 2, 22 LIFE OF measures which were at first brought forward, was enabled to provide for his own safety, without attracting the notice or suspicion of the government. It is needless to dwell at length on the cruelty and perse- cution which marked the short but sanguinary period of Mary's reign. Two parties at this time governed the court : the one, at the head of which was Bishop Gardiner, aimed at restoring the Roman catholic religion by every method of cruelty that could be devised, urging the extirpation of the heretics by fire and sword ; the other, less violent in its measures, but still bent on accomplishing a similar result — the extermination of the Protestant faith, was headed by Cardinal Pole, a man, who, though devoted to his religious tenets, sought to make converts rather by means of argument and persuasion than by force and severity. Conceiving that the safety of the Pro- testants was chiefly to be hoped for from the ascendancy of the Cardinal's counsels, Cecil accordingly attached himself to his interests. He had formed one of the deputation who had been sent over to fetch this prelate from Italy in the early part of Mary's reign ; and he appears to have soon succeeded in acquiring his good will and confidence, as we find him, in the following year, appointed to attend Pole on an embassy to the continent. Although Cecil, as we have before observed, had hitherto taken no open part in defence of his religion, and had been leading a comparatively retired life at his house at Burghley, where he employed himself in the management of his estates and in the superintendence of his numerous household, yet now that the safety of the reformed religion was becoming daily more endangered by the bigoted persecution of Mary and her cruel advisers, he found it necessary to adopt a more firm and decided course. Many sanguinary laws were before long proposed to Parliament by the government, which were THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 23 strenuously, and, in some cases, successfully resisted by the House of Commons. In the debates consequent on these measures. Sir William Cecil, who had been chosen member of parliament for the county of Lincoln,^ took a bold and active part; and when the bill came before the house, which enacted that the estates of all those who fled on account of their religion should be confiscated, he gave it the whole force of his most determined opposition, and to his activity and eloquence on the occasion is in a great measure to be ascribed the rejection of the measure.^ This conduct could hardly fail to render him obnoxious to the ruling party, who, being accustomed to carry all their measures by fire and sword, were little likely to make an exception in favour of one who had by his uncompromising boldness at length succeeded in rendering himself an object of considerable suspicion. Accordingly, he was summoned with several other suspected parties to appear before the Privy Council : but here his judgment and sagacity again served him, for, on coming into the room, he addressed the council, and " desired they would " not do by him as they had done by others before him, that " was, to commit them first, and hear them after, but he " prayed them first to hear him, and then to commit him if " he were guilty."^ This request having been complied with. Sir William, we are farther informed, making use of the ^ " xxviii. Octob. 1555. Paid the sherif of Lincolnshire, for the return " of the writ of the parlement, when I was knight of the shire, iiiis." — ilf.iS'. Diary. ^ The following is a notice referring to the event contained in Sir William's private Diary: — " On the 21st of October (1555), the Parliament " met at Westminster, in which, not without some danger, I discharged " my duty as a member, for though I sought it not, yet being returned " knight for the county of Lincoln, I spoke my mind freely, whereby I " incurred some displeasure ; but it is better to obey God than man." ^ Life of William, Lord Burghlcy, p, 13. 24 LIFE OF permission he had received, proceeded to set the affair in such a light, that, by the consent of all the council, he was discharged. Notwithstanding the peril which he had thus encountered, being again chosen in the following par- liament to represent his native county, he continued to uphold the Protestant cause with the same firm and undeviating constancy. Many detailed accounts are extant of the persecutions which the Protestants underwent during this unhappy period. It may not, however, be amiss to introduce here a brief notice to the same effect, written some years afterwards by the subject of the present memoir himself : — " In the time of Queen Mary, which little exceeded the space " of five years, there were put to death by imprisonment, tor- " ments, famine, and fire, of men, women, maidens, and children, " almost the number of four hundred,^ and of that number above " twenty that had been archbishops, bishops, and principal pre- " lates or officers in the church, lamentably destroyed ; and of " women above threescore, and of children above forty ; and *' amongst the women some great with child, out of whose " bodies the child by fire was expelled alive, and yet also cruelly " burnt. Examples beyond all heathen cruelty ! and most of the " youth of them suffered cruel death, both men, women, and " children (which is to be noted), were such as had never, by 1 According to Strype, the following were the numbers of those who actually suffered at the stake : — In 1555 71 Total 288, besides those that " dyed of famine, &c., in sondry prisons." — Strype' s Ecclesiastical Memorials, vol. iii., part ii. — Burnet, however, vol. ii., part i., 658-9, affirms that Lord Burghley's estimate is by far the most correct. 1556 1557 1558 89 88 40 THE LORD TREASURER KURGHLEY, 25 " the sacrifice of baptism, or by confirmation, professed, nor "were ever taught or instructed, or ever had heard of any "other kind of rehgion, but only of that, which by their " blood and death in the fire, they did as martyrs testify ."^ Meantime Cecil had, during the whole course of these events, been sedulously cultivating the interest and good will of the Princess EUzabeth.^ Foreseeing the possibility of her succeeding at no very distant time to the throne, and looking upon her as the future instrument by which, under Provi- dence, the principles of the reformed faith should again become ascendant, he lost no opportunity of establishing himself in her favour. The precise nature of the intercourse and com- munication which from time to time passed between them, it is difficult accurately to discover : it was only by incurring the most imminent danger, that, surrounded as they were by the spies of Mary, they were enabled to hold any correspondence at all ; yet it seems certain that the Princess, in the trying and delicate situation in which she was placed, frequently enjoyed the benefit of his wise counsels ; and many letters during this period passed between them, which for the reason already stated, were probably destroyed as soon as read.^ The reward of his faithful service was not destined to be long withheld. It was every day becoming more apparent that the health of Mary was declining ; the loss of Calais, and the studied neglect of her husband Philip, preyed sensibly upon her mind, and, after dragging on a few more months of ^ Treatise on Execution of Justice, written in 1583, in vindication of Queen Elizabeth. ^ " In Queen Mary's time he acted privately for the Lady Elizabeth." — Dugdale, vol. ii., p. 406. ^ See Aikin's Court of Queen Elizabeth, vol. i., p. 236, where mention is made of one letter still in existence addressed, not long before the death of Mary, by an attendant of Elizabeth to Cecil. 26 LIFE OF miserable existence, she expired in November, 1558, leaving to Elizabeth, her sister, the safe and undisputed succession to the throne. It was at Hatfield House, which had been the place of her sojourn for the three previous years,i that the new Queen first received the intelligence of Mary's death, and the information is generally supposed to have been communicated to her by Cecil himself. A particular spot, indeed, is still pointed out to visitors in the grounds of that princely residence as the place where the announcement was made. From this moment Cecil may be said to have entered into the immediate service of Queen Elizabeth, being the first person sworn of her privy council,^ and at the same time created secretary of state ; and until the hour of his death, forty years afterwards, he acted as her most confidential minister and adviser. No one, indeed, could have been selected who was better calculated for such a post, although, as has been before observed, so many are apt to consider his political 1 Hatfield House was the private property of Elizabeth, having been presented to her by her brother Edward VI., in the year 1550. It origi- nally belonged to the Bishops of Ely, and was built by Bishop Morton in 1480. In 1607, James the First gave it to Robert Cecil, first Earl of Salisbury (son of the Lord Treasurer Burghley by his second wife) in exchange for Theobalds in Hertfordshire, a place of which more wiU be said hereafter. It is scarcely necessary to add that Hatfield is now the seat of the Marquis of Salisbury, the direct descendant of the above Earl, 2 The following gracious words were addressed to him by the Queen on appointing him a member of her council : — " I give you this charge, that " you shall be of my privy council, and content yourself to take pains for " me and my realm. This judgement I have of you, that you wLU not be " corrupted with any gift; and that you vnll be faithful to the state ; and " that without respect of my private will, you will give me that coimsel " that you think best : and that if you should know anything necessary to " be declared to me of secrecy, you shall show it to myself only; and " assure yourself I will not fail to keep taciturnity therein. And therefore " herewith I charge you." — Nugae Antiqee. THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 2/ life as commencing only at the present era. But it was no less the experience than the wisdom of Cecil which enabled him to render such essential service to Elizabeth from the very commencement of her reign ; experience, which he had acquired under circumstances of no ordinary difficulty, and which he now brought to bear in full vigour and maturity on the comicils of his sovereign. No man was better acquainted than himself with the present posture of political affairs ; no one knew better the real interests of his country, or was more familiar with its several connexions and relations both at home and abroad. Though now only thirty-eight years of age, he had yet acquired the reputation of a most consummate politician, and was known to be well versed in the history of the public events, not only of England but of all Europe. It was, therefore, rather as an old and experienced counsellor that the Queen now recognized him, than as a new and untried servant ; and such was her dependence upon him for advice even at this early period, that the speech made by her to the deputation sent by the council to wait on her at Hatfield, is said to have been written by Cecil himself. It is certain that the minute of the steps to be taken on her first elevation to the throne was drawn up by him, and this document exhibits such compact- ness of expression and extent of observation, as bespeak the writer to have been possessed of no common or ordinary talents. 1 But we must not omit the account of these things contained in his Life by a Domestic : — " When Queue Elizabeth beganne her most happie reign, " Sir William Cecill, for his truth and tried service to her, was " worthely called, and honourably advanced by her Majestic " to be her secretarie and counsellor, and was first sworne of " anie counsellor she had, at Hatfield, where she laie at her 1 It is still preserved in the valuable collection of Cottonian Manuscripts in the British Museum. 28 LIFE OF " first coming to her crowne, wherein he then beganne to " kindle the hght, that ever since gave light and life to this " state. Her Majesties christian princely care and inchnation " concurring with his wise and provident counsell, tooke then " rooting, to roote out popery and superstition, and to plant " the practise and profession of the gospel in this realme, and " the peacable platforme of government we now enjoye in this " state, with so happie peaceable and plentifull success as for " so long a tyme of government, so famous exploits and so " manie notable things happening in the tyme of her Majesties " reigne, are more admirable in this age than matchable in " former, in all the nations of Christendome ; which beganne " and contynued first by Godes goodnes, and her Majesties " godlie princely care and providence, was also not a little " furdered and perfected by his lordships polHcie, paines, and " contynuall carefuU counsell, never slackinge the service, nor " loosinge the opportunitie, ever esteeming his greatest paines " his greatest pleasure, to please his prince and pleasure his " contrie." Before proceeding to notice in their order the principal events which marked Cecil's lengthened administration, it will be desirable to take a brief review of his general policy as a states- man in the three following particulars : viz., his policy with respect to rehgion ; that pursued by him in civil or domestic government; and his conduct with regard to the foreign relations of the country. The first object of his attention was the state of the church. Such, indeed, was its condition at the period of which we are speaking, so greatly was the mind of the whole nation distracted on the subject of religion, that it was high time to efi*ect a satisfactory settlement on a question of such vital importance. At the commencement of the reign of Edward VI., the grosser superstitions and absurdities of the Romish church THE LORD TREASURER BURGIILEY. 29 had been abolished ; and although the Reformation did not during that period arrive at its full perfection, yet a more pure and simple form of worship was beginning to prevail ; and there can be little doubt that had Edward lived a few years longer, the principles of the Protestant faith would have been established on a secure and permanent basis. But these bright prospects were soon dissipated by the succession of Mary to the throne. No sooner did that event take place, than she restored the Roman Catholic worship in its strictest form, and proceeded to enforce its rites by a series of persecutions, during her short but sanguinary reign, never before equalled in English history. It was to the accession of Elizabeth, that the eyes of the Protestants were now directed with hope and confidence ; and a general expec- tation began to prevail that the Hght of the Reformation, which had been partially obscured by the darkness and bigotry of the preceding reign, would again break forth in full lustre and perfection. But Cecil, who was looked upon as the instrument of carrying these views into effect, found the task more difficult than he anticipated. Elizabeth, it is true, had soon after her accession renounced the authority of the see of Rome, and taken to herself the title of Head of the Church ; but she was hardly prepared to give an unconditional consent to the sweeping changes which her minister proposed to adopt. To many observances of the Romish church she was still personally attached ; she had received the mass during the reign of her sister Mary, and the mysterious ceremonies and alluring rites of that church were not yet wholly dismissed from her imagination. " Concerning the Cross, the Blessed " Virgin, and the Saints," says Camden, " she had no con- " temptuory opinion, nor ever spoke of them but with reverence, " nor suffered others patiently to speak unreverently of them." 30 LIFE OF Many circumstances might be related to show the still pre- vailing bias of her mind. On one occasion, when the Dean of St. Paul's, in a sermon which he preached before her, ven- tured to condemn the use of the sign of the cross, she called aloud to him to desist from that ungodly digression, and return to his text. At another time, one of her chaplains having preached a sermon in defence of the real presence in the sacrament, she openly tendered to him her thanks for his zeal and piety.i Again, she entertained the greatest possible objection to the marriage of the clergy, and was only prevented by the most firm and spirited interposition on the part of Cecil from absolutely prohibiting it altogether; and, although at length induced to yield to his remonstrances, yet she was frequently heard to express her regret that she had ever done so ;2 and she lost no opportunity of manifesting her displeasure against those priests who ventured to act in defiance of her known wishes. The wife of Archbishop Parker himself was on one occasion treated by her with open insult. Having been entertained by that prelate with particular splendour at Lambeth Palace, she thanked him for the magnificent hospi- tality with which he had received her ; and then turning towards his wife, she made her acknowledgments to the latter in the following ungracious terms : — " Madam I may not call " you ; Mistress I am ashamed to call you ; and so I know " not what to call you ; but yet I do thank you." Such being the prejudices by which the mind of Elizabeth was still beset, Cecil found it necessary to act with considerable prudence and caution. But whilst he had no little difficulty to encounter in this respect, he had an unspeakable argument in his favour, arising from the present state and feeling of the 1 Warner's Ecclesiast. Hist., ii., 427. ' Neal's Hist, of the Puritans, i., 158. THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 31 public mind. The majority of the nation were indisputably in favour of the Reformation. They had seconded the measures which had been devised in its behalf by Edward and his council ; and the persecutions of his successor, as might be expected, so far from furthering the cause which they were intended to serve, only set the minds of the people more strongly against a creed which required such violent measures to enforce its promulgation. Having seen their fellow-creatures groaning under the torture, or expiring at the stake, they natu- rally regarded with horror, not merely the tenets of the Romish Church, but its rites, its usages, and its ceremonies. Many Protestants, who had sought shelter from the severities and per- secutions of Mary's reign in those foreign states where they were permitted to continue in the profession of their religion free and unmolested, now returned on tiie accession of Elizabeth, only to assure their fellow-countrymen of the prosperous and happy con- dition of those states, and to incite them to lose notimein effecting a similar Reformation. When,therefore, Cecil urgedall these argu- ments in favour of the cause which he supported, and proceeded to assure his Sovereign of the hopes and expectations which she had raised in the minds of a large portion of her subjects ; and when he adduced an argument which was calculated to have a still more powerful effect upon her mind, viz., that the Roman Catholic part of the community meditated enforcing the claim of Mary, Queen of Scots, to the English throne, Elizabeth became influenced by such considerations, and was at length induced to listen to a scheme proposed for the restoration of the Protestant form of worship. Cecil was not backward to take advantage of the important point thus gained. A select number of divines were speedily commissioned to revise the Liturgy of King Edward VI., and by Act of Parliament, bearing date 24th June, 1559, the English Prayer-book so restored was appointed to be used. 32 LIFE Of At the same time, the Act of Supremacy was passed, which had the effect of depriving of their henefices, and otherwise disquahfying, many of the principal ecclesiastics and digni- taries of the church. In filling up the preferments thus vacated, Elizabeth had recourse to the advice, as well of Sir WiUiam Cecil, as of his brother-in-law. Sir Nicholas Bacon,i who had been already raised to the office of Keeper of the Great Seal ; and it was by the united counsel of these two statesmen, that amongst other appointments made at this critical juncture, the important elevation of Dr. Matthew Parker to the see of Canterbury took place. From these and other active measures adopted by Cecil, the Reformation soon began to acquire a decided character ; and in order to show the progress which it had made within three years of the time that he assumed the reins of government, it is only necessary to insert the following account of it, given by the eminent ecclesiastical historian, Strype : — "And now (1561) we may look back, and observe what " good progress was already made in the reformation of " religion. The dioceses were supplied with learned, pious, " Protestant bishops ; images were removed out of the " churches ; the common prayers celebrated in the English " tongue ; the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper administered to " the people in both kinds ; mass and transubstantiation " exploded ; the Pope's pretended jurisdiction hi England " rejected ; sound articles of christian faith framed and pro- " fessed by the clergy ; homilies, that is, plain, practical " sermons, set forth, to be read to the people, where preaching " could not be had. So that the Church of England was reduced " to the same good state wherein it was at the latter years of " King Edward, as described by Bishop Ridley, a Uttle before * Bacon's second wife was the sister of Lady Cecil. THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 33 " his death." But, although Cecil's efforts were thus far successful, and Elizabeth was by degrees becoming reconciled to these changes, yet she absolutely refused to proceed to the extremes contemplated by some of the more zealous Protestants in their desire to carry out the principles of the Reformation. Many persons evinced a strong disposition to discard from their religious worship every vestige which it yet retained either of Popish form or doctrine ; and, as Elizabeth not only adhered to many of the ancient usages and ceremonies herself, but was determined that they should be observed by the nation in general, the Protestants soon became divided into two parties, consisting respectively of those who conformed, and those who would not conform, to the prescribed rites. The Non- conformists, or Puritans (as they were now so called from affecting a superior purity in worship and morals), differed from their brethren of the Establishment in no point of doc- trine, but merely in certain external forms, to which they took an objection as savouring too much of Romish idolatry and superstition ; and had a little concession been made to the scruples of the dissenters, it might have healed the schism which shortly ensued in the church, and thus have obviated the disastrous results to which it subsequently led.^ Elizabeth, however, was resolved to employ all her authority in support of the prescribed forms. In pursuance of this object, she first applied to her council for assistance ; but Cecil was too cautious a minister to be made the medium of executing the arbitrary measures to which she wished to resort. She then resolved on effecting her purpose by means of the bishops ; ^ " Elizabeth's excessive severity against the Puritans increased so much " the number and strength of that sect, that forty years after the death of " Elizabeth they hurled Charles the First from his throne, and shook the " throne itself to its foundations." — Mrs. Jameson's Memoirs of Female Sovereigns. C 34 LIFE OF and even Arclibishop Parker himself did not hesitate to enforce her mandates against the refractory Non-conformists ;^ althoixgh not proving in the end sufficiently subservient to her will, he was dismissed the court, and eventually closed his life in dis- grace. Grindal, his successor, resolutely refused to obey the Queen's injunctions : he even ventured to remonstrate vdth her, reminding her of her duty and responsibility as a christian sovereign. This only had the effect of exasperating Elizabeth, who suspended him from his functions, and meditated even to deprive him altogether. Whitgift, the succeeding primate, was less scrupulous in consenting to her will : he not only hastened to perform her commands, but proceeded, in the execution of them, to the most severe and rigorous extremes. It was in vain that Cecil at length interposed, with a view of procuring the adoption of more conciliatory measures. At first, some attention was paid to his remonstrances ; but, when the Queen's determination became more generally known, no efforts on his part could prevent the emissaries of her will from fulfilling it to the letter. The minister, however, did not cease to protest against such arbitrary proceedings ; and, in a long correspondence which ensued between "Whitgift and him- self (which is to be seen in Strype's Life of that prelate), he denounced, in very spirited terms, some of the severe measures which the former had proceeded to enforce. But this remon- strance produced little real benefit : no efforts availed to procure greater toleration for the oppressed Non-conformists ; and had it not been that the latter regarded EUzabeth as their great shield and protection against the dreaded assaults of Popery, their unwillingness to submit to her authority would probably have broken out at once into open hostility and rebellion. But we must now proceed to the consideration of Cecil's 1 Neal, i., 192. THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 35 domestic policy, the administration of which may be said to have been at once comprehensive and successful. No sooner had he been appointed to the office of Secretary under Eliza- beth, than he applied himself to the discharge of its duties with equal industry and ability ; and it appears to have been the sole aim of his lengthened career to promote the welfare and amelioration of his country. One of his first measures was to reinstate the coin of the realm, which, as we have already mentioned, had been so much debased during the preceding reigns. It had now arrived at an unusual depreciation, and several of the standard pieces of English money were so much reduced in amount, that disputes arose in almost every commercial transaction on account of the difference between the real and nominal value of the coin, and the popular clamour and discontent called aloud for a remedy of the evil. This had often been attempted, but hitherto without success. It remained for the subject of our present notice to bring the coinage to a standard of purity and per- fection, which may be said to have cast a lustre on the reign of the sovereign under whom he served. " To Queen Elizabeth " it is to be ascribed," says Camden, " that there hath been " better and purer money in England than was seen in two " hundred years before, or hath been elsewhere in use through- " out all Europe ;" and, as Cecil was the chief author and promoter of this reform, the meed of approbation assigned by the above writer to Elizabeth, is undoubtedly due, in the first instance, to her minister. A striking feature which should also be noticed in his domestic policy was the strict frugality which he exercised in his management of the pecuniary resources of the country. Although, at the time of which we are speaking, England was surrounded by powerful enemies, engaged in frequent and harassing wars, and constrained to meet many heavy demands c 2 36 LIFE OF upon her exchequer, yet at no period of her history were the finances of the kingdom husbanded with greater skill, or the people less heavily oppressed with taxes, than during the administration of Cecil. Ehzabeth, by his advice, resolved upon exacting no more from her subjects than it was absolutely necessary for her to procure. She was unwilling to burden them, if it could by any possibihty be avoided ; and when, by the careful contrivance of her minister, a grant of money was voted by Parliament, it was raised with as little pressure as possible upon private individuals, and strictly applied to necessary and national purposes. This frugality, however, did not fail occasionally to expose the promoters of it to complaint and censure. Cecil was accused of being too parsimonious in the distribution of the public money. In those days, there were many who, having squandered their patrimony in attendance at court and in an ostentatious display of splendour, looked to the bounty of the sovereign to repair their ruined fortunes. But Cecil inter- posed, in order to prevent any such misapplication of the national resources. He not only refused himself to sanction the claims of these dependants, but he cautioned his royal mistress against lending too ready an ear to their importunities. " Madam," he was accustomed to say, " you do well to let " suitors stay, for I shall tell you his dat qui cito dat : if you " grant them speedily, they will come again the sooner."^ But, whilst such abuses in the expenditure of the public revenue were speedily corrected, care was at the same time taken that all who had conferred any real benefit on the state should receive the reward which was justly due to them. Amongst other judicious measures introduced at an early period of Elizabeth's reign, was that which regulated the pay ^ Bacon's Works, iii., 264. THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 37 of the common soldiers. Hitherto they had received their allowance through the medium of their superior officers, but this practice was productive of many ill consequences, as the latter were frequently so remiss in the payment of the money which they received for the purpose, that the unfortunate soldiers were sometimes deprived of it altogether. Cecil, by a wise regulation, provided that the army should be clothed at the expense of government, and that every soldier should receive his allowance directly into his own hands and although the law which he caused to be enacted to this effect occasioned many loud murmurs on the part of those whom it deprived of their unjust profits, yet that statesman was far too resolute and straightforward in his purpose to pay any attention to their complaints ; and the fresh vigom' and loyalty which were thereby infused into the British army, at a time when its services were liable at any moment to be called into requisition, soon convinced his countrymen of the judgment and discretion by which the measure had been dictated. The office of Lord High Treasurer, to which we shall here- after have occasion to notice the appointment of Cecil, naturally afforded him greater facilities for carrying his views of national economy into effect. So conscientiously did he discharge the duties of this responsible situation, that, from the time of his entering upon it, the receipts of the treasury experienced a gradual, though sensible, improvement. He lost no time in correcting the abuse which had hitherto prevailed, of ministers retaining in their own hands, and receiving interest on large sums of the public money ; and it is particularly worthy of remark that the reforms which he endeavoured to effect in the other departments of the state were strictly exemplified in that over which he himself presided : former Treasurers had been in 1 Life of William, Lord Burghley, p. 47. 38 LIFE OF the habit of borrowing without scruple from the exchequer for private purposes ; but this practice he invariably condemned, and he was almost the only one of Elizabeth's ministers who, at his death, owed nothing to the public. This strict attention to the interests of the revenue was in a great measure occasioned by a desire to diminish the burdens of the people. He opposed as much as possible all fresh impositions on the subjects of the crown, and was often heard to say " that he never cared to see " the treasury swell lite a disordered spleen, when the other " parts of the constitution were in a consumption. With respect to the foreign policy of Cecil, as the considera- tion of this particular will form a prominent feature in the subsequent course of our narrative, it would be anticipating too much to dwell at any length upon it at the present time. It is only necessary to observe that it had uniformly a pacific tendency : he was ever of opinion, to use his own words, " that " war is soon kindled, but peace very hardly procured ; that " war is the eurse, and peace the blessing, of God upon a " nation ; and that a realm gaineth more by one year's peace " than by ten years' war."^ Not that such maxims were the result of weakness or timidity ; on the contrary, when circum- stances required it, he could assume an attitude of hostihty and defiance. At the time that the Spanish Armada threatened the invasion of the kingdom, he was the first to take into consideration the necessary measures for defence, and, by his serene and collected demeanour in an hour of no inconsiderable alarm, to diffuse general confidence and intrepidity into the mind of the nation.^ And on several other occasions, he gave evidence of the same uniform and determined courage ; it being his object to maintain relations of peace only as far as he * Camden, Annal. Eliz. 2 Life of William, Lord Burghley, p. 70. •* Camden, Annal. Eliz., p. 582. THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 39 found it to be consistent with the honour and interests of his country. It is now time to resume the narrative of Cecil's hfe, which has been interrupted with the view of making a few preUminary remarks on his general policy as a statesman. We shall pro- ceed accordingly to notice the principal events which occurred during his administration, and in the transaction of which he took an active or prominent part. The state of affairs, on his first being entrusted by his sovereign with the reins of government, was not such as to hold out to him much promise either of rest or security. Whilst the mind of the nation at home was distracted, as we have already seen, on the subject of religion, the aspect of the political world abroad was still more gloomy and portentous. Scarcely a single foreign state was on friendly terms with England, and many countries were decidedly hostile to her. Spain regarded her with ill-concealed feelings of enmity and suspicion. Philip, at that time the most wealthy and powerful monarch of Europe as well as the most bigoted champion of the Eomish faith, resolved on using his utmost efforts to crush the power of EUzabeth, which he well knew would be exerted to uphold the Protestant interest. It is true, he disguised his hostility for a time, and even entertained hopes that, by gaining the hand of that Queen, he should effect the object which he had so much at heart, and which his union with Mary, her sister, had failed to accomplish, — the annexation of England to the Spanish empire. But Elizabeth's refusal to listen to his proposal of marriage served but to aggravate his resentment ; and he only waited for a favorable opportunity to carry into execution his schemes for the extirpation of the Protestant religion and the dethronement of its great protectress. France was no less opposed to the interests of England. Not many months before the accession of Elizabeth, the Dauphin 40 LIFE OF Francis, son of Henry II., had married Mary, the young- Queen of Scots ; and France was now endeavouring to make this connexion the means of extending her own power ; design- ing, through the medium of Scotland, which readily entered into her views, to substantiate Mary's claim to the English crown, and eventually to reduce the whole island of Britain to a state of dependence and subjection. It was to counteract these intentions that Cecil found himself called upon to direct the early efforts of his administration. On the death of Henry in 1559, the Dauphin succeeded to the throne of France; and the ambitious princes of Lorraine, the maternal uncles of Mary,whohadbeen the foremost to promote the designs of that country against England, conceived that a fitting opportu- nity hadnow arrivedfor carryingtheminto execution. They accord- ingly stood forward as the champions of the church and leaders of the Catholic league, persuading themselves that, by adopting this course, they should have httle difficulty in overcoming the power of Elizabeth, when extended (as it doubtless would be) to the rehef of the Protestants. Nor did the means to which these princes looked for support seem altogether inadequate to the accomphshment of their purpose. Mary's title to the throne of England was considered vaHd, not merely by her own subjects, but by the Roman Cathohcs in general; and the portion of the Enghsh people which still adhered to the Romish communion was considerable, while the Reformation had as yet made comparatively little progress in Scotland. Cordial assistance was also to be expected from Spain and from other countries which opposed the Protestant interest; and these considerations, added to the assurance that France and Scotland were able of themselves to supply a considerable force, seemed to promise success to the princes of Lorraine in the prosecution of their schemes, and thus to hold out a prospect of placing their niece at no distant time on the throne of England. These THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 41 arguments they addressed with effect to their sister, the Queeu- dowager and Regent of Scotland, who was persuaded to unite in endeavouring to accomphsh their views. That princess, who had hitherto adopted a mild and conciliatory policy towards the Scottish Protestants, now began, in conformity to the counsels of her brothers, to persecute them with the most unrelenting violence, and aimed at nothing less than the total extirpation from the kingdom of the adherents to the reformed religion. The latter, thus oppressed, betook themselves to arms, but the superior power of the Queen-regent, supported by a body of troops from France, gave them little hope of being able to contend against it with success, and they were at length compelled to implore assistance from Elizabeth, now regarded as the common protectress of the Reformation. Many considerations combined to make Elizabeth hesitate in acceding to this request ; and it is probable that she would have altogether refused to comply with it, had not Cecil, in two memorials^ of considerable argument and power, which he drew up on the occasion, so forcibly demonstrated the evil conse- quences which would result if France were permitted to pursue without restraint her designs against the English sovereignty, that Elizabeth was at length induced to listen to his repre- sentations, and a body of troops was forthwith despatched to Scotland under the command of the Duke of Norfolk and Lord Grey de Wilton. In April, 1560, the French army was besieged in the town of Leith, and finally compelled to sur- render ; and a treaty was subsequently ratified, wliich is known by the name of the Treaty of Edinburgh. To arrange the terms of this treaty, " Sir William Cecil, a ' These documents are still preserved. Dr. Cook says, in allusion to one of them, " This memorial is written with great ability, displays profound * ' political knowledge, and is full of the justest sentiments respecting the " real interests of Scotland." — Hint, of the Scottish Reformation. 42 LIFE OF *' learned and prudent person," as Buchanan styles him, was himself despatched to Scotland ; and with him was joined in the same commission Dr. Wotton,i a celebrated negotiator of that day. The Secretary, according to an entry in his journal, left London for the above purpose on the 30th of May, and proceeded to Edinburgh,^ where the articles of the treaty were agreed upon ; and from the talents and sagacity displayed by the two commissioners, terms of the most favorable nature were secured both to England and Scotland. In addition to other articles which chiefly related to the constitution and assembly of the Scottish Parhament, Ehzabeth's right to the throne of England was made a prominent feature in the agree- ment ; and it was stipulated that Mary and her husband should at once cease from assuming the EngHsh arms and title which they had hitherto usurped.^ Ehzabeth had further enjoined her commissioners to demand five hundred thousand crowns and the restitution of Calais, as a compensation for the claim made to her throne ; but this point was eventually 1 Dr. Nicholas Wotton, Dean of Canterbury and York, had been some years before despatched on a mission to Vienna by Henry VIII., on which occasion he displayed diplomatic talents of the highest order. He was also at different times sent as ambassador to the courts of Spain, Germany, France, &c., and was often useful in forwarding to Cecil important mforma- tion as to the several events transpiring in those courts, especially that of France. On the accession of Elizabeth he is said to have refused the primacy. He died in 1567. 2 From a letter addressed by him to a friend on his journey, it seems that he stopped a night " at his howse at Burley, rubbyng on," as he expresses it, " betwixt helth and sickness." 3 This treaty, it must be remembered, was signed without the consent, or even the cognizance, of Mary, who was at the time residing in France. Upon finding that by the sixth article she was called upon to " resign aU " right and pretensions to the throne of England for ever;' she firmly refused to subscribe to it, and only consented at length to resign her pre- tensions to the said throne as long as Elizabeth or her heirs existed. THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY- 43 deferred to future arbitration. In order to show their gratitude for his exertions in the cause, the " Lords of the " Congregation" (as the heads of the Reformed party in Scot- land were called) honorably escorted the Secretary as far as Berwick on his return towards London.i The following year Cecil was appointed master of the wards on the death of Sir Thomas Parry ; and the duties of this office, which proved to be no sinecure, he discharged with his accustomed impartiality and attention. Camden tells us that " he managed this place (as he did all his other) very provi- " dently for the service of his prince and the wards, for his " own profit moderately, and for the benefit and advantage of " his followers and retainers beneficially ; yet without offence, " and with great commendations for his integrity." Finding that the revenues of the office had fallen off through the neglect and mismanagement of his predecessors, Cecil at once applied himself to remedy all existing abuses, by putting into force the laws which prescribed the infliction of necessary fines reverting to the crown, yet without causing any undue oppression to the subject ; he was careful also in placing his wards, « ever endeavouring," says his Domestic in the Life to which so frequent reference has been made, " to commit them " to persons of sound religion, preferring natural mothers " before all others to the custody of their own children, if " they were not to be touched with any notable exception. " He was very particular in his orders or decrees, always " giving his reasons for them, and making them so short, " plain, and full, that men of the meanest capacity might " understand and effect them. He would never suffer lawyers " to wrangle, but would ever hold them to the point." 1 According to an entry in his journal, he received for the sixty-three days that he was absent on this mission " £4= per diem, in toto £252 ; and " for postage with twenty-two horses from London to Edinburghe, and " from thence back to London, £117." 44 llFE OF The state of affairs in Scotland in the year 1567 again engaged the attention of the Secretary. Mary had returned to that country shortly after the death of her husband Francis in 1560; and the disputes in which she subsequently became involved with her subjects are well known. So highly did the latter at length resent her conduct, that they took up arms against her, formally deposed her from the sovereignty, and in the end compelled her to seek refuge in England. During the progress of the early part of these events, the English government appears to have taken no very active or decided step. The ministers of Elizabeth, who were incUned to side with the reformed party in Scotland being ever sensible of the danger to be apprehended from the ascendancy of Mary, were little disposed to render any assist- ance to the latter in the difficulties to which she was now reduced ; and it is needless to add that Elizabeth herself was far from regarding one, whom she looked upon as a personal rival, with feehngs either of affection or good will. Still the conduct exhibited by the Scottish Protestants towards their Queen was not such as Ehzabeth could bring \ipon herself to commend or even tolerate. She seems never to have forgotten the relation in which Mary stood to the people of Scotland ; that she was their lawful sovereign, and justly entitled to their allegiance and submission. When the " Lords of the Congre- gation," therefore, went so far as to try her on certain charges of which she was accused, and to deprive her not only of her throne but her hberty, Elizabeth despatched Throckmorton, her ambassador, to remonstrate with them for their proceed- ings ; and upon their refusal to listen to him or even to allow him to have access to Mary, she was so highly incensed that it was only by the urgent representations of Cecil and her other ministers that she was prevented from endeavouring to effect by force of arms the liberation of the Scottish Queen. . Such was the state of affairs when Mary's escape into THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 4.) England gave rise to a new line of policy, and to the adoption of those measures with respect to her, which have ever since attached censure to the memory of Elizabeth. Into the merits of a question respecting which so much may be said on both sides, it is unnecessary to enter on this occasion ; it is only incumbent upon us to consider the point as far as it concerns the subject of the present memoir. There can be little doubt as to the nature of the sentiments entertained by Cecil with regard to Mary. It was his firm conviction that as long as she had the opportunity of prosecuting her designs, neither the throne nor the religion of his country would be secure from her attempts. Her enmity to the Protestants he well knew to be inveterate, and he could not forbear reflecting, that, were she now restored by the instrumentality of EHzabeth to the possession of her own dominions, she was not unhkely on the first opportunity that presented itself to make use of her regained power to turn her arms against England ; and that on the other hand, should the latter country resolve upon detaining her, a complete ascendancy would be thereby gained over the affairs of Scotland, as this was the most probable means of securing the favour and obtaining the alliance of the Scottish Protestants. Other circumstances combined to give weight to these arguments. Were Mary refused the asylum which she now sought, she would immediately throw herself into the arms of France or Spain ; either nation would be but too ready to receive her, and unite with her in forming hostile designs against England, a country which was regarded by all alike with mistrust and aversion. It is not surprising, there- fore, that, influenced by such considerations, Cecil should give his consent to the scheme which was shortly put into execution of detaining the Scottish Queen, not as a guest who had come over to his country to claim its protection, but as a prisoner brought by happy accident into its power. 46 LIFE OF The part which he took in these transactions was the means of arraying against the Secretary many personal enemies, and at length of exposing him to several direct attempts upon his life. On one occasion, we are told, " a villain was hired *' to kill him, and set at a stair sfoot to dispatch him, as he *' came from the Quene, but, being warned of it, he went down " another way, and so escaped death." ^ Shortly afterwards he had a still more providential deliverance from the hand of a foreign assassin. " Likewise as he had some foes at home," we are further informed, " so he also wanted not enemies " abroad ; for another time a Popish practitioner and traitor- ous villian was by some seminaries persuaded to kill him : " and being with him alone in his chamber, standing behind " him, leaning on his chair, had not the power to perform his villainy, though when he came in he took his dagger ready in his hand to do it. So here you see," continues the author of the above facts, " though his wisdom were a worker, yet *' only God was his upholder, and the steps to honour are *' much pains and more danger ; the highest rising being ever " subject to the lowest falling. But in despite of envy, danger, " and death, he held on his high way as by a strait line, for- getting and forgiving injuries, truly performing his service to his prince and his country." ^ But the greatest danger which Cecil incurred from the cause above named was that arising from a formidable conspiracy entered into against him by several Roman Catholic noblemen, who, secretly favoring the cause of the Queen of Scots, and thinking that Cecil had been the chief instigator of the measures which had been adopted with respect to her, designed to ruin him in the eyes of his sovereign, and were only prevented from accomplishing ^ Life of William Lord Burghley, p. 19. 2 Ibid. THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 47 their purpose by the sagacity and firmness of the Queen her- self. Various accounts of this conspiracy are to be found in diiferent authors : that given by Rapin is perhaps the most clear and circumstantial; and as it alfords some additional insight into the state of affairs at the period in question, the less apology is necessary for transcribing it at length : — " Amongst all Elizabeth's ministers and counsellors," says that author, " there was not one so heartily attached to his " mistress's interest as CECIL, who was secretary of state ; all " the rest had their private views, to which they strove to " adapt the Queen's and the nation's interest ; but Cecil " minded only the Queen's, and was in great favour with her. " Therefore to him chiefly she imparted her most secret " thoughts with respect to the government of the state. " Several privy counsellors were engaged in the Queen of " Scots' party ; that is, they wished the crown of England " were secured to her, in case Elizabeth died without issue. " They were of opinion it was a thing agreeable to equity, " justice, and the laws of the land ; and pretended it was the " only way to prevent the troubles which might happen after " the Queen's decease ; but Elizabeth thought that when they " considered the public advantages, they did not sufficiently " attend to her safety. Mary did not pretend only to be " Elizabeth's presumptive heir : it was well known her pre- " tensions reached much further, and that many were per- " suaded her title was preferable to the Queen's. If, there- " fore, she was appointed Elizabeth's successor, it could be " only in virtue of her birthright, and not in consequence of " Henry's will, in which she was not so much as named, " whereas many thought Elizabeth derived her title solely " from thence. So, in taking this course, the titles of the " two Queens would have been put in opposition, very much " to Elizabeth's disadvantage ; consequently, her fear was. LIFE OF this nomination would increase the number of Mary's friends, and in the end endeavours would be used to set her on the throne before the time appointed. All who were displeased with the government thought the nation would get by the change. The Catholics heartily wished it, and ' amongst the Protestants themselves there were many to ' whom it was indifferent which Queen was on the throne, ' because they made no great conscience of conforming to all ' the changes which might be made in religion, as was the ' case more than once. It was, therefore, of great moment ' to hinder Mary from being nominated to succeed her. So ' she could not but have equal regard for those whom she saw ' sincerely attached to her private interests. Among these, ' Cecil was the chief, and it was he, also, whom Mary's friends ' considered as her most dangerous enemy, and the rather as ' he had frequently shown his inclination to the house of ' Suffolk, before the death of the duchess of that name. This ' was the real motive of a plot laid in the beginning of the ' year 1569 to ruin that minister. The Duke of Norfolk, the ' Marquis of Winchester, the Earls of Pembroke, Northum- ' berland, Westmoreland, Arundel, Leicester, and others, ' entered into this sort of conspiracy. They accused Cecil of ' being the cause of the Queen's detaining the Spanish money,i ' and by that, of running a manifest risk of a war with Spain, ' which could not but be very prejudicial to trade. They ' flattered themselves that upon this charge the Queen would ' send the Secretary to prison, and then they made no ques- ' tion they should find ways enough to effect his ruin. But ' the Queen being too quick-sighted not to see their aim, and ' the motive of their plot, commanded them silence in such a ' manner as destroyed all their hopes of success, either then ' or for the future." ' This transaction will be more particularly alluded to hereafter. THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 49 At the close of the same year (1569), an outbreak took place in England, which, from the scene of its occurrence, has been generally called the Rebellion in the North. At the head of it were the Earls of Westmoreland and Northumberland, two of the noblemen who had been concerned in the above conspiracy against the Secretary. The avowed object of this insurrection was to ensure the true succession, as it was termed, (in other words, the succession of the Queen of Scots to the English throne,) and, at the same time, to procure the restora- tion of the Roman Catholic religion. From certain declarations put forth by the principal insurgents, in which the " sinister " and detestable counsel and practice of many common ene- " mies of the realm about the Queen's person" were condemned in no measured terms, there can be little doubt that it was against Cecil that these denunciations were mainly directed ; particularly as that minister was, amongst others, active in taking measures to put an end to the rebellion. This was accomplished without much difficulty, as the insurgents, finding themselves disappointed of the succours which they had calculated upon receiving, were compelled to desist from their attempts, and to seek refuge in a voluntary exile : the Earl of Westmoreland succeeded in making his escape into Flanders, but the Earl of Northumberland, less fortunate, was delivered up to the government and executed. The Duke of Norfolk had been suspected of being in some measure implicated in this rebellion ; and, although the evi- dence against him was not so strong as to warrant a direct conviction, he was nevertheless consigned to a temporary imprisonment, upon his release from which a free pardon was granted to him. But his infatuated conduct was the means of shortly involving him in fresh troubles. Impelled by mingled motives of personal ambition and pity for the captive Queen of Scots, he again formed the project of effecting her deliver- 50 LIFE OF ance, and even aspired to gain her hand in marriage. To the accompUshment of these objects he was secretly instigated by the Pope and the King of Spain, who made him in fact a tool in the prosecution of their own insidious designs against the throne of Elizabeth, and the former of whom sent over a confidential agent, named Ridolpho, for the purpose of encou- raging him to persevere in his attempts. Norfolk was too easily beguiled by the representations of this man : he was induced to give his consent to a scheme to " seize the Queen " (Elizabeth), become master of her person, and detain her in " custody until he had married the Queen of Scots, and pro- " vided for the security of the Cathohc religion."^ Although this unfortunate nobleman does not in the first instance appear to have contemplated proceeding to such extreme lengths, he had yet committed himself too far to allow of his receding. By the seizure of some important papers, which were intended to have been destroyed, the government came into full pos- session of every particular relating to the projected movement ; and the Duke of Norfolk, being arraigned on the charge of high treason, was found guilty and executed. The death of this nobleman was made the handle for very severe accusation against the government of the day, many influential persons having interceded with the hope of procuring his pardon.^ It was found impossible, however, to comply with these requests : Norfolk had been already suspected of 1 Eapin, 2 Amongst others, the Earl of Oxford, Norfolk's uncle, applied to Cecil (whose eldest daughter, Anne, he had married the previous year) to inter- fere in the Duke's behalf, hut the Secretary was, from a sense of duty, obliged to decline doing so. This refusal has been assigned by some authors as the cause of the injurious treatment which the Countess of Ox- ford subsequently experienced from her husband. Lord Orford, in his " History of Royal and Noble Authors," states that " the Earl of Oxford, " who was very strongly attached to his nephew, used the utmost urgency " of intreaty with Burleigh, whose daughter he had married, to prevail on THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 51 being similarly implicated on a former occasion, ^ and now, that his participation in a conspiracy of so treasonable a nature was clearly proved, it was considered absolutely necessary to make a public example of him. We must not forget to mention, in connexion with this event, that, shortly before Norfolk's exe- cution, two other persons of the names of Mather and Berny underwent the extreme sentence of the law for planning the escape of that nobleman from prison with a view to his carry- ing out his designs respecting the Queen of Scots. From the " him to procure his pardon ; but not succeeding, he was so incensed " against that minister, that in most absurd and unjust revenge (though " the cause was amiable) he swore he would do all he could to ruin his " daughter ; and, accordingly, not only forsook her bed, but sold and con- " sumed great part of the vast inheritance descended to him from his " ancestors." Strype, however, is of quite a different opinion : — " It is " necessary," says that writer in his "Annals," under the year 1571, " here to vindicate the Lord Burghley from an imputation given out in " some of our later historians concerning him ; viz., that the reason of the " extravagancies of this Earl (Oxford), and his squandering away his " patrimony, was a distaste taken against his father-in-law, for refusing, " when it lay in his power, to save the life of his beloved and entire friend, *' the Duke of Norfolk, condemned for dealings with the Scottish Queen. " And this story is taken up in a book not long ago printed, and from " thence in the book called the Baronage of England. Whereas, this " is a surmise and imagination, borrowed from the Papists, as smelling of ' ' their malice to blur the memory of that excellent wise statesman. They " that know anything of those matters, know that that lord did whatever " he could to bring that duke into favour, and did it ; until again impru- " dently meddUng in that affair, the treason became so apparent, he was " condemned by his peers ; and the Queen would not pardon, since her " own crown and life was in hazard thereby." ^ On his escape from the first charge, the Duke had received the most earnest and impressive cautions with respect to his future conduct from Cecil himself : the Secretary " told him plainly," says the author of " The " Memoirs of William Cecil, Lord Burghley," that " liberty might be " more fatal to him than confinement, and that, as an intended marriage " was the cause of his misfortunes, so a proper marriage would be an easy " and speedy cure of them. Had the Duke followed this advice indeed," continues the same author, " he might have saved his life." See also Camden, 148. D 2 52 lilFE OF confession of the first of the ahove-named criminals, it would appear that he had been still further instigated to make an attempt on Cecil's life by a man named Bourgest, who was Secretary to the Spanish Ambassador, and he even went so far as to implicate the Ambassador himself ; and, although the charge was not very clearly proved against the latter functionary,^ he was neverthe- less soon afterwards compelled, on this and other accounts, to quit the kingdom. ^ The whole affair tended greatly to discomfit the Spanish faction, who had long entertained a bitter hatred against Cecil for the unceasing counsel and vigi- lance with which he laboured to defend the crown and person of Ehzabeth. "We shall have more to say hereafter with respect to the actual relations which at this time subsisted between Spain and England : it is sufficient at present to observe that hitherto no overt hostilities had commenced be- tween them : Cecil's policy, as has been before remarked, was to continue as much as possible on friendly terms with other states, and the schemes which Philip was meditating against England, and which he subsequently carried into operation, were not as yet ripe for execution. Elizabeth had by this time become so sensible of the valuable services of her minister, that she was pleased to confer upon him the honour of a peerage ; and accordingly on the 25th of February, 1570, he was created Baron of Burghley,^ taking his title from ' Mather persisted in the whole of his statement to the last. The Secretary, in a letter to Sir F. Walsingham, says, in reference to the sub- ject, " Mather hath manfully charged Bourgest, the Spanish Ambassador's " Secretary, that his master and he both enticed Mather to murther me, " and Bourgest denying it, Mather hath olfered to try it con la spada" (with the sword). 2 Collins' Peerage of England, ii., 592. ^ Some remark is necessary with respect to the proper way of writing this word. It is well known that it is quite as often spelled Burleigh as THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 53 his seat of the same name near Stamford. It is well known how particularly sparing Elizabeth was of such honours, and the distinction in question may be regarded, therefore, as testi- fying the high opinion which she entertained of the merits of the individual who now received it at her hands. The letters- patent of the creation, indeed, stated that it was conferred " as " well for his long services in the time of our progenitors, " Kings of England, as also for the faithful and acceptable " duty and observance which he hath constantly performed " from the beginning of our reign, and ceaseth not daily to " perform many ways, not only in the great and weighty " affairs of the Council, but generally also in all other con- " cemments of the realm, and also for his circumspection, " valour, wisdom, dexterity, integrity of life, providence, care, " and faithfulness :"i and, if we may judge from the references to the event which are to be found in different authors, some of which we shall not hesitate to insert, no dignity was ever more honorably or deservedly bestowed. Strype speaks of the occurrence in these terms : — " One of this learned Queen's " wise Counsellors was Sir WiUiam Cecil, her Secretary of " State, learned himself, and also a chief patron of learning " and rehgion : whom this year she worthily advanced to the " honour of a Baron of this kingdom, by the title of Baron of " Burghley, the name of his noble house in Northamptonshire; " and still giving title to his eldest son's issue, the Earls of Burghley. In order to prove, however, that the latter usage is the correct one, it is only necessary to observe, that, in a formal commission from Queen Elizabeth to Cecil, in which the name was originally written Burleigh, it was carefully altered into Burghley by the Secretary himself; a fac-simile of which alteration is given in the first volume of Nares's Memoirs of Lord Burghley. The latter method of spelling the name, moreover, has always been adopted (as far as can be ascertained) by the several successive mem- bers of the famUy, and is certainly the one invariably used by them at the present day. ^ Camden, 154. 54 LIFE OP " Exeter ; not advanced for his wealth, but for his worth ; but " he remained Secretary for some time after ; though it was " thought then (as the Earl of Leicester wrote to Walsingham) " that ere long he should have the office of Privy-seal."^ " No man," says Rapin, " had better deserved than Cecil to " receive this mark of distinction, which was very considerable " in the reign of a Queen who conferred honours with great "circumspection." Fuller says much the same: — "At last " after long service made Baron of Burghley ; for the Queen " honoured her honours, in conferring them sparingly. "3 Echard speaks of his being " created Lord Burghley, with " commendations answerable to his extraordinary worth and " superlative abilities ;" and the following is a still more flat- tering testimony to the same effect from the pen of a modern writer : — " Elizabeth soon after paid homage to merit in ano- " ther form, by conferring on her invaluable servant Cecil, — " whose wisdom, firmness, and vigilance had most contributed " to preserve her unhurt amid the machinations of her impla- " cable enemies, — the dignity of Baron of Burleigh ; an " elevation which might provoke the envy or resentment of " some of the courtiers, his opponents,^ but which was hailed " by the applauses of the people."* ' Annals of the Reformation, iii., 32. 2 Holy State, p. 256. ^ Some even of his opponents seem to have acknowledged that he was worthily entitled to this honour. Amongst others who congratulated him on his promotion was the Bishop of Ross, who, being the confidential minister of the Queen of Scots, can hardly be suspected of entertaining very friendly sentiments towards the new Peer. The Bishop thus writes to liim : — "When I was going to write your lordship's accustomed style of " honour, I was warned of your late honourable promotion, whereof I am " most heartily glad. For your virtue, wisdom, and experience has merited " that, and much more : and happy is that commonwealth where the ma- , " gistrates are so selected ; et quum aut sapientes gubernant, aut guber- ' ' nantes philosophantur. ' ' ' Aikin's Memoirs of the Court of Queen Elizabeth, ii., 4. THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 55 Cecil himself seems to have taken very little pride in his elevation. In a letter addressed to a friend,^ about the period of its occurrence, he thus notices it : — " My style is Lord of " Burghley, if you mean to know it for your writing, and if " you list to write, truly the poorest Lord in England. Yours, " not changed in friendship though in name ; — and yet that " not unknown to you, when you were with me near Stamford, " William Burghley." In another letter written about the same time to Sir Francis Walsingham, he says, " My " stile of my poor degree is Lord of Burleigh ;" and he con- cludes other letters to the same thus : — " Your assured, as I " was wont, William Cecil, and as I am now ordered to " write, William Burghley ;" and again, "Your assured " loving friend, William Cecill : I forgot my new word, " William Burleiffh."^ Additional honours were shortly conferred upon Cecil, or, as it is now more proper to designate him. Lord Burghley. Besides being made a Knight of the Garter, he also succeeded the Marquis of Winchester as Lord High Treasurer of England in the year 1572,^ which post he held till the time of his death, twenty-six years afterwards. It would be difficult to convey an adequate idea of the increased labour and accumulation of business occasioned to him by the latter appointment, or indeed to describe the manner in which his time was in other respects engrossed by his official duties. For information on this head we must again revert to the work from which we have already borrowed so largely, the Life by 1 Nicholas Whyte, one of the Privy-council in Ireland. ^ At the time that he was called to the Upper House, Sir William repre- sented the two counties of Lincoln and Northampton ; both his sons being also in Parhament, and the eldest, Thomas, being member for Stamford. ^ It was about this time probably that he was reUeved of his duties as Secretary, being succeeded in the office by his great friend. Sir Thomas Smith — mentioned before in page 7. 56 LIFE OF his Domestic, in which the particulars in question are stated at length ; and, as so little has been said upon the subject in the course of these pages, the reader may be desirous of receiving an account of it from one who had ample opportunities of gain- ing accurate information with respect to the circumstances which he relates : — "This place," says the biographer referred to, speaking of Lord Burghley's appointment as Lord High Trea- surer, "he honoured, as much as the place honoured him, therein " exercising his wisdom and temper in so good sort, as shewed " his truth to his Sovereign, and careful administration of " justice to her subjects ; justice and peace kissing each other. " He grew now to some greatness ; carrying a reputation to " bear such sway and rule in the commonwealth and state, as " it was thought nothing was done without him, and no won- " der, for his justice with his integrity, and temper with his " justice so concurred, as well were they satisfied who could " bring their cause to his hearing to be tried before him. He " so equally hearing, justly censuring, and carefully dispatch- " ing causes, as few suits were suffered to linger long before " him, but were either ended by judgement or ordered by " agreement. His lordship used one singular course in hear- " ing causes ; viz., that if he found them difficult, or deserving " rigorously to be censured, he would ever make motions for " arbitrament, and either by his authority or persuasion agree " them, so as he ended more causes in a term than were before " ended in a twelvemonth ; insomuch that all men had such " an opinion of his justice and indifference, as they never " thought themselves satisfied, nor their suits well ended, that "either had not their cause brought to his hearing, or his " letter in their behalf. Which drew upon him such a multi- " tude of suits as was incredible, but to us that saw it ; for " besides all business in Council, or other weighty causes, and " such as were answered by word of mouth, there was not a THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 57 " day in a term wherein he received not threescore, fourscore, " or an hundred petitions, which he commonly read at night, " and gave every man answer the next morning, as he went to " the hall ; wherein one notable thing was observed of his " excellent memory, viz., that, reading those bills over night, " there was not one petitioner came to him for answer of his " petition the next morning, but, so soon as they told but " their names or what countrymen they were, he would " presently remember it, tell them the matter, and give them " his answer ; which was a sign of a memorable memory, " among so many other great causes, to hold in mind so many " other several suits. But, as his memory was excellent, his " pains and industry were incessant, and the one mutually " assisting the other, brought him to that perfection. He " used also to answer the poorest soul by word of mouth, " appointing times and places of purpose so long as he was " able. But after he grew impotent and weak, and could not " go abroad, as his nature was ever to do good, he neglected " no means to perform it. For then he devised a new way " that others may imitate ; viz., that, being by age and infirmi- " ties! forced to keep his chamber, and sometimes his bed, he " took order that poor suitors should send in their petitions " sealed up ; whereby the poorest man's bill came to him as " soon as the richest. Upon every petition he caused his " answer to be written on the back side, and subscribed it " with his own name, or else they had his letter, or other " answer as the cause required ; by which charitable and " honourable device, there was none staid for an answer, but " was speedily dispatched, and as many or more suits were " answered, as when he went abroad. Thus held he on his " course like himself, prayed for by the poor, honoured of the " rich, feared of the bad, and loved of the good ; to his Prince ^ We must here anticipate a little. 58 LIFE OF " and country loyal, and to the subjects most pleasing. For " wondering at his great wisdom and gravity, and praising his " justice and integrity, most men honoured him with the title " of Father of the Commonwealth, whereof they saw him " as tender and careful as of his own child ; shewing his care " of the service of the state to be such, as I can truly witness " he never respected pleasure nor profit, wealth nor health, " friends nor foes, nor anything private : neglecting and rejeet- " ing them all, when there was any service of his Prince, or " causes of his country to be followed or performed. Wherein " his labour and care was so incessant, and his study so great, " as in cases of necessity, he cared for neither meat, sleep, or " rest, till his business was brought to some end ; and when *' he was in never so great pain or sickly, if he could but be " carried abroad, he would go to dispatch business, though it " were with never so great pain or danger. His industry, in " times of necessity, being thus very great, and his diligent " and studious course of life continually no less, caused all his " friends to pity him, and his very servants to admire him. " And myself, as an eye-witness, can testify, that I never saw " him half an hour idle, in four-and-twenty years together. " For if there were cause of business, he was occupied till that *' was done ; which commonly was not long in hand. If he " had no business (which was very seldom), he reading or " collecting. If he rid abroad, he heard suitors ; when he " came in, he dispatched them.^ When he went to bed and ^ " At night, when he put off his gown, he used to say, ' Lye there, *' ' Lord Treasurer ;* and, bidding adieu to all state affairs, dispose himself " to his quiet rest." — Fuller's Holy State, p. 27. — The same author gives the following anecdote of EUzabeth's condescension to him : — "The Queen ' ' reflected her favours highly upon him ; counting him both her Treasurer " and her principed treasure. She would cause him always to sit in her " presence, because troubled with the gout ; and used to tell him, ' My " ' Lord, we make much of you, not for your bad legs, but for your good " ' head.' " THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 59 " slept not, he was either meditating or reading ; and I have " heard him say, he did penetrate further into the depths of " causes, and found out more resohition (of dubious points) in " his bed than when he was up. Indeed, he left himself " scarce time for sleep, or meals, or leisure to go to bed ; yet, " so long as his business went forward, and his Prince and " country were pleased, he thought his pains a pleasure, and all he could do too little — so great was his care and love to " his Prince and country." It is matter of astonishment how this indefatigable statesman could possibly get through his arduous and accumulated labours, of which the above is after all but a very inadequate description. When we bear in mind that he was also called upon, as the principal minister of his Sovereign, to manage a great proportion of the foreign as well as the domestic business of the country ; that he was con- tinually employed in transacting negotiations with other states, planning sundry expeditions, thwarting the designs and intrigues of enemies both at home and abroad, re- ceiving private intelligence constantly pouring in from many different sources, besides taking a prominent part in the deliberations of the privy council, and that, in the midst of these absorbing occupations, he could yet contrive to write several elaborate tracts on the affairs and condition of the nation, we cannot sufficiently admire the unremitting diligence and punctuality with which he discharged such a variety of important and complicated engagements. It was by the adoption of the most regular and methodical habits that he acquired the wonderful facility which he possessed in the trans- action of public business, and the practice of which was the cause of such frequent astonishment to those who witnessed it. It was one of his remarks that " the quickest way to " do many things is to do only one thing at once ;" and, in conformity to this maxim, he made a point of com- 60 LIFE OF pleting each successive undertaking which demanded his attention before he proceeded to another, never allowing him- self to desist from a task with the view of resuming it at a future period. Besides the engagements to which we have already alluded, his time was also to a considerable extent engrossed by other public duties not immediately connected with his position as minister of state. Amongst the different offices which he held was that of Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, to which dis- tinguished post he had been elected at the commencement of Queen Elizabeth's reign. In this elevated but responsible situation, he was constantly required to adjudicate upon mat- ters connected with the University, and to settle disputes referred to him for arbitration by its members. Scarcely a year elapsed in which the direct interposition of his authority was not in some way or other rendered necessary. If not called upon, as was frequently the case, to quell the differences which arose between the Puritans and their opponents, his interference was demanded to adjust the private quarrels and disturbances which often occurred in the several Colleges. At one time we find him employed in the revision of statutes relating to the go- vernment and discipline of the University, at another engaged in correcting abuses which had sprung up amongst some of its junior members, and in taking steps to promote the greater encouragement of learning and education ; and in all these respects his attention was addressed to the individual subject brought before him with an energy and application which was truly surprising, and at the same time with an impartiality and courteousness of demeanour which secured to him the esteem and good will of those whose interests he was concerned in upholding. Such was the feeling of attachment entertained towards him by the University, that, when upon one occasion he expressed a desire to resign the Chancellorship, which THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 61 he found to be almost incompatible with his other numerous and important public duties, he was so earnestly entreated by that body not to sever a connexion the existence of which, he was assured, was indispensable to its welfare and prosperity, that he had no alternative but to accede to the request, and he consequently retained the honorable post of Chancellor until the time of his death. ^ We must not forget to mention also the arduous duties which devolved upon the subject of our present notice in Parliament, the discharge of which was of itself sufficient to occupy no inconsi- derable portion of his time.^ As the chief minister of the crown, he was necessarily considered mainly responsible for the acts of the executive ; and, before his elevation to the peerage, he was continually exposed to the attacks and insinuations of the members of the House of Commons, some of whom never allowed an opportunity to pass by without calUng in question the propriety of his measures. Amongst other subjects con- tinually discusssd in Parliament, was that which had reference to the future succession to the throne, a question upon which the Lower House in particular showed itself to be ever anxious and importunate ; and numerous were the appeals addressed to the minister, as well as to the Queen herself, with the view of ascertaining their sentiments respecting it. On one occasion, we find a petition presented to Ehzabeth by the House, in which her attention was earnestly directed to the troubles which were likely to ensue from a disputed succession, in case her Majesty were taken from her subjects, of which a severe 1 It may not be amiss to remark, that the University of Dublin was, in the year 1591, founded by Queen Elizabeth at the suggestion of Lord Burghley, who himself drew up the plan of education which was to be pursued there. 2 In a letter written by him during the session of 1563, he complains that he was " so fully occupied to expedite matters in this present Parlia- " ment, that he had almost no leisure to attend to other things." G2 LIFE OF illness, from which she had only just recovered, had been sufficient to occasion but too lively an apprehension. The House besought her to weigh these things in her mind, and either to take to herself some honorable husband,^ or else to provide some most gracious remedy against the dangers incident to a disputed succession, her Majesty being the last person named in the will of Henry VIIL; and the nation was conse- quently in much uncertainty as to any farther limitations, which left it in " some great dangerous doubt, to the great " grief, peril, and unquietness of her faithful Commons." To this and similar appeals the Queen returned only an evasive answer ; nor was her minister himself disposed to be more communicative upon the subject. "What opinion the latter really entertained on the question, it is not easy to discover with any certainty. In a letter addressed to Sir Thomas Smith, the Queen's Ambassador in France, soon after the presentation of the above petition, he remarks, " The heads of " both Houses are fully occupied with the provision of surety " to the realm, if God should to our plague call the Queen " without leaving of children : the matter is so deep that I " cannot reach unto it, and I pray God to send it a good " issue." In another letter to the same, he says, that " he " could not see that any effect would come of the earnest suits " made of the three estates to the Queen's Majesty, either for " marriage or state of succession." From this we may conclude that the minister was unwilling to pronounce a decided opinion on the subject, which was one surrounded at all times with doubt and anxiety. To the pretensions set up by Mary Queen of Scots to the inheritance of the English crown, it is unnecessary to observe, he was ever most determinately opposed ; and, with 1 " In Parliament petition made both by the Lords and Commons, that " her Majesty would marry." — Lord Buryhley' s Diary. (March, 1563.) THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. G3 regard to the remaining candidates, viz., the two houses of Suifolk and Hastings, he well knew that to declare in favour of either family would he to provoke the hitter and uncompro- mising hostility of the other.i It was the policy, therefore, of a prudent statesman to preserve a strict silence on this arduous and delicate question, and, in pursuance of the same advice, Elizabeth also continued deaf to the entreaties which were incessantly addressed to her respecting it. So importunate did Parliament at length become in the expression of its wishes, that, on one occasion, the Queen sent her commands to the two Houses to proceed no further in the business — a direction, however, which the Commons seemed disposed to resent, as constituting an invasion of their privileges ; and Elizabeth, consequently, found it desirable to revoke her commands, and only to require the House to suspend matters for a time : " which revocation," we are told, " was taken most joyfully, vdth most hearty " prayer for the Queen, and thanks to her for the same."^ Notwithstanding this retractation, however, her Majesty administered a sharp rebuke in her speech at the close of the session to those members of Parliament who had been most busy in promoting the question. It is well known how much doubt and perplexity continued to prevail on this subject during the whole of the reign before us, and that it was only in her last moments that Elizabeth sanctioned the claims of the son of the unfortunate Mary Stuart to the English throne. But we must now quit this digression, which has perhaps engaged our attention at too great a length, in order to consider a little more particularly the state of affairs on the continent. 1 In the passage from Rapin, quoted at page 47, he is represented as showing a disposition to favor the pretensions of the house of Suffolk ; but, even if such a preference were really entertained by him, it may be questioned whether he ever went so far as openly to declare it. - Strype's Annals, i., 497. 64 LIFE OF In the policy which had from the first been pursued hy Elizabeth towards France, the counsels of Lord Burghley appear to have been almost uniformly adopted. During the persecutions which the French Protestants, or Hugonots, as they were termed, suffered in the reign of Charles IX., sup- plies of men and money were occasionally forwarded to them by the English government, but in such moderate proportions as not to provoke the resentment or interference of the ruling party in France. Many of the unfortunate sufferers came over to England, and were allowed to settle in several of the pro- vincial towns ; whilst continued instalments were from time to time transmitted by Elizabeth to enable their persecuted brethren to make a stand in their own country. It was Lord Burghley' s care, in advancing these supplies, to see that the interests of his Sovereign were not neglected. He took the precaution to have the money so forwarded considered only as a loan, for the repayment of which he invariably required sufficient security to be given. ^ In the year 1572 occurred the massacre of St. Bartholomew, a tragedy which filled all Europe with horror and consternation. Such was the feeling of indignation entertained in England at an event which consigned so many unsuspecting Protestants to a cruel and ignominious death, that a desire was universally expressed of executing immediate and signal vengeance against the perpe- trators of this horrible enormity ; many of the principal families of the kingdom, we are told, offering to levy an army of twenty thousand foot and ten thousand horse, to transport them to France, and maintain them at their own expense. ^ But, ' On one occasion, we find the Queen of Navarre depositing her jewels in the hands of Elizabeth as a pledge for the security of a specified sum of money ; upon another, the town of Havre-de-Grace was given up to the English, with an understanding that Calais should at a future time be restored in lieu of it to the possession of Elizabeth. 2 Digges, p. 335. THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 66 however readily she might enter into the feehngs of her subjects on the occasion, EUzabeth was advised by her minister to dissemble her resentment for the present, and not to hazard the experiment of coming to an open war with France, especially as that country was likely to be assisted, in the event of a contest, by the power and influence of Spain. She determined to wait, therefore, until a more favorable oppor- tunity occurred for expressing her indignation, and contented herself with forwarding some temporary supplies for the relief of the Hugonots, by which means the spirits of those unfor- tunate sufferers were considerably revived ; and, on the death of Charles IX. in the year 1574, and the accession of Henry III. to the throne of France, they were permitted to enjoy some intervals of rest from persecution. Meanwhile, every prospect existed of EKzabeth being shortly involved in open hostilities with the King of Spain. We have already stated, that an indisposition prevailed on the side of either Sovereign to be the aggressor — Philip declining to risk a contest so long as the issue of it might be considered doubt- ful ; and Elizabeth, in conformity to the advice of her prudent counsellor, being ever unwilling to entail upon her subjects the horrors and calamities of war. In order to understand the cause of the rupture which at length ensued between them, it is necessary to observe that the subjects of the Spanish empire in the Low Countries had for a long period been exposed to the persecution of Philip, who, in accordance with that bigotry and intolerance which uniformly marked his character, was using his utmost efforts to extirpate from those provinces the principles of the reformed religion. To effect this object, he had despatched to the Netherlands, in the year 1568, a body of Spanish troops under the command of the Duke of Alva, a man in whose bosom every spark of feeUng and humanity appears to have been extinguished. E 66 LIFE OF Nothing could exceed the savage barbarities of this leader, or the delight which he seemed to take in the infliction of them : few who were known to entertain an attachment to the Pro- testant religion escaped torture or the sword ; and many vho were the objects only of suspicion, were, without trial or examination, committed to the flames. To such a length did these cruelties extend, that, during the six years that he held the government of the Netherlands, this tyrant is said to have put no less than eighteen thousand Protestants to death In the extremities which they underwent from this quarter, the inhabitants of the Low Countries naturally looked for help to Elizabeth, who, as we have already had occasion more tlian once to observe, was generally regarded by the Protestants as their common refuge in the hour of suffering and persecution. Conscious, however, that the transmission of an armed force to the Netherlands would necessarily give rise to an immediate breach between Philip and herself, Elizabeth declined at first to do more than advance occasional sums of money for the relief of the sufferers, whilst, at the same time, she extended to them a general permission to take shelter in her own dominions. Many of the persecuted Flemings, availing themselves of the asylum thus afforded, and being encouraged by Elizabeth to continue the exercise of their respective trades and occupations in this country, were eventually the means of conferring considerable advan- tages upon the British empire. To the arrival of these emigrants, it may not be amiss to remark, we are generally supposed to be indebted for the cultivation of some of our most important manufactures, particularly those of woollen goods and cutlery. It need hardly be added, that the Lord Treasurer was among the first to befriend ike exiled * Grotius, lib. ii. THE LORD TREASURER BTJRGHLEY. 67 Flemings, and to use his influence in securing to them the favour and protection of his Sovereign.^ Soon after the first settlement of these foreigners in England, Elizabeth was enabled to render some important service to their afflicted country, by transmitting thither a considerable sum of money, which, having been designed by Philip for the use of his Spanish troops in the Netherlands, had fallen into the possession of the English crown under somewhat singular ^ The following passage from Strype's Life of Archbishop Parker, relating to the subsequent proceedings of some of these emigrants, will, no doubt, be perused with interest by many of our readers from the local associations connected with it: — "The latter end of this year (1572) " several families of Protestant exiles, and natives for the most part of the " Low Countries, were about transporting themselves out of London to " Stamford in Lincolnshire, there to live and follow their callings ; and *' this by the motion of Lord Burghley, to whom the town chiefly belonged, '* well knowing what good profit and benefit might redound unto the place " and country, by the trades and business these men should bring along " with them, by taking off the wools at a good price, and encouraging the " sowing of flax and hemp, improving land and such like ; for they were " for the most part weavers of such sorts of cloths as were not yet wove " and made (or very rarely) in England, as bays, and says, and stammets, " fustians, carpets, linsey woolseys, fringes, tapestry, silks, and velvets, " figured and unfigured linen : there were also among them dyers, rope- " makers, hatters, makers of coffers, knives, locks, workers in steel and " copper, and the like, after the fashion of Nurenburg in Germany. " For the bringing this motion to perfection, Isbrand BalMus, their " minister, and Caspar Vosbergius, in the name of the rest, put up " their petition to Lord Burghley, whom they called their Maecenas, to " obtain certain liberties and privileges from the Queen, to settle themselves " and their families at Stamford ; to have a church to worship God in, in *' their own way, without disturbance ; to have a liberty to set up their " trades, and to buy and sell, and to plant also and sow, and follow hus- *' bandry for their necessary subsistence, to make shoes, and garments, and ** hose, and to bake, brew, and exercise the occupations of carpenters, " joiners, &c. for and among themselves — and to appoint seven men to " settle any controversies and disputes that might arise." The migration in question, it may be added, took place, after a short interval, under the auspices of the Lord Treasurer, and continued for a considerable time in the town of Stamford. E 2 68 LIFE OF circumstances, of which the following detailed account is given by Rapin — " About the close of the year (1568) an accident " happened which occasioned a quarrel between the Queen " (Elizabeth), the King of Spain, and the Duke of Alva. The " Genoa merchants and some others of Italy having a great " sum of money in Spain, and resolving to send it into the " Low Countries, obtained a pass-port of the King of Spain, " and put the money on board some vessels of Biscay. These " ships, being attacked in their passage by French pirates, did, " with much ado, escape into Plymouth, Falmouth, and " Southampton. As soon as the Queen had notice of it, she " ordered the magistrates of those places to treat the Spaniards " civilly, and to assist them in case the pirates attempted any " thing against them. The Spanish Ambassador, giving her " to understand that the money belonged to the King his " master, obtained leave to have it landed. His design was to " get it carried by land to some port nearer the IjOW Countries. " But at the same time the Cardinal of Chatillon, who was " then in England, informed the Queen that the money " belonged to some merchants, and that the Duke of Alva " would seize it to help him to carry on the war. This was " also confirmed by other people. So, to deprive the Duke of " Alva of this assistance, she took the money by way of loan, " and gave security for the payment. Some time after the " Duke of Alva demanding the money, the Queen replied, " ' She would punctually return it, as soon as it appeared, by " ' good proofs, that it was the King of Spain's.' Upon this " refusal the Duke seized upon the elFects of the English, and " sent the owners to prison ; aud the Queen did the like by the " Flemings. A few days after she issued out a proclamation " upon this occasion, which the Spanish Ambassador answered ' Hist, of England, ii., 87. THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 69 " in print. But this did not satisfy him ; he dispersed abroad " a heap of very insolent Ubels, containing very grating " reflections upon the Queen's reputation. For this the " Ambassador was kept under a guard for a day or two. The " Queen complained to the King of Spain of his Ambassador's " insolence ; but she could obtain no satisfaction." The above transaction, it will be remembered, was made the groundwork of that formidable conspiracy which was entered into against the Lord Treasurer by the EngUsh nobles,i who accused him to the Queen of endeavouring to embroil his country in a war with Spain by urging the seizure of the Genoese money ; but the good effects of the advice, which he had given upon the occa- sion, were so quickly displayed in the difficulties experienced by the Duke of Alva from the loss of his expected supplies (the consequences of which were of lasting injury to the Spanish power in the Netherlands), that the malicious designs of the conspirators were signally frustrated, and the prudence and foresight of the minister clearly estabUshed. The event before described, although it gave rise to the temporary hostilities, of which mention has been already made, between Elizabeth and the Duke of Alva, did not lead to an immediate rupture between Spain and England, some partial concessions on either side sufficing for a time to settle the dispute. In the course of a few years, the States resolved on making a more vigorous and determined effort than they had hitherto used to regain their liberty, and for that purpose placed themselves under the command of the brave and gallant Prince of Orange, by whose assistance they were enabled for a while to oppose the power of Philip with some slight prospect of success. Unable, however, in the end to maintain the unequal contest, they were again compelled, in * Vide supra, p. 48. 70 LIFE OF the year 1576, to solicit the aid of Elizabeth, not only forwarding an embassy for that purpose to the English court, but offering- to her in return the entire possession and sovereignty of their country The latter proposal was at once decHned by the Queen, who was well aware that the acceptance of it could in no respect conduce to the real interests of her kingdom. She volunteered, nevertheless, to intercede with Philip in behalf of the Low Countries, and, although she appears to have taken prompt steps for that purpose, yet it is almost unnecessary to observe, that her application was altogether ineffectual. In the year 1584, the offer of the sovereignty was again tendered to Ehzabeth by the States, who had continued in the interval unsuccessfully engaged in strugghng against the tyranny and despotism of Philip, and whose cause had recently become almost desperate from the loss, by assassina- tion, of their brave leader, the Prince of Orange. Expectations of considerable profit were, on this occasion, held out to secure the comphance both of Ehzabeth and her advisers; an assurance being made to the Lord Treasurer, in a particular proposal forwarded to him upon the subject, that the Queen might obtain a sum of no less than 3610,000 monthly, and he himself 361000, in the event of England consenting to take the Low Countries under its protection. It is to the credit of the statesman whose life we are recording, that, in persuading Elizabeth at length to yield apartialacqiuescence to the reiterated entreaties of the States, he entirely renounced all pecuniary advantages likely to accrue thereby to himself, being solely actuated by a desire to promote the interests of his Sovereign and his country.^ In pursuance of his recommendation, 1 The States professed to acknowledge Elizabeth as their hereditary Sovereign, deriving her claim from Philippa, Queen of Edward III., and daughter to William, Earl of Holland. 2 Nares iii., 244. THE LORD TREASURER BUR6HLEY. 71 Elizabeth, although she again declined the proffered sovereignty, determined to despatch to the Netherlands a force of five thousand foot and one thousand horse ; in return for which, and as a security for the future payment of the expenses incurred in the prosecution of the war, the towns of Flushing and the Brille were delivered up by the States to the English crown ; Sir Philip Sidney^ being appointed governor of the former place, and Sir Thomas Cecil, the eldest son of the Treasurer, governor of the latter, whilst the forces themselves were sent under the command of the Earl of Leicester. The selection of the last-named officer seems to have been the only Step taken in opposition to the counsels of Lord Burghley throughout the transactions connected with the Low Countries ; and the result fully justified the resistance offered to it by that minister, as Leicester proceeded to give such striking proofs of his incapacity and unfitness for the important post entrusted to him, that he was shortly compelled to resign it and return to England. The first intention manifested on the part of this country to furnish the Hollanders with troops, was the signal for open hostilities with Spain ; and Philip, as we shall presently see, began to devise measures for crushing the power of Eliza- beth, as he imagined, at a single blow, by means of his Invincible Armada. Before we proceed, however, to allude more particularly to this event, we must briefly revert to the situation and treatment of the Queen of Scots, whom we have already represented as having been forcibly detained prisoner by Elizabeth on her arrival in England ; and the period of ^ This accomplished officer received a mortal wound at the battle of Zutphen, which was fought during the ensuing campaign. He died at the early age of thirty-two years, having given many proofs of future greatness and eminence. His body was brought to England, and interred with great pomp in St. Paul's Cathedral. LIFE OF whose lengthened residence in this country was destined only to be terminated by death. It is unnecessary to follow that unfortunate Princess through the several stages of her mournful captivity ; although we must not omit to state, in justice to the subject of the present memoir, that, whatever share he may have had in the extreme measures which were subsequently adopted, he frequently interposed, during the earlier part of Mary's im- prisonment, with a view to mitigate its rigour and severity ; and he even succeeded occasionally, by means of his authority and influence, in procuring for her a partial freedom from the restrictions to which she was subject. More than once he obtained permission for her to proceed to Buxton, in Derby- shire, for the benefit of her health, which had suffered much in consequence of her confinement; by which means, however, he unconsciously laid himself open to a most strange and unfounded suspicion. It happened that on one occasion when Mary was at Buxton, Lord Burghley himself repaired to the same place for change of air ; and, notwithstanding his well-known loyalty and fidelity, which might have served to protect him from such a charge, this visit was inter- preted by his enemies, at the head of whom was the Earl of Leicester, into a movement in favour of the royal prisoner, with whom it was pretended that he had long had a private understanding, and that he had resorted to the place of her abode in order to arrange with her the treasonable designs which he was accused of meditating against his lawful Sove- reign. Elizabeth was induced to give ear for a time to the insinuations of her courtiers ; and, coupling this accidental meeting with the previous disposition shown by her minister to befriend the Queen of Scots, she did not hesitate to charge him with treachery and disaffection ; a suspicion, how- ever, which soon vanished from her mind, when once she called to her recollection his former tried and faithful services. THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 73 The Lord Treasurer, who had made a point of leaving Buxton as soon as he became acquainted with the con- struction which had been placed upon his visit, thought it also prudent to decline a match which was soon afterwards projected between his daughter and a son of the Earl of Shrewsbury ; the latter nobleman, to whose custody the Queen of Scots had been consigned, having been an agent, as it was alleged, in the secret negotiations which were repre- sented to have been in progress on the occasion referred to. Lord Burghley seems to have felt much hurt at the imputation which had been cast upon his loyalty : in the letter written by him to Shrewsbury, to decline the proposed marriage, he observes, " I had very sharp reproofs for my going to " Buxton, with plain charging of me for favouring the Queen " of Scots ; and that in so earnest a sort as I never looked for, " knowing my integrity to her Majesty, but specially knowing " how contrariously the Queen of Scots conceived of me for " many things passed to the offence of the Queen of Scots ; " and yet true it is, I never indeed gave just cause by any " private affection of my own, or for myself, to offend the " Queen of Scots ; but whatsoever I did, was for the service " of my own Sovereign Lady and Queen, which if it were yet " again to be done, I would do." " I appeal to God," he adds, " who knoweth, yea (I thank him infinitely), who direct- " eth my thoughts to intend principally the service and honour " of God, and jointly with it the surety and greatness of my " Sovereign Lady, the Queen's Majesty, and for any other " respect that may tend to those two, I appeal to God to " punish me if I have any."i Shrewsbury himself, it may be observed in passing, had no reason to consider his own office a ^ The whole of this letter, which is a very curious and interesting docu- ment, is worthy of perusal. It may be seen in Lodge's Historical Illustrations, vol. ii,, p. 130. 74 LIFE OF sinecure. Although entirely devoted to the interests of his Sovereign, and willing to attend strictly to her instructions in the treatment of his unhappy prisoner, he was yet suhjected, by Elizabeth's command, to severe restraint and privation in tlie execution of his trust ; nor was it until Lord Burghley himself interceded in his behalf, that the request repeatedly made by him to be reheved of the arduous duties of his appointment was at length complied with. Mary was subsequently trans- ferred to the custody of Sir Amias Paulet ; and, after a period of eighteen years' captivity, was brought to trial at the close of the year 1586, found guilty of treason, and soon afterwards beheaded. The part which the Lord Treasurer bore in the latter transaction, has not failed to subject him to considerable ani- madversion and censure : we may be permitted, however, to observe, (although we do not profess to enter upon a formal defence of his conduct in this particular,) that his consent to the severe proceeding in question was extorted by the unwilling conviction, which had forced itself upon his mind, of its absolute and indispensable necessity ; and that this consi- deration alone availed to overcome that repugnance to the adoption of extreme and sanguinary measures which he was naturally disposed to entertain. We have elsewhere stated the motives which induced him to consent to the Queen of Scots being detained prisoner on her first arrival in England; and the subsequent course of events had confirmed him more than ever in the opinion which he had originally formed of the danger to be apprehended from her designs. Regarding her as aUke hostile to his Sovereign, his country, and his religion, he considered the safety of neither to be compatible, in the first instance with the hberty, and eventually with the life, of so formidable an opponent. During the lengthened period of her confinement, he had been r THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 75 incessantly engaged in counteracting different plots and con- spiracies devised in her behalf, some of which aimed at accomplishing his own destruction ; and the correspondence which she was known to keep up with several disaffected parties was sufficient to render her, while she lived, a constant source of uneasiness and disquietude. It is a mistake, however, to imagine Lord Burghley to have been the principal agent in procuring Mary's death : there is no reason to conclude that he was more directly concerned in advising it than the other ministers of the crown ; a circumstance which it is the more necessary to bear in mind, because the conduct of Ehzabeth on the occasion would seem to favor such a supposition. That the latter was anxious for the destruction of her rival can hardly be questioned ; but it is no less certain that she desired to have it accomplished without appearing to give it her sanction : she seemed to have expected that those to whose custody the Queen of Scots had been consigned would have devised some means of getting rid of her, without ensuring the necessity of a formal trial and conviction. When, at length, Elizabeth was compelled to sign the death- warrant with her own hand, in order to screen herself from the odium which such an act was hkely to bring with it, she felt no hesitation in throwing the blame upon others ; Lord Burghley, her principal adviser, and Davison, the Secretary of State, being the parties directly charged by her with causing the sentence to be carried into execution. To such a length did Elizabeth's assumed indignation extend, that Davison, to whose hands the warrant had been consigned, was deprived of his office, heavily fined, and committed to the Tower. The Lord Treasurer was also visited on the same account with the Queen's displeasure : he was banished from her presence, and not received again into favour until a period 76 LIFE OF had elapsed, sufficient, in the estimation of Ehzabeth, to save appearances in the eyes of the world.^ The following year (1588) witnessed the memorable attack of the Spanish Armada. No pains had been spared by Philip in equipping this formidable armament, although its ultimate object and destination were carefully con- cealed, until every arrangement was finally completed ; whereupon " the reports," as Camden observes, " were no " longer uncertain, but the universal and unanimous belief " of all men carried it for certain truth, that a most invincible " Armada was rigged and prepared in Spain against England, " and that the famousest captains and expertest leaders, and " old soldiers, were sent for out of Italy, Sicily, yea, and out " of America, into Spain." The apprehension caused by the expected invasion diffused itself very generally into the mind of the English nation ; notwithstanding which. Lord Burghley, who found himself called upon to take a prominent part in devising measures of defence, displayed an unusual degree of composure and self-possession, as we have already stated in a former page : on one occasion, when the vast preparations of the Spaniards were alluded to in his presence, and no slight fear expressed that they would prove almost insurmountable, he merely observed, " They shall do no more than God will " suffer them."^ So many accounts have been written of this ^ During his temporary seclusion from court, he addressed to Elizabeth several letters (which may be seen in Strype's Annals, vol. ii., pp. 371-374) in extenuation of his conduct, and requesting that he might be allowed to plead his excuses to her in person. The Queen at length consented to receive him, but immediately proceeded to accost him in such severe terms upon the subject of the Queen of Scots, that he again withdrew from her presence, and was not without some difficulty prevailed upon to return. 2 Life of William, Lord Burghley, p. 30. THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 77 ill-fated expedition, that it is unnecessary to enter into the particulars of it in the present memoir. We need only observe that the Armada, which quitted Lisbon on the 29th of May in the above-named year, was entirely defeated by the English fleet under the command of Lord Howard of Effingham, with a loss (including its subsequent damages from shipwreck) of thirty-two vessels, and upwards of ten thousand men. It is impossible to close our brief notice of this event, without adverting to the conduct displayed on the occasion by Elizabeth herself : she appears to have felt no alarm whatever at the boasted preparations of Philip, and to have placed every confidence and reliance on the loyalty and aflPections of her subjects. " Far from showing the least faint-heartedness," says Rapin, "she encouraged her people by her looks, her resolution, " her affability; — she looked to everything vdth a wonderful " prudence, and a presence of mind, rarely to be found in the " greatest men, and which gained her the admiration and " praises of all the world." It was during the time that the reserved forces were drawn up at Tilbury, with a view to pre- vent, if necessary, the future landing of the Spaniards, that Elizabeth rode up and down through the ranks, infusing by her presence and address the utmost vigour and assurance into the minds of the troops. ^ "We have hitherto confined ourselves, in the course of the present memoir, almost exclusively to the consideration of the public and political character of the illustrious statesman, whose history we are engaged in recording. It is not to be supposed, however, that Lord Burghley was by any means a stranger to the obligations and endearments of social life : on ^ The white steed, which her Majesty rode on this memorable occasion, was afterwards presented by her to the Lord Treasurer : the portrait of it is now in the possession of the Marquis of Salisbury, and is to be seen in the Hall of Hatfield House. 78 LIFE OF the contrary, he appears to have heen in the highest degree sus- ceptible of the emotions of tenderness arising from this source; and the several interruptions occasioned to his domestichappiness about the period at which we have now arrived, owing to the death of some of his nearest connexions, not only caused him the most painful sohcitude, but imparted a seriousness and gravity to his disposition, which continued to attend him during the remainder of his days. In March, 1587, he lost his mother,^ a venerable lady who had reached the age of eighty-five years, and who, we are told, had lived long enough to see her children, and her children's children to the fifth generation.^ The Queen was pleased, on this occasion, to offer him her condo- lences, expressing much sympathy and concern on account of his bereavement, at the same time recommending him to look for mitigation of his grief in a more earnest application to public business. 3 The following year he suffered an additional affliction in consequence of the death of his daughter, Anne, Countess of Oxford, " a very accomplished and learned" person, as we are informed by Strype. The marriage of this lady with Edward Vere, seventeenth Earl of Oxford, a man by no means worthy of her, turned out a most unhappy one ; and, having been deserted by her husband, she subsequently resided, accompanied by her three daughters,* with the Lord Treasurer, 1 Mrs. Jane Cecil, who has been briefly alluded to in the early part of the present work. She was a most pious and charitable lady, and a great benefactress, not only to Bourn, which was her native town, but also to Stamford. An extract from her will, in which she gives directions that her charities to these two places should be continued, may be seen in Peck's Desiderata Curiosa, lib.iii., no, Ivi. 2 Life of William, Lord Burghley, p. 61. 3 Biog. Brit., ii., 1264. * The only survivors of a numerous progeny. They married, respec- tively, the Earls of Derby, Berkshire, and Montgomery, and were, to a considerable extent, provided for by the Lord Treasurer in his will. THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 79 who appears to have entertained very considerable affection for her, and to have experienced in consequence more than ordi- nary feehngs of sorrow at her loss. But the severest shock of this nature which Lord Burghley suffered, and from the eflFects of which he never entirely recovered, was that which he sustained at the death of his second wife, Mildred, one of the celebrated daughters of Sir Anthony Cooke, with whom he had lived on terms of uninterrupted happiness for a period of forty-three years. As this lady may be reckoned amongst the most talented and accomplished women of her day, and was greatly renowned for her piety, learning, and exemplary virtues, she deserves something more than merely a passing notice. One or two extracts from a detailed biography i of her still extant, will serve to give the reader some idea of her attainments. The author of the memoir in question, after observing that the sixteenth century was particularly remarkable for the number of learned women which it produced, and which he attributes in a great measure to the example set by Sir Thomas More in the education of his daughters, who were famous throughout Europe for their talents and acquirements, proceeds to observe : " Among those gentlemen who so worthily distinguished " themselves by a due care in educating their daughters, none " can deserve greater praise than Sir Anthony Cooke, one of " the learned tutors to King Edward the Sixth, who bestowed " so liberal an education on his daughters, that they became " the wonders of the age ; and were sought in marriage, as " Camden^ and Lloyd^ observe, by some of the greatest men of " that time, more for their natural and acquired endowments " and beauty, than for their portions." In alluding more ^ See Ballard's Memoirs of Learned Ladies of Britain. ^ Annals of Queen Elizabeth, anno 1576. 3 State Worthies, p. 374. 80 LIFE OF particularly to Lady Burghley, who was the eldest of the five sisters, he continues : " She fully answered all the care and " pains which had been taken of her education ; for she was as " eminent for her great learning and good sense in the early " part of her life, as she was exemplary in the latter, for her " piety and charity. She was excellently well skilled in the " Greek and Latin tongues ; hut more particularly in the " former, having Mr. Laurence the great Grecian for her " preceptor. She took great deUght in reading the works of " Basil the Great, Cyril, Chrysostome, Gregory Naziazen, and " others. She translated a piece of Saint Chrysostome's out " of Greek into Enghsh, as the author of the Life of Lord " Treasurer Burleigh tells us. And when she presented the " University library (in Cambridge) with the great Bible in " Hebrew and other language, she sent it with an epistle in " Greek wrote with her own hand." " She died," adds the same author, " April the fourth, 1589, in the sixty-third year of her " age, to the inexpressible grief of her noble Lord and hus- " band, who lost in her, a woman, not only of an exemplary " virtue and engaging qualities, but of an admirable under- " standing, and (if a judgement may be formed by her letters) " as good a politician as himself. She was buried in the Abbey " Church at Westminster, where a most magnificent monument " is erected to her memory." How deeply LordBurghley felt the loss of this lady is evident from the terms in which he alludes to the circumstance in many writings which are still in exist- ence, particularly in certain reflections which the event seems to have immediately suggested, and which were committed to paper by their disconsolate author under the title of "A " Meditation on the Death of his Lady." In this interesting document,! which bespeaks a high degree of religious feeling 1 The original is still preserved in the Lansdowne collection of MSS.; but it is too long to allow of its insertion in this work. THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 81 on the part of the writer, are set forth at length the various gifts and charities of the deceased lady, who appears to have made it her especial object to perform her good deeds in secret, many of them not being discovered even by Lord Burghley him- self until after her death. In addition to several benefactions which, the paper tells us, she conferred upon the University of Cambridge, particularly upon St. John's College, which she endowed with exhibitions and an annual grant of money, divers gifts of food and clothing are mentioned as having been liberally provided by the same charitable individual for the poor of her own immediate neighbourhood. Besides which, we are informed that " four times in the year, she did secretly send to all the " prisons in London money to buy bread, cheese, and drink, " commonly for four hundred persons, and many times more, " without knowledge from whom the same came ;" and that, " not long before her death, she caused secretly to be bought a " quantity of wheat and rye, to be disposed among the poor in " time of dearth, which remained unspent at her death ; but the " same confessed by such as provided it secretly: and therefore, " in conscience, so to be distributed according to her mind." These successive domestic afflictions, particularly the one last mentioned, produced, as we have already observed, a con- siderable effect on the mind of Lord Burghley, imparting to it a tone of melancholy to which he had heretofore been a stran- ger, and rendering him less disposed to encounter the duties and responsibility of office. He had arrived, too, at the period of their occurrence, at a time of life when the constitution is for the most part incapable of enduring severe labour and apphcation, having nearly attained his seventieth year, when he had the misfortune to lose his wife. We cannot be surprised, therefore, at finding him, about April, 1591, formally tendering his resignation of the arduous post which he had filled without intermission for a period 82 LIFE OF of thirty-three years, and requesting of his Sovereign leave to pass the remainder of his days in privacy and retirement. A similar petition had been preferred by him on a former occasion,^ but without success ; nor was his renewed application more favorably entertained, although his lengthened services, and the reasons alleged by him for desiring to seek repose, might have been considered a sufficient plea for his wishes being at length complied with. The Queen, however, "who saw no decay in his abilities," we are told,^ " and who " willingly granted all the indulgences possible to his infirmi- " ties, would by no means consent ; on the contrary, as she " had formerly rallied him out of a design of the same kind, so " she had recourse again to the like method ; and, by a paper " written with great vdt and spirit, diverted him absolutely " from this serious purpose."^ ^ In the year 1583, at which time he was subject to considerable annoy- ance and opposition from a certain faction at court, led on by the Earl of Leicester ; and which, probably, was one cause of his then wishing to resign his office. 2 Biog.Brit., ii., 1264. 3 The letters written by Elizabeth to the Lord Treasurer on both the oc- casions referred to are of a very curious description, and characterized throughout by a strong vein of satire, although they bear at the same time evident marks of kindness and consideration. They may be seen in Nichols' Progresses of Queen EUzabeth, in Strype's Annals, and in the Bio- graphia Brittannica, under the head of Cecil. In the first letter, Elizabeth addresses her minister as " Sir Spirit," whilst in the second she designates him "the disconsolate and retired Spry te, the heremite of Tybole" (Theo- balds.) " It would be a very difficult task," says Strype, in allusion to the latter production, " perhaps an impracticable one, to endeavour to " write a commentary capable of explaining this singular piece, and there- " fore we shall leave it entirely to the contemplation of the reader; ob- " serving only, that it is a strong piece of irony throughout, in which the " Queen seems to rally the pains taken by her minister, in the more vigorous " part of his life, to adorn and beautify his villa for the sake of recreation, •' and when older, and wanting that recreation most, wished to turn it into a " gloomy retreat, where he might wear away his lonesome hours in brooding " over his cares." — Annals, Vol. iv. p. 77. THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 83 Elizabeth, doubtless, appreciated the valuable counsels of her minister too highly to allow of her dispensing with his services, as long as he could by any means be persuaded to place them at her disposal. She was well aware that the affairs of the coun- try demanded unremitted watchfulness and diligence on the part of its responsible advisers, and that there was every need, therefore, of the continued employment of one who had given such convincing proofs of his wisdom and ability to con- duct them. Philip, it is true, had been defeated, and his vast armament almost entirely destroyed ; but he soon began to show symptoms of a desire to recommence hostilities, and re- ports were quickly promulgated, that another Armada, mightier even and better equipped than the former, would ere long be despatched by the Spanish monarch, to retrieve the losses which he had sustained, and revenge his previous discomfiture. Lord Burghley, under these circumstances, had no alternative but to comply with the express wishes of Elizabeth, and to hasten to resume with undiminished attention and assiduity the laborious duties of a ministerial life. It is surprising to observe him, even at this advanced period of his existence, and during the short interval that elapsed until the time of his death, directing by his sole management and guidance the administra- tion of public business, and devoting all his powers and faculties with renewed energy to the service of his country. Affairs both of Church and State, matters of commerce and finance, the settlement of domestic differences, and the readiest means of resisting foreign invasion, engrossed to the very last his undivided care and consideration : " in reference to which," we are assured, " there are many papers of his still preserved, " which, at the same time that they show he really occupied " the post of Prime Minister, and directed whatever was un- " dertaken in almost every branch of the administration, de- " monstrate also that he did this with equal diligence and ex- 84 LIFE OF " actness, considering every head by itself, setting down under " it the several points to be provided for, and the means by " which they might be provided. To him we find all degrees " of people addressing themselves to the very last ; the Bishops " and Clergy, some for encouragement, some for protection, " and many for preferment ; the Puritans and Sectarians for " favourable treatment and compassion ; many of the fugitives " abroad for pardon, in consideration of the intelligence they " gave him of the designs of the King of Spain, and of others " the Queen's enemies ; the Lieutenants of several counties for " instructions and advice ; the Lord High-Admiral for assist- " ance and supplies ; the great Sir Walter Raleigh in public " and private concerns ; sometimes for favor, sometimes for " justice ; the principal officers in the Cadiz expedition, with " accounts of its execution and success : in a word, to him " was addressed whatever regarded the state, and it appears " by his indorsements upon some papers, and short marginal " notes upon others, that nobody addressed him in vain, or " without notice ; so that it is not easy to conceive how he " could possibly find time to go through such a variety of ex- " traordinary business, besides what belonged to his post, at " all, much less in the cautious and circumstantial manner he " did. So that every thing that came before him seems to " have been considered with as much leisure and attention, as " if he had no other thing in view."^ During the latter period of his administration, the Lord Treasurer encountered considerable opposition at the hands of a certain party in the state, who resolutely withstood the con- tinued efforts which he made to bring about a peace with Spain. Elated at the signal defeat of the Invincible Armada, many were for following up the blow which had been struck against the ' Biog. Brit., ii., 1265. THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 85 power of Philip, and even proposed to attack the Spaniard in his own dominions. These views and feehngs were cordially supported hy the young Earl of Essex, who now began to oc- cupy the same position in the favor and good graces of Elizabeth, which had formerly been held by his father-in-law, Leicester ; and who did not hesitate to follow that nobleman's example, in thwarting all the measures proposed by the Lord Treasurer, particularly his cautious policy with respect to Spain. Eliza- beth herself was not disinclined to listen to the warlike repre- sentations of Essex ; and the influence which that favorite con- trived to gain over her mind, added to no slight desire on her own part to maintain the credit and superiority of the English arms, frequently caused the prudent counsels of her wiser minister to pass unheeded ; and many successive expeditions were subsequently planned and executed against different parts of the Spanish Empire ; one of which, an attack made by the English fleet with considerable effect upon Cadiz, has been briefly alluded to in the preceding page. The few remaining events of Lord Burghley's administration may be comprised in a short compass. In the year 1592, he delivered a speech of great force and vigor in the Upper House of Parliament, on the occasion of moving the suppUes, in which he entered into a comprehensive and luminous state- ment of the existing aspect of affairs throughout Europe, and which affords a much clearer insight into the political history of the period to which it refers, than almost any accounts which are to be found in other writers. ^ Early in the follow- ing year, we find him engaged in drawing up an important paper, purporting to be — " A memorial of sundry necessary " things to be put in execution for the service of the realm " now toward the spring of the year, upon the formidable 1 Biog. Brit., ii., 1265. 86 LIFE OF " preparation of the Spaniard."^ This document, which is characterized by the usual talent and perspicuity of the writer, provides " for the reviewing, completing, and training the land- " forces throughout the kingdom, horse and foot ; for the ex- " amination, arming, and equipping all her Majesty's own ships ; " providing soldiers and mariners to serve in them, and for the " taking up as many merchants' and subjects' ships, as might " be wanting to accompany the royal fleets ; for ascertaining " the state of the ordnance and armoury ; and for having an " eye upon ill-contented persons." In the year 1595, a similar paper was issued by him, containing specific di- rections for the better defence and security of various parts of the kingdom, with particular instructions to that eifect addressed in the Queen's name to the Lieutenants of different counties. ^ The Lord Treasurer's last public act consisted in drawing up a memorial, a few months only before his death, entitled by Strype,^ " Considerations of a motion for a treaty of peace " with the King of Spain, upon a motion of the French King, " drawn up by the Lord Treasurer Burghley, and writ by his " own hand, and seems to be some of his last writings." In this paper, the writer renews his earnest arguments and exhortations in favor of peace ; and inculcates, almost with his last breath, the mischievous and ruinous consequences which were likely to be inflicted on his country, if long exposed to the misery and calamity of war. Essex, as usual, proceeded to denounce the pacific doctrine thus propounded, and, in the course of a lengthened argument which ensued in the council, urged the policy of continuing hostilities at any cost ' Strype's Annals, iv., 160. ^ Ibid, iv.,'221. His own name appears in this paper, as Lord Lieutenant of the counties of Lincohi, Hertfordshire, and Essex. 3 Ibid, iv., 324. THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 87 with the King of Spain. The Lord Treasurer vehemently op- posed this headstrong advice, observing "that the speaker " seemed intent on nothing but blood and slaughter ;" and at the close of the debate, finding that no arguments on his part availed to silence him, he drew a prayer-book from his pocket, and pointed to the words, " Men of blood shall not live out " half their days."i All that now remains to be described is the closing scene of the long and laborious life of Lord Burghley. The circum- stances attending this event seem to have been in unison with the calm and peaceful spirit which had hitherto marked his character. On the 4th of August, 1598, after serving his coun- try for a period of unexampled duration, and having nearly attained the seventy-eighth year of his age, this illustrious states- man quietly breathed his last, surrounded by anumerous body of connexions and dependants. His faithful domestic has given a detailed and circumstantial account of this occurrence, which de- serves to find a place in these pages : — " His death was not sud- " den, nor his pain in sickness great, for he continued languish- " ing two or three months, yet went abroad to take air in his coach " all that time, retiring himself from the court, sometimes to his " house at Theobalds, and sometimes at London ; his greatest " infirmity appearing to be the weakness of his stomach ; it " was also thought his mind was troubled that he could not " work a peace for his country, which he earnestly laboured " and desired of any thing, seeking to leave it as he had long " kept it. For there was no other worldly thing to give him " cause of grief: he had the favor of his Prince, the love of " his people, great offices, honors, livings, good children, " and all blessings the world could afford him ; yet he con- " temned the world, and desired nothing but death, either 1 Camden, p. 608. 88 LIFE OF " because he had lived long enough, and desired to be in " heaven, or else because he could not live to do that good " for his country he would, or rather, as is most likely, both ; " for he had seen and tasted so much both of the sweet and " sour of the world, as made him weary to live, and knew so " much of the joys of his salvation, wherein was his only " comfort, as gave him cause to desire death, when it was " God's good pleasure, as he often said, but how or whatso- " ever it was, the sign was infallibly good. He contemned " this life, and expected the next ; for there was no earthly " thing wherein he took comfort, but in contemplation, " reading, or hearing the Scriptures, Psalms, and Prayers. " About ten or twelve days before he died, he grew weak, and " so driven to keep his bed, complaining only of a pain in his " breast, which was thought to be the humour of the gout " (wherewith he was so long possessed) falling to that place, " without any ague, fever, or sign of distemper or danger, *' and that pain not great nor continvial, but by fits, and so " continued, till vnthin one night before his death. At six of " the clock at night, the physicians finding no distemper in " his pulse or body, but assuring his life, affirming it was im- " possible he should be heart-sick, that had so good temper, " and so perfect pulse and senses ; yet at seven of the clock " following, he fell into a convulsion like to the shaking of an " ague, ' Now,' quoth he, ' the Lord be praised, the time is " come : ' and calling his children, blessed them and took his " leave, commanding them to love and fear God, and love one " another ; he also prayed for the Queen, that she might live " long and die in peace. Then he called for Thomas Bellot, " his steward, one of his executors, and delivered him his " will, saying, * I have ever found thee true to me, and I now " trust thee with all.' Who like a godly honest man, prayed " his lordship as he had lived religiously, so now to remember THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 89 " his Saviour Christ, by whose blood he was to have forgiveness " of his sins ; with many the hke speeches used by his chap- " lains, to whom he answered, it was done aheady, for he was " assured God had forgiven his sins, and would save his soul. " Then he called his chaplains with all the company to say " prayers for him, himself saying after them all the time they "prayed. He continued languishing thus most patiently, " still having his memory perfect till twelve of the clock, lying " praying to himself : the standers-by might hear him say " softly to himself, ' Lord receive my spirit. Lord have mercy " on me which were the last words he was heard to speak. So he continued speechless, and senseless, lying still as it " were in a . sleep without pain, till it was eight of the clock in " the morning, and then died ; wherein one thing was observed " most strange, that though many watched to see when he " should die, he lay looking so sweetly, and went away so " mildly, as in a sleep, that it could scarce be perceived when " the breath went out of his body. This was the inevitable " time of man's destiny, the death of his body, the way of all " flesh, but the way of his soul's life, the end of his miseries " and entrance to his joys. And thus was all lost in a night, " that was breeding and learning threescore and seventeen " years before." " This was a happy day to himself," continues the same " writer, " though doleful to his country. Now might one see " all the world mourning, the Queen for an old, true, and loyal " servant ;i the coxmcil for a wise and grave counsellor ; the " court for their honorable benefactor ; his country and com- ^ Elizabeth, it is well known, was affected even to tears, on hearing the announcement of the Lord Treasurer's death : and that her grief at his loss was of no light or transient character, is evident from the followiog passage in a letter written by one of her courtiers, two years after the occurrence took place : " I do see the Queen often ; she doth wax 90 LIFE OF " monwealth trembling, as it were at one blow, to have their " head stricken off ; the people, widows, and wards, lamenting " to lose their protector ; religion her patron ; justice her trae " minister ; and peace her upholder. His children bewailing " the loss of such a father ; his friends of such a friend ; and " his servants of such a master ; all men rather bewailing his " loss, than hoping ever to find such another. Yea, his very " enemies, who in his hfetime could not abide him, do now " both sorrow for his end, and wish him alive again." The death of the Lord Treasurer occurred at his house in London, and his remains were subsequently conveyed to Stamford, and interred in St. Martin's Church ;^ agreeably to the provisions of his will, which directed that his body " should be carried without any pomp to his house at " Burleigh, in some coach covered with black, accompanied " only with twelve persons, and no more, whereof four to be " gentlemen, and the rest yeomen and grooms, for avoiding of an unnecessary charge in a long carriage of a dead carcase ; " weak since the last troubles, and Burleigh's death doth often run " tears from her goodly cheeks ; she walketh out but little, meditates " much alone, and sometimes writes in private to her best friends." — Letter from Sir Robert Sidney to Sir John Harrington. ^ It is not perhaps generally known that his funeral obsequies were per- formed on the same day, both at Stamford and at Westminster Abbey : " I " suppose," says Mr. Peck, alluding to this circumstance, " there was only " an empty coffin, carried in great pomp, with a solemn procession of "heralds, gentlemen, and noblemen to Westminster Abbey, where the said *' coffin was set in the midst of the choir, under a hearse, adorned with *' scutcheons, penons, and other ornaments, and there stood six days, at- " tended by heralds and other mourners ; at the end of which six days, " a solemn service with the music of the Queen's Chapel (in manner of a " funeral,) was there performed for the deceased ; whose body (being some " few days before conveyed privately to Stamford,) was there put into the " vault on the same day the said funeral was more pompously set forth at " Westminster. Stow, indeed, says, his body was conveyed to West- " minster with solemn funeral, and from thence to Stamford, and there *' buried among his ancestors." — Desiderata Curiosa, vol. i., p. 42. THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 91 " and that there be given forty shilUngs to every parish church " for the poor where the corpse shall remain every night, until " it shall be brought to his house of Burleigh, from whence it " shall be decently carried to St. Martin's Church in Stam- " ford." A handsome monument is erected in the said church to his memory, which, with others belonging to different mem- bers of his family, will be more particularly described hereafter. Although we have thus brought the life of this illustrious statesman to a conclusion, a few additional particulars still remain to be stated. Enough has already been said with respect to his public character, to enable the reader to form a tolerably correct opinion on this point. It may be generally remarked, however, that its distinguishing feature was the sound judgment and indefatigable application which he uniformly exhibited ; and which, added to his natural good abilities and quickness of apprehension, enabled him to devise and execute his measures with unprecedented vigour and success. " He " was, without doubt, an extraordinary person," says Camden in his Life of Queen Elizabeth, " so liberally furnished by " nature (to say nothing of his presence and aspect, which had " a commanding sweetness in them), and so handsomely im- " proved by learning and education, that he had few or no " superiors as to the several qualifications of probity and pru- " dence, industry, temperance, and justice. He had besides " these accomplishments, an easy and flovdng eloquence, which " consisted not in pomp and ostentation of words, but in a " masculine plainness and significancy of sense. He was " master of a prudence formed from experience, and regulated " by temper and moderation ; as for his loyalty, it was un- " shaken, and would endure the touch, and was only exceeded " by his piety, which indeed was eminently great. To sum up 92 LIFE OF " his character in little : the Queen was blessed in so worthy " a minister, and the kingdom indebted to his memory for " the happy influence of his ministry." " He possessed a sagacity," says another writer,^ " that was " master of both fortunes ; in the dejected never without " resources ; in the prosperous never without caution ; and in " both preserving equanimity. Than him, no man had ever " less reason to worship fortune for his rise. His application " without discernment would have made him wealthy in a low " sphere ; his discernment with application made him great in " the highest. Of all men of genius he was the most of a " drudge ; of all men of business he was most of a genius. He " was too penetrating to be sunk by the storms of a court ; for " he weathered them by managing his sails, rather than by " altering his course. He was a sincere Protestant ; but knew " how to preserve both his interest and his conscience : and he " had yet a greater art ; that of avoiding to put either of them " into hazard. He often made use of dissimulation, seldom " of deceit ; for he knew how to conceal vdthout counterfeiting " truth. All parties had an opinion of his abihties ; few had " any distrust of his virtues." Hume also speaks of him in these terms : — " Lord Burleigh " died in an advanced age ; and by a rare fortune was equally " regretted by his sovereign and the people. He had risen gra- " dually from small beginnings, by the mere force of merit ; and " though his authority was never entirely absolute, or uncon- " trolled with the Queen, he was still, during a course of near " forty years, regarded as her minister. None of her other " inclinations or aifections could ever overcome her confidence " in so useful a counsellor ; and as he had had the generosity, " or good sense, to pay assiduous court to her during her sis- ' Guthrie. THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 93 " ter's reign, when it was dangerous to appear her friend, she " thought herself bound in gratitude, when she mounted the " throne, to persevere in her attachments to him. He seems " not to have possessed any shining talents of address, elo- " quence, or imagination ; and was chiefly distinguished by " solidity of understanding, probity of manners, and indefati- " gable attention to business : virtues, which, if they do not " always enable a man to rise to high stations, do certainly " qualify him best for filling them. Of all the Queen's minis- " ters, he was the only one who left a considerable fortune to " his posterity ; a fortune not acquired by rapine or oppression, " but gained by the regular profits of his offices, and preserved " by frugality." The private character of Lord Burghley requires a more particular notice. His conduct, in this point of view, appears to very considerable advantage ; possessing, as he seems to have done in no ordinary degree, striking proofs of an amiable and benevolent disposition. For nothing was he more remarkable than for the unruffled calmness of his temper, until declining age and infirmities somewhat interrupted its usual placidity. The serene aspect of his countenance betokened a tranquillity which nothing appeared capable of disturbing ; and during the long period of his eventful administration, we are told that he was never immoderately affected either by the suc- cess or failure of any of his undertakings. ^ When released occasionally from the more immediate pressure of public busi- ness, he sought relief in the pleasures of domestic society and intellectual conversation. At his table, surrounded by a select circle, he was particularly animated and unreserved, and, at such periods, he threw aside for a time the weight and responsibility of ministerial cares, and gave himself up ^ Life of William, Lord Burghley, p. 30. 94 LIFE OF to free and unrestrained enjoyment.^ His deportmeat towards the various members of his family exhibited marks of strong tenderness and attachment : " he was of the sweetest, " kindest, and most tractable nature that ever I found in say "man," observes his faithful biographer, "gentle and cotr- " teous in speech, sweet in countenance, and pleasingly sociable, " with such as he conversed with ; his kindness most expressed " to his children, to whom there never was any man more " loving or tender-hearted, and yet with so wise moderation " and temper, as he was inwardly more kind, than outwardly " fond of them ; and, which is ever a note of good-nature, if " he could get his table set round with his young children, he " was then in his kingdom ; it was exceeding pleasure to hear " what sport he would make with them, and how aptly and " merrily he would talk with them, with such pretty questions " and witty allurements, as much delighted himself, the chil- " dren, and the hearers. Nor was this affability confined 1 " No man was more pleasant and merry at meals, and he had a pretty " wit-rack in himself, to draw speech out of the most sullen and silent " guest at table, to show bis disposition in any point he should pro- " pound." — Fuller's Holy State. " Augustus bad always his mirth " greater than his feasts. And Suetonius says of Titus (Vespasian's son), " he had ever his table furnished with mirth and good company. And the " old Lord Treasurer Burghley, howsoever employed in State affairs, at his " table would lay all business by, and be heartUy merry." — Peackam's Complete Gentleman. 2 " It is a curious feature in the character of Sir William Cecil, that " notwithstanding the momentous concerns to which he daily and almost " hourly devoted his attention, he would suddenly condescend to the most " minute and trivial matters. He made an inventory of his wardrobe ; " kept an account of his daily expenditure ; and one day weighed his wife, " children and servants ; carefully recording the result of the experiment " in his pocket-book. In the same curious volume there occurs a memo- " randum, to the effect that on the 7th August, 1553, he weighed in his " jacket, at Mr. Bacon's house in Thames-street, 131 lb. I think it un- " fair, however, to charge one who showed himself capable of truly great " things, with littleness on this account. The facts alluded to, are rather THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 95 only to the members of his household. To his friends in general he was kind and condescendingj ready to benefit and assist them in any emergency, although at the same time care- ful not to allow his private feelings and attachments to interfere with the conscientious discharge of the duties which he owed to his country. But his conduct and demeanour towards his ene- mies is perhaps most deserving of notice. Anxious to forgive and forget the injuries which he received, he was never satisfied until he had effected a complete reconciliation with his most inveterate opponents. It was a common remark, that he was even a better enemy than friend, as he would take more than ordinary steps to serve the one, when his assistance to the other was invariably rendered subservient to a scrupulous regard for the public interests.^ He entirely unheeded the successive attempts which were made to accomplish his ruin, and endea- voured to disarm the efforts of his adversaries by his mild and conciliatory deportment " I know I have some enemies who " do me malice," he was wont to observe, " but so do not I " them, and I thank God I never went to bed out of charity " with any man."^ The mind of Lord Burghley appears to have been strongly imbued with piety. Of this we have already seen one or two instances in the course of the present memoir. The firm trust " to be regarded as indications of an extraordinary versatility of intellect, " which could as readily descend to a trifle, as occupy itself with a matter " of 'pith and moment.' " — BurgorCs Life and Times of Sir Thomas Gresham, vol. i, pp. 227-229. ' Life of WilUam, Lord Burghley, p. 59. ^ His conduct both towards Leicester and Essex, two of his most de- termined opponents, is a sufficient proof of the truth of this remark. When those noblemen successively incurred the displeasure of Elizabeth, he interposed in their behalf, and was the chief means of procuring for them the Queen's forgiveness. 3 Life of William, Lord Burghley, p. 59. 96 LIFE OF and reliance which he evinced in a higher power on the occa- sion of the Spanish invasion, and the entire resignation to the divine will which he manifested during his last montients, sufficiently indicate him to have been impressed with a deep and lively sense of religion. He was particularly observant of the duty of public worship, as well as regular in the performance of private acts of devotion. Prayers were read morning and evening in the chapel attached to his house, at which he was not only invariably present himself, but he made a point of his whole household following his example ; and he never failed to take rigid account of such as neglected this important observance.^ When his ministerial engagements required his occasional residence at court, the same strict punctuality marked his conduct. However weighty the pressure of business by which he was overwhelmed, he made a practice of attending divine service twice a day in the Queen's chapel. Towards the close of his life, when age and infirmities prevented him from leaving the house, he had a cushion placed by his bedside, and continued the offices of devotion at similar stated intervals. And when at length he was unable even to kneel, or to bear the fatigue of holding his book, he caused prayers to be con- stantly read aloud to him as he lay upon his bed.^ " I hold " it meet," he is represented to have said, " that we should " ask God's grace to keep us sound at heart, who have so " much in our power, and to direct us to the well-doing of all " the people, whom it is easy for us to injure and ruin ; and " herein, the special blessing seemeth meet to be discreetly " asked and wisely borne." " The first, the midst, and the " last thing to be done," he also observed, " is to continue " ourselves in the fear of God, by daily service of him in " prayer." ^ Life of William, Lord Burghley, p. 57. 2 Ibid, p. 56. THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 97 Lord Burghley was no less distinguished for his diifusive charity and benevolence. A considerable portion of his income appears to have been set apart for the relief of the poor, amounting, independently of other occasional calls, to as much as ^65 00 annually,^ a large sum of money in those days. For twenty years together, he distributed extensive gifts of food and clothing in various districts of the metro- pohs, besides relieving many needy and indigent families in the neighbourhood of his different seats in the country. He was also in the habit of buying up large quantities of corn, which he retailed at low prices to the poor at sea- sons of unusual scarcity and distress. He built a hospital, which still bears his name, at Stamford, and endowed it with money for the support and maintenance of twelve poor men for ever, providing it at the same time with many wholesome enactments, with a view to its proper government and discipline. He was a great patron and benefactor, also, to St. John's Col- lege, Cambridge, the scene of his early studies : besides other favors conferred upon that society, he left an annual sum of money to it, amounting to £30, which was chiefly appropriated to the augmentation of the scholarships on the Lady Mar- garet's foundation. We must not omit to give some account of the several places of residence belonging to the Lord Treasurer. In addition to his family-seat at Burghley, near Stamford, the description of which forms the principal subject of the latter part of the present work, he had two other houses, situated respectively in London and Hertfordshire. The former, which occupied that portion of the Strand on which Exeter Change was subsequently erected, was, we are told, " a " very fayer house, standing on the North side of the Stronde, " raysed with bricks, proportionably adorned with four turrets, ' Life of William, Lord Burghley, p. 38. G 98 LIFE OF " placed on the four quarters of the house, curiously bewtified " withm with rare devises, and especially the oratory placed in " the angle of the great chamber." ^ It seems originally to have belonged to the clergyman of St. Martin's in the Fields, thence to have come by composition into the hands of one Sir Thomas Palmer, who, in the reign of Edward VI., made con- siderable additions to it ;2 and upon becoming the property of the Lord Treasurer, it was still further improved and beauti- fied, and named Cecil House, from its owner ; after which, it was called Exeter House, from the title conferred upon his eldest son.^ Strype tells us, that "Exchange Alley, Exeter " Street, and Burleigh Street, formerly belonged to Exeter " House and Garden, until thus built, being a large house be- " longing to the Earls of Exeter, and was antiently said to be " a Convent, or Monastery, and that Covent Garden, then " unbuilt, was the gardens and fields belonging to it."* Although this was necessarily the principal residence of the Lord Treasurer, his favorite resort was the other seat to which we have alluded, situated at Theobalds, in Hertfordshire ; a spot to which he was considerably attached, and which, owing to its proximity to the metropolis, he was often enabled to visit. This property was purchased by him in the year 1570, for his younger son, to whom it descended after his death. The house appears to have been at first of limited dimensions, but was considerably enlarged for the better accommodation of Queen Elizabeth, who, as we shall presently proceed to notice, was entertained there on many different occasions by its noble owner. Camden gives the following description of Theobalds, 1 Nor den's Middlesex. - Stow, Survey of London, p. 493. 3 The names of Exeter, Burleigh, Cecil, Salisbury street, &c. , in the immediate contiguity of the Strand, must be familiar to most of our readers. * Book iv,, p. 119. THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 99 and of the manner in which it subsequently came into the possession of the crown.^ "It is a place," says that author, " than which, as to the fabric, nothing can be more neat ; and as " to the gardens, walks, and wildernesses, nothing can be more " pleasant. Yet Sir Robert Cecil, to whom his father left it, " much improved it : King James I. took so great delight " in this seat, that he afterwards gave the manor of Hatfield " Regis in exchange for it to its owner. The said King often " visited this his palace, enlarged the park, and inclosed it " with a brick wall, ten miles in compass, and at last died " there, 27th of March, 1627. In the rebeUion of 1651, this " noble palace was plundered, and so much defaced, that it is " now become a httle village of a Prince's habitation. It was to this retreat, as we have observed, that the Lord Treasurer usually hastened, when he was enabled to procure any brief respite from public business. The gardens which surrounded the house, had been constructed by him at considerable expense ; and the walks in every direction were laid out with great taste and magnificence.^ His favorite diversion was to ride on his mule, and superintend the various improvements which were in progress ; sometimes he would look on, while others were amusing themselves by playing at bowls or shooting with arrows : the only recreation which he can be said to have truly enjoyed was obtained at this spot, to which, as his own expression was, he fled, whenever a spare moment was allowed him, and there buried himself in privacy.^ ' See the note before, at page 26. ^ Britannia Antigua. ^ " To speak of the beauty of this most stately house at large as it " deserveth, for curious buildings, delightful walkes, and pleasant conceites " within and without, and other things veiy glorious and elegant to be " seene, would challenge a great portion of this little treatise, and therefore, " lest I should come short of that due commendation that it deserveth, I " leave it, as indeed it is, a princely seate." — Norden's Hertfordshire, ^.Z^. * Life of William, Lord Burghley, p. 6L 100 LIFE OF At these several places of abode, the Lord Treasurer kept up an estabUshment consistent with his high rank and pubUc station. At his house in London, he had fourscore persons in family, whose weekly expenses cost him ^30 during his absence, and upwards of ^640 when present.^ At Theobalds, a retinue of about thirty persons was maintained: here he was often known to have expended 3680 a-week ; and the money which he was in the habit of gi\Ting to the poor of the neigh- bouring district amounted to a considerable sum, many persons being daily reheved at his gate, while others, who were able to work, were employed upon his estate. ^ His Lordship also lived in a style suitable to his position, the cost of his tables alone being a thousand marks a-year ; although this liberal expenditure appears to have provoked the envy of some of his opponents, and to have occasioned many murmurs on the part of others who did not happen to be the immediate recipients of his bounty. He likewise kept an open table for gentlemen, and two tables for guests of inferior station ; which custom was never dispensed with, even during his absence. About his person, also, he had people of quality, many of the chief noblemen in the kingdom being desirous of introducing their sons into his service; insomuch that his retinue frequently consisted of twenty gentlemen, each worth a thousand a-year; and as many ordinary attendants, who were worth from one thousand to three, five, ten, and twenty thousand pounds. ^ His equipage and furniture were in character with his other appointments : his plate, we arc- told, amounted to fourteen thousand pounds in weight, and 1 Life of WiUiam, i : -d BurgUey, p. 37. 2 Ibid. » Ibid p. 40. THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 101 forty thousand pounds in value. At his death, he left eleven thousand pounds in money, and four thousand pounds a-year in land, the greater part of which was the fruit of his own industry and economy. We have next to speak of the conduct and deportment exhibited by Elizabeth towards her minister.^ We need scarcely dwell upon that Sovereign's regard for one, who had rendered her such valuable and important services : it is only necessary to observe that she endeavoured to show her sense of these obligations by the most gracious and flattering attentions. At one time, we find her standing sponsor to one of his children : at another, manifesting the utmost concern on hearing of the sudden illness of his daughter, and even condescending to call and inquire for the invalid in person. During the latter part of his life, she evinced much consideration on account of his increasing infirmities, and whenever he came into her presence, she would make him sit down, addressing him at the same time in the kindest terms. When the severity of his last illness confined him to his apartment, she repaired instantly to see him, and expressed the greatest sympathy for his extreme indispo- sition.^ Some mention, however, should be made of the > His own estimate of Elizabeth's character ought not to be passed over : " He would often say," observes his Domestic, " that he thought there " was never so wise a woman born for all respects as Queen Elizabeth; for " she spoke and understood all languages, knew all estates and dispositions " of all Princes ; and so expert in her own, as no counsellor she had could " tell her that she knew not. She had so rare gifts, as when her Council " had said all they could, she would find out a wise counsel beyond all " theirs ; and that she shewed her wisdom and care of her country ; for " there was never any great consultation, but she would be present herself, " to her great profit and praise." 2 " When Lord Burghley fell sick, he wrote to the Queen, for leave to " lay down his offices. Her Majesty visited and comforted him. The " servants at the chamber-door desiring her to stoop, she generously " answered, * For your master's sake I will stoop, but not for the King of " ' Spain's.' " — Peck's Desiderata Curiosa, ^. vol. i.,54. — Fuller observes that the Queen's kindness in visiting her minister was "a good plaister " to assuage his pain, but not to prolong his life." — Holy State, p. 258. 102 LIFE OF numerous visits of state which she paid to him in the course of her reign: his Domestic tells us, that "his Lordship's " extraordinary charge in entertainment of the Queen was greater " to him than to any of her subjects ; for he entertained her, at " his house, twelve several times, which cost him two or three " thousand pounds every time ; the Queen lying there at his " Lordship's charge, sometimes three weeks, a month, yea, six " weeks together. But his love to his'Sovereign, and joy to enter- " tain her and her train, was so great, as he thought no trouble, " care, nor cost too much, and all too little, so it were bountifully " performed, to her Majesty's recreation, and the contentment " of her train. Her Majesty sometimes had strangers and " ambassadors come to her at Theobalds, where she has been " seen in as great royalty, and served as bountifully and mag- " nificently, as at any other time or place, all at his Lordship's " charge, with rich shows, pleasant devices, and all manner of " sports, to the great delight of her Majesty, and her whole " train, with great thanks from all who partook of them, " and as great commendation abroad. Besides the visits paid by the Queen to Theobalds, to which the foregoing de- scription chiefly refers, she appears to have been entertained by the Lord Treasurer on various occasions at his other places of residence. At one time, we find her supping with him at his house in the Strand,^ "before it was quite finished," as he ^ It was in the course of one of these visits, (during the year 1583,) that her Majesty remarked to Lord Burghley, upon discovering the improve- ments which he had made in his house, " that his head and htr purse could " do any thing." 2 " July 13th (1561). The Queen took her way from the Charter- " house by Clerkenwell, over the fields unto the Savoy, to Mr. Secretary " Cecyll, where she supped. Here her Council waited on her, with many " Lords and Knights and Ladies, and great cheer made till midnight ; and " then her Grace rode back to the Charter -house, where she lay that " night." — Nichols's Progresses of Queen Elizabeth, i., 91. THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 103 tells us in his diary ; at another, she was received with great state at the same residence, when she stood god-mother to his daughter Elizabeth. It is also generally understood that she was more than once the guest of the Lord Treasurer at his seat at Burghley, near Stamford ; and one of the visits which she was to have paid to that noble mansion, it further appears, was interrupted on account of his eldest daughter, Anne, being suddenly seized with the small-pox ; and the Queen was consequently obliged to take up her residence in a house belonging to him in the Grey Friary, at Stamford. ^ We ought not to bring this memoir to a conclusion without giving a slight sketch of the Lord Treasurer's person, which, we learn, " was always agreeable, (although he was not remark- " ably tall, nor eminently handsome,) and became more and " more so as he grew in years, age becoming him better than " youth : the hair of his head and beard grew perfectly white ; " and he preserved, almost to his dying day, a fine and florid " complexion ; his temper contributed much towards making " him generally beloved, for he was always serene and cheer- " ful ; so perfect a master of his looks and words, that what " passed in his mind, was never discoverable from either ; " patient in hearing, ready in answering, yet without any " quickness, and in a style suited to the understanding of him " to whom he spoke. The Lord Treasurer, by his first marriage, had only one son, Thomas, who succeeded him. By his second marriage, be- ^ This happened in the year 1566. Queen Elizabeth, it seems, had also the previous year, ' ' passed through Stamford in her progress to Lincoln- " shire, and dined at the White Friary, which stood a little way East from " St. Paul's Gate, where the road divides for Ryhall and Uffington." — Drakard's Hist, of Stamford. Another account states, that the latter building, (which, many of our readers are aware, occupied the site of the pre- sent Infirmary,) " as soon as her Majesty left the house, fell to the ground." 2 Nares iii,, 484. 104 LIFE OF sides several children who died in infancy, he had one son, Robert, afterwards Earl of Salisbury,^ and two daughters: — ^Anne, Countess of Oxford, of whom mention has more than once been made ; and Elizabeth, (so named after her royal spon- sor), who was married to WiUiam Wentworth, eldest son to Lord Wentworth. The life of the Lord Treasurer Burghley can hardly be con- sidered complete, without the insertion of those prudential maxims, propounded by him under the title of "Ten Precepts " addressed to his second son, Robert Cecil," and drawn up in the following terms : — " Son Robert, — The virtuous inclinations " of thy matchless mother, by whose tender and godly care " thy infancy was governed, together with thy education under " so zealous and excellent a tutor, puts me in rather assurance " than hope, that thou art not ignorant of that summum bonum, " which is only able to make thee happy as well in thy death " as life ; I mean the true knowledge and worship of thy Crea- " tor and Redeemer ; without which all other things are vain " and miserable : so that thy youth being guided by so sufficient " a teacher, I make no doubt, but he will furnish thy life with " divine and moral documents ; yet that I may not cast off the " care beseeming a parent towards his child ; or that thou " shouldst have cause to derive thy whole felicity and welfare " rather from others than from whence thou receivedst thy " breath and being ; I think it fit and agreeable to the affection " I bear thee, to help thee with such rules and advertisements ' Without anticipating too much, it may be remarked that both the sons of the Lord Treasurer had the dignity of an Earldom conferred upon them by James 1. on the same day : Robert, the second son, being created Earl of Salisbury in the morning ; and Thomas, the eldest. Earl of Exeter, in the afternoon ; and that from these two Peers are respectively descended in a direct line the present noble houses of Salisbury and Exeter. THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 105 ' for the squaring of thy hfe, as are rather gained by expe- ' rience, than much reading ; to the end, that entering into ' this exorbitant age, thou mayest be the better prepared to ' shun those scandalous courses, whereunto the world, and the ' lack of experience may easily draw thee. And because I ' will not confound thy memory, I have reduced them into * ten precepts ; and next unto Moses' tables, if thou imprint ' them in thy mind, thou shalt reap the benefit, and I the ' content ; and they are these following : — " I. When it shall please God to bring thee to man's ' estate, use great providence and circumspection in chusing ' thy wife ; for from thence will spring all thy future good or ' evil ; and it is an action of life, like unto a stratagem of ' war ; wherein a man can err but once. If thy estate be ' good, match near home and at leisure ; if weak, far off and ' quickly. Enquire diligently of her disposition, and how ' her parents have been inclined in their youth ; let her not ' be poor, how generous soever ; for a man can buy nothing ' in the market with gentility ; nor chuse a base and uncomely ' creature altogether for wealth ; for it will cause contempt in ' others and loathing in thee ; neither make choice of a dwarf or ' a fool ; for by the one thou shalt beget a race of pigmies, the ' other will be thy continual disgrace, and it will yirke thee ' to hear her talk ; for thou shalt find it, to thy great grief, ' that there is nothing more fulsome than a she-fool. And ' touching the guiding of thy house, let thy hospitality be ' moderate, and according to the means of thy estate, rather ' plentiful than sparing, but not costly ; for I never knew any ' man grow poor by keeping an orderly table ; but some ' consume themselves through secret vices, and their hospitahty ' bears the blame ; but banish swinish drunkards out of thine ' house, which is a vice impairing health, consuming much, ' and makes no show. I never heard praise ascribed to the / 106 LIFE OF " drunkard, but for the well-bearing of his drink, which is " better commendation for a brewer's horse or a drayman, " than for either a gentleman, or a serving-man. Beware " thou spend not above three of four parts of thy revenues ; " nor above a third part of that in thine house ; for the other " two parts will do no more than defray thy extraordinaries, " which always surmount the ordinary by much : otherwise " thou shalt live like a rich beggar, in continual want : and " the needy man can never live happily or contentedly ; for " every disaster makes him ready to mortgage or sell ; and " that gentleman who sells an acre of land, sells an ounce of " credit, for gentility is nothing else but ancient riches ; so " that if the foundation shall at any time sink, the building " must needs follow. — So much for the first precept. " II. Bring thy children up in learning and obedience, yet " without outward austerity. Praise them openly, reprehend " them secretly. Give them good countenance and convenient " maintenance according to thy abihty, otherwise thy hfe will " seem their bondage, and what portion thou shalt leave them " at thy death, they will thank death for it, and not thee. " And I am persuaded that the foohsh cockering of some " parents, and the over-stern carriage of others, causeth more " men and women to take ill courses, than their own vicious " inclinations. Marry thy daughters in time, lest they marry " themselves. And suffer not thy sons to pass the Alps, for " they shall learn nothing there but pride, blasphemy, and " atheism. And if by travel they get a few broken languages, " that shall profit them nothing more than to have one meat " served in divers dishes. Neither, by my consent, shalt thou " train them up in wars ; for he that sets up his rest to live " by that profession, can hardly be an honest man or a good " Christian ; besides it is a science no longer in request than " use : for soldiers in peace are like chimneys in summer. THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLKY. 10/ " III. Live not in the country without corn and cattle " about thee ; for he that putteth his hand to the purse for " every expense of household, is like hiiu that keepeth water " in a sieve. And what provision thou shalt want, learn to " buy it at the best hand ; for there is one penny saved in four, " betwixt buying in thy need, and when the markets and " seasons serve fittest for it. Be not served with kinsmen, or " friends, or men intreated to stay ; for they expect much and " do little ; nor with such as are amorous, for their heads are " intoxicated. And keep rather two too few, than one too " many. Feed them Avell, and pay them with the most , and " then thou mayest boldly require service at their hands. " IV. Let thy kindred and allies be welcome to thy " house and table ; grace them with thy countenance, and " farther them in all honest actions ; for by this means, thou " shalt so double the band of nature, as thou shalt find them " so many advocates to plead an apology for thee behind thy " back ; but shake olf those glow worms, I mean parasites and " sycophants, who will feed and fawn upon thee in the " summer of prosperity, but in adverse storm, they will shelter " thee no more than an harbour in winter. " V. Beware of surety-ship for thy best friends ; he that " payeth another man's debts, seeketh his own decay ; but if " thou canst not otherwise chuse, rather lend thy money " thyself upon good bonds although thou borrow it ; so shalt " thou secure thyself, and pleasure thy friend ; neither borrow " money of a neighbour or a friend, but of a stranger ; where " paying it thou shalt hear no more of it : otherwise thou shalt " eclipse thy credit, lose thy freedom, and yet pay as dear as to " another. But in borrowing of money be precious of thy " word, for he that hath care of keeping days of payment, is " lord of another man's purse. " VI. Undertake no suit against a poor man without 108 LIFE OF " receiving much wrong ; for, besides that thou mayest make " him thy compeer, it is a base conquest to triumph where " there is small resistance ; neither attempt law against any " man before thou be fully resolved that thou hast right on thy " side ; and then spare not for either money or pains ; for a " cause or two so followed and obtained, will free thee from " suits a great part of thy life. " VII. Be sure to keep some great man thy friend, but " trouble him not with trifles ; comphment him often with many, " yet small gifts, and of httle charge ; and if thou hast cause " to bestow any great gratuity, let it be something which may " be daily in sight ; otherwise in this ambitious age, thou shalt " remain like a hop without a pole, live in obscurity, and be " made a football for every insulting companion to spurn at. " VIII. Towards thy superiors be humble, yet generous ; " with thine equals famihar, yet respective ; towards thine " inferiors show much humanity, and some famiharity ; as to " bow the body, stretch forth the hand, and to uncover the " head, with such like popular compliments. The first pre- " pares thy way to advancement, the second makes thee " known for a man well bred, the third gains a good report, " which once got is easily kept ; for right humanity takes such " deep root in the minds of the multitude, as they are more " easily gained by unprofitable courtesies, than by churlish " benefits. Yet I advise thee not to affect or neglect popu- " larity too much. Seek not to be Essex ; shun to be Raleigh. " IX. Trust not any man with thy life, credit, or estate ; " for it is mere folly for a man to enthral himself to his friend, " as though, occasion being offered, he should not dare to " become his enemy. " X. Be not scurrilous in conversation, nor satirical in thy " jests : the one will make thee unwelcome to all company, " the other pull on quarrels, and get thee hatred of thy best THE LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY. 109 " friends ; for suspicious jests, when any of them savour of " truth, leave a bitterness in the minds of those which are " touched ; and, albeit, I have already pointed at this inclu- " sively, yet I think it necessary to leave it to thee as a special " caution ; because I have seen many so prone to quip and " gird, as they would rather lose their friend than their jest ; " and if, perchance, their boiling brain yield a quaint scoff, " they will travail to be delivered of it as a woman with child. " These nimble fancies are but the froth of wit." THOMAS, FIRST EARL OF EXETER. Eldest Son of the Lord Treasurer, was born in ^^-^'"A Great St. Mary's Parish, Cambridge, ^ on the _ 5th of May, 1542. Having ^^>-\ pursued his studies at St. John's College, in that University, we find him setting off, at the age of eighteen, to complete his education on the Continent ; this being the period when aJo) foreign travel began to be much resorted to by the younger members of the aristocracy, and families of distinction. In 1560, and the two follow- ing years, he was with his tutor, Thomas Windebank, at Paris, from which place they made occasional excur- sions to various parts of France, Germany, and Flanders. Many of the letters which passed during this time between the Lord Treasurer (then Secretary of State) and the travellers, are still extant amongst the corres- pondence preserved in Her Majesty's State Paper Office ; and although they are too numerous to be in- serted in this place at length, some interesting extracts may be made from them.2 Qn the 27th of August, 1560, we find the Secretary addressing his son in these terms : — " I mervell that I have so few letters from you ; " seing, in wryting ether of French or Lattyn, you should 1 "profitt yourself. Will (desire) Wynebank to advertise 1 MS. Baker, xxxiv. 351. 2 They may be seen in " Burgon's Life and Times of Sir Thomas Gresham," vol.i., pp. 424-449. THOMAS, FIRST EARL OF EXETKR. Ill " me of your expencees, tliat I may see how your monny " passeth away. In this tyme, take heed of surfetts by late " suppers." On the 10th of July, 1.561, Mr. Whidebank writes word to the Secretary, that Mr. Cecil had been pre- sented at the French court to Mary, Queen of Scots. ^ His letter also contains the following passage : — " Sir, I humbly " beseech you, in your letters to Mr. Thomas, to remembre " him that he leese not the commoditie of the morning for his " profitting in any kind of thing. I cannot perceave he hath " any greate mynde to the lute ; but to the cistern, he hathe." In reply, the Secretary directs his son to " begyn by tyme " to translate into French ; to serve God daylie ; to take good " hede to his helth ; and visit once a week his Instructions." In the course of a few months, we find the father complaining in rather sharp terms to Windebank, that he had " had a " watche-worde sent him out of France, that his Sonne's being " there would serve him to little purpose ; for that he spent " hys tyme in idleness, and not in profittyng hymself in lern- " ing." This admonition appears to have had the desired effect, as Windebank was shortly afterwards enabled to send home the following account of his pupil's pursuits : — "This order doth " Mr. Thomas take. In the morning from viii. to ix. of the " clocke, he hath one that readith Munster (on Cosmography) " unto him ; that don, he hathe his houre to learne to daunse;^ " and in these ii things is the whole of the forenoon consumid. " After dynner, at one of the clocke, he goith to a lesson of " the Institutes (of the Law,) whereof he wrote his determination " himself unto you, — persuaded thereunto by my L. Am- " bassador.s Toward iii of the clocke, he hathe one that ^ This would be immediately before that Queen's return to Scotland, after the death of her first husband, Francis. 2 It is well known that this was considered an indispensable accomplish- ment at the period in question. Sir Christopher Hatton owed his prefer- ment at court to his skill in dancing. ^ Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. 112 THOMAS, FIRST EARL OF EXETER. " teachith him to plaie on the lute ; wherein, (and an houre's " reading the historie of Josephus de hello Judaico,) he be- " stowith the whole afternoone. After supper, he lackith no " companie to talke with, for learning the tongue that waie ; " and besides, eyther accordith on the lute, or takith some " booke in hande. This is presently the order of dividing his " tyme, which I thought my duty to let you understand." The travellers, upon their subsequent arrival at Antwerp, fell in with Sir Thomas Gresham, the well-known founder of the Royal Exchange, who was residing in that city, in the capacity of Royal Agent to Queen Elizabeth ■} and whom we find, in a letter dated August 9th, 1562, assuring the Secretary that " his sone bestowed his tyme very well ; for that he spoke " very good Frenche, and (was as) full of sivillity and verttew " as his honnor's harte could desire." Windebank too writes about the same time to a similar effect : " As for Mr. Thomas " his estate, I trust your honor will Hke his personage well, " and his behaviour better than you have done before : and I " trust that his httle foUye will much increase him in wisdom :" so that the Secretary's mind seems to have been very soon relieved of the anxiety which it had previously entertained on account of ' Son Thomas,' as he was in the habit of designat- ing him. Upon his return to England, we find Thomas Cecil entering Parliament at the early age of twenty-one, being elected mem- ber for Stamford, in the year 1563, which place he represented till 1576.1 On the 27th of November, 1564, he married the 1 The duty of the person who held this office (which was also called King's Merchant, or Factor), was to negociate the loans which were obtained by the English government from the opulent merchants settled in Germany and the Low Countries. He was always an individual of known influence and ability ; and was sometimes required to act in the additional capacity of Ambassador. 1 Willis, Notitia Parliameniaria. THOMAS, FIRST EARL OF EXETER. 113 Lady Dorothy Nevill, one of the co-heiresses of John Lord Latimer;! a person, who is described as being " of good andver- " tuous conversacion, very wise, sober of behavoure, womanly, " and in hir doings so temperate as if she bare the age of double " hir yeres ; of stature like to be goodlie ; and of beauty verry " well. Hir haire browne, yet hir complexion very faire and " cleare. The favour of hir face such as every body may " judge to have bothe grace and wysdome."^ By this lady he had a numerous family, the several members of which will be noticed at the end of this memoir. In the year 1569, he served as a volunteer in the army which was sent under the com- mand of the Earl of Sussex to suppress the rebellion in the North, an account of which insurrection has been already given at length.^ So highly did he distinguish himself on this occasion, that the Commander-in-Chief was induced to recommend him to the particular notice of Queen Elizabeth, in return for which, the following letter of acknowledgement was addressed by him to the Earl, "expressive," as Strype observes, "of his modesty and " virtue, agreeable to the spirit of his worthy Father."* " That it might please his good Lordship : " Understanding that such as served under his Lordship in the " late Rebellion of the North, did generally look at this time by " his recommendation for some recompense of their service ; " among whom, accounting himself one, and his suit already be- 1 By his union with this lady, he ohtained the manor of North Crawley, in Buckinghamshire, part of the ancient barony of Bedford ; by the possession of which estate, his descendants became, in their turn, entitled to the honorable office of Almoner, at the coronation of the British Sovereign. 2 Letter from Sir Henry Percy, (afterwards Earl of Northumberland), to the Lord Treasurer. Sir Henry, it may be observed, had himself married the eldest of the said co-heiresses, and had shewn a great desire to bring about the union of his sister-in-law with Thomas Cecil. ^ Vide supra, p. 49. ^ Annals of the Reformation, ii, 26. H 114 THOMAS, FIRST EARL OF EXETER. " ing most favourably recommended unto the Queen's Majesty " by his Lordship's special favour unto him, more than any " desert of his part ; he was the bolder to remember himself unto " his Lordship by these his letters : not as one, in respect of " his particular gain, meaning to be importunate with him ; " but as he, who neither meant to attempt other men's credits " in this behalf, neither to be bound or thankful unto any, " but unto his Lordship only. And should think himself " happy, if at any time it might be in him, by any service to " acknowledge that duty and good-wil, which he remained " indebted unto his Lordship. In the mean time he remained " as his most bounden ; and wishing his Lordship his heart's " desire. It was dated from Burghleigh, the 26th of Decem- " her, 1570. Subscribing, your Lordship's at commaunment, "Tho. Cecill." On the 30th of August, 1.571, the subject of this notice was admitted Master of Arts of the University of Cambridge. The Queen was at that time holding her court at Audley End, from which place the French Ambassador^ came over to Cambridge, accompanied by Lord Burghley, Chancellor of the University, and a numerous retinue. The customary disputations were observed in the schools, and the Earl of Hertford, the Lord Buckhurst, Sir George Carew, and Sir Charles Howard, also had the above degree conferred upon them.^ In 1574, the Earl of Murray, Regent of Scotland, apphed to the EngHsh government for assistance against the Scottish rebels, who had taken possession of the Castle of Edinburgh. In the army which was despatched to afford the required rehef, Thomas Cecil served as a volunteer, and was present when the castle was finally taken after a month's siege. The 1 Paul de Foix, specially sent to negociate an alliance between Queen Elizabeth and the brother of the King of France. 2 MS., Baker, xxiv., 250. THOMAS, FIRST EARL OF EXETER. 115 following year. Queen Elizabeth paid her memorable visit to Kenilworth, the particulars of which must be familiar to all who have read Sir Walter Scott's interesting work so called. In the list of Knights who were created at that time, appears the name of Thomas Cecyl. We also find the same person taking an active part in the performance of the splendid masques and pageants which were then enacted. In 1578, Sir Thomas Cecil was appointed Sheriff of Northamptonshire ; his father, the Lord Treasurer, "not allowing him by favour to be excused " from serving his country. Shortly afterwards, upon the arrival in England of the Duke d'Alencon, brother to the King of France, in order to press his suit with Elizabeth, Sir Thomas was one of those gentlemen deputed to entertain him, and he seems to have gained considerable distinction in the justs and tournaments which were celebrated on the occasion. At the beginning of the year 1582, we find him sitting on an ecclesiastical commission at Stamford in conjunction vsdth the Bishop of Lincoln, to inquire into the conduct of one Mr. Mackworth, who was charged, amongst other things, vpith " affirming the lawfulness of having two wives."^ The accused " behaved himself rudely," we are told, " at the time ; but in " the end he was contented to submit himself to such sort of " acknowledging his fault openly, as they should appoint him."^ This was, " on two several Sundays in two several " churches after a sermon made in each place, particularly to " acknowledge his faults and errors, in such manner as they " (the Commissioners) should lay them down in articles."* In the year 1585, Sir Thomas Cecil served with much credit in the wars of the Low Countries ; the origin and progress of ^ Fuller, Worthies of England, * Strype's Annals, iii., 117. 3 Ibid. ^ Ibid. 116 THOMAS, FIRST EARL OF EXETER. which, as well as his own appointment to the Governorship of one of the cautionary towns pledged hy the States to Queen Elizabeth, we have before had occasion to describe.^ The latter trust he seems to have resigned within two years. In 1585 and 1586, he represented the county of Lincoln in Par- liament; for which he was also returned in the year 1597, having in the intermediate time (1593) been elected member for the county of Northampton. ^ At the memorable period of the defeat of the Spanish Armada, Sir Thomas Cecil served as a volunteer on board the English fleet ; many of the nobility of this country, as is well known, having fitted out ships for the occasion at great personal expense. In 1598, on the death of the Lord Treasurer, he be- came Baron Burghley, being then in the fifty-seventh year of his affe.s Hewas chief mourner at the funeralof his father, and, by her Majesty's order, " mourned as an Earl."'* The following year, he entertained the Queen for three days at his house at Wim- bledon in Surry.5 This mansion had been purchased of Sir Christopher Hatton, in the year 1588, by the subject of the 1 Vide supra, pp. 65-71. 2 Willis, Notitia Parliamentaria. 3 The Lord Treasurer, it may be observed, left his estates divided g-ene- rally between his two sons. Thomas, his successor, had such portions of them assigned to him, in Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, and Rutland, as were most contiguous to the family mansion at Burghley ; whilst Robert, the second son, inherited property in Essex, Middlesex, and Hertfordshire, including Theobalds and Cheshunt Park. The latter also succeeded to the property at Essendon, in the county of Rutland, in right of his mother ; from which place he took his first title of Baron Cecil of Essendon. The Lord Treasurer had expressed a desire that this estate should be reserv \ If 1780, and 1784; and on the 4th of February, 1801, he was advanced ]~X^]^~~^ (r^-^ to the dignity of Marquis of QOUGP/^ Exeter. ^~-~A\rv'^'^ jLj-g Lordship married, first, 23d May, 1776, Emma, sole daughter and heir of Thomas Vernon, of Hanbury, in the county of Worcester, Esq., from whom he was divorced in June, 1791, having no surviving issue. He married, secondly, Sarah, daughter of Thomas Hoggins, of Bolas, county of Salop, Esq. ; and by this lady, who died January 18th, 1797, he had issue three sons and one daughter, viz.: — Henry, born Jamiary 1st, 1793, and died in infancy : Brownlow, who succeeded to the title : Thomas, born January 1st, 1797 ; who has been member of Parliament for Stamford, and Colonel of the 1 0th Hussars ; and who married August 8th, 1838, Lady Sophia Georgiana Lennox, seventh daughter of Charles, fourth Duke of Richmond : and Sophia, born February 4th, 1792, and died Nov. 2, 1823, having married May 9th, 1818, the Hon. Henry Manvers Pierrepont, second son of Charles, first Earl Manvers ; — the only issue of which union, Augusta Sophia, married July 9, 1844, Charles Wellesley, second son of his Grace, Arthur, Duke of Wellington. The Marquis of Exeter married, thirdly, August 19th, 1800, Elizabeth Anne, widow of Douglas, eighth Duke of Hamilton ; by whom he had no issue. His Lordship died May 1st, 1804, and was buried at St. Martin's, Stamford. BEOWNLOW, mom MAEQUIS OF EXETEE. SECOND O) and pre- Oj sentMAR- QUIS OF Exeter, was born July 2d, 1795, and was under nine years of age when he succeeded to the title. His Lordship, who had been consigned by the deceased Marquis to the guardianship of the late Lords St. Helens and Henniker, Evan Eoulkes, Esq., and the Rev, WiUiam Burslem, having pur- sued the usual routine of education at Eton and St. John's College, Cambridge, attained his majority y on Tuesday the 2d of July, 1816. The following account of the circumstances attending this event, taken from the Stamford Mercury, of July 5 th, of that year, will no doubt be readwithsome interest : — "One of " the m ost festive, and at the same time amicable and " orderly days ever passed in Stamford, was spent on " Tuesday last, — the day on which the Marquis of Exeter " completed his twenty-first year, and received from the " trustees of his noble father's will the independent \ " inheritance of his princely estates. The six parish " churches of the town sent out their hilarious clatter " early in the morning and through the day, until the " hour of dinner, when numerous parties sat down at " different inns, and a company of one hundred and forty 148 BROWNLOW, SECdND MARQUIS OF EXETER. " (invited in the name of the worthy Mayor) at the Town-hall. " The state of health of the Marquis did not permit his atten- " dance, but the entertainment at all the places was most " abundant and handsome ; the total number of guests, about six " hundred and seventy, comprising all the friends of theBurghley " interest in the town. The health of the Marquis, and of the " Marchioness,! of Lady Sophia Cecil, of Lord Thomas Cecil, " and of the Trustees, was drunk in many a draught and many " a shout, proportioned to the deep enthusiasm felt on the " occasion. The noble British beverage brewed at the time of " the Marquis' birth, had been supplied liberally, in addition " to the wines and other liquors, at the public houses where " parties dined, and it told its tale in all who freely indulged " in it. Some of this ale was handed about at the Town-hall: " in flavour and colour it very much resembled old hock — in " effect, it was brandy. It might be expected that of a day " of so much interest, and that had been so anxiously looked " for, we should be very full in the details — but that is not " what we are given to : no one is ignorant of the elements of " a truly jovial party — good fellowship, community of interest " and regard, friendship, comfort, ' plenty of mirth, and good " 'liquor in store' — all these were present on Tuesday ; and " after the revelry of a long summer's day eked out with the " night, the guests of the different parties exchanged con- " gratulations on Wednesday on the uninterrupted harmony " and conviviality of one of the most comfortable and happy " days they had ever passed. — As we anticipated last week, " the tenantry of the Marquis were regaled in a similar way " in all the villages where his Lordship has property ; and the " three counties of Lincoln, Rutland, and Northampton, were " enlivened by the anniversary. — Not the least interesting " feature of the celebration at Stamford, was a procession of 1 The lady of the late Marquis. BROWNLOW, SECOND MARQUIS OF EXETER. 149 " one hundred and forty girls of the Madras School through " the town into Burghley Park : the children were afterwards " regaled with a dinner of roast beef and plum pudding in " their school-room (hung with festoons of flowers, and other- " wise decorated for the occasion), and several ladies and " gentlemen, friends of the institution, served as waiters to " the young party at the entertainment. — Ninety-nine children " belonging to the charity school in St. Martin's also were " treated with tea, &c. ; three hundred and seven women in " Stamford were entertained in the same way ; two hundred " widows received bs. each ; all the soldiers' wives whose " husbands were absent received 2s. 6d. ; sixty-six men and " women in the different hospitals received the like sum ; and " generally it was such a day of jubilee in Stamford and the " neighbourhood as has not been known for many years." At the Coronation of George IV., in the year 1820, the Marquis of Exeter officiated as Hereditary Grand Almoner; on which occasion he received the customary perquisite of the silver-gilt basin or alms-dish. On the 1 2th of May, 1824, his Lordship married Isabella, daughter of William-Stephen Poyntz, Esq., of Cowdray, in the county of Sussex.^ In 1826, he was appointed Lord Lieutenant of the county of Rutland ; the following year he was created Knight of the Garter ; and in 1842, appointed Lord Lieutenant of the county of North- ampton. ^ Drogo Fitz-Pons, her Ladyship's paternal ancestor, came over to this country with William the Conqueror : his descendant, Hugh Poyntz, was one of the discontented Barons in the reign of King John, and in con- sequence of his adherence to their cause, his estates became confiscated to the crown. John, son of Robert Poyntz, of Iron Acton, sheriff of Gloucestershire in 1491, (descended from a junior branch of the same family,) married Catherine, daughter of Sir Matthew Browne, of Beechworth Castle, in the county of Surry, Klnt. : a younger son of this John, viz. : William Poyntz, of Ryegate, county of Surry, was the ancestor of the 160 BROWNLOWj SECOND MARQUIS OF EXETER. Few noblemen have received more gracious marks of royal favour than the present ovvrner of Burghley. Amongst the most illustrious personages who have honored his princely residence M^ith frequent visits, may be mentioned his Royal Highness the late Duke of York, and his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge. But as -we consider that the visits of our gracious Queen, and of her Majesty Queen Adelaide, are far too interesting to admit of merely a passing notice, we shall offer no apology for recapitulating the principal circumstances which took place upon those occasions, although the particulars of the events, to which we refer, may be still impressed upon the memory of the majority of our readers. On the 21st of September, 1835, her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, accompanied by her present Majesty (then Princess Victoria), dined and slept at Burghley House on their way from Yorkshire to the metropolis. A distinguished party had been invited to meet their Royal Highnesses at dinner, which was served up on the occasion in the great hall. This noble apartment, we are told, " was decorated in the most " costly and superb style : vases of gold and silver, filled with " odoriferoxis and beautiful bouquets, were placed about the Right Hon. Stephen Poyntz, of Midgham, Berks, Ambassador to Sweden in 1728, who was grandfather of the before-mentioned William-Stephen Poyntz, Esq. The Marchioness of Exeter is also descended through her mother, (the Hon. Elizabeth Mary Browne, sister of the last Viscount Montague,) from Sir Anthony Browne, who was created Viscount Montague in 1554, made a Privy Councillor, and installed Knight of the Garter the following year. This nobleman was one of the Peers who sat on the trial of Mary, Queen of Scots.' Although a zealous Roman Catholic, he was held in much esteem by Queen Elizabeth, who employed him as her Ambassador to the King of Spain in the year 1560 ; and also honoured him on one occasion with a visit of nearly a week at his seat at Cowdray, in 1591. He died the year following the latter event, and was buried with his two wives at Midhurst, in Sussex, where a splendid monument is erected to his memory. The Marchioness of Exeter is also sister to the Countess Spencer, and to Frances, Lady Clinton. BROWNLOW, SECOND MARQUIS OF EXETER. 151 " room in rich variety, interspersed with the most briUiant " standing lamps, and eight patent lamps were suspended " from the roof, springing from brackets, in the style of " Westminster Hall, which exhibited in its natural state that " beautiful piece of architecture, which is supposed to be more " ancient than the other parts of the building. The dinner " table was not wanting in the richness and splendour of its " decorations. It was covered with the most superb plate, " commingled with candelabras of almost a thousand devices, " wrought in gold and dead silver. The dinner consisted of " thirty-six covers, and the north end of the hall was fitted up " for the sideboard. The effect produced by the profusion of " costly gold plate could not be surpassed, if equalled, either " for elegance of design, or the masterly talent displayed in " the workmanship. In the evening a grand ball was given " by the noble host, to which the principal famihes of the " neighbourhood had the honour of receiving invitations. At " nine o'clock dancing commenced, and the company invited " to the ball continued to pour in till half-after ten. Supper " was prepared for the whole of the guests in the great hall. " The affability and condescension of their Royal Highnesses, " and the kind attention of the noble Marquis and his amiable " Lady, during the whole of the evening, won the sincere " regards of all who were honored with a share in this festive " scene. Both at the dinner-table and in the ball-room the " Princess Victoria seemed to be extremely animated and " lively. The suite of rooms prepared for her Royal Highness " and the Princess was unique. In the bed-room was a most " magnificent state bed for her Royal Highness, with a smaller " one for the Princess, which were justly admired. The grate, " fender, &c., were most curious, the family crests, coronets, " and other ornaments being in massive silver ; the dressing- " rooms were splendid, and the gold toilet plate most gorgeous. 152 BROWNLOW, SECOND MARQUIS OF EXETER. " On one dressing-table, most richly embossed, was a service " of Queen Elizabeth's ; on another that of King James I."^ Their Royal Highnesses left Burghley House the following morning, for Holkham, Norfolk, the seat of Mr. Coke (after- wards Earl of Leicester), en route for the metropolis. In the year 1842, the Queen Dowager honoured the Marquis of Exeter with a visit of a few days, arriving at Burghley on Monday the 8th of August, from Gopsall Hall, Earl Howe's seat, in Leicestershire. On this occasion, her Majesty under- took the office of sponsor to the infant son of her noble host : the ceremony of the Christening was performed in the private chapel attached to the house, at six o'clock on the Tuesday evening, the service being read by the Lord Bishop of Peter- borough, assisted by the Rev. Henry Atlay, domestic chaplain to the Marquis. A magnificently chased gold salver was given by the royal sponsor to her godson, bearing the following inscription : — " Presented to Lord Adelbert Percy Cecil, on " the day of his Christening, 9th of August, 1842, by his God- " mother, A.R." On the second day of the Queen's visit to Burghley, upwards of six hundred children of the National and Sunday Schools from Stamford and the neighbourhood dined on the lawn in front of the house. Her Majesty was present on the occasion, and, vdth her accustomed kindness and urbanity of manner, addressed herself in gracious terms to several of the children, and evidently derived the highest pleasure and gratification from witnessing the scene before her. On the following Thursday, her Majesty left Burghley, on her return to Gopsall Hall. In 1844, her Majesty, Queen Victoria, and his Royal High- ness Prince Albert paid their memorable visit to Burghley. The royal party left London early on the morning of Tuesday, November 12th, and arrived at Burghley House shortly before ' Lincolnshire Chronicle, Sept. 28th, 1835. BROWNLOW, SECOND MARQUIS OF EXETER. 153 5 o'clock in the afternoon, having been greeted by the most enthusiastic marks of loyalty and affection through the whole course of their journey. At the entrance to the mansion, they were received by the noble Marquis and his lady, by whom they were immediately conducted to their private apartments. At eight o'clock in the evening, a grand banquet was served in the great hall, which was brilliantly lighted up by ten superb Gothic chandeliers suspended from the roof, in character with the decorations of the apartment. The band of the Coldstream Guards was stationed in the gallery, and performed several pieces of music during the banquet. The following morning the illustrious guests breakfasted at an early hour in their private apartments, and afterwards attended divine service in the chapel attached to the house. At a later period of the day, they inspected the extensive and valuable collection of paintings, for which Burghley House is so justly celebrated, and were also conducted by their noble host over the whole of the building itself. The ceremony of Christening the infant daughter of the Marquis and Marchioness of Exeter took place at six o'clock on this evening, the service being read, as on the former occasion, by the Lord Bishop of Peterborough, assisted by the Rev. Henry Atlay. The sponsors were His Royal Highness Prince Albert, the Hon. Lady Middleton, and Lady Sophia Cecil. The infant was named Victoria, after Her Majesty; and at the close of the ceremony, a magnificent gold cup and cover was presented to her by the Prince. This cup is about fifteen inches high, surmounted by a crown ; the sides are ornamented with figures, and the whole is elaborately chased : the following inscription is beautifully engraved upon it : — " To the Lady Victoria Cecil, from her Godfather, Albert: " Burghley, November 13, 1844." On this occasion were present the whole of the distinguished guests of the noble lo4 BROWNLOW, SECOND MARQUIS OF EXETER. Marquis, including the Prime Minister (Sir Robert Peel), Her Majesty's three Secretaries of State, &c., &c. In the evening, a discharge of fireworks took place at the hack of the mansion, which were seen from the windows of the house by her Majesty and the royal suite: the bridge, which crosses the artificial piece of water, connecting the middle and lower parks, was also beautifully illuminated. The following morning Prince Albert, accompanied by a select party, enjoyed several hours' shooting in the preserves adjoining the park. After luncheon, the Queen honoured the town of Stamford with a visit. The royal cavalcade, consisting of three carriages with outriders, &c., passed slowly through the principal streets of the borough : her Majesty and Prince Albert, being seated in an open carriage, were fully visible to every one ; and the most deafening cheers attended them during the whole of their progress through the town. In the afternoon, the Queen and Prince planted each a tree in Burghley park : — her Majesty an oak, and his Royal Highness a lime ; and in the evening a grand ball was given by the Marquis of Exeter, which was attended by upwards of five hundred persons from the neighbourhood. The royal party entered the ball-room shortly after ten o'clock, and were conducted to the chairs of state which had been prepared for them on a dais surmounted by a canopy of crimson velvet fringed with gold. The guests were presented to her Majesty in succession, and dancing was kept up with considerable animation during a great part of the night. The following morning her Majesty, Prince Albert, and suite, left Burghley on their return to London ; and thus ended a visit, which will long be remembered by all who were fortunate enough to witness any of the proceedings which we have thus briefly described. 1 1 The foregoing particulars are for the most part taken from a work, which made its appearance shortly after the Queen's visit, entitled "The " Royal Progress to Burghley," published by Abel and Sons, Northampton. BROWNLOW, SECOND MA.RQUIS OF KXETER. l.J.) On the 3()th of April, 1846, Lord Burgliley, eldest son of the Marquis of Exeter, attained his majority ; an event which was commemorated in a manner suitable to so interesting an occasion. Upwards of seven hundred persons (consisting exclusively of the Marquis's tenants) were entertained at dinner in a splendid marquee erected on the lawn before Burghley House, Lord Exeter hunself presiding. The fine old ale, which had been brewed the same year in which Lord Burghley was born, was liberally supphed to the guests ; and upon the young nobleman's health being proposed, and enthusiastically received by the whole assembly, the compliment was acknow- ledged by him in feeling and appropriate terms. The inferior tenants of the Marquis of Exeter were not forgotten on the same auspicious occasion : a plentiful allowance of bread, meat, and ale was distributed to the several members of their respective famihes ; whilst the poor of the town of Stamford, and of the different parishes in the neighbourhood where his Lordship held property, received handsome gratuities of money; and similar liberality was subsequently bestowed on all the servants, labourers, and dependants more immediately connected with the estabhshment at Burghley ; presents of money being made to them in proportion to the length of time which each domestic had lived in the Marquis's service. We have confined ourselves, in the course of this brief and imperfect memoir, to the notice of a few interesting occurrences, which have taken place during the hfe of the Marquis of Exeter; we cannot, however, bring it altogether to a con- clusion, vnthout shortly adverting to the high character and reputation which his Lordship possesses. Few noblemen have succeeded in gaining more general and unqualified respect than the subject of our present remarks. His benevolent and considerate conduct as a landlord, his anxiety to promote the interest and welfare of all classes over whom his authority 0 156 BROWNLOW, SECOND MARQUIS OF EXETER. and influence extend, and his liberal patronage of the several charitable societies and institutions established in the town with which he is connected, are no doubt sufiiciently known to the majority of our readers ; whilst it may appear equally superfluous to remark, that the integrity of his private character, and his amiable and conciliatory deportment, have ensured to him, on the other hand, the regard and esteem, not only of his own immediate family, but of a numerous circle of friends and connexions. Although the Marquis has never taken a prominent part in the deliberations of the Legislature, the votes which he has given in the House of Lords evince the sincere and anxious desire entertained by him to uphold the ancient and venerated institutions of the country ; and they are particularly worthy of remark, moreover, for the firmness and consistency by which they have been uniformly characterized. We need only refer, in support of the truth of these observations, to a few of the great questions which have, during the last twenty years, occupied the attention of Parliament : — the CathoHc Emanci- pation Bill, the Reform Measure, and the Act for the further Endowment of the Roman Catholic College of Maynooth ; — all which were unhesitatingly opposed by him upon considerations of public principle and interest ; whilst with regard to another overwhelming measure of more recent occurrence, — that pro- viding for the Abolition of the Corn Laws, and of Protection to Native Industry, his Lordship not only offered all the hostility in his power to a scheme which he conceived to be fraught with the highest injury to the welfare of the community, but he did not hesitate to resign the high and distinguished oflice which he held of Groom of the Stole to the illustrious consort of his Sovereign, rather than compromise those political principles of which he had ever been the steady and consistent supporter. BROWNLOW, SECOND MARaUIS OF EXETER. 157 We may briefly revert, in conclusion, to the extensive improvements which Burghley House has undergone at the hands of its present owner. Besides refitting and embellishing nearly every apartment in the mansion, his Lordship has added to its collection many valuable and costly works of art and beauty. He has also restored the Great Hall, as well as the Chapel. But the greatest improvement of the whole, which he has caused to be carried into effect, and which was executed under the able superintendence of John Bering, Esq., who also built the Stamford and Rutland Infirmary, has been the erection of a corridor round every side of the middle court ; which, for the beauty of its exterior, corresponding as it does with the architecture of the house, and for the elegance and convenience of its interior, connecting all the apartments on the ground and first floors of the mansion, is not to be surpassed by any building of a similar description in any part of England. The Marquis of Exeter has had eleven children, seven of whom survive : viz.: — 1, William AUeyne, Lord Burghley, born 30th April, 1825; Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Northamptonshire Militia. 2. A daughter still born, January 1, 1826. 3. Brownlow Thomas Montague, born 27th Feb., 1827; Lieutenant in the Scots Fusileer Guards. 4. Isabella Mary, born 14th July, died 1st September, 1830. 5. Mary Frances, born 6th January, 1832. 6. Edward Henry, born 25th Dec, 1834. 7. Dorothy Anne, born 10th April, died 5th May, 1837. 8. Henry Poyntz, born 20th October, 1838. 9. A son, born and died 30th Dec, 1839. 10. Adelbert Percy, born 18th July, 1841. II. Victoria, born 9th Nov., 1843. 158 BROWNLOW, SECOND MARaUIS OF EXETER. His Lordship is second Marquis and eleventh Earl of Exeter, and twelfth Baron of Burghley, in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. He is also a Knight of the Garter, and a Privy Councillor; Hereditary Grand Almoner, Lord Lieutenant of the counties of Northampton and Rutland, and D.C.L. of the University of Cambridge. He was also Groom of the Stole to His Royal Highness Prince Albert, from 1841 to 184(). Creations. Baron of Burghley, in the county of North- ampton, February 2oth, 1570; Earl of Exeter, May 4th, 1605 ; and Marquis of Exeter, February 4 th, 1801. Arms. Barry of ten. Argent and Azure, over all six escutcheons, 3, 2, and 1, Sable, each charged with a lion rampant of the field. Crest. On a chapeau. Gules, turned up ermine, a garb. Or, supported by two lions ; that on the dexter side. Argent, on the sinister. Azure. It is remarkable, that this is the only crest in British heraldry which has supporters. Supporters. Two lions, ermine. Motto. Cor unum, via una. Chief Seat. Burghley House, Northamptonshire. flISIOBY AND DESCRIPTION OF BUBGHLEY HOUSE. TO(BIK[ILE¥ o IHI®IU§1 JGC 30 Which is so called either from "Berg," a hill, and " Ley," a pasture, or, as seems more probable, from the manor having been formerly the % or pasture of the Abbots of "St. Peter of the Borough" (Peterborough), under whom it was held by its ancient possessors in fee farm, is situated in the county of North- ampton, about a mile south-east of the town of Stamford, in the parish of St. Martin, Stamford Baron. The history of the manor of Burghley reaches 1/ back to a very remote period. In the time of Edward the Confessor, it was let to one Alfgar, the King's chaplain ; at whose death it was seized by the crown, and was subsequently redeemed by Leofric, Abbot of Peterborough, for eight marks of / gold.i In the reign of William the Conqueror, it was held by GeofFry de Winton, or Winchester, and the manor was, some years afterwards, (1146), confirmed by Pope Eugenius to the Abbey of Burgh. About the time of Henry III., Burghley was held of the Abbot of Peterborough, by Wilham de Burghley, and afterwards by Thomas de Burghley; and at the death of the latter, in 1280, we read, that, "as he was " knight, and held of the abbey, two horses were delivered 1 Bridges' Hist, of Northamptonshire, ii., 587. 160 BURGHLEY HOUSE. " as a mortuary ; and Mary, his relict, dying soon after, a " cow was paid on the same accoimt."^ About 1296, the manor was held by Peter de Burfc,uley, who obtained a grant of free warren here in the year 1310. He was succeeded by his son Geoflfry, who had no issue ; and whose widow Mary, or Mariot, being married to John de Tichmersh, the latter obtained possession of the manor by her right, and held it \uitil 1347. It appears, however, that the above-nan.i J Peter de Burghley had sold the reversion of the manor to Robert Wykes ; by whom it was entailed successively to his three sons, Edmund, Nicholas, and Thomas. The two former dying without issue, the manor descended to Gervase, (son of the last-named Thomas), who was chief -magistrate of Stamford in the year 1401 ; and through him, to his only daughter, Elizabeth, who was married to John Milton, ahas Lawrence. On the death of the said Elizabeth, without issue, in 1490, it came into the possession o , Henry Wykes, clerk, (son of a younger brother of the before-mentioned Gervase Wykes), who was Vicar of All Saints' in Stamford. At his death, which occurred May 9th, 1508, the manor came into the possession of his cousin, Margaret, wife of Henry Chambers ; which Margaret sold it to Richard Cecil, Esq., father of the Lord Treasurer Burghley.^ Another manor, called Little Burghley, (which adjoined the above, and is now absorbed in it), was held by James Byroun in the year 1347, and afterwards by Michael dc la Pole, Earl of Suffolk, and Chancellor of England: the latter being attainted in the Parliament of the 10th of Richard II., and adjudged to death and forfeiture of all his est^'^es, the manor reverted to the crown, and was granted threr iaxs afterwards 1 Bridges' Hist, of Northamptonshire, ii., 587. - Peck's Desiderata Curiosa, L, 80. BURGHLEY HOUSE. 161 to Robert Garton, William de Rynell, and Henry de Besewick, clerk, in fee. In 1526, it was sold by Thomas Williams and others to Sir William Compton, Knt.; and by an indenture, bearing date Dec. 13th, 1528, we find it passing from the hands of the latter into those of the before-named Richard Cecil, Esq.; by which means, he and liis heirs came iuto possession of both the manors. ^ Upon this estate then, was erected the beautiful and imposing edifice, a description of which forms the subject of the remaining pages of this work. It appears that the same site was previously occupied by an old house, which had descended to the Lord Treasurer Burghley, from his father ; and upon the ruins of which he is supposed to have raised the present mansion; as in one of his letters, dated 1585, he speaks of having "set his walls on the old foundation;" and of having " made the rough stone walls to be square." Upon a portion of the same site, also, a religious house had been formerly established by the Abbots of Peterborough soon after the property came into their possession. A monastery, called the minster of "Burghe," was founded here in 1156, by William Waterville, Abbot of Peterborough : it appears to have been of the order of St. Bennet, and to have been called, from the name of the Saint to which it was consecrated, the Convent or Priory of St. Michael. It was dissolved after a celibacy of about four centuries, in the year 1539, at the time when the monasteries were for the most part suppressed by Henry VIII. The remains, however, of the minster of " Burghe" are still visible in the fine old hall, the chapel, and the kitchen; which are probably the only portions of the original building, existing in the present edifice.^ ^ Title-deed at Burghley House. * History or Description of Burghley House, published in 1797. 162 BURGHLEY HOUSE. The Lord Treasurer is generally supposed to have commenced the erection of Burghley House about the year 1575,^ the earliest date discoverable on any part of it being 1577, 1 It is not without some hesitation that we have finally adopted this as the most probable date of the erection of Burghley House. The doubt upon this point has arisen from the allusions made to the subject in that interesting work, to which we have already more than once referred in the preceding part of this volume — Burgon's Life and Times of Sir Thomas Gresham. The author in question states, (vol. ii., p. 177), that the mansion was being built as early as the year 1566 ; and in other parts of his work (which we cannot do better than recommend to the perusal of the reader) he quotes several passages from letters which passed between the Lord Treasurer and Sir Thomas Gresham respecting various building materials which the latter was engaged in procuring for him from Antwerp : all of which correspondence, however, took place at a period many years prior to the time which we have assigned for the erection of Burghley House. Thus, as early as the year 1559, we find Gresham for- wardmg to Lord Burghley a memorandum of different articles which he had purchased for him in Flanders : again in January, 1563, Clough, (Gresham's agent or "factor" at Antwerp), is corresponding with the same person respecting the fashion of a gallery and some pillars for his house: m 1566, Gresham supplies the Lord Treasurer with "paving- " stones" for the same; and Henryke, (the architect of the Royal Exchange), sends him "a patron how they should be layd:" the following year, Henryke himself appears to be engaged in making a " galirie" for him, and a few months afterwards in setting up a " port," or gate, to the house ; and finally, in 1570, Gresham sends over from Antwerp "iiij pillers "of collorid marbill, with their furniture," at which time it would seem that the mansion for which they were intended was almost completed. Having given every attention, however, to the subject, and considering, that, (besides other reasons which want of space compels us to omit), the earliest date which is to be foimd in any part of the mansion is one con- siderably later than any that has been mentioned in the foregoing extracts, viz. 1577 ; and moreover, that it does not appear from any part of the correspondence in question, that the articles to which it refers were necessarily intended for the house at Burghley ; — we are disposed to think that Mr. Burgon is mistaken in so assigning them, and are rather of opinion that they were required for the mansion at Theobalds, which we have already stated (page 98) was considerably enlarged and improved by the Lord Treasurer for the accommodation of Queen Eli:zabeth ; and which it is but reasonable to suppose that he would endeavour to render in every respect worthy the reception of his illustrious guest. The period, too , at which. BURGHLEY HOUSE. 163 which is carved in relievo on the arched ceiUng at the western entrance of the mansion: it seems to have been some time in progress of erection, as upon the spire of the chapel appears the date 1585, and again above the windows on the north side of the house may be seen another date, 1587, shewing the different periods at which these parts of the building were respectively completed. John Thorpe, an eminent architect, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, according to Horace Walpole, gave the plan, and superintended the erection of the greater part of this magnificent structure. The same author informs us that Thorpe was employed in the building or improvement of most of the houses of the nobility in the reigns of Elizabeth and James I. Thus he is said to have designed — Burley-on-the-Hill, in Rutland; part of Somerset-House; Buckhurst-House, Sussex; Woolaton-Hall, Nottinghamshire; Copthall-House; Holland-House, Kensing- ton; Giddy-Hall, and Audley-End, Essex; Houghton-Hall; Ampthill, and Longford Castle, "Wiltshire; and Kirby. "The " taste of all these mansions," adds Walpole, "was that bastard " style, which intervened between Gothic and Grecian architec- " ture; or which perhaps was the style that had been invented " for the houses of the nobility, when they first ventured, on the " settlement of the kingdom after the termination of the " quarrel between the Roses, to abandon their fortified dungeons, " and consult convenience and magnificence." It is only necessary to add to what has been already said with regard to the origin of Burghley House, that although the building is upon the whole the same in its present state as when first erected by the the alterations at Theobalds took place, still further confirms this sup- position; they appear to have been commenced m 1560, the property having been purchased by Lord Burghley in that year, and not (it may be as well here to observe) in 1570, as we have inadvertently stated in the page just referred to, — the error in the date haviog been discovered since the preceding portion of the work was printed. 164 BURGHLEY HOUSE. Lord Treasurer, several material improvements, (some of which we have already had occasion to notice), have heen from time to time made in it by his successors, until the mansion finally attained that incomparable beauty and perfection which it now exhibits. Having made these few preliminary observations respecting the history of the manor of Burghley, as well as the erection of the house itself, we now proceed to enter upon the task which we have proposed to ourselves, of giving a full and complete description of the latter; in the course of which it will be necessary to introduce such cursory remarks with regard to its general appearance, its numerous and valuable contents, and the park and grounds attached to it, as the subject may appear to require. We will only preface our account by observing, that, whilst the several particulars of which we are about to treat are of the most costly and elaborate character, the space allotted to the notice of each falls far short of what its worth and importance deserve. This will be suf- ficiently evident when we state that the house contains nearly six hundred choice and valuable pictures, besides upwards of one hundred miniatures. Its exhibition of paintings, indeed, may be said to be one of the first, either public or private, which is to be found in the kingdom ; and we are happy to be able to introduce in this place the following remarks on the subject by an eminent critic of the present day : — " There is " no other seat," says the author in question, in the account of his visit to Burghley House, " which affords so completely, and " on so grand a scale, aview of the taste in the artswhich prevailed " among the English nobility from the middle of the seven- " teenth till about the end of the eighteenth century. Of the " paintings," he adds, " the masters of the later Italian school " are the principal portion ; and there are accordingly good " works by Andrea Sacchi, Carlo Maratta, Filippo Lauri, Luca BURGHLEY HOUSE. 165 *' Giordano, Giro Ferri, Franceschini, Liberi, Luti, Sebastian " Ricci, &c, : of the Italian schools, the pictures of the " Venetian school are the most eminent."^ In addition, however, to the interest which Burghley derives from its extensive and valuable collection of paintings, it challenges, in many other points of view, our highest regard and attention, whether we consider its exterior or interior embellishments : with respect to the former, it may be observed, that the house is perhaps the most important specimen of the Elizabethan style of architecture existing in the present day, covering, as it does, an immense area, and yet preserving, at the same time, a just and uniform proportion throughout ; — whilst the number and variety of the latter, — the splendid works of art with which the mansion abounds, its beautiful specimens of statuary, its fine old tapestries, oak-carv- ings, bronzes, mosaics, and other incomparable articles of vertu, far too numerous and extensive to be more particularly specified at the present time, cannot fail to engage the especial notice and admiration of the visiter ; whom we shall proceed to introduce, without further preface, to the several objects of interest presented by the house and its appurtenances, com- mencing with — THE ENTEANCE LODGES. This elegant structure, which is situated at the southern extremity of St. Martin's, Stamford Baron, was erected from designs by the late Mr. Legg, of Stamford, in the year 1801, under the direction of the first Marquis of Exeter, at an expense of about 5^5,000. The building consists of two stone octagonal turrets, each containing three stories of apartments, ' WorAs of Art and Artists in England, by G. F. Waagen, Director of the Royal Gallery at Berlin. 166 BURGHLEY HOUSE. crowned with cupolas, and connected by three arched gateways, the sides of which are formed of solid masonry, and are decorated with three-quarter Doric columns and niches, surmounted by a frieze, cornice, and other embellishments. Upon the parapet above the centre arch, are pyramidal and spike-ball-ornaments, flanking the Cecil arms. Above the two side arches are balustrades, and two smaller arches, each of which is crowned with a pyramidal ornament similar to those on the centre arch, and contains a carving of the family crest. The approaches to the lodges have been greatly improved by the present Marquis, who, in the year 1828, substituted fifty massive Aberdeen granite posts for the unsightly palings which had previously enclosed the space immediately in front of the building. Having passed a few yards beyond the archway, the visiter is invited to look back for a moment, and survey the beautiful scenery which meets his view along the meandering course of the valley beyond ; which, watered by the river Welland, and bounded by a fertile and wooded tract of country, may be traced to no inconsiderable distance. As he proceeds towards Burghley House, his attention is again directed to the several objects of interest presented both by the town of Stamford and its environs : the handsome churches belonging to the former may be seen towering majestically above the trees ; whilst the eye is carried along the range of country which lies eastward, as far as the village of Uffington ; the beauty of the whole scene being considerably increased by the rich foliage and verdure of the park itself. The latter, it may be here mentioned, is seven miles in circumference, two miles and a half in length, and about one mile and a half in width : its area is about fourteen hundred acres, and it is so thickly covered with timber, as in some parts to be estimated in value at ^500. per acre. About half a mile from the lodges, and at the bottom of a slight descent, the carriage-road intersects BURGHLEY HOUSE. 167 a foot-way, which forms a shorter route from Stamford to Burghley, and from which a path shortly afterwards diverges towards an extensive piece of water, which we shall presently have occasion to describe. At the extremity of a wide and noble avenue to the left, flanked on either side by one of inferior dimen- sions, the spires of two of the churches in the town of Stamford are again seen to considerable advantage and effect : this avenue would appear to extend in the other direction almost up to the house itself. Having ascended a slight acclivity, the stranger soon afterwards comes within sight of the mansion, which suddenly discloses its noble outline and proportions, presenting at one view its entire northern and western sides, together with the range of buildings projecting from the north- eastern angle. Advancing a few steps, he is enabled to examine with greater minuteness the several varied and elegant parts of the noble pile which stands before him ; — the stone cupola- topped turrets, surmounted by their richly gilt vanes ; the chaste, though singular, appearance presented by the numerous chimneys, consisting of lofty Doric columns, coupled by cornices and heavy architraves ; the elegant and ornamental balustrades of the roof, embellished in numberless directions by the Cecil crest, and other devices, of the Elizabethan age ; the solid and well-proportioned mullioned windows ; and the lofty spire of the chapel towering above the whole, and con- tributing to give the immense fabric, as a modern writer describes it, the "consequence of a town ;" — all these constitute a spectacle which cannot fail to impress the mind of the beholder with a striking sense of the beauty and magnificence of the mansion which he is about to visit. The building itself is in the form of a parallelogram, and is for the most part composed of the stone called Barnack rag, the material being to all appearance as sound and fresh as when it 168 BURGHLEY HOUSE. was first hewn in the quarries of the neighhouring district, whence it derives its name.^ The attention of the stranger is first arrested by the beautiful west front, 157 feet in length ; the centre of which, (being that portion of the edifice, which was first completed by the Lord Treasurer Burghley,) consists of a grand square tower, projecting from the line of the front, and rising to the height of three stories, having its four angles surmounted by massive octangular cupola-topped turrets. The extremities of this front, also, project as far as the tower just mentioned, and are embellished with similar ornaments ; whilst the handsome mullioned windows which stand out from its side, complete the beauty and effect of this portion of the building. The ponderous iron gates communicating vpith the interior of the mansion, both at this and the north front, are richly gilt, and of admirable workmanship; and, from their imposing appearance and dimensions, serve to give an air of additional grandeur and relief to the whole fabric. The North, or principal front, which is by far the most elaborate, is upwards of two hundred feet in length, and is divided into three compartments, bounded by two massive square-built towers, each surmounted by an angular octagonal turret : the whole front is raised upon a terrace, four feet high and eighteen feet wide, the facing of which is boldly displayed into moulded and raised panels. The centre compartment, comprising the entrance, is arranged into projections of the quadrant, square, and semi-circle ; and is surmounted by a balustrade, and ornaments composed of grotesque pedimented arcades and varied pinnacles. The centre panel of the parapet bears the date 1587, inrelief. The folding gates, which, as we have already stated, enclose the entrance-doors, are tastefully designed in the cinque cento style of Italy, being wrought into groups ' A great part of the park and grounds, and even some portion of the house itself, it may be mentioned, are situated in the parish of Bamack. BURGHLEY HOUSE. 169 of flowers and wheat ears, and rampant lions issuing from cornucopias, — ornaments, bearing reference to the arms of the family : these gates are approached by a flight of steps rising to the level of the terrace. The extensive and splendid elevation of the whole front possesses well-adjusted projections, producing deep shadows and broad masses of light, which give it a highly pleasing character ; and the entire facade has the merit of picturesque effect without being deprived of the decisive outline so pecuharly admirable in the classic examples of Italy, whose architecture in a great measure became the fashionable models for the mansions of this country during the reign of Elizabeth. Burghley House, being one of the earhest specimens of the mixed style of this period, is more elegant in its general arrangement, and delicate and effective in its detail, than many others of a similar kind; and is in a great measure free from the frivolous associations of unmeaning scroll-work and rude sculpture, which disfigure several palaces of the same age. The grand entrance, to which we have alluded, is approached by a spacious carriage-way, enclosed within a lofty and antique palisade of semicircular form, having double gates immediately opposite to the house, and distant from it upwards of a hundred yards, of extensive and superior work- manship. The centre of the area was formerly occupied by a pond, for which the present circular lawn was substituted, in 1775, about the time that the lake on the south side of the mansion was formed. This beautiful piece of water, it may be here mentioned, covers a space of thirty-two acres, and was made under the able and judicious direction of Mr. Launcelot Brown, who, by his superior taste, effected several other important improvements in the grounds at Burghley. A handsome stone bridge is thrown across the lake, leading to the middle and upper parks, which are not, however, opened to the public. This bridge has three arches, between each of 170 BURGHLEY HOUSE. which are well-proportioned niches ; and it is surmounted by a balustrade, having on its extremities four large lions, couchant, executed in stone. Burghley House being situated at the summit of a gentle slope, the north front commands a favorable view of the distant country in the direction of Uffington, through a double avenue of stately and majestic trees, which form a vista of no incon- siderable extent. On the other sides of the mansion, the aspect is highly picturesque and inviting ; the undulating surface of the park being studded with innumerable trees of every growth and description, and the well-formed and extensive lake imparting additional beauty and interest to the landscape. Reserving, however, for a future page, a more particular de- scription of the park and grounds attached to Burghley House, we will at once proceed to conduct the visiter within the immediate precincts of the mansion itself. Passing the north front entrance before described, — which, it may be observed, is assigned to the exclusive use of the family and friends of the Marquis of Exeter, and which communicates with the private apartments, situated on the ground-floor of the house, — he arrives at the Porter's Lodge, the gates of which open into a court-yard or quadrangle, containing for the most part the various domestic offices belonging to the establishment. In the centre of this quadrangle stands one of the finest specimens of the horse-chesnut which is to be seen in the kingdom, a description of which, by Strutt, in his work entitled Sylva Britannica, may be here inserted : — " In the extra- " ordinary specimen of this tree," says the author in question, " all its beauties will be found exhibited in their utmost " perfection, without the drawback of a single disadvantage. " From being enclosed in a space comparatively confined, the " formality of its summit is exchanged for increased length of BURGHLEY HOUSE. " stem ; the tree having shot up unusually high, most hkely " in the endeavour to lift its head above the surrounding " walls, which at once shelter it from injury, and impede that " free play of the elements, in which the ' native burghers of " 'the forest' naturally delight. Its branches, feathering " down to the velvet turf on which it stands, exhibit a " delightful alternation of milk-white flowers and russet fruits ; " whilst the stately trunk displays an elegance and majesty, " which, combined with the venerable turrets that rise around, "filling the mind with recollections of the Cecils and the " Burleighs of former ages, render it an object not to be looked " upon without exciting feehngs in which tranquillity and " admiration are most pleasingly united. The height of this " fine tree is sixty feet, its circumference at four feet from the " ground is ten feet : it contains three hundred feet of solid " timber, and its branches extend over an area of sixty-one " feet in diameter." Not far from this tree, and directly opposite to the Porter's Lodge, the visiter is conducted into the house under a recently- constructed portico, over which are the arms of the Lord Treasurer Burghley in stone ; and, ascending a few steps, finds himself in a corridor, erected by the present Marquis of Exeter, the ceihng of which is ornamented with Elizabethan panels of elegant workmanship . Over a doorway in this passage is an original model by Nollekens,! representing, "Venus with Cupid riding upon a dolphin :" on the reverse side is another 1 This celebrated sculptor was born in London, in 1737. He learned the rudiments of his art under Scheemakers, and, upon leaving that master, he went to Italy, and studied for some time under Ciavetti. During his residence at Rome, he gained a gold medal from the academy of the fine arts; and, on his return to England, in 1770, he became a royal academician. He was chiefly noted for his careful and accurate imitation of nature, and for the absence of anything approaching to peculiarity of manner. He was much patronised by George III., and died possessed of considerable property in 1823. 172 BURGHLEY HOUSE. work of art by the same sculptor, the subject of which is, " Daedalus fabricating wings for his son Icarus ;" the latter stands by, watching his father in the operation. A few steps bring the visiter to one of the massive oak doors of — QUEEN yiCTOEIA'S HALL (1)/ So called, from its having been used as the banquetting-hall on the occasion of her present Majesty's visit to Burghley, in 1844. The effect produced upon entering this superb room is in the highest degree grand and impressive ; for, however the stranger may have expected to find the several parts of the interior of the mansion of corresponding size and proportion with its imposing exterior, yet, as the Great Hall (for so it is sometimes called) can only be seen from the private grounds belonging to the house, he is scarcely prepared to be ushered into so magnificent an apartment. It is 68 feet long and 30 broad, exclusive of a recess, which is 13 feet by 9 ; in height it measures upwards of 60 feet from the floor to the central point of the roof. It is lighted by two large windows ; one on the eastern side square, the other on the south pointed ; and has a flooring of Ketton stone. Within the last few years, the Great Hall has been fitted up with lofty and spacious book-cases, concealed by oak panelling, divided into compartments, each of the height of 14 feet : the elegantly-carved cornice above them, the twisted Corinthian columns by which it is supported, and the pedestal, were brought from the Abbey of Tongerloo, which is about three leagues from the town of Aerschot, near Mechlin, in Belgium.^ ^ The figures attached to this and the following apartments have reference to their respective position in the engraved plans of the house, which are to be found in another part of this work. 2 For an account of this Abbey — see Histoire Generale des Pais-Bas, i., 207. BURGHLEY HOUSE. 173 An object which cannot fail to attract the visiter's attention in this noble apartment, is the magnificent open-framed roof, which is particularly worthy of admiration from the elaborate and skilful arrangement of its timbers, serving the purposes at once of utility and decoration, and combining the apparently opposite quaHties of massive sohdity and airy lightness. Each truss, or principal of this roof above the level of the plate in the wall, comprehends one large trefoil arch, supported from a richly carved hammer-beam and moulded rib, springing from corbels of Barnack stone of bold outline, which project from the wall at 9 feet below the base line of the roof, and 28 feet from the floor. The line of rafters above the principal trusses, and the spandrels formed by the arches, are filled in with open tracery and shields ; and the intersections of the moulded ribs are studded with carvings of lions and jesters' heads. There are two tiers of hammer-beams; at the terminations of each, where the moulded ribs spring, are handsomely-carved pendants of clustered consoles : the two tiers of purUns and ridge are supported in each bay by moulded arched ribs, having pendent keys, from which are suspended massive bronze lamps, which serve to light this spacious apartment. The whole roof may be pronounced to be a remnant of baronial splendour by no means eclipsed in elaborateness, or beauty of design and execution, by that of Westminster Hall, or those constructed under the auspices of Wolsey at Christ Church, Oxford, and Hampton Court. ^ The four-centred mulhoned window at the south end of the hall, filled with Elizabethan tracery, contains the arms and initials of her present Majesty and H.R.H. Prince Albert, and over them those of Queen Elizabeth and James I. ; also the four 1 The particulars relating to the description of the roof of the Great Hall, as well as to that of the north-front of the house, given at page 168, were most obUgingly communicated by Edward Browning, Esq., architect', of Stamford. ' 174 BURGHLEY HOUSE. orders of knighthood, all in rich stained glass, and other devices in the uppermost compartments, the designs of which are scarcely legible in consequence of their antiquity. The East, or Bay-window extends from the roof to within four feet of the floor, the lower divisions of it containing massive panes of plate glass ; the lateral compartments of the recess are filled with silvered glass, each pane measuring 8ft. by 3ft. 9in., and being mounted in richly-carved oak frames. The stained glass in this window contains the arms of Cecil, and those of Cecil impaling Poyntz^ and Montague,^ besides a variety of other devices. On the same side of the apartment is a stately chimney-piece of stone, rising to the height of 20 feet, and of proportionate width ; containing, in the centre, the arms of the Lord Treasurer Burghley. The grate is of burnished steel, with massive lions at each corner, supporting the Cecil arms and those of Poyntz and Montague. The fender is also of the same material : the facings of the grate are ormolu, and are inlaid with Indian porcelain. At the north end of the hall is a music-gallery, in front of which is an elaborately-carved oak balustrade. On the wall above the same is affixed a colossal head and pair of horns of the Moose deer, of the elk species, presented to the Marquis, in 1841, by Colonel Chaphn, late M.P. for Stamford. On the west side of the hall are two semicircular recesses, filled with massive plates of looking glass, enclosed in richly-carved frames 1 Arms Qii the Poyntz family. — Barry of eight, gu. and or. It appears, from the Roll of the Siege of Kerlaveroc, in 1300, that there had been a controversy between Fitz-Alan and Poyntz, respecting this bearing. Crest — A cubit arm, the first clenched ppr. vested in a shirt sleeve ar. 2 Arms of the Montague family. — Sable, three Lions passant in Bend, between two double Cotises, Argent. Crest — On a Wreath, an Eagle dis- played, Vert. BURGHLEY HOUSE. 175 of fruit and flowers, resting on marble slabs, whicli are supported by inlaid ormolu porcelain fronts, and bear bronze candelabra. Between the doors, the beautiful carving of which deserves particular notice, is placed a profusely-worked rosewood side- board, or boufet, having a marble slab, upon which, on state occasions, is exhibited a sumptuous display of gold plate. Over the book-cases are suspended the following PAINTINGS. 1. Full-length Portrait of George I. . . Michael Dahl. 2. Full-length Portrait of George II. . . . . Ihid. 3. Fine full-length Portrait of Queen Caroline, Consort of George II. . . . . . . . . Ihid. 4. Full-length Portrait of the Earl of Peterborough J. B. Vanloo. This nobleman was one of the generals, in the reign of Queen Anne, who conducted the war in Spain, which was carried on in order to advance the claims of the Archduke Charles, son oftheEmperorofGermany, to the throne of that country. At the conclusion of the Spanish war, he was sent on an embassy to Vienna. He was a man of extraordinary powers, and was particularly remarkable for the celerity and despatch by whicli his move- ments were distinguished. The history of his life, which has been written by Lord Mahon, possesses all the character of the age of chivalry and romance. The four portraits above named were brought from Midgham, Berks, the seat of the late William-Stephen Poyntz, Esq. 5. Full-length Portrait of Sir Anthony Browne, firstViscount Montag-ue . . . . Lucas de Heere, See a brief account of this nobleman, in the note at page 150. 6. Full-length Portrait of H.R.H. Prince Albert, of Saxe Coburg, in the Robes of the Garter — a Copy from Winterhalter . . . . Alexander Melville. This painting was presented by Prince Albert to the Marquis of Exeter, during the time that the latter held the office of Groom of the Stole to hia Royal Highness, 176 BURGHLEY HOUSE. 7. Full-length Portrait of Magdalen, Daughter of Lord Dacres of Gillesland, and Second "Wife of Anthony, first Viscount Montague . . Lucas de Heere. The two original pictures, marked (5) and (7), came from Kiddington, in Oxfordshire, which estate belonged to the third son of Viscount Mon- tague by his second wife, Magdalen Dacres. The estate passed into the hands of the Mostyn family, of whom the pictures in question were pur- chased by Mr. Webb, of Bond-street, London, who sold them to Lord Exeter, in 1844. 8. Full-length Portrait of Sir Walter Raleigh, and of his son Walter, after . . . . Mark Gerards. This picture was given by Sir W. Skevington, Bart., to Brownlow, ninth Earl of Exeter. — Sir Walter, who was descended from an ancient family in Devonshire, was born in 1552. He was one of the greatest men of his time, being distinguished not only as a brave soldier and able navigator, but as a penetrating statesman, an elegant historian, and a man of letters and erudition. The leading events of his life may be briefly enumerated. In 1569, he joined the force which was despatched by the English govern- ment to the assistance of the oppressed Protestants in France : in 1580, he served in the wars in Ireland. Soon after his return from the latter country, occurred his well-known act of gallantry and attention to Queen Elizabeth, which was the means of introducing him to the particular notice and favor of that Sovereign. In 1584, he discovered Virginia, to which colony he sub- sequently made several voyages. In 1588, he served in the action against the Spanish Armada, on which occasion his courage and ability were con- spicuously displayed. On the accession of James I., he was tried and condemned for high treason, having been impeached by his enemies on the most light and frivolous groimds. Though reprieved, he was detained prisoner in the Tower for several years, during which time he devoted him- self to literary pursuits, and many valuable works were written by him in that interval, which have transmitted his name with honor to posterity. On bis release from the Tower, after a confinement of thirteen years, he was sent on an expedition to explore the golden mines of Guiana ; but the result proving unfortunate, he was ordered to be beheaded on his former sentence. He suffered in old palace yard, October 29th, 1618, and met his fate with the greatest magnanimity and composure. 9. Silenus, after . . • ■ Rubens. A demi-god, the prime minister of Bacchus. This picture belonged to the late Lord St. Helens, and was presented to the Marquis of Exeter by the late Henry Gaily Knight, Esq., M.P. BURGHLEY HOUSE. 177 Upon a marble slab in the Bay-window is a large white marble bust of our Saviour ; and a massive table in the recess contains, — a small equestrian figure, in bronze, of Field Marshal the Duke of Wellington, modelled by Cockerill, and bought of Messrs. Garrard, of London ; — also a marble alto relievo, about 18 in. square, of the sleeping Jesus and Virgin, by Monnot, Rome, 1 700, beautifully executed ; — a pair of hand- somely carved bellows, and other curiosities. Two large fire-screens worked in worsted, — twelve grand arm-chairs, brought from the Doge's palace, at Venice, — four and twenty others, of a more modern description, beau- tifully finished, — an antique tapestried couch, — a set of handsome dining tables, — and two immense Turkey carpets, — complete the sumptuous equipments of the Great Hall. The visiter, quitting this apartment, descends a flight of steps, leading to the — SALOON (2), "Which is paved with black and white marble. On the right is a bust of Sir Joseph Banks, and on the left, one of Clitia in white marble. On either side of the doorway, and in recesses lighted from above, stand full-sized figures of Venus and Venus de Medicis, the former being a copy of the original at Newby, near Ripon, Yorkshire, the seat of Lord Grantham. Over the doorway is another original model of a Dromedary and Camels ; and, on the reverse side, one of a Lion, Lioness, and Whelps. The folding-doors at this point open into the — COEEIDOES, Which we have already mentioned as being the greatest improve- ment which Burghley House has undergone at the hands of its present owner. These fine passages are 120 ft. from East to West, and 80ft. from North to South ; and are 6 ft. 10 in. wide. M 178 BURGHLEY HOUSE. The ceilings are for the most part flat, being vaulted only at the doorways, and are ornamented by pendants, and other devices, of an Elizabethan character. The four corridors (corresponding with the four sides of the mansion) are connected by folding-doors at each corner, and are lighted by windows, on one side only, looking into the spacious quadrangle. These windows are decorated with a richly-colored bordering alternately of red and blue glass, relieved by the Garter-knot, Coronet, Cipher, and motto of the Order of the Garter, at equal distances. In the centre of their upper compartments, which are semicircular, are richly emblazoned, under corres- ponding dates, a variety of Armorial Bearings, being for the most part those of different members of the family from an early period to the present time, which vdll be severally described in their order. ARMORIAL BEARINGS IN EAST QUARTERINGS. CORRIDOR. Under date 1 640, William, Second "i Cecil — Manners, Heiress Earl of Exeter . . . . J of Roos.i "1 Cecil — Manners, Roos, 1618, Lord Roos j and Lake. ^ 1638, Edward, Viscount . " " Noel.3 "Wimbleton count 1 } Cecil— T 1793, Brownlow, Ninth "i Cecil — Heiress of Towns- Earl of Exeter . . . . j hend.* ARMORIAL BEARINGS IN NORTH QUARTERINGS. CORRIDOR. Under date 1327, King Edward IL . Isabella of France. 1377, King Edward III. . Philippa of Hainault. 1 Elizabeth, daughter of Third Earl of Rutland, 2 Daughter of Sir Thomas Lake. ^ Daughter of Sir A. Noel. * Daughter of Horatio Townshend, Esq. BURGHLEY HOUSE. 179 ARMORIAL BEARINGS IN NORTH QUARTERINGS. CORRIDOR. 1399, John of Gaunt, i 1 p T , > Catherine Roet. JJuke 01 Lancaster . . . . J 1426, Ralph Nevil, First "i T? 1 -iir i 1 J I Nevil — Joan Beaufort. ^ Larl 01 Westmoreland . . J 1470, George Nevil, First T Nevil — Heiress of Beau- Lord Latimer . . . . J champ. Earl of Warwick 1469, Sir Henry Nevil, -) -i -d t- j JNevil — Bourchier and slain in battle in his father's life- r mi 1-1 I Ihomas 01 Woodstock. time 1531, Richard, Second t Nevil — Daughter of Sir Lord Latimer . . . . J H. Stafford. 1542, John, Third Lord ~| Nevil — Coheir of De Latimer . . . . J Vere, Earl of Oxford. Over the doorway leading from the east to the north cor- ridor, and facing the latter, is another original and well- executed model. In the centre of the north corridor, are exten- sive folding-doors communicating with the north hall ; and on either side of them, in four deep niches with ornamented semicircular summits, stand marble busts of four of the twelve Caesars, each 18 in. high. Handsome vases are placed on either side of the entrance to the quadrangle both in the north and south corridors, which are usually filled with beautiful and highly fragrant exotics. ARMORIAL BEARINGS IN WEST QUARTERINGS. CORRIDOR. Under date 1577, John, Fourth and T Nevil — Lucy, daughter of last Lord Latimer . . . . J Earl of Worcester. ^ Daughter of Jolm of Gaunt. 180 BURGHLEY HOUSE. ARMORIAL BEARINGS IN WEST aUARTERINGS. CORRIDOR. 1622, Thomas, First Earn of Exeter f ess of Nevil, last Lord Latimer. 1630, Sir Richard Cecil . Cecil— Cope.i 1643, David, Third Earl-) of Exeter . . . . . . J Cecil — Eaerton.^ In niches at either end of this corridor stand large busts of Bacchus and a Bacchante, in white marble. From under an elaborately carved and spacious archway in the centre of the same, opens — THE WEST FEONT HALL (3), Which measures 28 ft. 6 in. by 17 ft. 10 in., and is paved with marble and stone. Its sides consist of solid masonry, sup- porting an arch of stone rib and panel work, each panel being charged with the arms either of the Lord Treasurer Burghley or of some of his ancestors ; one at the extreme corner has upon it the inscription, " W. Dom. de Burghley, 1577." The most conspicuous object in this hall is a white marble statue, representing Andromeda chained to the rock, and on the point of being devoured by the sea-monster, immediately before her deliverance by Perseus. This beautiful piece of statuary is cut from one solid block, and was executed by Monnot, the Italian sculptor, of whom this work of art was purchased by John, fifth Earl of Exeter, for the sum of 56300. At the sides of the hall are four different groupings of English ' Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Anthony Cope, of Oxfordshire. ^ Daughter of John, Earl of Bridgewater. BURGHLEY HOUSE. 181 cattle under glass cases, in plaster, by Gerrard; also two pieces of white marble, representing boys, with dolphins' tails, supporting basins. ARMORIAL BEARINGS IN SOUTH QUARTERINGS. CORRIDOR. Under date 1677, John, Fourth Earl t of Exeter J ^^^^^ — Manners. ^ 1700, John, Fifth Earl-| of Exeter | Cecil-Cavendish.^ 1721, John, Sixth Earli Cecil— Coheir of Sir John of Exeter . . . . . . J Brownlow, of Belton. 1 754, Brownlow, Eighth t Cecil — Heiress of Thos. Earl of Exeter . . . . j Chambers, Esq. 1778, Thomas Cecil . . Cecil — Gamier. 1 804, Henry, First Mar- -j quis of Exeter .. .. j Cecil-Hoggins. Fivant, Brownlow, Second Marquis 1 Cecil — Poyntz and of Exeter J Montague. The last window in this corridor contains an elegant device, consisting of the Coronet, a scroll having the family motto inscribed upon it, and the date, 1832, — the period when the windows received their present costly and beautiful embeUish- ments. Folding-doors in the centre of this corridor open into the Marble Hall, and on either side of them, in niches, are four more marble busts of as many of the Caesars, the remaining four standing in other parts of the corridors. Over the door leading into the east corridor is an original model, representing wild horses. We now proceed to notice the — ' Frances, daughter of Eighth Earl of Rutland. * Anne, daughter of William, Earl of Devonshire, 182 BURGHLEY HOUSE. IMEE COUET OE QUADEANGLE, The dimensions of which are 1 10 ft. by 70. Its area consists of a grass-plot, intersected by paved walks, which communicate with the four entrances to the corridors. The general view of the building from this court is far superior in beauty of design and ornament to any which the visiter is elsewhere enabled to obtain, particularly that presented by the east side, exhibit- ing, as it does, three distinct orders of architecture. The basement story displays the solid character of the Doric, with niches of the same order ; the first floor is adorned with columns of the Ionic, enclosing an archway and bal- ustrade, a bust of Charles II. standing upon the latter; over this story is another, containing in the centre a large projecting stone-muUioned window, adorned on either side by well- proportioned Corinthian columns and niches, above which rises the square pyramidal spire to an extreme height, (an ornament, it may be remarked, unknown in any other specimen of domestic architecture,) relieved at the base by two colossal lions rampant, the supporters of the family shield and crest, each 12ft. high, and carved in stone: the paws appear to support the dial, which consists of the arms surrounded by the Garter; above which is the date 1585, proving that the ravages of more than two hundred and sixty years have little affected either the strength or beauty of the structure. The west side has been much improved in appearance by the recent addition of the corridor, which bears the date of its erection (1828); and of a handsome oriel window, with stone mulhons, over the arched entrance from the quadrangle, surmounted by a pierced balustrade or screen : above the latter is a canopied arch, on the summit of which are placed the Cecil arms, in stone ; two cupola-topped turrets have also been added to this portion of the building, which serve to complete its striking beauty and effect. BTJRGHLEY HOUSE. 183 The architecture of the north and south sides of the quadrangle is precisely the same, — each being centred by a highly-ornamented arch, of noble and majestic proportions ; that on the north side contains a handsome gilt-fronted aviary, surmounted by an eagle. Over the archways of the corridors are arranged, in stone medallions round the quad- rangle, the heads of several of the kings and queens of England, &c. : the first floor story is adorned with stone-muUioned windows ; and on the parapets above, are exhibited with great effect, the arms and crest of the family, in various sizes. Access is obtained to the quadrangle through glazed folding- doors in the centre of each of the four corridors ; these doors are surmounted by a fan-Ught of plate glass displaying the crest, and those on the north and south sides are supported by windows, corresponding with them in size and character. The visiter is conducted from the corridors to an antique stone staircase, communicating with the suite of apartments on the first floor of the mansion, which are those usually shown to the public. This staircase, which reaches to the top of the house, deserves particular notice on account of its massive masonry, — the peculiar ornaments of the deep-vaulted roof, — the heavy groinings above the several landings, termi- nating in curiously-viTOught stone pendants, (corresponding with those of the Great Hall),— the radiating arch over each of the shorter flights, — and other singularities of its structure. To the left, on reaching the first floor, is— THE CHAPEL EOOM (4), So called from its contiguity to the Chapel, being 20 ft. long and 13 wide. This apartment, which is used as a school-room 184 BURGHLEY HOUSE. for the younger members of the family, and to which the public are consequently not admitted, contams forty-nine PAINTINGS. 10. St. Peter .. .. Guido. 11. Martyrdom of St. Catherine, (pan.) Giulio Romano. This saint was persecuted by the Emperor Maxentius for her adherence to Christianity. Having been scourged, and imprisoned for seven days without sustenance, she was condemned to suffer death, by being placed between iron wheels, to which sharp sword-blades were fastened : from this torture, however, she is said to have been miraculously delivered. She was finally beheaded, by the Emperor's order, A.D., 310, at the age of eighteen years. 12. Jesus and the Woman of Samaria . . Guercino. Anon. F. Trevisani. Ibid. Teniers. Sebastian Ricci. Lorenzo di Credi. 13. Flemish Portraits, (pan.) 14. Mary and Jesus 15. Martyrdom of the Saints 16. Monkeys in Capuchin Habits 17. The Nativity 18. Two Boys This picture is an undoubted original by that great master. 19. Martyrdom of St. Andrew .. F. Trevisani. 20. The Scourging of Christ . . Ibid. 21. Descent of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost Carlo Le Brun. 22. Adoration of the Wise Men, (pan.) . . J. de Lis. 23. Flemish Portraits, (pan.) very curious Anon. 24. Cupid Sleeping . . . . Franceschini. 25. The Creation . . . . Lanfranco. 26. David dancing before the Ark . . Vomenichino. 27. St. John Baptist's Head . . Carlo Bold. 28. Queen of Heaven . . . . Albert Durer. BURGHLEY HOUSE. 185 29. St. Cecilia, (cop.) . . Bomenichino. 30. Adoration of the Wise Men, (cop.) . . F. Vanni. 31. Landscape and Figures. . .. Vidozotti. 32. Virgin and Child, (pan.) . . Parmigiano. 33. Death of EKzabeth . . . . Andrea Sacchi. 34. The Nativity . . • - John de Lis. 35. St. Clara, (cop.) .. .. A. Burer. 36. Virgin in the Clouds, (pan.) . . Ant. Caracci. 37. St. Philippo Neri . . . . Guido. 38. Titian's Wife and Son . . . . Teniers. 39. Prodigal Son .. .. Fra. Cozza. 40. Angel's Head . . . . Guido. 41. St. Peter walking on the Sea to go to Jesus Tempesta. 42. St. John . . . . . . Parmigiano. 43. Conversion of St. Paul, (cop.) .. Giulio Clovio. 44. Virgin Mary and the dead body of our Saviour Beni. 45. Small Landscape, (cop.) .. Paul Bril. 46. Shepherds and Cattle . . . . Bassan. 47. Head of the Virgin . . . . Guido. 48. Adoration of the Magi , . . . F. Baroccio. 49. Magdalen . . . . . . Carlo Maratti. 50. Landscape . . . . .. F. Bolognese. 51. Christ supported in the Clouds .. Buhens. 62. Jacob's Dream . . . . Cigoli. 53. Virgin, Jesus, and John . . Surcelo Farara. 54. Passage of the Israelites through the Red Sea Agnolo Bronzino. 55. Magdalen, (pan.) . . . . Poelemburg. 56. Virgin and Child . . . . Guido. 57. Holy Family . . . . Carlo Maratti. 186 BURGHLEY HOUSE. 58. Landscape . . F. Bolognese. Adjoining, is — THE CHAPEL (5), Which measures 42 ft. by 35 ft., having an ante-chapel, 36 ft. 6 in. by 24 ft. The ceiUng of both apartments is handsomely ornamented: the former has oak panels, which have been lately restored ; and upon the walls are displayed some beautiful specimens of carving by Gibbons,^ consisting for the most part of festoons of fruit and flowers. Round the Chapel are arranged ten female figures, as large as life, in imitation of bronze, representing the Ten Virgins; each standing upon an altar and holding a lamp. PAINTINGS. 59. Saul and the Witch of Endor .. Carlo Loti. 60. Solomon's Idolatry . . . . . . C. Loti. 6 1 . (Over the Communion Table) . Zebedee' s Wife Petitioning our Saviour in behalf of her Two Sons. . Paul Veronese. 62. The Finding of Moses . . . . Carlo Loti. 63. Adoration of the Shepherds . . . . Liheri. 64. Jephthah's Vow .. .. Luca Giordano. 65. Our Saviour's Interview with Mary Magdalene after his Resurrection . . . . . . Liberi. Each of the above pictures measures 9 ft. by 7ft. 6in., except the altar-piece, which is 13 ft. 5 in. by 6 ft. 7 in. ^ Grinling Gibbons, an eminent sculptor, was born in London about the middle of the seventeenth century. He was celebrated for his carving in wood, particularly for his flowers and foliage, which seem to partake of the loose and airy lightness of nature itself : he also executed several fine pieces in marble and bronze. Amongst other specimens of his art, are, the foUage in the Chapel at Windsor ; the choir of St. Paul's Cathedral, London; the font of St. James's Church, Westminster ; the wooden throne at Canterbury Cathedral ; the monument of Viscount Camden in Exton Church, Rutlandshire; and the ornaments of Petworth House, Sussex. He died in 172 L BURGHLEY HOtTSE. 187 The communion-table and rails are cedar-wood, and the pulpit and reading-desk mahogany. Divine service is per- formed in the Chapel on Sunday ; prayers are also read every morning during the week ; on which occasions all the members of the family are habitually present. The seat on the right of the fire-place (near the pulpit) bears the appellation of Queen EUzabeth's seat, from its having been used by that Sovereign whenever she came to Burghley. The same seat was occupied by her present Majesty during her visit in 1844, Prince Albert being at her left hand. A striking and conspicuous object in the Chapel is the handsome chimney-piece on its north side. It is composed of several different kinds of marble, and presents a lofty and spacious front, adorned with a spherical niche, and twisted columns having Corinthian capitals ; the whole being sur- mounted by a cornice, crovraed with pinnacles. It was purchased some time ago for Lord Exeter by Lord Howard de Walden, from the Convent pres de Passo de Arcos, near Lisbon ; but has only recently been erected. The ante-chapel, which is appropriated to the use of the domestics of the family, and which contains a fine-toned organ, is adorned, from the paneUing to the ceiling, with a profuse mass of carved archer work. On leaving the Chapel, the visiter obtains a view of the first- floor corridor, which affords a separate and independent com- munication with each of the rooms in the suite of apartments, through which he is about to pass ; the first of which is — THE BILLIAED EOOM (6), Which is 34 ft. by 21ft., and 1.5 ft. in height. It has an ornamental ceiling, richly decorated with intersecting circles and other embelhshments. The sides of the room are faced 188 BURGHLEY HOUSE. with a modern wainscot of Norway oak handsomely carved, the upper panels of which enclose the following — FAMILY PORTRAITS. 66. Lady Elizabeth Aislabie , . . . Anon. The only daughter of the Sixth Earl of Exeter, by his second wife. She married William Aislabie, Esq. , and died at the age of 26 years. 67. Brownlow, Ninth Earl of Exeter, in a Vandyke dress Hudson. Vide supra, p. 145. 68. Letitia, Coiantess of Exeter, a copy, by . . Powle. Wife of the last-mentioned Earl, daughter of Horatio Townshend Esq., and granddaughter of Lord Viscount Townshend. 69. "WiUiam, First Duke of Devonshire. . . . Bobson. Brother to Anne, wife of John, Fifth Earl of Exeter. 70. Rachael, Duchess of Devonshire . . . . Bobson. Wife of the above-mentioned Duke. 71. Brownlow, Eighth Earl of Exeter .. Richardson. Vide supra, p. 144. 72. Hannah Sophia, Countess of Exeter . . Mrs. Ferelst. Wife of the Eighth Earl, daughter and heiress of Thomas Chambers, of Derby, Esq. 73. Hon. WiUiam Cecil . . . . Sir G. Kneller. Brother to John, Sixth Earl of Exeter. 74. Barbara, Duchess of Cleveland . . Sir P. Lely. Sole daughter and heiress of WiUiam Viscount Grandison, and wife of Roger Palmer, Esq., who was afterwards created Earl of Castlemaine. She was a woman of great beauty, but of indifferent character ; and, in her disposition, was imperious, passionate, and revengeful. She was created Duchess of Cleveland by Charles II., by whom she had several children, having lived with him as his mistress for the space of twenty-one years, during which time she maintained a powerful influence over his mind. She subsequently married the noted Robert Fielding, and died in 1709. Her children by Charles were — Charles Fitz-Roy, Duke of Southampton, after- BURGHLEY HOUSE. 189 wards Duke of Cleveland ; Henry Fitz-Roy, Duke of Grafton ; George Fitz-Roy, Duke of Northumberland ; Charlotte Fitz-Roy, married to Sir Edward Henry Lee, of Ditchley, in the county of Oxford, afterwards created Earl of Lichfield. 75. (Over the fire-place). Henry, Tenth Earl and First Marquis of Exeter; Sarah, his Countess; and their daughter. Lady Sophia Cecil (whole lengths) Sir Thomas Lawrence. Vide supra, p. 146. This fine picture, which is executed in the happiest style of the great painter whose name it bears, is universally and deservedly admired. 76. Duchess of Montrose, a copy, by .. Vander Geueht, after Vander GucM. Lucy, Duchess of Montrose, was the second daughter and youngest child of John, Second Duke of Rutland, by his second wife, Lucy, daughter of Lord Sherard. She married WUHam, Second Duke of Montrose, and died June 18th, 1788, aged seventy-one. Her remains were interred in Scotland, 77. Lady Annabella Bennet . . Lely. Wife of John, Sixth Earl of Exeter, and daughter of John Bennett, Lord Ossulston. 78. John, Seventh Earl of Exeter, when a boy, (whole length). .. .. Kneller. Vide supra, p. 144. 79. John, Fourth Earl of Exeter, and Frances his Countess, school of — . . . . Vandyck. Vide supra, p. 138. 80. Wilham Aislabie, Esq. . . . . Anon. Husband of Elizabeth, daughter of the Sixth Earl of Exeter. He married, secondly, Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Charles Vernon, Knt. He was member of Parliament for Ripon for sixty years, and died in 1781, at the age of eighty-one, leaving issue by both his wives. 81. Anne, Countess of Exeter .. Kneller. Wife of John, the Fifth Earl, and widow of Charles Lord Rich, son and heir of Robert, Earl of Warwick. 190 BURGHLEY HOUSE. 82. John, Fifth Earl of Exeter . . Kneller. Vide supra, p. 139. 83. Ehzabeth, Countess of Exeter . . Kneller. Wife of John, the Sixth Earl, and daughter and co-heiress of Sir John Brownlow, Bart., of Belton, in the county of Lincoln. She died in 1723. 84. Hon. Edward Cecil . . . . Kneller. Fourth son of John, Fifth Earl of Exeter. This apartment contains four cabinets, — one of which, of Florentine Mosaic, is particularly handsome ; — upon all of them are arranged sets of curious old china, &c. : it has also a model of the Church of St. Mary-le-Strand, London ; another of Virgil's Tomb, at Pausilipo, by Dr. Doubourg, composed of cork and moss ; and a large bowl of petrifaction from St. Michael's Cave at Gibraltar, which was presented to the late Marquis, in 1796, by Lieutenant Napper. The Billiard Room is lighted by six elegantly-wrought silver sconces. Adjacent to it is a lofty and spacious apartment, having a large bow window, and denominated — THE BALL BOOM (7), Which is situated immediately over the front entrance on the north side of the house. It measures 5 1 ft. by 28 ft., and is 25 ft. high. The walls and ceiling of this fine apartment are painted by Laguerre and are universally considered to be 1 Louis Laguerre, a j)ainter of historical subjects on ceilings, staircases, &c. , and an assistant and imitator of Verrio, (of wliom more will be said here- after,) was born in France, and was named after Louis XIV., his godfather. He studied for a considerable time in the Royal Academy at Paris, under Le Brun. In 1683, he came to England, and was employed by Verrio in the large work at St. Bartholomew's Hospital. He had lodgings sub- sequently assigned to him at Hampton Court, where he painted " The Labours of Hercules ;" and was otherwise much engaged at that palace. He was also employed at Devonshire House, Petworth House, Blenheim, Uffington House, Burley-on-the-HiU, &c. He died in 1721. BURGHLEY HOUSE. 191 the best productions of the many works of art executed by that master. The ceiling purports to be a representation of the planetary system ; and exhibits an assemblage of Mythological deities, engaged in different pursuits ; many of the figures are beau- tifully drawn, and have the character and semblance of life itself. The whole painting appears to rest upon a double row of marble pillars, surmounted by a pediment ; at the corners are represented Cupids supporting devices emblematical of the starry heavens. The subject of the painting on the south side of the room is, "The conduct of Scipio towards his fair captive." The circumstance alluded to, occurred upon the taking of New Carthage, or Carthagena, in Spain, by the above-named general. Amongst the prisoners who were brought before him, was a young princess of transcendent beauty : she had been promised in marriage to Alleucius, a prince of that country, who regarded her with the fondest affection, and felt the most poignant anguish at her captivity. From the interest which Scipio appeared to take in her, it was supposed that he designed asking her from her parents in marriage for himself ; the more so, upon his giving direc- tions that all the parties should come into his presence. The young prince approached, expecting to hear that his mistress, who was now the property of another, was intended to promote the happiness of her conqueror : his fears, however, were dispelled upon the generous Roman giving the princess to his arms, and bidding him take that which was his by priority of right, — desiring only his friendship and alliance in return, and refusing the sum of money which her parents were anxious to pay for her ransom.^ The subject of the large painting on the east side of the apartment is, " The Battle of Cannae." In this engagement, which took place between the Romans and Cartha- ginians, B. C. 216, the latter, commanded by Hannibal, completely defeated the Roman Consuls, P. ^milius and Terentius Varro. The Romans lost fifty thousand men on this memorable occasion, amongst whom were so many knights, that Hannibal is said to have sent three bushels of gold rings to Carthage, which those of this order had worn on their fingers. 1 The representation of Scipio in this picture is said to be a portrait of John, Fifth Earl of Exeter. 192 BURGHLEY HOUSE. Below this is a small painting, in clara ohscura, representing, " ^neas carrying his father Anchises upon his shoulders, from the flames of Troy." Over the door on the same side of the room is another small painting in clara ohscura, exhibiting " Mark Antony and Cleopatra at a Banquet." The extravagance and voluptuousness of that celebrated Queen were such, that at one of the feasts which she gave to Antony, at Alexandria, she melted pearls into the liquor, in order to render her entertainment more sumptuous and expensive. On the opposite side of the room are depicted the closing scenes of the lives both of Antony and Cleopatra. In an apparently massive gilt frame, supported over the chimney- piece at either end by Herculean figures, the former is repre- sented as being drawn up into the apartment of Cleopatra by that Queen and her attendants, having inflicted upon himself the wound (upon a false report of his mistress's death) which soon afterwards proved fatal. Over the door on the same side of the room, Cleopatra is seen taking the fatal asp out of the basket, by whose venomous bite she voluntarily terminated her life, rather than listen to the overtures of Augustus, or be reserved as an ornament to grace his triumph. Upon the chimney-piece, which is of white marble, sup- ported by handsome brackets of the same material, is a collection of curious old China figures, &c. Between that and the window, is a representation of two youths, a celestial globe, and flying figures. The youths are supposed to be William and Charles, two of the sons of John, Fourth Earl of Exeter. The recess formed by the bow-window is ornamented with embellishments, apparently of an architectural description : on either side of it are placed, on pedestals of japan gilt, effigies of negro slaves, male and female, supporting glass chandeKers upon their heads ; smaller lustres on pedestals similar to the above are also ranged along the apartment. BURGHLEY HOUSE. The visiter thence proceeds to — 193 THE BEOTO DEAWING-EOOM (8), Which measures 29 ft. by 21 ft. 6 in., and is hung with brown damask. It has an oak wainscot, which has been lately- restored : over the mantel-piece is a superior specimen of carving by Gibbons, of birds, fruit, and flowers. Between the windows is suspended a pier-glass in a gilt frame curiously carved, below which is a marble slab and gilt stand, the latter being of beautiful workmanship : from the ceiling, which is handsomely ornamented, hangs a glass chandelier. The left- hand window contains a fine painting on glass of a Smith's Forge, executed by Margaret Pierson in 1789. PAINTINGS. 85. Fruit and Flowers . . . . Boschaert. 86. Coriolanus and the Roman Matrons Guiseppe Chiari. Upon his banishment from Rome, Coriolanus took refuge amongst the Volsci, whom he persuaded to invade the Roman territories ; and placing himself at their head, he pitched his camp within five miles of the city of Rome, and prepared to besiege it. So inveterate was he against his ungrateful countrymen, that his determination would have been carried into effect, had not his wife Volumnia, and his mother Veturia, with the principal matrons of Rome, been despatched to him for the purpose of appeasing his resentment. For a time he was inexorable ; but the tears and entreaties of those most dear to him had at length the effect of over- coming his resolution, and he gave orders that the army should be drawn off from the city, which he pretended was too strong to be taken. This conduct rendered him highly obnoxious to the "Volsci, and upon his return to their country, he was slain in an insurrection of the people, about 488 B.C. 87. Landscape .. .. John Both. N 1^4 BURGHLEY HOUSE. 88. Marcus Curtius leaping into the Gulf Luca Giordano. This Roman sacrificed himself to his country, about 360 B.C. A gulf having opened in the forum, the oracle affirmed that it would never close until Rome had thrown into it the most precious article in her possession. Upon this, the hero with his horse and armour leaped into the midst of it, declaring that nothing was more valuable than courage and patriotism. The scene of this exploit was subsequently called Curtius lacus. 89. Saint Austin . . . . S- Vander Goes. This is a very curious picture, in the severe hard style of that period. The subject of it must not be mistaken for the missionary of the same name, who was sent from Rome to convert the Britons to Christianity : he was, on the contrary. Bishop of Hippo in Africa, and was bom A.D. 354 : he embraced Christianity A.D. 387. He was distinguished for his powerful writings, and for the holiness and austerity of his life. The following legend is related of him :— Whilst engaged in writing his work on the Trinity, he happened to see a child, in the garden of a convent by the river side, employed in taking water from the river in the palms of his hands and pouring it into a hole which he had made in the ground ; pre- tending that he could empty all the contents of the stream into that little place. Upon the saint chiding him for entertaining so foolish and prepos- terous a notion, the child repUed that it was by no means so presumptuous as the attempt on the part of man to understand those mysteries, the knowledge of which God had been pleased to withhold. The child imme- diately afterwards vanished, we are told, and the saint became aware that he had been conversing with an angelic messenger. This circumstance is represented in the back-ground of the picture, the remainmg parts of which set forth other events in the life of St. Austin ; the central division exhibiting his coronation as Archbishop of Africa by St. Ambrose. 90. Tullia driving over the Dead Body of her Father G. Chiari. Tullia, the wife of Tarquin the Proud, consented to the assassination of her father Tullius, in order that her husband might succeed to the throne of Rome. Soon after the perpetration of the uihuman deed, she approached in her chariot the place where the body of her aged sire lay a mangled and bleeding corpse. The charioteer, amazed at the sight, was about to turn his horses in a different direction ; but this only served to increase the wrath of Tullia, who threw the footstool at his head, and commanded him to drive over the dead body without hesitation. 91. Olindo and Sophronia .. Luca Giordano. The story of these lovers, as related in Tasso's Jerusalem Delivered, is as follows : — An image of the Virgin, which had been removed by Ala(Une, BURGHLEY HOUSE. 195 a pagan king of Jerusalem, from the temple of the Christians to the mosque, is secretly carried off in the night. Upon this, the enraged monarch, unable to discover the author of the deed, threatens a general massacre of the Christians. Sophronia, a beautiful Christian maid, to avert his wrath, declares herself the offender, and is condemned to be burnt to death. This inteUigence reaching the ears of Olindo, who loved her with an ardent, though unavowed passion, he proclaims aloud her innocence, asserting that the theft was more than the power of woman could effect ; and that he it was, who had stolen the statue from the mosque. The tyrant Aladine immediately orders that both should be forthwith tied to the stake. Whilst the guards are preparing to execute this cruel sentence, a stranger (Clorinda) inter- poses, and commands them to wait until she has seen their prince. Having promptly repaired to him, she proffers her best services in his behalf, and demands in return the freedom and deliverance of the two devoted Christians. The king accedes to her request, and the subsequent union of the lovers forms an appropriate conclusion to the story. 92. Landscape .. .. Gaspar Poussin. 93. Duck Hunting . . . . D. de Koninck. 94. Herodias with the Head of John the Baptist in a Charger . . . . . . Guido. 95. Landscape . . . . Ruysdael. " Powerful and fresh in the colouring, and careful in the execution." — Waagen. 96. Ditto . . . . . . Domenichino. 97. Deianira and the Centaur . . L. Giordano. Deianira was the daughter of (Eneus, king of ^tolia, and the wife of Hercules. As she was travelling with her husband upon a certain occasion, they were stopped by the swollen streams of the Evenus, upon which the Centaur Nessus offered to convey her safely to the opposite shore. No sooner, however, had he reached it with his charge, than he attempted to carry her off in the sight of Hercules, who forthwith aimed at him a poisoned arrow, and mortally wounded him. Wishing to avenge his death, the Centaur, as he expired, gave Deianira his tunic poisoned and infected by the arrow, asserting that it had the power of reclaiming a faithless husband ; and when Deianira subsequently had occasion to try its eflScacy upon Hercules, it instantly caused the death of that hero : Deianira was so disconsolate at his loss, that she destroyed herself. 98. Woman's Head, (19 in. by 16 in.) .. G. Rembrandt. 196 BURGHLEY HOUSE. 99. Virgin and Child, (12 in. by 8 in.) . . A. Durer. 100. Marriage of Boaz and Ruth .. Giro Fern. 101. Three Elements .. .. .. F.Albano. 102. Man's Head, (19 in. by 16 in.) .. Rembrandt. 103. Virgin and Child, (after Titian) Rev. William Peters. 104. Virgin and Child .. Sassoferrato. 105. Landscape . . . . Ruysdael. 106. Landscape . . . . Domenichino. 107. Venus and Cupid . . Michael Angela Buonaroti. 108. Madame de la Valliere . . Rev. William Peters. Louise Francoise, Duchesse de la Valliere, was descended from an ancient family in France. She was one of the maids of honor to Henrietta, daughter of Charles I. and wife of the Duke of Orleans ; and was subsequently the mistress (according to some, the wife) of Louis XIV., king of France. When the aflPections of her royal lover were withdrawn from her, she retired from court to the privacy of the cloister, where she passed thirty-six years of her life in deep humiliation and repentance, and in the performance of acts of piety and benevolence. She died June 6th, 1710, aged sixty-six. 109. A Study 110. Fruit and Insects 111. Prudence resisting Love 112. Flower Piece . . 113. Imitation of Roman Paste 1 14. Another 115. Elijah and the Widow 116. Love conquering Prudence 117. Fruit Piece 118. Narcissus A beautiful youth, the son of Cephisus. Seeing his image reflected in a fountain, he became enamoured of it, supposing it to be the nymph of the place. Being unable to lay hold of the object of his affections, he kUled himself, and his blood was immediately changed into the flower which bears his name. Vandyck. N. Boschaert. Angelica Kauffman. Baptist. . . Ravesteyn. Ibid. . . G. Brandi. A. Kauffman. C. de Heem. Carlo Maratti. BURGHLEY HOUSE. 197 119. Cocks Fighting .. D.deKoninck. The ornaments of this room are very numerous. Amongst those most worthy of notice, may he mentioned a sofa and set of chairs covered with emhroidered worsted work, executed by the present Marchioness of Exeter, and several of her friends. Between the doors stands a large ebony cabinet, presented by the Grand Duke of Tuscany to John, Fifth Earl of Exeter. It received a complete restoration in 1843, and is one of the most beautiful of the many articles of the same description which the house contains. It is inlaid with Florentine mosaic of the richest colors, representing birds, fruit, flowers, &c. Between the drawers, which are carved in mother of pearl, are marble pillars, surmounted by gilt images and balustrade. The cabinet is also supported upon a carved gilt stand, and upon its summit is displayed a collection of old china. Upon an elegant marquetry table stands a model of the temple erected over our Saviour's sepulchre at Jeru- salem, under a glass shade ; and upon a chest of drawers, of the same material as the table just mentioned, is arranged another small, though valuable, collection of china. Upon two other tables are exhibited two much admired sets of Dresden china, each of their several pieces being painted differently. A curious dish is also shown in this apartment, having a view of Burghley House upon it, and dated 1745 ; and a profuse display of old china-vases &c. completes the list of its numerous contents. The next room is — THE BLACX AND YELLOW BED CHAMBEE (9), So called from the hangings and furniture of the ancient state bed which it contains, as well as the window curtains, consist- ing of black satin, richly-embroidered, lined with yellow ; all which were completely restored in 1839. The apartment 198 BURGHLEY HOUSE. measures 22 ft. by 21ft., and is hung with old tapestry. Over the chimney-piece is another specimen of Gibbons' s fine carving. Three of the vnndow panes contain the following representations : — The Interior of a Church, (a very beautiful device) ; — a Design from Teniers, by Jervis ; — and the Head of Archbishop Cranmer. This distinguished prelate, to whose exertions it was chiefly owing that the Reformation was established in England, was born at Aslacton, Not- tinghamshire, in 1489. He recommended himself to the notice of Henry VIII., by the opinion which he expressed respecting the illegitimacy of his marriage with Catherine of Arragon, his brother's widow; and he sub- sequently united that monarch to Anne Boleyn. Upon the accession of Mary, he was tried and condemned for heresy. Though a zealous champion of the Protestant faith, Cranmer was induced, in a moment of weakness and despair, to sign his recantation ; he was, however, seized with such remorse for his apostacy, that at his execution, the venerable martyr extended his right arm towards the flames, exclaiming that his unworthy hand, which had ofi"ended, should be the first to suffer. The great learning and acquirements of this prelate are not more memorable than the integrity of his life, the mildness of his disposition, and the amiable virtues which adorned his character. He suffered at Oxford, on the 21st March, 1556, in the sixty -seventh year of his age. PAINTINGS. 120. ^thraand Theseus . . . . A. Kaufman. Theseus, son of ^geus and ^thra, and one of the most famous heroes of antiquity, signalized himself during his youth by many hazardous and wonderful exploits. Wishing to deliver his country from the exaction imposed upon it by Minos, king of Crete, he consented to be included amongst the seven chosen youths, who were sent to that island as an annual tribute, to be devoured by the Minotaur. By means of Ariadne, daughter of Minos, he kiUed the Minotaur, and made his escape from the labyrinth, in which that monster had been confined ; and having set sail from Crete, he basely deserted Ariadne, whom he had married, on the island of Naxos. Theseus succeeded his father as king of Athens, B.C. 1235. He afterwards descended to the infernal regions, and endeavoured to carry off Proserpine ; but being arrested by Pluto, he was condemned to be tied to a huge stone, on which he had sat down to rest himself. He was subsequently rescued by Hercules, and returning to BURGHLEY HOUSB. Athens, found his throne usurped by Menestheus ; upon this, he retired to the court of Lycomedes, king of Scyros, who, either from jealousy, or being bribed by Menestheus, carried him to a high rock, and threw him down a precipice. 121. Virgin, Child, and Angel . . . . Guercino. 122. Virgin, Child, and Angels . . G. C. Procaccini. 123. Pygmalion oifering to Venus . . P. Libert. Pygmalion, a celebrated statuary of the island of Cyprus, vowed eternal celibacy ; but having made a beautiful statue of marble, he became so enamoured of it, that, at his earnest request, Venus changed it into a woman, whom the artist married, and by whom he had Paphus, the founder of the city of the same name in Cyprus. 124. Charles XII., King of Sweden . . Anoti. Charles XII., kmg of Sweden, was born 27th June, 1682. The ambition of this monarch appears to have been to imitate Alexander the Great ; but, although he displayed much of the undaunted courage of that hero, he possessed none of his noble qualities or virtues. He caused himself to be proclaimed King at the age of fifteen ; and at his coronation, he boldly seized the crown from the hands of the Archbishop of Upsal, and placed it himself upon his head. He was engaged during the early part of his reign in wars vrith Poland, Denmark, and Russia; the sovereigns of which countries he defeated in succession. Endeavouring, however, to follow up the advantage which he had gained over the Czar, he was defeated at the battle of Pultowa, and compelled to take a temporary refuge among the Turks. He subsequently returned to his own dominions, and invaded Norway with an army of 20,000 men ; but while reconnoitring the works at the siege of FrederickshaU, he was struck by a cannon-ball, and expired on the spot, December 12th, 1718. 125. A Battle, sketch by . . . . Rubens. 126. Erminia discovering herself to the Shepherds Filippo Lauri. Erminia, a princess of Antioch, having been taken prisoner in war, is rescued by Tancred, a Christian prince, of whom she becomes enamoured, but who is ignorant of the passion which he has created. Paying avisit shortly afterwards to the court of Aladine at Jerusalem with her aged mother, she beholds from the walls of a castle Argantes, a pagan, engaged in single combat with Tancred, who had marched thither at the head of the Christian forces, and whom she suddenly resolves to visit ; and disguising herself for that purpose in the armour of Clorinda, (a pagan princess beloved by 200 BtJRGHLEY HOUSE. Tancred,) she leaves the city by night, but is soon compelled to fly from an advanced guard of the Christians, whom she meets in the way. After travelling the vchole night, she falls in with some shepherds, who are at first alarmed at her martial equipment, but whose fears she speedily dispels ; aiad having conversed with one of their number, an aged man, who expatiates upon the happiness and enjoyment conferred by a pastoral life, she resolves to adopt it herself ; and assuming the lowly garb and habit of a shepherdess, she passes her remaining days in solitude and contentment ; although frequently a prey to grief and despondency on account of her unrequited aifection. 127. Architectural Picture, (fine) . . . . Franck. 128. Latona and the Countrymen, (pan.) . . Elsheimer. Latona, having wandered over a great portion of the world to avoid the persecutions of Juno, at length took refuge in Caria, the rustics of which country, upon her begging water of them to quench her intense thirst, treated her with ridicule and insult. In order to punish their inhumanity, Jupiter, at her request, changed them into frogs, 129. Ariadne abandoned by Theseus . . A. Silla. See picture (120). A pier glass in buhl frame, — a large and curiously-inlaid wardrobe, — a small buhl clock, — a set of mahogany chairs, covered with needle work, — two marquetry tables adorned with china, — and other ornaments, — ^complete the appointments of this apartment ; adjacent, is — THE WEST DEESSING EOOM (10), 23 ft. 6 in. long by 18 ft., which has recently been hung with green damask. PAINTINGS. 130. Woman taken in Adultery . . . . X. Giordano. 131. Jupiter and Antiope .. .. Sebastiano Ricci. Antiope was beloved by Jupiter, who, in order to deceive her, changed himself into a satyr. She had by him twins, Amphion and Zethus. BURGHLEY HOUSE. 201 132. Frait N. Boschaert. 133. Rocks between Naples and Puzzoli Minderhout. 134. Carthusian Friar, (14 in. by 9 in.) . . A. Caracci. 135. Doris wounded by Silvio .. . . G. Chiari. Doris, being jealous of her husband Silvio, followed him one day into a wood, and secreted herself behind a tree, for the purpose of watching his movements. Silvio, hearing, as he imagined, an animal rustling among the branches, shot an arrow in that direction, and unintentionally killed his wife. 136. Landscape 137- St. Jerome, (cop.) Elsheimer. Van Balen. St. Jerome, one of the ancient fathers of the Church, and the author of many valuable works on theological subjects, died A.D. 420, aged eighty. He was famous for his eloquence, virtues, and extensive learning. 138. Satyr, (21 in. by 27 in.) . . 139. Landscape . . 140. Holy Family, (pan.) 141. ^sop's Fable 142. A Bird in Florentine Mosaic 143. Another .. 144. A Model in Wax Battle of the Amazons. 145. Another of the same . . 146. Landscape 147. Battle Piece . Salvatore Rosa. Henry Van Lint. D. Monna. Castiglione. Anon. Ditto. Filippo UAngeli. Ditto. G. Bolognese. P. C. Verhoek. 148. Battle of Birds and Beasts . . Castiglione. 149. Death of Adonis . . . . F. Baroccio. Adonis, being devoted to the pleasures of the chase, was frequently cautioned by Venus, who loved him, not to hunt wild beasts, lest he should be killed in the attempt. Disregarding this advice, he died of a wound received from a wild boar ; and the disconsolate goddess changed him into a flower called Anemone. 202 BURGHLEY HOUSE. 150. Sketch of the Altar at Perugia . . F. Barocdo. 151. Virgin appearing to St. Bruno, (pan., 7\ in. by 5 in.) Jan Van Eyck. The date of this painting is 1426. " The back-ground, landscape, and " architecture of it," says Dr.Waagen, "bearso strongly in every part the " stamp of the master, that I recognised it as his at the first sight. It is " a highly-finished miniature in oil ; and in the tone and treatment has the " greatest resemblance to the masterly picture of Jan "Van Eyck, in the " Louvre." 152. Nymphs adoring the Statue of Pan . . Bomenichino. Pan was the god of shepherds and huntsmen. He was very generally worshipped, particularly in Arcadia, where numerous festivals were celebrated in his honour. 153. St. Jerome . . . . . . Passeri. See picture (137). 154. Countess Matilda, on horseback, (12|in. by 9 in.) Cimabue. A very curious and interesting picture. The celebrated Countess, who is the subject of it, came into the enjoyment of vast territorial possessions, A. D. ] 055, when only eight years of age ; and was subsequently prevailed upon, through the artifices of the aspiring Pontiff, Gregory VII., to settle the reversionary interest of her property on the church of Rome ; in consequence of which conduct, she incurred the successive resentment of her two husbands, from both of whom she was separated. The Countess Matilda died A.D. 1115. A monument, erected to her memory at St. Peter's at Rome by Pope Urban XIII., is supposed to have had its design suggested by this picture. Other articles worthy of mention in this apartment are, a pair of Raffaelle painted dishes, which are considered great curiosities ; a china bowl, the girth of which measures 5 ft. 7 in. ; two antique tables ; and a collection of old china vases. Passing on, we arrive at — THE NOETH DEESSINa EOOM (11), Which is 17 ft. 6 in. long, by 14 ft. wide ; and which contains the following — BURGHLEY HOUSE. 203 PAINTINGS. 155. Venus and Satyr . . • • Jacob Jordaens. 156. Still Life . . . . . . Anff. Battaglio. 157. Hon. Cbas. Cavendish, taken when asleep C.Maratti. He was born in 1655, and was the second son of William, Third Earl of Devonshire, who was brother of Anne, Countess of John, Fifth Earl of Exeter. He died in 1670, and was buried in All Saints' church, Derby. 158. Still Life . . . . . . dng. Battaglio. 159. Flower Piece .. .. .. L. Fagneer. 160. Neapolitan Girl .. .. Rev. W. Peters. 161. Beggars Regaling .. .. Murillo. 162. Rose and Glass . . . . H. Vander Myn. 163. Domenichino's Mistress, (26 in. by 19 in.) Domenichino. This head is universally and deservedly admired : it is one of the best productions of the artist, whose name it bears, in pomt of color, expression, and execution, which is to be found in this country. 164. Dead Game .. .. H. Vander Myn. 165. Da\dd with the Head of Goliah . . Franceschini. 166. Venus and Cupid encircled with a Garland of Flowers Guercino and Mario da Fieri. 167. Hunting Wild Cats . . .. .. Koninck. 168. Jupiter painting. Mercury and Diana attending Mola. 169. Landscape .. .. .. Claude. 170. Spaniard with a Guitar .. .. Valentin. On the mantel-piece is a collection of old china: on a stand in the corner of the room, are four pieces of china. 204 BURGHLEY HOUSE. pourtraying the four quarters of the globe ; and in other parta of it are, a curious antique cabinet, and marble slab. Adjoining is the — CHINA CLOSET (12), So called from the valuable and extensive collection of ancient and curious china, which is displayed in a glass-case and upon tables in the apartment. This room, either side of which measures 10 ft. 3 in., is situated in the north-western angle of the house, and contains fifteen — PAINTINGS, &c. 171. Parmigiano's Mistress, (pan.) E. Peschi. A copy from a picture, by Parmigiano, in the collection of the king of Naples. 172. Flower Piece .. .. Vereht. 173. Woman Reading .. .. A Nun at Rome. 174. Flower Piece .. .. .. Anon. 175. Virgin, Christ, and St. John, (in water colors) Paton. 176. Three-quarter Portrait of Launcelot Brown, Esq. Sir N. Dance, Bart. This gentleman, a popular horticulturist and architect, was born at Kirk- dale, in Northumberland, in 1715. His successful improvements at Wakefield Lodge, the seat of the Duke of Grafton, procured for him the favor and patronage of several of the English nobiUty, and he was engaged in superintending the works, amongst other places, at Stow, Richmond, Blenheim, Croom, Luton, Corsham, Trentham, Redgrave, Wimbledon, Nuneham, Caversham, and Burghley. Some of his improvements at the latter seat have been noticed in a former part of this work. He was also appointed head-gardener at Windsor and Hampton Court. In 1770, he served the office of high sheriff' for the counties of Huntingdon and Cam- bridge. He died suddenly in the streets of London, 1783, and was buried at Fennystanton, Huntingdonshire. BURGHLEY HOUSE. 205 177. The Last Supper, (alto relievo in oak) . . Gibbons. 178. A Pantomime Figure in wood and ivory from Sicily Anon. 179. A Figure of Venus (carved in box-wood) . . Anon. 180. Holy Family . . . . . . Passeri. 181. A Fine Specimen of the various styles of Penmanship (on vellum) . . . . Langton. 182. Birds and Beasts Koninck. 183. Virgin and Child . . M. A. Caravaggio. In doorway — 184. Galataea and Attendants, (in Venetian Silk) . . Anon. Galatsea, a sea-nymph, was beloved by Acis, a shepherd of Sicily; whereupon the Cyclops Polyphemus, his rival, finding his own suit rejected, crushed him to pieces with a huge rock. Galatsea, inconsolable at his loss, changed him into a fountain. 185. Clitia, (in crayons) . . Lady Charlotte Boyle. Clitia, the daughter of Orchamus, king of Babylon, was loved, and afterwards deserted, by Apollo. Her eyes were continually directed towards the sun in sorrow for her loss, and she was at last changed into a Bun-flower. The room into which the visiter is next conducted, is one of more than ordinary interest, being no other than — QUEEN ELIZABETH'S EED EOOM (13), Which presents, as nearly as possible, the same furniture and appearance as when it was occupied by the Sovereign whose name it still retains. The ancient bed, with its hangings of dark green velvet on a ground of gold tissue, and a set of chairs covered with similar material, remain precisely in their original state. The room measures 19 ft. by 18 ft.; and is hung with three pieces of tapestry made for the Fifth Earl of Exeter, 206 BURGHLEY HOUSE. over each of which are displayed his arms impaling those of his Countess. They represent the following subjects : — History of Actseon and Diana . . Anon. Actseon, a famous huntsman, accidentally came to the place where Diana and her nymphs were bathing; upon which, that goddess, sprinkling him with water, changed him into a stag, and he was torn to pieces by his own dogs. Bacchus crowning Ariadne . . . . Anon. Upon her desertion by Theseus, Ariadne is said to have been loved by Bacchus, who gave her a crown of seven stars, which, after her death, became a constellation. Acis and Galataea . . . . • • Anon. See picture (184). PAINTINGS. 186. Our Saviour praying in the Garden, (4 ft. 2 in. by 3 ft. 8 in.) . . . . . . G- Bassano. The visiter cannot fail to admire the beautiful contrast, presented in this picture, between the silver light and shade. 187. Venus and Adonis .. G. Chiari. See picture (149). 188. Tobit and the Angel . . . . Mola. The toilet-table in this apartment, when properly arranged, presents a rich and superb display of silver-gilt dressing plate. Over the fire-place is another fine specimen of carving in wood by Gibbons. On the west side of the room hangs a glass in a carved gilt frame. Next to this is — THE PAGODA EOOM (14), Which is the central apartment on the west side of the house, and which derives its name from an elegant ornament of that description, standing upon a marquetry table before the window. BURGHLEY HOUSE. 20/ being a perfect model from one of the kind at Nankin . It is chiefly- composed of mother of pearl, is four feet high, and is enclosed under a glass-case. The sides of this room (which measures 24 ft. 9 in. by 17 ft. 9 in.) are panelled, and surmounted by a handsomely-carved cornice. It contains thirty-nine much- admired — PORTRAITS. 189. Lady Rachael Russell (half-length) . . Vandyck. Wife of Lord William Russell, (son of the first Duke of Bedford,) and daughter of Thomas Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton. On her husband being condemned to suffer death in the reign of Charles II, for opposing the succession of the Duke of York to the throne, she earnestly interceded with that monarch in his behalf. Finding Charles inexorable, she employed all her time and energies in exhorting her husband to bear his approaching fate with dignity and composure, as well as with Christian firmness and resignation. The letters which she addressed to him on the occasion, bear the marks of fervent piety and affection, and are replete with the most exalted sentiments. This excellent lady died in 1723, at the age of eighty- seven, having had the happiness of seeing her second son succeed to the honours and estates of the Bedford family. 190. David Garrick .. .. Sir N. Dance. This celebrated actor was bom at Hereford in 1716. He was originally intended for the law ; but he soon gave up that profession, and engaged in the wine trade. Nothing, however, could suffice to conquer his predilection for the stage, and his glorious career of thirty-five years upon the boards, during which time he displayed the most astonishing powers as an actor, has never been surpassed, or even equalled. He died January 20th, 1779, and was interred with great pomp in Westminster Abbey. 191. Brownlow, present Marquis of Exeter, in the Robes of the Garter (three-quarter length) Sir M. A. Shee. It is from this painting that the engraving of his Lordship, which appears in a former part of this work, is taken. 192. Ferdinand Alvarez, Duke of Alva . . P. Veronese. For a brief notice of this cruel and tyrannical general, see before pp. 65,. 66. He died in 1582, at the age of seventy-seven. 208 BURGHLEY HOtJSE. 193. Henrietta Maria, Daughter of Henry IV. of France, and Wife of Charles I., King of England (half- length) . . . . . . Vandyck. 194. Angelica Kauifman .. .. Sir N. Dance. This celebrated female artist, who has contributed several paintings to the collection at Burghley, was horn at Coire, in Germany. Having studied for some time at Rome, she accompanied Lady Wentworth, in 1765, to England, where she received the patronage of royalty, and was universally esteemed and respected. Upwards of sixty plates, engraved by different artists (principally by the talented Bartolozzi) from subjects painted by this lady, were published by Mr. Boydell. Her productions, though not without considerable attraction, and often warmly coloured, generally possess too much sentimentality and affectation, to allow of her taking a very high place in the ranks of art. She died at Rome in 1807, having amassed a large sum of money by indefatigable industry and good fortune. 195. Charles I., in a rich point-lace dress, having the Star, Blue Ribbon, and pendant George (half-length) John Stone. 196. Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex Hans Holbein. This eminent statesman was bom in 1490. In the early part of his life he attracted the notice of CardinalWolsey, whose unreserved confidence and friendship he afterwards enjoyed. Having entered into the service of Henry VIII., he gradually rose to be a Privy Councillor, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Secretary of State, Master of the Rolls, Keeper of the Privy Seal, and Lord High Chamberlain of England. He was the chief instru- ment of that monarch in the dissolution of the monasteries ; but being so unfortunate as to incur his resentment, in consequence of the active part which he had taken in bringing about his marriage with Anne of Cleves, he was arraigned as a traitor, and beheaded, July 16th, 1540. 197. Head of a Lady . . . . Titian. 198. Mrs. Pelham . . . . . . Romney. 199. Charles II., his Brother, and Sisters, when young Stone. 200. HeadofAnnibaleCaracci(19in.byl4in.) A. Caracci. 201. Jan Van Eyek, (19 in. by 13 in.) . . Jan Fan Eych. BURGHLEY HOUSE. 209 202. Lady Pembroke .. .. Edmund Ashfield. Elizabeth Maria Villiers, daughter of George VUliers, first Duke of Buckingham. She married, first, Charles Lord Herbert, son of Philip, Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery ; secondly, James, Duke of Richmond and Lennox; and lastly, Thomas Howard, brother to Charles, Earl of Carlisle. The celebrated family-piece at Wilton House, by Vandyck, contains a portrait of this lady. Walpole describes the present picture as highly finished and well pauited. 203. Head of Martin Luther, with the monogram and date, (pan.) (20 in. by 1.5 in.) . . Lucas Cranach. This celebrated German reformer was born at Isleben, in Saxony, Nov. 10, 1483. Observing the pernicious tendency of the doctrine and practice of the Church of Rome, he became zealous in bringing about the work of the Reformation ; and first rendered himself conspicuous by preach- ing against the sale of indulgences. His purposes were greatly forwarded by a translation which he compiled both of the Old and New Testament into German. He died Feb. 18th, 1546, and was interred at Wittemberg with great pomp, 204. Ohver Cromwell . . . . Walker. For an account of the circumstances under which this picture is supposed to have been added to the collection at Burghley House, see note at page 137. 205. Elizabeth, Countess of Exeter .. .. Bobson. Wife of David, the third Earl. She is the lady mentioned in the note referred to above. 206. A Portrait . . . . . . Anon. 207. Lady Warwick .. .. .. Ashfield. Wife of Robert, Earl of Warwick, Lord High Admiral of England under the Long Parliament, and daughter and heiress of Sir William Hutton, Knt. Tlie families of Exeter and Warwick became connected by the marriage of John, fifth Earl of the former, with Anne, widow of Charles, Lord Rich, son and heir of Charles Earl of Warwick. 208. Henry VIII. (half-length). . . . Holbein. This is a very fine portrait, and held in considerable estimation. In his left hand, the king holds a scroll, upon which are inscribed the following words ; — MARCI 16. ITE IN MVDVM VNIVERSV ET PREDICATE EVANGELIVM OMNI CREATVRE O 210 BURGHLEY HOUSE. 209. The Lord Treasurer Burghley . . Mark Gerards. An engraving of this celebrated statesman forms the frontispiece of the present work. 210. Queen Elizabeth, at an advanced age (half-length) Ibid. 211. Mary, Queen of England (small, three-quarter-length) (pan) . . . . . . • . Holbein. 212. Lady Anne Cecil . . • • Tandy ck. Daughter of William, second Earl of Salisbury, and first wife of Algernon Percy, tenth Earl of Northumberland. She was bom in 1612, and died in 1637. 213. Edward VI., at the age of seven or eight years ^ Holbein. 214. Thomas, First Earl of Exeter (half-length) Cornelius Janssen. See the memoir of this Earl, pp. 110—126. 215. William Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle . . Vandyck. This is a portrait of great beauty and delicacy. The subject of it was son of Sir Charles Cavendish, by Catherine, daughter of Lord Ogle. He was a firm supporter of the unfortunate Charles I., and iipon the royal cause being defeated, he was compelled to take refuge on the continent. He accompanied Charles II. on his return to England, and was shortly afterwards created Duke of Newcastle. He was the author of several plays and poems ; and wrote a celebrated work entitled A Treatise on Horsemanship; also a political work, purporting to be A Treatise on Government, and the Interest of Great Britain with respect to the other Powers of Europe. He died in 1676, at the age of eighty-four years. 216. Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex .. Zuccaro. A few passing notices of this celebrated courtier and favorite of Queen Elizabeth may be found in pp. 85, 86, and 117. He was beheaded in 1601, in the thirty-fourth year of his age. 217. Isabella Clara Eugenia . . . . Chr. Massini. Daughter of Phillip TI. of Spain by Isabella, daughter of Henry II. of France,— and sister to Philip III. She married Albert, Archduke of Austria. This is an exceedingly good picture ; the dress is very fine and studied. BURGHLEY HOUSE. 211 218. Lady Georgi-ximia Cecil .. .. C.Janssen. Daughter of Thomas, first Earl of Exeter, by his second wife.— See page 122, and the note there ; also page 126. 219. Princess (afterwards Queen) Elizabeth .. Holbein. 220. Charles IX., King of France . . Anon. The great persecutor of the Hugonots ; of which some notice may be found at pp. 64, 65. He died m 1574. 221. Portrait of a Boy .. .. Velasquez. 222. Lady in a Hat . . . . . . Anon. 223. Mrs. Jane Cecil . . . . . . Anon. Mother of the Lord Treasurer Burghley, and daughter and heiress of William Heckington, of Bourn, Esq. See page 78. 224. Earl of Southampton . . . . Anon. Father of Lady Rachael Russell, mentioned above, page 207. 225. A Spanish Priest .. ,. Velasquez. An admirable picture : the chicanery and cunning depicted in the coun- tenance of this priest are particularly worthy of notice. 226. Countess of Desmond . . . . Rembrandt. A celebrated lady, who attained the immense age of one hundred and forty-five years ; during which time she enjoyed an uninterrupted state of good health. She was no less remarkable for her cheerful and lively disposition. She died in 1612. This picture is highly deserving of attention. 227. Lady Dorothy Nevill . . . . C. Janssen. First wife of Thomas, first Earl of Exeter. A sketch is given of her person and character at page 113. Dr. Waagen speaks in very high terms of this portrait. The sofa, chairs, and curtains, are of extremely rich material, and covered with purple and gold satin, the latter being also handsomely embroidered. Adjoining, is — THE PUEPLE SATIN BED EOOM (15), Which is 19 ft. 6 in. by 18 ft.; and is hung with tapestry representing subjects of a Bacchanalian character, made for 212 BURGHLEY HOUSE. the fifth Earl of Exeter. The bed is exceedingly handsome, the massive posts, cornice, &c., consisting of walnut wood adorned with gold. The hangings are of rich purple satin, (whence the room derives its name) ; and upon the summit of the interior dome, which is most tastefully arranged, are placed the initials and coronet of the present Marquis. The window curtains and cornice are in character with the rest of the furniture. This apartment contains only three — PAINTINGS. 228. David and Bathsheba .. -. J.Jordaem. 229. Susanna and the Elders .. Caravaggio. 230. Orpheus . . . . Benedetto Gennari. The strains of this poet and musician are represented as having been so sweet and powerful, that, at the sound of his lyre, the most rapid rivers ceased toflow, the wildest beasts were tamed, and the mountains, rocks, and trees were put in motion. Upon the death of his wife, Eurydice, he followed her to the infernal regions, and so charmed Pluto with his melody, that that god consented to restore her to him, provided he forbore to look back upon her until they had both quitted his dominions. Not being able, however, to refrain, Orpheus stole a hasty glance at the lost object of his affections, who thereupon instantly vanished from his sight. THE PUEPLE SATIN DEESSINa EOOM (16), Measures 22 ft. 6 in. by 15 ft. 9 in., and has been recently hung with the above material. The curtains and cornice, which are also new, are studded with gold. The apartment contains thirty-six — PAINTINGS, &c. 231. Reconciliation of St. Peter and St. Paul Gerard Hondthorst. 232. Susanna and the Elders .. Lely. 233. Vision of St. Francis (on slate) . . Veronese. BURGHLEY HOUSE. 213 234. Virgin and Child (cop.) (1 1 in. by Sin.) G. B. Castiglione. This beautiful painting was presented to Brownlow, ninth Earl of Exeter, by Ganganelli, Pope Clement XVI., commonly called the Protestant Pope. His Lordship, during a visit which he paid to Rome inl774, one day joined a public procession, which happened to be passing through the streets, headed by the Pontiif. The latter was so pleased with this mark of polite- ness, that, hearing that the Earl had none of the works of the above artist in his collection at Burghley, he presented him with the picture in question. Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, was pleased to express great admiration of this painting during her visit in 1844. 235. Holy Family (3 ft. by 2 ft.) . . Bafaelle. The collection of the Earl of Leicester at Holkham, and that of Lord Ellesmere, contain duplicates of this picture. 236. Victory introducing the Doge, Simon Memmo, at Venice (pan.) . . . . P. Farinato. 237. Marriage of St. Catherine. . . . Ang. Kauffman. 238. A Head .. .. .. .. Anon. 239. Shepherd, Dog, and Cattle . . Tenters . 240. William Tell (small half-length) . . Rembrandt. The celebrated hero, who with others deUvered Switzerland from the Austrians in 1307. Being directed to shoot at an apple placed on the head of his son, he cleft it in two without injuring the child ; and then boldly assured Geisler, the Austrian governor, that, had he been less fortunate, he would have immediately aimed at him another arrow, which he had con- cealed for the purpose about his person. Animated by his heroism, the Swiss resolved upon making a vigorous effort to obtain their freedom, and finally succeeded in establishing the independence of their country. Tell died in 1354. 241. Joseph and Potiphar's Wife .. Valerio Castelli. 242. A Battle Piece . . . . . . Castiglione. 243. Fame decorating the Tomb of Shakspeare Ang. Kaufman. 244. A Battle Piece , , . . Castiglione. 214 BURGHLEY HOUSE. 245. Maria, from Sterne . . Ang. Kauffman. ' ' Her goat had been as faithless as her lover ; and she had got a little " dog in lieu of him, which she had kept tied by a string to her girdle ; as " I looked at her dog, she drew him towards her with the string — ' Thou " ' shalt not leave me, Sylvio,' said she." 246. Head of David .. .. Guercino. 247. Landscape, with Cattle . . . . E. Carre. 248. Ditto . . . . . • Nicholas Berghem. 249. Ixion embracing the Cloud . . . . C. Maratti. Ixion, the son of Phlegas, being enamoured of Juno, Jupiter made a cloud in the shape of that goddess, which the deceived lover embraced. 250. Leda and Swan . . . . C. Maratti. Jupiter, in order to deceive Leda, of whom he was enamoured, changed himself into a swan. He had by her Castor and Pollux. 25 1 . Men playing at Dice , . . . Mignard. 252. Sketch . . . . . . Lodovico Caracci. 253. Rinaldo and Armida . . . . Bomenichino. This is another incident selected from one of the romantic tales in Tasso's Jerusalem Delivered. — Armida, an enchantress, summons by her arts ten knights from the Christian forces (assembled to deliver Jerusalem from the Saracens,) to attend her at her castle. She urges them to embrace the pagan faith, and threatens them with death upon their refusal. They effect their escape by means of Rinaldo, a leader in the Christian army, whom Armida treacherously entices to a remote spot, where he is lulled to sleep by the delusive song of a Syren. As she stands gazing upon the warrior, Armida' s meditated vengeance is forgotten ; she conceives a sudden passion for Rinaldo, scatters flowers over his person, and afterwards transports him far away to an enchanted island. In this secluded retreat, he is at length discovered by two of his former companions-in-arms, who reprove him for the inglorious course of life which he was pursuing, and at whose instigation he breaks through the trammels of Armida, and with them effects his escape from the island. 254. Flight into Egypt . . Francesco Zuccherelli. 255. Jupiter and Semele . . . . C. Maratti. Semele, being tenderly loved by Jupiter, was prevailed upon through the artful wiles of Juno, who was jealous of her, to entreat her lover to come BTJRGHLEY HOUSE. 215 to her with the same majesty as that with which he was accustomed to approach the queen of the gods. Jupiter accordingly visited her, attended by the clouds, the lightning, and thunder-bolts; by which Semele was immediately consumed. 256. The Golden Shower . . . . C. Maratti. Acrisius, king of Argos, being informed by the oracle that his daughter's son would put him to death, confined Danae, his daughter, in a brazen tower. Jupiter, who was attached to her, changed himself uito a golden shower, and by this means introduced himself into her apartment. 257. Journey to Emmaus Poelemhurg. 258. St. Hubert (pan.) (14^ in. by lO^ m.) . A. Durer. 259. Cupid pulling Fortune by the Hair . . P. Libert. 260. Piece of Florentine Mosaic Anon. 261. Ruins of the Temple at Tiyoli (Mosaic) . Ibid. 262. Bird in modem Mosaic Ibid. 263. Ditto .. . Ibid. 264. Boy's Head in ditto . . Ibid. 265. Amphitheatre at Rome in the same . . . Ibid. 266. Bird on Branch Ibid. An assortment of old china, and various articles of vertu and worth, complete the appointments of this room. The visiter is now conducted to the suite of apartments which extend along the southern side of the mansion, and which are called " The George Rooms," in consequence of their having been made ready in anticipation of a visit from George IV. when Prince of Wales. They were occupied by her present Majesty and Prince Albert, on the occasion of their visit in 1844. These apartments were first fitted up in the year 1789, under the immediate superintendence and sole direction of Brownlow, ninth Earl of Exeter, who is said to have selected the whole of their decorations from works on ancient architecture, contained in the library at Burghley, and to 216 BURGHLEY HOUSE. have expended upwards of a62,000 in the completion of them. They are panelled with the finest Dutch wainscot, preserving its natural color, and exhibiting specimens of carving remarkable for sharpness and beauty. The first of these apartments is — THE STATE-BED DEESSING EOOM, OE FIEST GEOEGE EOOM (17), Which measures 21 ft. by 13 ft., and is 16 ft. in height. The flooring is of oak, parquetried. Upon the mantel-piece of white marble, which is inlaid with scagliola, is displayed an assortment of fine old china. The grate, fender, and fire- irons, are of silver and burnished steel, beautifully wrought. Over each door are carved representations, in lime-wood, by Gibbons, of birds, fruit, flowers, musical instruments, arms, and other devices, tastefully intermixed ; each group of carving, which is adorned with a slightly gilt tinge, having the cipher and Earl's coronet beneath it. From the cornice of the wainscot springs an elegant coved — PAINTED CEILING, Executed by Verrio,i and embellished with the following subjects. The base exhibits an elaborate balustrade, at each corner of which are represented boys, supporting architectural 1 Antonio Verrio was bom at Naples in 1634. He was introduced into England by Charles II., who employed him in the decoration of Wind- sor Castle. John, fifth Earl of Exeter, afterwards engaged him at Burghley, where he continued for the space of twelve years, during which time he is said to have been allowed an annual salary of i£'1500, a separate table, equipage &c. His performances at that place are considered his chef d'ceuvres. He was afterwards employed by William III. at Hampton Court, where he died in 1707. I BURGHLEY HOUSE. 217 devices surmounted by vases of flowers. In the centre of the sides of the same balustrade are displayed, between figures beautifully drawn, medallions pourtraying the following sub- jects : — On the north side, illustrated between representations of Air and Fire, is depicted " Daphne and Apollo." Daphne, endeavouring to seek refuge in flight from the importunities of Apollo, entreated the assistance of the gods, who changed her into a laurel. On the east side, between figures emblematical of Winter and Spring, is painted " Hercules slaying the Dragon." The eleventh labor imposed upon Hercules, was to procure some of the golden apples from the garden of the Hesperides. This feat the hero suc- cessfully achieved, having previously slain the watchful dragon by whom the tree was guarded. The medallion on the south side, placed between representa- tions of Earth and Water, has for its subject " Hyacinthus and Apollo." As ApoUo was playing at quoits with Hyacinthus, he threw his quoit so high in the air, that, at its descent, it caused the death of his companion. Apollo, disconsolate at his loss, changed his blood into the flower, which bears his name. Between the figures on the west side, personifying Summer and Autumn, is a medallion, of which the subject is " Apollo flaying Marsyas." Apollo having accepted the challenge offered by Marsyas to a trial of skill in music, it was agreed that whoever was defeated, should be flayed alive by the conqueror. The Muses, who were appointed umpires of the contest, decided in favor of Apollo, who tied his rival to a tree and pro- ceeded to inflict upon him the stipulated punishment. The ceiling exhibits a beautiful emblematical device, repre- senting " Morning chasing Night from the Heavens." Upon the starry mantle of night are seen reposing Morpheus and Luna, near whom are Zephyrs driving away the darkness, Phoebus, mounting his chariot, is also attended by Zephyrs strewing flowers, in advance of whom are flying Cupids pursuing bats. Towards the north side of the apartment Time is represented, seated with a young child in one hand, and holding a scythe in the other. 218 BURGHLEY HOUSE. PAINTINGS. The Child Jesus Baccicio. ZOO. The Nativity Tempesta. zoy . Virgin and Child appearing to St. Dominic . . Albano. z/ w. Head of St. John, a sketch Parmigiano. 2/1. Virgin and Child appearing to St. Clara . . Guercino. 0*70 Finding of Moses Titian. Z/o, Virgin and Child (cop.) from Raffaelle Sassoferrato. Z/4. Finding of Moses Tempest a. 275. The Salutation (cop.) . - Benis Calvart. 276. St. John . . . . Andrea del Sarto. 277. Jesus and the Woman of Samaria . . A. Caracci. 278. St. Catherine . Giro Ferri. 279. Return from Jerusalem . . Spagnoletto. 280. Virgin and Child (14 in. by 18 in.) Coreggio. 281. Christ disputing with the Doctors (pan.) (27 in. by 25 in.) . . . . • • Vanuden. 282. Finding of Moses . . . . Schiavone. 283. Holy Family . . . . Valeria Castelli. 284. Ditto (pan.) .. .'• •• Schidoni. 285. Flight into Egypt (14 in. by 18 in.) . . Carlo Bold. The visiter cannot fail to be struck with the extreme beauty of this picture. 286. Three Goddesses sending Mercury to Paris Rubens. See picture (295). 287. Venus and Cupids . . . . N. Poussin. 288. Holy Family (cop.) . . . . . ■ Schidoni. 289. St. Peter .. •• Veronese. BURGHLEY HOUSE. 219 290. Virgin, Jesus, and Joseph (cop.) . . Passeri. 29 1 . Boy and Pigeon . . . . . . Guido. 292. Rinaldo and Armida . . . . Annihale Caracci. The subject of this painting is the same as that given at picture marked (253). 293. Virgin, Child, and Joseph . . Schidoni. 294. St. Paul . . . . . . Veronese. 295. Judgment of Paris (cop.) .. Rottenhamer. Paris, the son of Priam, being appointed to adjudge the prize of beauty to the fairest of the three goddesses, Juno, Minerva, and Venus, decided in favor of the latter ; who, in return, rewarded him with the matchless Helen, and afterwards rescued him when he was about to fall a victim to the fury and resentment of her husband Menelaus. 296. Angels with the Instruments of the Passion appearing to the Infant Jesus in his Sleep . . N. Poussin. 297. Our Saviour in the Garden of Gethsemane Tempesta. The silver-gilt toilet-plate, belonging to this room, is highly chaste and elegant. Amongst other ornaments in the apartment, are a handsome buhl table, and chest of drawers of the same material ; on the latter, which is inlaid with tortoise-shell, stands a choice Httle cabinet of enamel, the sides of which represent the history of " Joseph and his Brethren" : — also a tripod supporting four china gilt-mounted vases, of great beauty. An embroidered screen, worked by Lady Elizabeth Archer, and recently mounted in gold, stands near the fire-place, and on a table at the side of the room is displayed a fine collection of old china &c. A carv^ed oak washing table, complete with its fittings, — gilt stools and chairs &c., complete the appointments of this apartment. The curtains are of painted velvet, executed by the late Marchioness of Exeter : on the window-sill are two elegant blue and white dragon China bottles ; and a figure of St. Sebastian in rice, tied to a tree of the same composition. This saint was born at Narbonne, and brought up at Milan. He was ordered to be put to death during the persecution of the Christians by 220 BURGHLEY HOUSE. Diocletian. He escaped, however, the infliction of the sentence, and immediately proceeded to upbraid the Emperor for his cruelty, upon which he was beaten to death with clubs. Within the walls of the small apartment into which the visiter is next introduced, and which is situated in the south- western angle of the building, are contained some of the most interesting and valuable articles which are to be found in the house. It is impossible to do adequate justice to the whole of its contents ; all of them deserving close and particular attention, and many requiring a minute notice and description, which would far exceed the confined limits of this work. The apartment in question is most appropriately denominated — THE JEWEL CLOSET (18), And is only 11 ft. by 9 ft. 8 in., and 16 ft. in height. The wainscot is of cedar, and is ornamented with green damask. The mouldings are richly carved and gilt, and contain the cipher in the centre of each side. The floor is similar to that of the previous apartment ; and over the mantel-piece is another specimen of Gibbons' s beautiful carving, in festoons of fruit, birds, flowers, &c. The grate, fender, and fire-irons, are of silver and polished steel. The ceiling, which is coved and beautifully painted, contains the following representations : — At each corner is a Cupid, seated in a shell, and holding in his hand some particular device ; in the intermediate spaces are displayed arms, and emblems of music, literature, and painting. The principal figure on the ceiling is Fortune, blindfolded, and tied to a wheel : her hair is being pulled by a Cupid riding upon a swan; below the wheel are arranged crowns, helmets, arms, and other embellishments. Cupids are flying about in various directions, each bearing some- thing pertaining to Mythological history ; as a thunderbolt, club BTJRGHLEY HOUSE. 221 helmet, or trident : one holds in his hand a trumpet, to which is affixed a scroll, having inscribed upon it the words, — " Omnia vincit amor^ PAINTINGS. 298. Our Saviour blessing the Elements . . Carlo Bold. This incomparable picture was brought from Italy by John, fifth Earl of Exeter, and is well known to be the gem of the collection deposited in Burghley House. Connected with the history of this beautiful painting, is a letter, hanging by the side of it, and said to have been copied from an ancient manuscript : from the description, which it contains, the artist is supposed to have pourtrayed the expression and features of the Saviour's countenance. The letter is in the following terms : — *' Publius Lentulus, His letter to the Senate of Rome, " Conscript Fathers, — There appeared, in these our days, a man of great " virtue, named Jesus Christ, who is yet living among us, and of the " Gentiles is accepted for a prophet of truth ; but his own disciples call " him the son of God. He raiseth the dead, and cureth all manner of " diseases: a man of stature, somewhat tall and comely, with a very " reverend countenance, such as the beholders may both love and fear ; " his hair, the colour of a filbert, full ripe to his ears ; whence downward, "it is more orient of colour, somewhat curling or waving about his " shoulders. In the midst of his head is a seam or partition of his hair, " after the manner of the Nazarites ; his forehead plain and delicate ; his " face without spot or wrinkle, beautified with a comely red ; his nose and " mouth exactly formed; his beard thick, the colour of his hair, not of any great length, but forked ; his look innocent, his eyes grey, clear, and ' ' quick ; in reproving awful, in admonishing courteous, in speaking very " modest and wise; in proportion of body well shaped; none have seen " him laugh, but many have seen him weep ; a man, for his shigular beauty, " surpassing the children of men." It is impossible to gaze upon this admirable production, which precisely answers to the above description, without being struck with its extraordinary beauty and sublimity. The Divine character pourtrayed in the features of the Saviour ; — the sweetness and benevolence which the expression of his countenance presents ; — and the eyes uplifted to heaven with a look of the most devout and submissive adoration, cannot fail to produce a sensible impression upon the spectator, and to call forth in his mind feelings to some extent in unison with the seriousness and solemnity of the subject. The glory, or rather, rays of this celebrated picture, are painted upon gold, 222 BURGHLEY HOUSE. the brightness of which is mellowed by the pencil of the artist. Its dimen- sions are 2 ft. lO J in. high, and 2 ft. 4iin. wide. There are two other pictures similar to the present one ; viz., at Corsham House, Wiltshire, the seat of Lord Methuen, and in the gallery at Dresden. 299. Virgin with the Infant Jesus asleep . . C. Maratti. There is a duplicate of this picture in the Louvre. 300. The Child Jesus with Flowers . . Carlo BolcL This is also a most exquisite painting. The dimensions of it are 7 in. by Gin. 301. Marriage of St. Catherine .. .. Parmigiano. after Coreggio. A bird carved in wood by Demontreuil, is a wonderful specimen of its kind, and well deserves inspection. A glass-case opposite to the window contains the following amongst other valuable curiosities : — A triangular crystal set with garnets, supposed to be Queen Elizabeth's salt cellar ; — a gold spoon, which is said to have held the oil with which the same Queen was anointed at her Coronation ; — ^her watch and tablet ; — and a busk which hung to her arm before fans were invented ; — also the pocket-handkerchief of King William III. In the same receptacle have been lately deposited, a pair of white kid gloves, and some fragments of a white chrysanthe- mum wreath, worn by her present Majesty, at the Christening of Lady Victoria Cecil, daughter of the Marquis of Exeter, which has been already noticed in a former part of this volume : an attempt was made to preserve the wreath by the process of Electro-gilding; but in undergoing the operation, it became damaged, and the present fragments alone were preserved : — also, the trowel with which H.R.H. Prince Albert laid the first stone of the New Royal Exchange, Loudon, Jan. 17th, 1842 ; the implement in question was presented to Lord Exeter by His Royal Highness, upon his return from the ceremony. In addition to the above, the glass-case contains; — a statue of BUUGHLEY HOtfSE. 223 Clara Eugenia, Governess of the Netherlands ; — the head of the Lord Treasurer Burghley, fixed to the back of an antique Intagho of Caracalla ; appendant, a small Head of Queen EUzabeth, both in Cameo, on onyx, by Vallerio Belli ; — the Virgin, Christ, and St. John, on a bloodstone ; — the " Fhght into Egypt," on a similar stone ; — an infinite variety of enamelled trinkets; small vases in gold fiUigree ; carvings in ivory; amber ; diamonds; precious stones ; pearls; corals &c. The rosary of Mary, Queen of Scots ; and a ring, containing some of Henry VIII. 's hair, which were formerly deposited in the same recep- tacle, have been lost. Immediately opposite to the door, upon a raised pedestal, stands a Crucifix, purchased by Lord Exeter in 1826. A marquetry table, two very large antique china jars, and other ornaments, complete the list of the valuable contents of the Jewel Closet. Retracing his steps through the State Dressing Room before described, the visiter enters — THE STATE BED EOOM, OE SECOND GEOEGE EOOM (19), Which measures 23 ft. 8 in. by 23 ft., and is 24 ft. high. This apartment has of late years been set apart for the reception of members of the Royal Family, and other distin- guished persons ; and no pains or expense have been spared to render it ineveryrespectworthy of the noble and illustrious guests for whose occupation it has been intended. A bed of a most costly description had been erected here by the first Marquis of Exeter, for the use of George IV., when Prince of Wales ; but prior to the visit of her Majesty, Queen Victoria, and Prince Albert, in 1844, the present stately bedstead was prepared. The hangings consist of striped coral velvet, of the richest quahty, lined with white satin ; the interior circular dome. 224 BURGHLEY HOUSE. whichis also composed of the latter material, is relieved with orna- mented gilt work ; at the corners are the initials V.R. in chaste and elegant characters. The arms of England richly gilt are displayed at the head of the bed ; and the posts at the foot of it, which are half-high, are ornamented with wheat sheaves, surmounted by the royal crown and cushion ; the foot-board, which is profusely carved, being also richly gilt. The cornice of gilt and white displays a beautiful specimen of carving, consisting of fruit, flowers, and birds. The window-curtains and cornice match those of the bed ; and the rest of the furniture of the apartment, consisting of a sofa, chairs, ward- robe, pedestals, tables, &c., is of the most superb and costly description. The coved ceiling of this apartment is painted by Verrio. The base represents a marble cornice ; at each corner of which are depicted figures, in imitation of bronze, supporting medaUions, containing scenes from the history of Romulus : along the sides of the cornice are Cupids and other figures, also in imitation of bronze. Within a bold and elaborately- gilt circle are pourtrayed the following subjects : — Mars presenting Romulus to Jupiter to be deified; — Jupiter consulting Juno; — below them, Ganymede, having a cup in one hand, whilst the other encircles the neck of an eagle, whose talons grasp a thunder-bolt ; — Hercules encircled with the hon's skin, and holding the club ; — near whom are seated Apollo and Diana. At the verge of the circle is seen Mercury holding out a roll, upon which are inscribed the words : — " Sic virtus evehit ardens — Honor pulcherrima merces ipse sibi." Towards the north is Fate, with a book and ink- horn, writing on the back of Time ; near them are Venus, Vulcan, and Bacchus with his cup, grapes, and attendants. The sides of this room are hung with tapestry, enclosed within frames of handsomely-carved oak ; and are surmounted BURGHLEY HOUSE. 225 by a deep gilded cornice. Over each piece of tapestry are the arms of the fifth Earl of Exeter impaling those of his Countess ; and in the borderings of the same are ingeniously wrought views of Burghley and Wothorpe, as they appeared during the life-time of the above nobleman. The tapestry represents the following subjects : — On the north side. — Water. Neptune appears with his Trident, surrounded by sea-horses, and attended by Tritons, with wild scenery, rocks, and marine monsters. On his right is the Queen of the Deep, holding forth a shield, upon which are the ciphers E. E., surmounted by an Earl's coronet. On the east side. — Air. J^olus, God of the Winds, is repre- sented, with various kinds of birds ; near him are Juno and another goddess ; the latter holding out the shield as above described. On the south side. — Fire. Vulcan is seen at his anvil, with a variety of smith's tools, helmets, cuirasses, armour, and cannon : Jupiter seated by Juno, and having the eagle at his feet, holds out the same shield. At the bottom of each piece of tapestry is worked a poetical inscription in Latin. PAINTINGS, &c. 302. Cleopatra decorating Mark Antony's Tomb A. Kauffman. 303. An engraving of her present Majesty, when Princess Victoria. 304. Penelope weeping over the Bow of Ulysses A. Kaufman. During the absence of Ulysses at the Trojan war, Penelope his wife was beset by several importuning admirers, who endeavoured to persuade her that her husband was dead, and to induce her to bestow her hand upon one of themselves. This she at length promised to do, as soon as she had completed a certain piece of tapestry on which she was employed ; but, in order to deceive them, she undid each night the work of the preceding day, 226 BURGHLEY HOUSE. and thus baffled the hopes and designs of her suitors, until the return of Ulysses. 305. Angel and Child ascending . . . . Peters. 306. Abelard soliciting the hand of Heloise. . A. Kaufman. Although tenderly attached to Abelard, Heloise refused to marry him, from the idea that affection like her's ought not to submit to ordinary re- straints. At his death, April 21st, 1142, his remains were brought by her direction to the convent whither she had retired, and interred there with much solemnity ; and upon her own decease, which took place, I7th May, 1163, she was buried in the same grave. 307. Agrippina landing at Brundusium with the Ashes of Germanicus . . . . Benjamin West. This noble lady, who was highly distinguished for her intrepidity and conjugal affection, was the daughter of M. Agrippa, granddaughter of Augustus, and mother of the Emperor Caligula. Upon the death of her husband Germanicus, through poison administered to him by the direction of Piso, she brought his ashes from Syria to Italy, and boldly charged his murderer with the crime, who thereupon put an end to his existence. Having incurred the displeasure of Tiberius, she was banished by that Emperor to an island, where she died of famine, A.D. 26. 308. Abelard presenting Hymen to Heloise. . A. Kaufman. See picture (306). 309. Small Landscape . . . . . . Math Bonn. 310. Death of Heloise .. A.Kaufman. 311. Small Landscape .. .. Rath Bonn. 312. Engraving of H.R.H. the Duchess of Kent.i 313. Ditto of her Majesty, Queen Victoria, from Sully's picture, by . . . . . . . . Cousins. 314. Marchioness of Townshend and her Son. . A. Kaufman. The mantel-piece in this apartment is exceedingly handsome: upon the jambs, which are of porphyry, are sculptured bearded heads, supporting a mantel of statuary marble ; 1 The engravings marked (303) and (312) were presented to Lord Exeter by H.R.H. the Duchess of Kent, soon after the visit paid by Her Royal Highness and the Princess Victoria to Burghley, of which an account has been given at page 150. BURGHLEY HOUSE. 22; the latter contains in the centre a tablet, in mezzo relievo, representing the sacrifice of a goat. Upon the shelf stand the following figures : — Alexander, Persius, Venus and Cupid, and Minerva, carved in box-wood, each 18 in. high, brought from Palermo ; also a delicate carving in ivory, representing " Daphne transformed into a Laurel ;" and two antique heads in porphyry. The grate, fender, and fire-irons are of burnished steel and silver. On the window-sill is a bronze tripod, sup- ported at each corner by figures, and surmounted by a satyr. The visiter next enters — THE STATE DEESSING EOOM, OE THIED GEOEGE EOOM (20), Which is 27 ft. square, and 24 ft. high. The painted ceiling, by Verrio, contains a representation of " The Reunion of Cupid and Psyche." Psyche, having been espoused by Cupid, incurred the resentment of Venus, who caused her to be put to death. Jupiter, taking compassion upon her, endowed her with immortality, and confirmed her union with Cupid. The celestial rejoicings, which, according to heathen my- thology, took place upon this occasion, are portrayed in different parts of the ceiling. In the centre appears Flora, encircled with a garland of roses, with two swans at her feet : three nymphs surround her, offering garlands of flowers to her, while two female attendants are holding branches of myrtle over her head, and Cupids are strewing flowers before her. Apollo and the Muses are represented in circles on either side of her ; and beyond are seen, — Cupid and Pysche, Mercury pulling the latter by the hair ; — Hymen holding a torch, and Janus (who is conversing with Time) a crown of myrtle, over their heads ; — Pan and 228 BURGHLEY HOUSE. the Rural Deities at a little distance to the right ; — and various Cupids' heads &c., in different directions. The base exhibits a balustrade, at each corner of which are two figures in a shell seated upon dolphins ; and in the centres are boys supporting architectural cornices, and playing with swans ; the intermediate spaces being filled with subjects (apparently in alto-relievo) upon a gold ground. The sides of the apartment are covered with rich crimson silk damask, and are surmounted by a gilded cornice handsomely carved. The mantel-piece is composed of white and colored marble, and encompasses an antique fire grate of silver and burnished steel. Upon the shelf is Medusa's head in white marble, by Nollekens, copied from a fine antique in the Rodoni palace at Rome ; on either side of it are two glass stands of silvered flowers ; and at the ends are figures, three feet high, in white marble, of Venus Bel Fesse, and Apollo; the latter, by Giuseppe Claus, being a copy from the beautiful statue at the Grand Duke's Palace, on the Trinita di Monte, at Rome. PAINTINGS. 315. Venus, Cupid, Ceres, and Bacchus . . N. de Ruyter. 316. A Noble Venetian .. Sofonisba Angosciola. This is a most excellent picture. The painter of it, a female artist of considerable merit, and highly praised by Vasari, was invited by PhiUp II. to Madrid to take the likenesses of the Royal Family. 317. St. Peter denying Christ . . . . Caravaggio. 318. Resurrection of Lazarus .. Gimignani. 319. Adam and Eve . . . . Lodovieo Caracci. This beautiful picture, so exquisite both in color and expression, has recently been added to the coDection at Burghley. 320. Rebekah at the Well . . . . Veronese. BURGHLEY HOUSE. 229 321. Winter . . . . . . Mola. 322. Christ bearing the Cross . . C. Maratti. 323. The Wise Men's Offering . . . . Gimignani. 324. Flower Piece . . . . Riccio. 325. Head of Joseph .. .. Raffaelle. 326. Battle Piece . . . . Borgognone. 327. Head of the Virgin . . Rafaelle. 328. Pope Gregory the Great, fine . . Andrea Sacchi. St. Gregory, descended from an ancient and illustrious Roman family, was born at Rome about the year 544. In 573, he was made prefect of that city by Justin the younger ; which appointment he soon afterwards resigned, and retired to a monastery. He succeeded Pelagius II. in the popedom, in the year 590 ; and filled this exalted office with consummate ability and moderation, until his death, March ] 2th, 604. It was by the direction of St. Gregory that St. Augustin proceeded with other missionaries to England, to convert the Saxons to Christianity. 329. Flower Piece . . . . . . Riccio. 330. Head . . . . . . . . Guido. 331. Battle Piece .. .. .. Borgognone. 332. Head . . . . . . . . Chiido. 333. A Lady . . . . C. Janssen. 334. Our Saviour in the Garden of Gethsemane C. Maratti. 335. Vision of St. Bruno .. .. Mola. 336. Judith with the Head of Holofernes Elisabetta Sirani. 337. Adoration of the Shepherds . . . . Floris. 338. Portrait of a Spaniard . . . . Vandyck. 339. Our Saviour crowned with Thorns . . Trevisani. 340. Assumption of the Virgin . . . . N. Poussin. 230 BURGHLEY HOUSE. 341. Sleeping Venus . . . . N. de Ruyter. 342. Landscape . . . . Salvatore Rosa. 343. Landscape . . . . . . Antonio Sestri. The toilet-table of this room (which was the dressing apart- ment of her present Majesty during her visit to Burghley, in 1844,) is of the most beautiful and magnificent description, presenting, upon state occasions, a rich display of silver-gilt plate. Various articles of worth and beauty are also displayed in different parts of the room, consisting of a modern clock in Sevre china, — a dejeuner set of old Dresden china, — an exquisite model of a ship, formed by the shell of a nautilus, — a copy of the Portland Vase, — a pagoda in mother of pearl, — costly china and Herculaneum Vases &c. Upon a table of white and colored marble, which stands before the window, is painted a representation of " The Five Senses." On either side of the fire-place, are elegant gilt fire-screens ; which, with a gilt-framed sofa and chairs, covered with needle- work, — marquetry tables, — crimson damask curtains &c., — complete the furniture of the apartment. Upon a marble stand in the window-recess are two porphyry urns, and a marble group representing children supporting a fish on their shoulders. The visiter thence proceeds to — THE GEEAT DEAWING EOOM, OE FOUETH GEOEGE EOOM (21), "Which is 31 ft. 6 in. long by 24 ft. wide, and is the central apartment on the south side of the mansion. The wainscot is of rich Norway oak, surmounted by a gilded cornice pro- fusely carved. BURGHLEY HOUSE. 231 The ceiling, painted by Verrio, contains a representation of the feast of the gods in celebration of the nuptials of Jupiter and Juno. In the centre is the festive table ; at the head of which are seated the two deities above named, and at the sides of it, Pluto, Proserpine, Neptune, Amphitrite, Cupid, and Psyche. At the bottom are two Cupids holding doves ; whilst Mercury is seen flying to Jupiter with a paper, on which is the inscription, — "Fit totum Fabula ccelum ;" Minerva and Mars are in attendance, Ganymede is presenting the cup, and Flora is receiving refreshments from a Cupid. Beyond are, — Bacchus busily engaged in pouring out wine. Bacchanalians carousing, Ceres, and the Nereides. Near them is the figure of Plenty, seated with cornucopias, from which are issuing bread, fish, and fowl. Near the window are seen Cyclops and others carrying viands, and female attendants strewing flowers. At the base of the ceiling is represented a gallery with a gilt railing, at the four corners of which are, fruit, flowers, fowl, and fish. The centre of each side is embellished with a set of gold plate, against which is a purple velvet cloth fringed with gold, hanging from the rails. At one corner, and without the rails, are Apollo and the Nine Muses ; the former holds in his hand a scroll, on which are inscribed the words : — " Sterilem sperando nutrit Amorem." The chimney-piece is of white marble, inlaid with Scotch granite, and is ornamented in the centre with a medallion, of which the subject is "Danae in the Golden Shower." The grate is similar to that which has been described in the last apartment, and is furnished with a very curious set of fire-irons, and pair of bellows mounted in silver. Upon the mantel- piece is a figure of Apollo in bronze ; also four figures carved in box- wood, brought from Palermo, each 14 in. high, supposed to be CatiUne, Lucretia, Cleopatra, and 232 BURGHLEY HOUSE. Cicero ; and two pair of handsome red and white china jars. Upon mahogany pedestals on either side of the fire- place are bronze groups of " Laocoon and his Sons squeezed by the Serpents," and "The infant Hercules strangling the Snake." Laocoon, having endeavoured to dissuade the Trojans from bringing vrithin their walls the great wooden horse, which the Greeks had built and consecrated to Minerva, and having even presumed to hurl a javelin at the side of it as it entered the city, was, with his two sons, squeezed to death by serpents. Juno, being jealous of Hercules, sent two large snakes, before he was a year old, to devour him. By no means terrified, Hercules boldly seized them, one in either hand, and destroyed them. Opposite to the window, and on pedestals similar to the above, are marble busts of John, fifth Earl of Exeter, and his Countess, executed by Monnot. PAINTINGS. 344. Our Saviour giving the Keys to St. Peter . . Bellini. 345. Holy Family .. .. .. A.delSarto. 346. Envy plucking the "Wings of Youth . . Pietro Vecchia. 347. Prodigal's Return . . . . . . Bassan. 348. Boys Dancing (2ft. 9 in. by 1 ft. 9 in.) . . Parmigiano. This picture is highly deserving of admiration. 349. St. James . . . . . . Spagnoletto. 350. St. Peter . . . . Domenichino. 35 1 . Gathering Manna in the Wilderness . . Bassan. " A rich, carefully-executed, very well colored picture." — Waagen. 352. Holy Family . . Jacopo Vecchio Palma. 353. Jacob receiving the Bloody Coat of his Son Joseph Guercino. *' Very carefully executed, and remarkably clear in the coloring." Waagen. BURGHLEY HOUSE. 233 354. Francisco Baglione, Confessor to the House of Parma . . Schidoni. 355. Joseph . . • • Guercino. 356. Mary Magdalene . . Baroccio. 357. Coriolanus and the Roman Matrons . . Beccafumi. See picture (86). 358. Adoration of the Shepherds .. Caravaggio, 359. St. Andrew . . . . • . Vomenichino. 360. St. Jerome . . . . . . • • Guido. See picture (137). 361. St. James .. .. Veronese. 362. St. Sebastian . . . . . • Albano. Vide supra, page 219. 363. Landscape . . . . Claude Lorraine. The coloring of this picture, and its fellow (366), is particularly good. 364. Virgin Reading . . . . . . Garofalo. 365. St. Matthew . . . . . . . . Guido. 366. Landscape . . . . Claude Lorraine. 367. Virgin and Child . . Lionardo da Vinci. 368. St. Augustin . . . . . . Veronese. Amongst the numerous articles of vertu in this apartment are two fine Vases of old Delft, standing upon mosaic marble tables near the window. These Vases, the handles of which are formed of twisted snakes, are embeUished with subjects taken from Tasso's Jerusalem Delivered.^ A smaller Vase, similar ^ The designs for these paintings are said to have been furnished by Raffaelle. A story is told of that artist, for the accuracy of which, however, we do not pretend entirely to vouch, that the designs in question were given by him to a potter with whom he resided, (and upon whose daughter, it is further stated, he had bestowed his aflfections,) who forthwith trans- mitted them to the clay. 234 BURGHLEY HOUSE. to the above, is placed under a stand at the side of the room. Upon a green marble slab (Verde Antico), supported by the same stand, are a clock, inkstand, and pair of candelabra of French china and ormolu. In the centre of the room is a massive marquetry table, having legs of curious w^orkmanship, and bearing a cabinet of filigree silver under a glass shade ; and upon an inlaid marble Pietra Dura table, of Florentine workmanship, opposite to the w^indow, are exhibited, — a statue of the Empress Livia,i and two rare Chelsea china jars. Upon the floor are sixteen china jars &c. of various sizes, and two antique urns, in white marble, ornamented in basso-relievo, each a foot square : one of the latter, when first discovered, was found to contain ashes of the dead ; upon the other, which has not been opened, are inscribed the words, " OSSA. QVITELLI. QA. L,. ARETIS." Upon marble slabs in the window-recesses are placed the following devices : — two sleeping boys in white marble, by Monnot, — a gladiator in bronze, — an antique in marble, representing a boy and rabbit, — a marble bust, — and a lion, found at Ostia, in 1725. Between the windows is a Roman urn, of alabaster Peccorella, dug up in a vineyard near the Porto Salerno, at Rome ; and a Cupid and Dove : the latter stands on a white marble altar about two feet high, which was found in Adrian's villa, near Rome, in 1630, having upon it the following inscription, — " d.m. qvintiae satvrninae g. VALERIVS TERMINALIS CONIVG SVAE CARISSIMAE. FF." The window curtains of this apartment are of crimson damask ; and a handsome screen, footstool, chairs, &c., complete the list of its costly appointments. The visiter 1 Wife of Tiberius Claudius Nero, and mother of Tiberius, Emperor of Rome. She is supposed to have hastened the end of Augustus (her second husband), in order to procure her son's more speedy succession to the throne. She died A.D. 29, in the eighty-sixth year of her age. BURGHLKY HOUSE. 235 now enters the last of the present suite of rooms, called — THE FIFTH GEOEGE EOOM (22), Which measures 39 ft. by 27 ft., and is 24 ft. high ; and which was used as a breakfasting apartment on the occasion of the Royal visit, to which we have so frequently alluded. The ceiling and walls, painted by Verrio, and considered to be the best productions of his pencil, present a series of subjects taken from heathen mythology. In the centre of the former are Jupiter and Juno, with the Zodiac over their heads. Below them are — Ganymede, the Eagle, and Peacock ; Cybele, with the turret on her head, drawn by lions, and attended by the Corybantes ; and Ceres drawn by dragons. To the right, Minerva is seen resting on her shield ; and in various parts of the ceiling are depicted, Bacchus crowned with the vine leaf, and Ariadne with the seven stars, Apollo, Diana, Hercules, Castor and Pollux, the Goddess of Sleep, Fame with her trumpet, &c. On the west side. Mars and Venus are represented as caught in a net by Vulcan, who is attended by Envy : the God of Sleep is strewing poppies on the head of Mars ; Mercury is descending towards them ; and Time and Janus, Cyclops, &c., are looking on. Towards the north, the Graces appear to be spectators of the scene ; beyond is a nymph, who is taking a sketch of it ; whilst Husbandmen are standing and laughing from between the pillars. In the background is the sea, from which Neptune has just disembarked with his attendants ; and Bacchus is bestriding a barrel on the shore. The east side exhibits Vulcan at his forge, Cyclops working near him. A striking figure in this group is said to have been intended by the artist as a representation of himself. 23G BURGHLEY HOUSE. Over each of the doors in the apartment is a uiedalUon in clara ohscura ; the subject of that on the east side is " Jupiter and Semele." See picture (255). The chief articles of curiosity &c. in this room are, — a splendid ebony and tortoise-shell cabinet, the front and interior of which are richly painted by Rubens and his pupils, a fine collection of old china being displayed upon its summit ; — four other inlaid and Japan cabinets ; — two immense blue and white china jars, nearly four feet high, having gilt tops ; — and an ottoman embroidered in silk. Upon a pedestal between the windows is a marble bust of the Hon. William Cecil, brother to John, sixth Earl of Exeter ; and on pedestals at the extremities of the room are also busts of Dr. "Willis and Sawrey Gilpin ; — the former of whom was for many years physician to King George III.; and the latter, an artist, born in 1733, was a descendant of Bernard Gilpin, the eminent English divine, who was known by the title of " The Apostle of the North." On marble slabs in the window recesses are placed — a model of English sheep, under a glass shade, — two bronze busts, — and an antique circular urn of white marble, ornamented with sea- horses &c. in alto relievo. The visiter is now conducted to the — GEAKD STAIECASE (23), The walls and ceiling of which, resembling in their decoration those of the apartment just described, form perhaps the most striking piece of embellishment which has hitherto been presented to his view. The ceiling, executed by Verrio, purports to be a repre- sentation of the poetical Tartarus of the ancients ; exhibiting the various scenes, which heathen mythology describes as BURGHLEY HOUSE. 237 being enacted in the shades below. In the centre of it is seated Minos, the chief judge of the infernal regions ; Rhadamanthus and iEacus, the other two judges, being placed, one on either side of him. Below them is Death, holding a scythe and mask, and crowned with cypress ; still lower, Pluto is represented carrying off Proserpine in his chariot drawn by four horses ; and beyond are the Three Parcse, or Fates. At the base are the Danaides pouring water into the bottomless tub, whilst Envy is tormenting them. To the right is Ixion on his wheel ; next to him, Prometheus, with the vulture gnawing his side ; then, Laocoon and his Sons ; Scylla and Charybdis ; Erisichthon devouring his own flesh ; Tantalus tormented with hunger and thirst ; Sisyphus rolling the stone ; and Hecate drawn by hinds. Immediately to the right of the judges are the Eumenides, or Furies, bringing up kings to receive sentence from the infernal throne ; and to the left are, — Dido, upon the funeral pile ; Cleopatra, with the asp ; Lucretia, plunging the dagger into her breast ; and Medea, with her wand and book. In another part of the ceiling is represented the mouth of Tartarus ; at the entrance to which is Theseus tied to a stone, and Hercules in the act of rescuing him. A brief account of the principal characters above mentioned will serve more clearly to explain the subject to the reader. Minos, Rhadamanthus,and^acus, were so celebrated for their justice and impartiality upon earth, that they were supposed, after death, to have been constituted judges of the infernal regions. — Pluto, being unable to prevail upon any of the goddesses to share his throne, carried off Proserpine by force from the plains of SicQy, and married her ; whereupon Ceres, her mother, disconsolate at the loss which she had sustained, entreated the intercession of Jupiter, who decreed that Proserpine should spend one half of the year with Pluto, and the other half upon earth. — The three Fates, Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos, were supposed to direct the destinies of mankind, a distinct office being assigned to each ; Clotho, the youngest of the sisters, presided over man at his birth, and is usually represented with a distaff in her hand ; Lachesis spun out the course and 238 BURGHLEY HOUSE. order of his existence ; and Atropos, the eldest, cut asunder the thread of human life. — Danaus, king of Argos, being warned by the oracle that he should perish by the hands of one of his sons-in-law, endeavoured to pre- vail upon his fifty daughters, the Danaides, to slay their respective husbands ; all of them, with the exception of Hypermnestra, obeyed his directions; and as a punishment for their crime, they were doomed to fill with water a tub full of holes ; having a task thereby assigned to them, which was of endless duration. — Ixion, for insulting Juno, was condemned by Jupiter to be tied to a wheel, which, being ever in motion, consigned him to eternal punishment. — Prometheus, having stolen fire from heaven, was chained to a rock on Mount Caucasus, where a vulture fed perpetually upon his liver, which was no sooner devoured than it was renewed again. — The story of Laocoon and his sons has already been noticed.' — ' Scylla being loved by Glaucus, the enchantress Circe, her rival, threw some poison into the waters of the fountain in which she bathed ; and no sooner had the nymph pliihged into it, than the lower part of her body was changed into monsters resembling dogs, who never ceased barking : Scylla was so terrified at this sudden change, that she cast herself into the strait which divides Italy and Sicily, where she was changed into rocks ; which, with the gulf of Charybdis on the opposite shore, (an avaricious woman, transformed into a whirlpool for stealmg the oxen of Hercules,) invariably caused destruction to the unfortunate mariners, who sailed in that direction. — Erisichthon, condemned to be deprived of food for offering insult to Ceres, was at last compelled, by the cravings of appetite, to devour his own fiesh. — Tantalus, king of Lydia, was fabled to have killed his son Pelops, and to have served him up as food to the gods ; in consequence of which, he was tormented with insatiable hunger and thirst ; and although the most delicious viands and refreshing water surrounded him, they invariably receded from his grasp whenever he attempted to taste them. — Sisyphus, having been permitted by Pluto to revisit the earth provided he returned within a given period, violated the condition ; on which account, he was condemned to roll to the top of a hill a large stone, which, each time that it reached the sum- mit, fell back again with violence to the plain. — The fate to which Dido, queen of Carthage, is represented as consigning herself, was occasioned by her faithful devotion to her departed husband Sichaeus ; or, according to the more received account, from the coldness and indifference with which iEneas treated her affection, — that hero abruptly quitting her dominions, upon being sensible of the passion which he had created. — The tragical end of Cleopatra has been before related.^ — Lucretia, a virtuous Roman lady, having been dishonored by Sextus, son of Tarquinius Superbus, and being resolved not to survive the disgrace which she had in vain endeavoured 1 Vide supra, p. 232. 2 Vide supra, p. 192. BURGHLEY HOUSE. 239 to prevent, stabbed herself in the presence of her father and her husband. — Medea, a celebrated magician, daughter of ^etes, king of Colchis, and wife of Jason, murdered her two sons in their father's presence ; and when Jason attempted to punish her for her cruelty, she fled through the air upon a chariot drawn by winged dragons. — Theseus was sentenced by Pluto to be tied to a huge stone in Tartarus for assisting his friend Pirithous to carry off Proserpine : he was rescued by Hercules, when that hero was commissioned to steal thethree-headeddogCerberus from the infernal regions. The walls, which are painted by Stothard,' exhibit the following subjects: — On the west side is a representation of "Orpheus and Eurydice." See picture (230). The north side contains a painting of "Mark Antony and Cleopatra at a Banquet." See page 192. The east side presents an emblematical description of " The Horrors of "War." On the south side is a half-length portrait of Stothard, by himself. The dimensions of the staircase are 44 ft. by 25 ft. ; it contains a double geometrical flight of steps of Ketton stone, erected in 1786, flanked by a handsome bronze balustrade, the whole being supported upon four Doric columns. On the ' This eminent EngUsh artist was born in London, in 1755 : he received his education at a school in Yorkshire, and was afterwards apprenticed to a cahco-printer in Spitalfields. During the time that he served his apprenticeship, he showed a very great taste for the art of painting ; and he soon became fully engaged in providing designs for the booksellers j which he is said to have executed to the number of five thousand. Out of so extensive a collection it is difficult to select any particular specimens : those, however, which maybe more especially noticed, are, " The Pilgrim- age to Canterbury ;" " The Wellington Shield," etched by the artist himself; " The Four Periods of a Sailor's Life;" and "The Flitch of Bacon." To these may be added his illustrations of Milton, Shakspeare, Spenser, Don Quixote, the Pilgrim's Progress, Bell's British Poets, Robinson Crusoe, Rogers' Italy, &c. Stothard died in 1834. 240 BURGHLEY HOUSE. upper landing is a beautiful piece of sculpture, by NoUekens, representing a "Boy and Dolphin." This work of art is formed of the finest statuary marble, highly polished, and stands upon a triangular Corinthian pedestal : it was copied from an antique in the Barberini palace, at Rome, which was purchased by Catherine II., Empress of Russia, for £300. In one of the window recesses are placed — models of Niobe and her Children, by NoUekens, each two feet high ; — and a bust of the Empress Agrippina. Niobe was the daughter of Tantalus, king of Lydia. She married Amphion, by whom she had several sons and daughters. Having by her insolence provoked Latona, the latter entreated her two children, Apollo and Diana, to avenge her. The sons of Niobe were accordingly destroyed by Apollo, and her daughters by Diana ; and Niobe herself, overwhelmed at her unexpected misfortunes, was changed into a stone. Agrippina, the wife of Domitius, and mother of Nero, was a woman of the most abandoned character. Upon the death of Domitius, she married her uncle Claudius, whom she destroyed in order to hasten her son's succession to the throne. After committing many cruelties, and being guilty of the most unbounded licentiousness, she was put to death by order of Nero, A.D. 59. Upon the first landing is a door, through which the visiter is again ushered into the Great Hall. Near this is an antique, in marble, of which the subject is " Arion on the Dolphin." Arion, a celebrated musician, having amassed considerable wealth in Italy and Sicily, the mariners of the vessel in which he was returning to Corinth, resolved to destroy him, and seize his riches. Finding them inexorable to his entreaties to spare his life, Arion obtained permission to play a brief tune upon his lyre ; and as soon as he had concluded the performance, he threw himself into the sea. The sweetness of his melody having attracted a number of dolphins round the ship, one of them carried him safely on its back to the shores of Achaia, whence he hastened to the court of Periander, king of Corinth, who ordered all the sailors to be crucified on their return home. A bust of Ceres and two other figures, in marble, each of the latter being 2 ft. high, stand upon a marble slab, on the BURGHLEY HOUSE. 241 right hand side of the saloon. Near them is a curious and valuable clock ; and upon a table opposite to the staircase is placed an elegant bronze bust of Queen Elizabeth, 3 ft. 7 in. high. On either side, upon square stone pedestals, are two bronze vases, richly embossed, round the handles of which are entwined snakes : under the table is a sarcophagus of white marble. We now proceed to a description of the suite of apartments, assigned to the private use of the family ; to which strangers are not admitted. They are situated immediately under the George Rooms, which have been just described; the first of them being — THE DINING EOOM (24), Which measures 39 ft. by 26 ft., and is 15 ft. high. The walls are light blue, relieved with gold : the ceiHng, which is decorated with a gilded wreath, beautifully moulded, and displaying the family crest, coronet, and other ornaments, is supported by four elegant fluted Corinthian columns, cor- responding in color with the walls. This, and the adjoining apartments, were altered and embeUished by John, fifth Earl of Exeter, and the ceilings are of that period. The fire-place consists of white and Sienna marble ; the upper part of it rest- ing upon two well-proportioned Ionic columns also of Sienna marble. Each of the six windows is surmounted by a handsomely-carved gilt cornice. This room contains fourteen very fine — PAINTINGS. 369. Still Life . . . . Hubert Van Ravesteyn. This is an exceedingly beautiful picture. 370. Time unveiling Truth (10ft. 6in. by 9ft.) MattiaPreti. a 242 BIJRGHLEY HOUSE. 371. Wise Men's Offering . . . . Giacomo Bassan. 372. A Lady of the House of Parma (19 in. by 15 in.) Schidoni. 373. Landscape, the Figures by A. Caracci . . Paul Bril. 374. A Lady of the House of Parma (19 in. by 15 in.) Schidoni. 375. Dogs and Dead Game . . . . Snyders. 376. Virgin, Child, and Saints . . Andrea Schiavone. 377. A Lady of the House of Parma (19 in. by 15 in.) Scliidoni. 378. Landscape, the Figures by Ostade . . Hohhema. 379. A Lady of the House of Parma (19 in. by 15 in.) Schidoni. 380. Diogenes throwing away his Cup . . Murillo. This celebrated cynic philosopher was born B.C. 420. He distinguished himself early in life by his indignant declamation against wealth and luxury, and his contempt for every thing beyond the necessary means of existence. He is said to have taken up his residence for a long period in a tub ; and amongst other anecdotes related of him, is one of a visit which he received in this singular abode from Alexander the Great, who, upon inquiring if there was any thing wherein he could gratify or assist him, was told, in reply, that he could only oblige him by "getting out of his sunshine." This answer so pleased that hero, that he turned to his attendants, and exclaimed, *' If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes." The cynic is reported to have thrown away his cup, inconsequence of a determination which he had made, from observing a boy drinking water out of the hollow of his hands, that he would no longer carry any superfluities about him. Diogenes attained the advanced age of ninety-six years, having passed the greater part of his life in the utmost misery and destitution. 381. Passage of the Israelites through the Red Sea Benedetto Castiglione. 382. Dead Game . . . - • • Koninck. Upon a massive oak sideboard at one end of this apartment, is usually displayed some of the costly and magnificent gold plate, BURGHLEY HOUSE. 243 which, — comprising an infinite variety of ornamental shields, salvers, epergnes, gold and silver cups &c., of beautiful and elaborate workmanship, — belongs to the establishment at Burghley. Amongst the rest we should not omit to notice five large silver-gilt dishes, which have been received by different owners of Burghley in their capacity of Hereditary Grand Almoner at the coronation of the British Sovereign. They contain the arms of King James II., Queen Anne, George I., and George IV. ; having been presented, respectively, to John, fifth Earl of Exeter, John the sixth Earl (two dishes), and Brownlow, the present Marquis.i A striking object in front of the sideboard is a magnificent oblong silver cistern, (the largest in England,) which weighs 3,400 ounces, and is valued at upwards of ^1,000 ; being nearly 5 ft. in length, nearly 3 ft. wide, and standing upwards of 2^ ft. from the floor. It is handsomely ornamented, and rests upon four Hons' paws. The handles, of solid silver, represent lions rampant, the supporters of the family shield and crest. A smaller cistern, similar to the above, and standing on the sideboard, weighs 656 ounces, and is valued at upwards of ^6200. These cisterns were purchased by Brownlow, eighth Earl of Exeter. On the opposite side of the room is a large marble slab, supported on a carved frame; beneath which are arranged several elegant china jars. Over the mantel-piece and doors are fine specimens of carving, representing birds, fruit, fish, flowers &c. : upon the former also stand — a figure of a boar, in bronze ; two gilt horses ; and a satyr and satyress supporting lights. The chairs, which are of oak reheved with gold, are ornamented with the shield and coronet. This room com- municates with — THE MAEBLE HALL (25), Which is so called from its floor being composed of that > For an account of the manner in which the Earls of Exeter, and thek successors, became entitled to the privilege in question, see note at page 1 13. 244 BURGHLEY HOTJSE. material. It is the central apartment on the south side of the house, and measures 29 ft. by 24 ft. Glass folding-doors open on one side upon the lawn ; above them, on the exterior, is a massive carving, in stone, of the arms of John, fifth Earl of Exeter, impaling Cavendish, enriched with garlands of flowers. Folding-doors on the opposite side of the room open into the corridor. This apartment has a wainscot of oak embellished with gold : from the ceiling, which is richly decorated with carvings of fruit and flowers, is suspended an ormolu lamp : over the fire-place is a beautiful display of oak carvine; by Gibbons. PAINTINGS. 383. Flower Piece .. .. Baptist. 384. Another • . • • • • 385. Frances, Countess of Exeter, (half length) Giovanni B. Medina. Wife of John, the fourth Earl. 386. Pluto, Orpheus, and Eurydice . . Benedetto Gennari. See picture (230). 387. John, Lord Burghley, afterwards Sixth Earl of Exeter, with a Greyhound, (whole length) .. Wissing. The following lines by Prior, the poet, are addressed to the Countess Dowager of Devonshire on this picture. Her Ladyship, it should be observed, was the maternal grandmother of the young nobleman alluded to. " If in dear Burghley 's gen'rous face we see " Obliging truth, and handsome honesty ; " With aU that world of charms which soon will move, " Rev'rence in man, and in the fair ones love : " His ev'ry grace, his fair descent assures, " He has his mother's beauty — she has your's. 388. John, Fifth Earl of Exeter . . Sir P. Lely. Vide supra, p. 139. 389. Anne, Countess of Exeter (half length) .. Ihid. Wife of the last-named Earl. 390. John, Lord Burghley, afterwards Fifth Earl of Exeter ; his brother David, who died young; and Lady BURGHLEY HOUSE. 245 Frances their sister, who afterwards married John, Viscount Scudamore . . D' Agar. Vide supra, p. 138. 391. John, Sixth Earl of Exeter, with his hand upon a Greyhound ; the Hon. Charles Cecil, his brother, wlio died in 1 720 ; and their sister. Lady Elizabeth, who married Charles Boyle, Earl of Cork and Orrery. Agar. Vide supra, p. 142. 392. Lady Anne Cecil . . . . Hudson. Sister to Brownlow, ninth Earl of Exeter. 393. William Cecil, Lord Roos, of Holderness, in a Roman dress and large wig, (half length) . . Sir P. Lely. Tlie only son of William, second Earl of Exeter, by his first wife. A brief notice is given of him pp. 130 — 132. 394. Lady Elizabeth Chaplin . . Hudson. Sister to Brownlow, ninth Earl of Exeter, and wife of Charles Chaplin, of Blankney, in the county of Lincoln, Esq. 395. Field Marshal Arthur, Duke of WelUngton, (three- quarter length) . . Briggs. This original painting by the late artist whose name it bears, was purchased of his executors by Lord Exeter, in 1844. 396. Henry, Tenth Earl, and First Marquis of Exeter Sir M. A. Shee. Vide supra, p. 146. 397. A Duke of Tuscany in armour, about 1690, with one hand upon a Baton, which rests upon a marble pedestal . . . . . . Anon. The dilferent articles of furniture &c. in this apartment are too numerous to be particularly specified. It may be sufficient to observe that they comprise every thing which can possibly contribute either to luxury or comfort. We should not, however, omit to notice a handsomely-carved oak book-case, which has been recently deposited here; also two book-stands, having 246 BURGHLEY HOUSE. marble slabs, and a curious white marble sarcophagus, with the following inscription upon it : — d.m. m. antonio. STATIC. CENTVRIONI. CLASS. PR. MISEN. QVI. VIX. ANN. L. ANTONIA. STATIA. PATRI. PIENTISSIMO. FECIT. Various china jars, eight handsome bronze vases for flowers, &c., are placed in different parts of the room. The next in the present suite of apartments is — THE BED DKAWING BOOM (26), Which is 27ft. square, and is hung with red striped satin taboret. The ceiling is stuccoed and relieved with gold, presenting a variety of devices, consisting for the most part of frmt and flowers, and embellished on each side with the coronet ; from the centre of it hangs an ormolu chandelier for twelve lights. The walls exhibit a rich display of gilt carved work, which, contrasted with the sides of the apartment, produces a very pleasing and beautiful effect. Upon the chimney-piece, which is of white marble, is a fine carving of oak branches, &c. Above it is suspended a magnificent pier-glass, 7 ft. by 4 ft., in a gilt frame elaborately carved ; having been for many years the largest piece of plate glass manufactured in England : at the back of the grate, and on the fender, are the family arms. The carpet corresponds for the most part in pattern and design with the ceiling; between the windows, which are surmounted by gilt semicircular cornices richly carved, are elegant pier glasses, resting upon bookcases with marble slabs ; the latter supporting Sevre china vases of the finest beauty and workmanship, and an ivory vase, in alto-reUevo, of very chaste design. This room contains the following choice — PAINTINGS. 398. Virgin, Child, and Joseph Guercino. BURGHLEY HOUSE. 247 399. Death of Seneca (1 1 ft. by 10 ft.) . . L. Giordano. This celebrated stoic was born at Corduba, or Cordova, in Spain, but received his education at Rome, of which city he was successively appointed questor, praetor, and consul. He was banished by the Emperor Caligula to Corsica, but, on the accession of Claudius, was recalled, and appointed by the Empress Agrippina preceptor to her son Nero. The latter, on suc- ceeding to the imperial throne, for a time appeared to have profited by the valuable lessons which he had imbibed from the philosopher ; it was not long, however, before he threw off the mask, and taking advantage of Piso's conspiracy, to which it was pretended that Seneca was accessory, the Emperor determined to get rid of him, and accordingly sent a message to him, ordering him to destroy himself. The stoic, to whom this mandate was delivered whilst he was at table with his wife Paulina and two of his friends, received it with the utmost composure, and prepared to obey it v\dth the most philosophical indifference. Having been allowed to choose the manner of his death, Seneca had his veins opened ; but as he was advanced in age, and not a little enfeebled by the austerities which he had practised, the blood flowed but slowly. His sufferings, though long-continued and acute, were incapable of subduing his fortitude and eloquence. In this painful extremity, he dictated a discourse to some of his attendants, which, with the animated conversation held in his dying moments with his friends , was dravra up after his death, and preserved among his works. In order to accelerate his end, he drank a dose of poison ; but this failing in its operation, he was put in a warm bath, which only served to prolong his life to a stiU greater extent ; nor was it until he had been carried to a stove, the steam of which quickly had the effect of suffocating him, that he was released from his sufferings. Seneca is represented in the picture as bleeding in the bath ; and the design of the artist appears to have been, to portray the admirable composure and fortitude with which the philosopher regarded his approach- ing dissolution. " The muscles of a spare old man," observes a writer on this painting, " whose life has been in subjection to the principles of the '* most severe philosophy, are very finely and very faithfully expressed. " The painter seems to have taken him, if not at a moment in which life " was ready to vanish, at that at which, by the loss of blood in so old a " subject, reason and sensibility must naturally be about to end. His eyes " seem to sink in his head ; and his approaching dissolution is foretold by " the ghastly darkness which appears to lower over his whole face. Like " a stoic and a philosopher, however, he dictates to the last, and enforces " his doctrines with his hand, when it is evident he has scarcely strength to " support his body. But his pupils, who zealously kneel by him, are all " attention ; and, while their eyes swell with tears, their grief conveys the " idea of that infirmity, which their more rigid master spurns with disdain." The introduction into the scene of the little dog in the foreground of the 248 BURGHLEY HOUSE. picture, has given rise to much criticism, and even censure. On this point, the writer of the above remarks goes on to observe, — " WhUe the artist " has done all possible justice to the piece, in his fine and affecting descrip- " tion of the philosopher and his pupils, he intended by this stroke, no " doubt, a tacit satire upon the error of human wit, as well as upon the " doctrine of human pride. Spectators, therefore, must be greatly deceived " if they imagine any expression in this animal but that which is of the " true stoical and insensible kind. The dog is beholding the philosopher " expire with the same unconcern with which the philosopher would have " seen the dog : and, without reason either to quicken or subdue his feel- "ings, is just as profound a stoic himself." The death of Seneca took place A.D. 65, in the sLxty-fifth year of his age. Louis XVI. is said to have offered the ninth Earl of Exeter 6000 pistoles for this picture. 400. Diana and Acteeon . . . . L. Giordano. Vide supra, p. 206. 401. Marcus Curtius leaping into the Gulf (9 ft. by 6 ft.) L. Giordano. See picture (88). 402. Jupiter and Europa . . . . L. Giordano. Europa, the daughter of Agenor, king of Phoenicia, celebrated for her beauty, was beloved by Jupiter, who, in order to deceive her, changed himself into a bull, and mingled with the herds of Agenor, during the time that Europa, surrounded by her attendants, was gathering flowers in the meadows. Europa caressed the animal, and even ventured to sit upon his back, upon which the god precipitately retreated with her across the sea to the island of Crete, where he resumed his original shape, and declared his passion. Europa subsequently became the mother of Minos, Sarpedon, and Rhadamanthus. 403. Holy Family . . B. Gennari. There is a duplicate of this picture by the same artist in the collection at Blenheim. On either side of the fire-place are handsome buhl tables, upon which are placed cabinets of gold and silver filigree-work, richly-ornamented, under glass shades. Near them are two large fire screens, one painted by Miss Chudley, Maid of Honor to the Princess Dowager of Wales, and afterwards Duchess of Kingston ; — the other by an artist unknown. A very beauti- BURGHLEY HOUSE. 249 ful clock, which is said to have belonged to Louis XIV., forms a striking ornament in the apartment : this and the large silver buhl cabinet opposite to it were the property of the late Lady Willoughby D'Eresby, of Grimsthorpe Castle, and were purchased at her death. On a table in the room is a miniature, set in gold, of Catherine, Empress of Russia, by an unknown artist : it was given by the Empress, in the year 1787, to Lord St. Helens, at that time Ambassador at the Russian court, who presented it to Henry, first Marquis of Exeter, in 1795. Catherine II., Empress of Russia, was daughter of Christian Augustus of Anhalt-Zerbst, in upper Saxony. At the age of fourteen, she married the Duke of Holstein, afterwards Peter III., a man of the most feeble and imbecile mind, who, shortly after succeeding to the throne of Russia, was deposed by the intrigues of his ambitious consort. Although in private life a woman of indifferent and even dissolute character, Catherine displayed great wisdom and foresight in managing the affairs of the state, and it was chiefly owing to the judicious and salutary measures which she adopted, that she ensured the stability of her government. The patronage also which she afforded to genius and literature is a redeeming feature in her character. For ten years she carried on hostilities with the Turks ; and afterwards engaged in war with the Swedes. The bloody capture of Ismael, and the partition of Poland, have attached an indelible stain to the memory of this Empress. She died suddenly of an apoplectic fit, November 10th, 1797, and was succeeded by her son Paul. Inoculation was introduced into Russia by Catherine, who, in order to recommend it to her subjects, is said to have undergone the operation in the first instance herself, and to have most liberally rewarded the English surgeons who performed it. Tripods, china vases, tables, sofas, and various articles of beauty, vertu, and luxury, abound in this apartment ; ad- jacent to which is — THE BLUE DEAWING EOOM (27), Which is 23 ft. square, and is hung with blue striped silk taboret. The ceiling is ornamented vrith gilded mouldings, having at the corners the arms, alternately, of John the fifth 250 BURGHLEY HOUSE. Earl of Exeter, and his Countess, surmounted by the coronet ; and from the centre is suspended a most elegant ormolu chandelier. The carpet, as in the preceding apartment, corresponds in pattern with the ceiling, the Cecil arms being worked at each corner. Over the mantel-piece, of white marble, is suspended a superb looking glass in a handsomely-carved gilt frame. A most valuable collection of china is contained in this room : amongst other parts of it may be noticed two pair of Turquoise blue china vases, and several very rare and handsome jars. Between the windows is an elegant pier-glass, and in a recess before one of them is a device in bronze representing a lion devouring a horse. This apartment, which is the private sitting room, or boudoir, of the Marchioness of Exeter, is fitted up with every article of comfort and elegance that can well be imagined, consisting of handsome buhl tables, cabinets, book-shelves, flower-stands, &c. ; whilst the view which it commands of the ornamental piece of water in the park, and the rising ground beyond covered with rich foliage, imparts to it an aspect unusually charming and delightful. PAINTINGS. 404. Magdalene . . . . . . C. Maratti. 405. Holy Family . . , . Lodovico Caracci. 406. Holy Family, with the Spirit of Justice Francesco Francia. This is a very fine picture : the head of the Saviour particularly good. 407. Holy Family . . . . Parmigiano. 408. Virgin and Child . . . . . . Titian. This is also a very fine picture. 409. Good Samaritan . . . . . . Bassan. 410. Magdalene . . . . Lorenzo Pasinelli. BURGHLEY HOUSE. 251 411. Jesus and the Woman of Samaria Giulio Romano. 412. Holy Family .. Ridolji Ghirlandajo. 413. Rebekah at the Well .. Agostino Caracci. 414. Our Saviour appearing to Mary Magdalene after his Resurrection ■ • . . C. Maralti. Jesus saith unto her, " Touch me not ; for I am not yet ascended to my ** Father : but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my " Father, and your Father ; and to my God, and your God." John xx. 17. 415. Entombment of Christ .. Giacomo Tintoretto. This picture should be particularly noticed, being one of the finest in the whole collection. 416. Death of Joseph, the husband of the Virgin Mary Carlo Cignani. 417. Adoration of the Shepherds . . . . C. Loti. 418. Virgin, Child, St. Joseph, St. Catherine and Angel Jacopo Vecchio Palma. 419. Virgin Mary and the dead body of our Saviour C. Maratti. 420. Sibyl .. .. .. .. Guido. 421. Marriage of St. Catherine (4 ft. by 3 ft. 5 in.) Schiavone. 422. Portrait of Lady Mary Cecil, eldest daughter of the present Marquis of Exeter, at the age of four years Miss Scott. 423. The Right Hon. Lord St. Helens, an elegant enamel by . . . . . . H. P. Bone. This nobleman was the fourth son of William Fitzherbert, Esquire, of Tissington, in the county of Derby. He was educated at Eton and Cam- bridge, and gave an early indication of talent by carrying off the first classical medal at the latter place in 1 7 74 . Upon leaving the University, he travelled in France and Italy, and having on his return home entered into the diplomatic profession, he was appointed Ambassador of this country at Brussels in 1777. He resided at that court tiU August, 1782, when he was sent to Paris as sole Plenipotentiary for negotiating a peace with the 252 BURGHLEY HOUSE. crowns of France and Spain, and the States General of the United Provinces ; which arduous and important work he had the happiness to accomplish by the conclusion of the several preliminary treaties with those powers, which were signed at Versailles in 1783. He also took a leading share in nego- tiating the peace with America, which was concluded at Paris at the same period. In August, 1783, he was appointed Envoy Extraordinary to Catherine II., Empress of Russia, whom he accompanied in 1787 on her memorable tour to the Crimea. At the close of the same year he re- turned to England, was created a Privy Counsellor, and appointed Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. In the spring of 1 789 he resigned that office, and was sent as his Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary to the Hague ; and in May, 1790, he repaired to Madrid, invested with the rank of Ambassador Extraordinary, and armed with the necessary powers for accommodating the differences which had arisen at that period between Great Britain and Spain, respecting the right of British subjects to trade at Nootka Sound, and to carry on the southern whale fishery. These disputes were amicably adjusted by the Convention of the Escurial (signed in October, 1790), which was highly approved of by the King and both Houses of Parliament ; and his Majesty was then pleased, as a recompense for his diplomatic services, to create the subject of the present notice an Irish Peer, with the title of Baron St. Helens. In 1793 he concluded a treaty of alliance between the crowns of England and Spain, but the climate of the latter country disagreeing with his health, he quitted it at the beginning of 1797, and was appointed Ambassador at the Hague, where he remained till the ensuing winter, when the legitimate Government of the Dutch Republic was overturned by the invasion of the French. The latest foreign mission of Lord St. Helens was to St. Petersburgh, whither he was sent as Ambassador in May 1801, to congratulate the Emperor Alexander on his accession to the throne of Russia ; and to propose terms for accommodating the differences which had arisen between Great Britain and the three Baltic Powers towards the close of the reign of the Emperor Paul, and which had occasioned the attack on Copenhagen, and other mutual hostihties. This negotiation he happily brought to a conclusion within the short period of a fortnight after his arrival in Russia, by the signature of the convention of St. Petersburgh on the 17th June, 1801. Addresses to his Majesty, approving this convention, were voted by both Houses of Parhament, and immediately after its signature Lord St. Helens was promoted to a peerage of the United Kingdom by the title of Baron St. Helens of the Isle of Wight. In September, 1801, he attended the coronation of the Emperor Alexander, at Moscow, where he signed a treaty with the Danish Plenipotentiary, in virtue of which the crown of Denmark became an acceding party to the convention of St. Petersburgh. He also concluded in March, 1802, a similar treaty with the Plenipotentiary of the crown of Sweden ; and having thus accomplished all the objects of BURGHLEY HOUSE. 253 his mission to Russia, he returned to England in the autumn of the same year. In 1803 he was appointed one of the Lords of his Majesty's Bed- chamber, which office he continued to hold till 1830. The remaining years of his life were spent in an honorable retirement, cheered by the society of the numerous friends whom he attracted to the last by the charms of his conversation, the unimpaired vigour of his mind, and the unaffected sincerity of his heart. This nobleman united, in a remarkable degree, the quaUfications of a man of the world, a man of business, a scholar, and a philosopher. Although enjoying the confidence and favor of kings, he yet succeeded in preserving his independence. He had the welfare of his country at heart, and in that profession to which the more active portion of lais life was devoted, he was not surpassed by any of his contemporaries, whether as regards abihty, good faith, or success. His Lordship, who, as we have elsewhere observed, was one of the guardians of the present Marquis of Exeter, died in the year 1839. 424. Field Marshal, Arthur, Duke of Wellington, enamel by . . . . H. P. Bone. 425. Jesus and the Woman of Samaria . . C. Maratti. Beyond this is — THE GEEEN DEESSING EOOM (28), Which measures 19 ft. 8 in. by 17 ft. 9 in., and is hung with green cut velvet. This apartment contains one of the finest collection of Cabinet pictures to be found in any single room of a similar description in England ; as will appear from the following list of — PAINTINGS. 426. Virgin and Child . . Guido. 427. Adoration of the Shepherds .. .. Appolonio. 428. Holy Family . . . . . . Parmigiano. 429. Landscape .. .. .. Gaspar Poussin. 254 BURGHLEY HOUSE. 430. The Tribute Money . . . . Biepenbeck. 431. Charles V. doing Penance . . . . A. Sacchi. Charles V., eldest son of Philip, Archduke of Austria, was bom 25th February, 1500. He was proclaimed king of Spain in 1516, and, two years afterwards, elected Emperor of Germany. His elevation to the imperial throne was disputed by Francis I. of France, who aspired to the same dignity, and a fierce contest ensued between the two monarchs; which ended in Francis being compelled to agree to terms of peace. Charles endeavoured to oppose the dissemination of the reformed religion, but was ultimately obliged to sign the treaty of Passau in 1552, whereby liberty of conscience was accorded to the oppressed Protestants of Germany. At length, dissatisfied with the world, and convinced of the vanity of all human greatness, he formed the resolution of abdicating the imperial throne ; and, having placed the crown on the head of his brother Ferdinand, and appointed his son Philip his successor as king of Spain, he retired to the privacy of the cloister, 25th October, 1555 ; where he died, September 22d, 1558. 432. Virgin in Agony (cop.) from Raffaelle . . C. Maratti. 433. Angels appearing to the Shepherds . . Tempesta. 434. Joseph and Christ . . . . F. Baroccio. 435. Carlo Dolci's Daughter (21 in. by 16 in.) Carlo JDolci. 436. The Nativity (cop.)— (7 in. by 5 in.) . . Ibid. 437. Perspective View of the Interior of a Chapel Steenwyck. 438. Virgin and Child (cop.) . . . . F. Lauri. 439. Assumption of the Virgin . . A. Caracci. 440. The Nativity . . Tempesta. 441. Our Saviour bearing the Cross . . A. Sacchi. 442. Holy Family . . Schidoni. 443. Landscape . . . . . . G. Poussin. 444. Joseph, Virgin, and Bambino. . G.Andrea de Ferrari. 445. Mary Magdalene and the other Pious Women at the Sepulchre of our Lord . . E. le Sueur. BURGHLEY HOUSE. 255 446. Virgin . . . . . . Sassoferrato. 447. Adoration of the Magi . . . . Carlo Bold. 448. Tribute Money, in two colors . . G. Muziano. " Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and ' cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up ; and when thou ' hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money : that take, and ' give unto them for me and thee." Matt. xvii. 27. 449. Last Supper . . . . . . A. Sacchi. 450. Virgin, Jesus, and St. John . . Domenichino. 451. Virgin and Child .. .. •• Titian. 452. The Nativity . . . . . . Henrr/ de Bles. This small, but beautiful picture, is attributed by Dr. Waagen to Albert Durer. 453. Marriage in Cana of Galilee . . A. Sacchi. 454. Angel's Head . . . . .. C. Maratti. 455. Assumption of the Virgin . . Domenichino. 456. Magdalene in the Desert, copied from Coreggio (cop.) (15 in. by 11 in.) .. .. Raffaellino. 457. Virgin adoring our Saviour . . F. Barocdo. 458. Illustration of the Parable of "The Labourers in the Vineyard" . . . . . . JDomenico Feti, 459. Holy Family .. .. Sebastian Bofurdon. 460. Our Saviour's Charge to St. Peter . . Jacopo Vecchio Falma. 461. Holy Family .. .. V. Castelli. 462. Adoration of the Shepherds . . G. Andr. de Ferrari. 463. The Nativity (cop.) . . . . Vandyck. 464. Mary Magdalene anointing the Feet of our Saviour E. le Sueur. The mantel-piece of this apartment is of white and colored marble : in the centre of it is a medallion, in white marble, of 256 BURGHLEY HOUSE. which the subject is "The Piping Shepherd"; and upon the shelf above it is a collection of Dresden china, and a figure of Time, holding a miniature of Hannah Sophia Chambers, Countess of Brownlow, eighth Earl of Exeter. The glass and dressing table are of massive mahogany, each being embellished with the family arms. Upon an India cabinet in the apartment is displayed an assortment of rich china and other articles of curiosity: over the doors and fire-place are also beautiful specimens of carving in oak. Beyond this room is a small apartment denominated — THE JAPAN CLOSET (29), Situated in the south-western angle of the mansion, and measuring 10 ft. on either side : it is hung with green cut velvet, and has a handsome ceiling. It contains the foUovring — PAINTINGS. 465. Virgin, Dead Body of our Saviour, and Angels Van Remee. 466. Virgin, Dead Body of our Saviour, Mary Magdalene, &c. (cop.) . . . . . . Romanelli. 467. Martyrdom of St. Stephen (cop.) . . F. Lauri. 468. St. Peter walking on the Sea to go to Jesus G. Lanfranco. 469. Madame de la Valliere . . . . Anon. See picture (108). 470. Martyrdom of St. Laurence . . F. Lauri. This saint, by birth a Spaniard, and treasurer of the church of Rome, was deacon to Sixtus the pope, about the year 259. He was put to death by the pagans on account of his rehgion, on which occasion he endured the sufferings to which he was exposed with the most extraordinary fortitude and heroism. Whilst he was laid upon a gridiron, and broiled over a fire. BURGHLEV HOUSE. 257 in conformity with his sentence, he had the courage to assure his persecutors that " he was rather comforted than tormented;" bidding them at the same time "turn him on the other side, for that was broiled enough." His memory was held so sacred, that a temple was erected to his honor by Pulcheria, Empress of Rome, which was considerably enlarged by Justinian. 471. Holy Family .. .. .. C. Maratti. 472. Landscape and Figures . . Vander Meulen. 473. Landscape . . . . . . Roland Savery. 474. Virgin and Child . . . . Mrs. Ferelst. 475. Roman Ruins . . . . . . Paul Bril. 476. Landscape and Figures .. Vander Meulen. A77. Pigeons . . . . . . Koninck. 478. Water . . . . . . John Breughel. 479. Madame de Maintenon, a copy from Le Brun. Frances d'Aubigne, Madame de Maintenon, descended from a noble, but reduced family, in France, was born, November 27th, 1635. In 1671, she was appointed to superintend the education of the young Duke DeMaine, son of Louis XIV.; by which means she became acquainted with that monarch himself, who was so captivated with her person and manners, that he purchased for her the estate of Maintenon, about ten leagues from Versailles, whence she derived her title. He afterwards privately married her, and uniformly treated her with the greatest kindness and affection. An abbey for women of quaUty, called St. Cyr, was founded by this lady, of which she was herself constituted the superior, and for the government of which she provided many wise and wholesome regulations. Upon the death of Louis, in 1715, she retired to the convent in question ; and, satiated with the empty splendor of human distinction, passed her remaining days in peni- tence and devotion. She died April 15th, 1719. 480. St. Sebastian . . . . Carlo Bold. See page 219. 481. Cat and Dead Game .. .. Koninck. 482. Air . . . . . . John Breughel. 483. Earth . . . . . . . . Ibid. 484. Mercury and Venus instructing Cupid Benedetto Luti. R 258 BURGHLEY HOUSE. 485. Approach of Day ., .. .. F. Lauri. 486. Galatsea combing her Hair over a Shell, with Bracelets on her Arms, and Gauze carelessly thrown about her F. Alb am. George II. is said to have had a copy of this picture on his snufF box. 487. Venus and Adonis . . . . F. Lauri. See picture (149). 488. Apollo flaying Marsyas (cop.) . . . . Ibid. See page 217. 489. Deianira and the Centaur . . L. Giordano. See picture (97). 490. Fire . . . . . . John Breughel. 491. Bacchus crowning Ariadne .. B. Luti. See page 206. 492. Jupiter and Juno . . . . . . F. Lauri. 493. Venus rising from the Sea . . C. Gherardi. The goddess of beauty was fabled to have spi-ung from the froth of the sea near the island of Cyprus, whence she derived her name of Aphrodite. 494. Venus, Satyr, and Cupids . . . . F. Lauri. 495. Judgment of Midas .. .. .. Ibid. Midas was son of Gordius or Gorgias, and king of Phrygia. Having hospitably entertained Silenus, the preceptor of Bacchus, he was allowed to choose whatever recompense he pleased. He had the folly to request that every thing which he touched might be turned into gold ; and when his prayer was fulfilled to the letter,- — the very viands, which he attempted to eat, becoming gold in his mouth, — he was compelled to ask the god to take back so injurious a gift ; whereupon he was ordered by Bacchus to wash himself in the river Pactolus, the sands of which, on his touching them, were converted into gold. Some time afterwards, Midas had the imprudence to declare that Pan excelled Apollo in the art of music, on which account the exasperated god changed his ears into those of an ass, for the purpose of showing his ignorance and stupidity. 496. Virgin, Child, and St. John . . . . Parmigiano. BURGHLEY HOUSE. 259 497. Lot and his two Daughters flying from the Destruction of Sodom . . . . . . A. Mantegna. This apartment also contains two glass-cases, or cabinets, filled with miniatures, as follows : — NOETH GLASS-CASE, OK CABINET. 1 . Landscape . . . . . . JD. Van Heil. Three brothers, of the name of the artist above mentioned, were born at Brussels between 1604 and 1610. 2. "Wise Men's Offering . . . . . . Dixon. 3. Landscape .. .. .. D. Fan Heil. 4. Charles II., when a Boy . . . . J. Hoskins. 5. Col. Cavendish . . . . . . Ibid. Second son of WiUiam, second Earl of Devonshire. He fell during the civil wars in the engagement at Gainsborough, July 30th, 1643, aged twenty-three. After an interval of forty years, his body was removed to the family burying-place at Derby. 6. Hon. David Cecil . . . . . . Ibid. He was the son of John, fourth Earl of Exeter, by his first wife, and died young. The date of this portrait is 1644. 7. Justus Lipsius . . . . . . Anon. A learned critic, bom at Iscanum, near Brussels, October 18th, 1547. He was celebrated as a scholar, and courted by the learned and the great ; his manners and deportment, however, were far from prepossessing, and he displayed the most extraordinary inconsistency in his religious opinions. He died March 23d, 1606. An edition of his works, which were very numerous, was published at Antwerp in 1637. 8. Thomas Chambers, Esq. . . . . . . Anon. He was the father of Hannah Sophia, Countess of Brownlow, eighth Earl of Exeter. 9. Robert Cecil, first Earl of Salisbury . . Samuel Cooper. This able statesman, the son of the Lord Treasurer Burghley by liis second wife, was born about the year 1560. At the age of twenty-two, he 260 BTJRGHLEY HOUSE. was elected M.P. for Westminster, and afterwards represented the county of Hertford in several parliaments. Having been knighted by Queen Elizabeth, he was sent as assistant to the Earl of Derby, who was Ambas- sador at the French Court. On his return he was appointed by the above sovereign, in the year 1596, under Secretary of State to Sir Francis Walsingham, after whose decease he continued principal Secretary until the time of his death. In 1597, he was constituted Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and also Lord Privy Seal. In 1598, he was one of the Commissioners sent into France, to negotiate a peace between that crown and Spain ; and in 1599, he succeeded his father, the Lord Treasurer, in the office of Master of the Wards, resigning for the purpose, his situation of Chancellor of the Duchy. He was also advanced, after his father's death, to the high post of Prime Minister, and in this capacity he rendered considerable service to Queen EUzabeth during the latter part of her reign, — by the zeal and success with which he frustrated the designs of her enemies both at home and abroad ; by the ability with which he enabled her to assist her allies the States, which had been ingloriously abandoned by France ; and by putting an end to a dangerous rebellion in Ireland, which had been encouraged by the aid and intrigues of the Spanish crown. On the accession of James I. to the Enghsh throne. Sir Robert Cecil, who had maintained a secret correspondence with that monarch during the last few years of the life of Elizabeth, was immediately received by him into high favor, and continued in his office of Prime Minister. James, indeed, was so highly sensible of his valuable services, that, on the 13th of May, 1603, he created him Baron of Essendon in Rutlandshire ; on the 20th of August in the following year, he was made Viscount Cranbome, of Cran- borne in Dorsetshire; and on the 4th of May, 1605, Earl of Salisbury. About the same time, he was elected Chancellor of the University of Cambridge; and on the 20th of May, 1605, he was installed Knight of the Garter. In the year 1606, he entertained King James, and the King of Denmark, who was then paying a visit to England, for four days at Theobalds, which we have elsewhere mentioned as being the property which he had inherited from his father. On the death of Thomas Sackville, Earl of Dorset, in April, 1608, he was raised to the office of Lord High Treasurer of England ; a post, which he filled with considerable ability ; and the efforts which he made to replenish the exhausted treasury of the country, were attended with great success. The earnest and indefatigable attention of this statesman to his public duties at length subjected him to a consumption of the lungs. Having been for some time in a declining condition, he was attacked, about the beginning of the year 1612, with a tertian ague, which ended in a complication of dropsy and scurvy. Being recommended to repair to Bath for the recovery of his health, he proceeded to that city on the 27th of April, in the above year, having received a visit, BURGHLEY HOUSE. 261 previous to his departure, from the King, who expressed the utmost concern and regard for his unfortunate situation. Failing, however, to derive any benefit from his residence at Bath, he set out to return to London on the 21st of May following, but did not hve to reach the metropolis, as he expired at the house of Mr. Daniel, at Marlborough, on Sunday, the 24th of May, 1612. His remains were conveyed to Hatfield, where they were honorably interred ; and a magnificent monument was afterwards erected to his memory. By his Lady, Elizabeth, daughter of William Brooke, Lord Cobham, the Earl of Salisbury had one son, William, who succeeded him in his honors and dignities ; and a daughter, Frances, who married Henry, Lord CliflFord, son and heir-apparent to Francis, Earl of Cumber- land. The Earl of Salisbury, who inherited much of the talent of the renowned statesman, his father, was undoubtedly the most sufficient and able minister who lived in the time of James I. ; he was possessed of noble endowments of mind and of great attainments ; and was well acquainted with the state and interest of the nation : he was also a person of considerable dexterity and address in the despatch of public business. From this nobleman, as we have elsewhere observed, is descended the younger branch of the Cecil family, the head of which is the present Marquis of Salisbury, K.G.^ 10. Sir Isaac Newton, Knt. . . Lewis Crosse. This celebrated philosopher, one of the greatest men that the world ever produced, was born of a very ancient family at Woolsthorpe, in Lincoln- shire, Dec. 25th, 1642. He received his education at Trinity College, Cambridge ; and to the laborious and indefatigable researches of his mighty intellect mankind are chiefly indebted for the modem discoveries of philo- sophical science. His " Principia," and " Optics," are amongst the most valuable and celebrated of his works. He was knighted by Queen Anne, in 1705, and was also much noticed at the court of George I., the Princess of Wales (afterwards Queen Caroline) always expressing the greatest pleasure in his society and conversation. Sir Isaac was not only endowed with a tran- scendent genius, but he was a pious and devoted Christian ; and some portion of his great mind was applied to an elucidation of the truth of the prophecies of Scripture. He died March 11th, 1727, and was buried in Westminster Abbey, where a stately monument was erected to his memory. 1 1 . Virgin and St. John, in enamel . . Petitot. 12. A Lady in white .. .. G. 8., 17^0. 13. Sibylla Persica . . . . . . Silvia Stern. ' See the note at page 104. 262 BURGHLEY HOUSE. 14. Venus .. .. Macpherson of Florence. 15. Virgin, Child, and St. John, enamel . . Petitof. 16. Letitia, Countess of Exeter .. .. Rocquet. Wife of Brownlow, the ninth Earl, and daughter of Horatio Townshend, Esquire. 17. Virgin, Child, and Joseph, water-color on card . . Anon. 18. Hon. Eohert Boyle, enamel by . . . . Boit. This distinguished philosopher and chemist, seventh son of Richard, Earl of Cork, was born 25th January, 1627. In 1645, he laid the foundation of the Royal Society : he also invented the air-pump ; and besides many works which he published on philosophical subjects, he wrote warmly in defence of the Christian religion. " To Boyle," says a learned writer (Boerhaave), " we owe the secrets of fire, air, water, animals, vegetables, " fossils, so that from his works may be deduced the whole system of " natural knowledge." He died December 30th, 1691. 19. Earl of Essex .. .. .. .. Anon. See picture (216). 20. A Head . . . . . . • • ^non. 21. Brownlow, Eighth Earl of Exeter, enamel . . Zincke. 22. Ohver Cromwell . . . . Samuel Cooper. 23. Hannah Sophia, Countess of Exeter, enamel . . Zincke. Wife of Brownlow, the eighth Earl. 24. Brownlow, Ninth Earl of Exeter, when six years and a half old .. .. .. .- Ihid. Vide supra, p. 145. 25. A Countess of Exeter . . . . . . Anon. 26. Titian .. .. .. -- Miss Stern. 27. Guido .. .. .. .. .- Ibid. 28. Lady Elizabeth Cecil, enamel . . . . Spencer. Daughter of Brownlow, eighth Earl of Exeter, and wife of John Chaplin, of Blankney, in the county of Lincoln, Esq. The date of this miniature is 1758. BURGHLEY HOUSE. 263 29. Madame de Sevigne, enamel . . . . Petitot. This French lady, renowned for her hterary attainments, more especially for her letters, which are considered the finest models of epistolary writings, was born in 1626, and died in 1696. 30. Louis XIV., enamel . . . . . . Petitot. 31. Indolence .. .. .. U. TJrhani. 32. Louisa de Queroualle, Duchess of Portsmouth Samuel Cooper. The well-known mistress of Charles II. She died in 1734. 33. Female Figure (1775) .. .. Giorgione. 34. General Paoli . . . . . . . . Anon. Pascal Paoli was descended from a good family in Corsica. He distin- guished himself by his zeal in behalf of Corsican freedom ; but was unable to contend successfully against the power of France and Genoa ; and when his native island was conquered by the former country, he sought an honor- able exile in England, in the year 1769. 35. Pigeons, from the Mosaic, dug out of Adrian's Villa, at Tivoli . . . . . . Byres. 36. Vertumnus and Pomona . . . . P. Battoni. Vertumnus, a deity among the Romans, having made many unsuccessful attempts to gain the affections of Pomona, the goddess who presided over gardens and the culture of the earth, and having assumed various disguises for the purpose of advancing his cause, at length, under the form of an old woman, prevailed upon the nymph to listen to the addresses of her suitor, and marry him. 37. Anne, Countess of Exeter, enamel . . Petitot. Wife of John, fifth Earl of Exeter, and daughter of the Earl of Devonshire. 38. Venetia-Anastatia Stanley . . . . Anon. She was a lady of extraordinary beauty, daughter of Sir Edward Stanley, of Tonge-castle, Shropshire, and wife of Sir Kenelm Digby, Bart. She died, May 1, 1633. 39. Landscape . . . . . . . . Anon. 40. Virgin . . . . . . . . R. Mangoni. 41. Two Heads, in pencil . . . . . . A. Bosse. 42. Head, enamelled on copper . . . . Anon. 264 BURGHLEY HOUSE. 43. Our Saviour on the Cross, done with a pen . . Voligny. 44. Jupiter and lo, a copy from Coreggio . . Ibid. lo was the daughter of Inachus, and the priestess of Juno at Argos. She was beloved by Jupiter, who, in order to shelter her from the consequent jealousy and resentment of Juno, changed her into a heifer. That goddess, however, being aware of the fraud, set the hundred-eyed Argus to watch the animal ; but Jupiter despatched Mercury to destroy Argus, and to set her at liberty. Juno next sent one of the Furies to persecute lo, who, after wandering over a great part of the earth, at last stopped on the banks of the Nile ; and, at her earnest request, was restored by Jupiter to her original form. lo, having married Telegonus, or, according to some, Osiris, king of Egypt, was worshipped by the inhabitants of that country after her death, under the name of Isis. EAST GLASS-CASE, OE CABINET. 45. Virgin and Child . . . . . . Anon. 46. Venus and Adonis, in water colors, from a design of Titian, very fine . . . . Peter Oliver. See picture (149). The date of this miniature is 1631. 47. Virgin and Child . . . . . . Anon. 48. Elizabeth, Countess of Devonshire, (three-quarter length) a fine miniature on vellum . . Samuel Cooper. Second daughter of William Cecil, second Earl of Salisbury, wife of the third Earl of Devonshire, and mother of Anne, wife of John, fifth Earl of Exeter. She died in 1689. The date of this miniature is 1642. 49. Ernest Augustus, and Sophia, his wife, on ivory Anon. They were the parents of George I., King of England. The former was the first Elector of Hanover; and the latter, the daughter of Elizabeth, who was daughter of James I. 50. Charles Edward Stuart . . . . Anon. Commonly called the young Pretender, being the son of the Pretender James Francis, who was son of James II. He died in 1788. 51. Maria Matilda .. ,. .. Anon. Wife of the above Charles Edward Stuart. BURGHLEY HOUSE. 265 52. Dutch Landscape . . . . . . Anon. 53. John, Fourth Earl of Exeter . . /. Hoskms. Vide supra, p.. 134. The date of this miniature is 1647. 54. Elizabeth, Countess of Exeter J. Hoskins the younger. Wife of David, third Earl of Exeter, and daughter of the Earl of Bridge- water. She is the lady referred to in the first note at page 137. 55. Lady Ann Cecil .. .. ., J. Hoskins. Eldest daughter of the second Earl of Salisbury, and first wife of Algernon, tenth Earl of Northumberland. She died in 1637. The date of this miniature is 1644. 56. Lady Elizabeth Percy . . . . Samuel Cooper. Daughter of Theophilus, second Earl of Suffolk, and second wife of Algernon, tenth Earl of Northumberland. The latter nobleman and his successors, by this alliance, came into possession of Northumberland House, in the Strand, London : that mansion having been originally built by Henry Howard, Earl of Northampton, who gave it to his nephew, Thomas, Earl of Suffolk, from whom it descended to his grand-daughter, the above Lady Elizabeth Percy. She died in 1704, aged ninety-seven. 57. The Man of Sorrows, a sketch . . Anon. 58. A Young Lady and her Brother, with a black Servant Dixon. The date of this miniature is 1668. 59. Guido's Sibyl, a copy by . . Mrs. Huron. The lady by whom this miniature was painted was sister of the celebrated Raphael Mengs. 60. WilUam Cecil, Lord Roos of Holderness . . P. C. See pp. 130-132. The date of this miniature is 1677. 61. Portrait .. .. .. Bu Gnrnier. The subject of this miniature has been generally supposed to be Sir Edward Cecil, Viscount "Wimbledon, mentioned above, page 125. It is more probable, however, that it was the son of the third Earl of Devonshire and brother of Anne, vdfe of the fifth Earl of Exeter. 62. Silvia Stern . . . . . . . . ^^^^^ 63. Ralfaelle .. .. .. Miss Stern. 64. Venus and Cupid . . . . . . Anon. 266 BURGHLEY HOUSE. 65. Small Landscape . . . . . . Anon. 66. Luca Giordano, on a card . . Liica Giordano. 67. Master Cecil . . . . . . Hoskins. 68. Mrs. Ann Kirk . . . . ... Ihid. She was dresser to Queen Henrietta Maria, mentioned below. 69. A Cardinal, in Ivory . . . . . . Anon. 70. Ditto . . . . . . . . Anon. 71. Henrietta Maria .. .. Hoskins. Daughter of Henry IV., or the Great, king of France, and wife of Charles I. of England. She died in France in 1669, in the sixtieth year of her age. 72. Descent from the Cross . . . . Anon. 73. Mercury, Venus, and Cupid, after Coreggio . . Hoskins. 74. Portrait of Queen Anne . . . . Anon. The following are miniatures &c. helonging to the Burghley collection, not contained in the ahove Cabinets : — 75. His Majesty George IV., after the original painting by Sir Thomas Lawrence, enamel by H. P. Bone. The date of this miniature is 1820. It was presented by George IV. to the late Marqxiis Wellesley in 1821, and, with the following miniature, was purchased by Lord Exeter. 76. H.R.H. the late Duke of York, enamel by . . Ibid. 77. Lady Sophia Cecil . . . . Anon. Daughter of Henry, first Marquis of Exeter. She married the Right Hon. Henry Pierrepont, son of Charles, first Earl Manvers. 78. Brownlow, present Marquis of Exeter, and his eldest daughter. Lady Mary Frances Cecil, at the age of four years, taken in 1836 . . H. P. Bone. 79. Isabella, present Marchioness of Exeter . . Newton. 80. William AUeyne, Lord Burghley, eldest son of the Marquis, at the age of eleven years, and Brownlow Thomas Montague, the second son, at the age of nine years, taken in 1836 . . . . H.P. Bone^ BURGHLEY HOUSE. 267 81. The Three Brothers, painted in 1598 . . Isaac Oliver. The above picture represents Anthony Maria Browne, second Viscount Montague, aged 24, and his two brothers, John and "William, of the respective ages of 21 and 18 years. The figure in white is supposed to be a page. Retracing our steps through the Green Dressing Room, before described, we enter the first of the range of apartments on the basement story of the western side of the mansion, which is called — THE CEIMSON VELVET BED EOOM (30), Deriving its name from the rich material of which the hangings of the bed and the window curtains are composed. The walls of this apartment (which is 19 ft. Sin. by 17ft. 10 in.) are covered with ancient French tapestry, representing subjects taken from ^Esop's Fables. PAINTINGS. 498. Inside of a Cottage . . . . F. Baroccio. 499. Death of Rachel . . . . ..A. Celesti. 500. (Over the fire-place). Brownlow, present Marquis of Exeter ; Lord Thomas Cecil, his brother ; and their sister. Lady Sophia, who afterwards married the Right Hon. Henry Pierrepont, second son of Charles, first Earl Manvers — (whole lengths, taken when young) Sir Thomas Lawrence. Vide supra, p. 146. 501. Abraham dismissing Hagar and Ishmael. . A. Celesti. An engraving of his Grace, the Duke of Wellington, and another of Cowdray Ruins, Sussex, the property of the late William-Stephen Poyntz, Esq., adorn this apartment. Over 268 BURGHLEY HOUSE. the mantel-piece and doors are fine specimens of carving. Adjoining is — THE CEIMSON VELVET DEESSING KOOM (31), Which measures 19 ft. 8 in. by 17 ft. 10 in., and contains the following — PAINTINGS. 502. Hebe, copied from Hamilton . . A. Kaufman. 503. The Marriage Procession of Othello and Desdemona Anon. 504. Landscape and Figures . . . . Tempest a. 505. Animals .. .. Koninck. 506. The Four Evangelists . . . . L. da Vinci. This picture was given to the late Marquis in the year 1798, by Gen. Leland, M.P. for Stamford. 507. Herodias with the Head of John the Baptist Imcas de Heere. Upon this picture are inscribed the words — '■^Horreo quum cupiam." 508. Birds . . . . . . ■ • Koninck. 509. Virgin and Child .. .. Guido. 510. Jacob's Dream .. .. Domenico Feti. 511. Isabella, present Marchioness of Exeter Sir Thomas Lawrence. Vide supra, p. 149, and the note there. The head of this picture was painted by the above artist, the portrait being completed after his death by Sir M. A. Shee. The engraving of her Ladyship, in a former part of this work, is taken from the present painting. 512. St. Stephen .. .. .. Tempesta. 513. Jesus and the Woman of Samaria, from the Zingara of Coreggio . . • • Valentin. BURGHLEY HOUSE. 269 514. Virgin and Child . . . . Lionardo da Vinci. 515. Landscape, Morning .. .. Tempesta. 516. Battle of the Boyne . . . . Vander Meulen. This engagement was fought June 30th, 1690, at the river of the same name in Ireland, between King William III. and James II.; on which occasion the Jacobites were completely defeated, and James was precluded from making any farther attempt to regain the English crown, 517. Virgin and Child, encircled with a Garland of Flowers D. Segers. 518. Landscape, Evening . . . . Tempesta. 519. Adoration of the Shepherds .. Ibid. The five rooms last mentioned are those assigned to the private use of the Marquis and Marchioness of Exeter. The latter apartment opens into the West Front Hall, before described •} crossing which, we enter a suite of rooms, called "The Blue Apartments;" the first of which is — THE BLUE AND SILVEE WEST DEESSING EOOM (32), Measuring 1 8 ft. 6 in. by 1 7| ft., and containing the following — PAINTINGS. 520. Flower Piece .. .. .. Verelst. 521. Landscape .. .. .. Tempesta. 522. Europa . . . . . . . . Anon. See picture (402). 523. The Salutation . . . . Franceschini. 524. Mrs. Bates, a portrait . . . . A. Kaufman. This lady, a pubHc singer of great celebrity, was the wife of Joah Bates, an eminent musician born in 1740, who conducted the musical festival held in Westminster Abbey in commemoration of Handel ; and who, until the year 1793. led the choral performances of Ancient Music in London. * See page 180. 270 BURGHLEY HOUSE. 525. Flower Piece .. .. .. Verelst. 526. Lucretia . . . . . . . . Guido. See before, page 238. 527. Elizabeth, Countess of Exeter .. SirP.Lely. Second Wife of William, second Earl of Exeter, and daughter of Sir William Drury. See page 132. 528. Landscape . . . . . . Tempesta. 529. Another .. .. .. .. Ibid. 530. A Sketch, Landscape and Figures . . Bassan. 531. Ditto .. .. .. .. Ibid. 532. Ditto .. .. .. .. Ibid. 533. Ditto . . . . Ibid. 534. Lady Williams . . . . J. Fander Vaart. The next room is — THE BLUE AM) SILVEE BED CHAMBEE (33), Either side of which measures 18 ft., exclusive of the window recess. The hangings of the bed, the summit and dome of which are very handsomely ornamented, consist of rich blue and silver brocade, the vrindow curtains &c. being of the same material. The sides of the room are hung with blue and silver tapestry, representing subjects from heathen mythology, by Vanderbank. On the mantel-piece is a collection of blue and white china. The apartment contains three — PAINTINGS. 535. Fruit and Flowers . . . . Vander Cabel. 536. The Hon. WilHam Cecil, with a Dog and Parrot Wissing. He was the second son of John, fifth Earl of Exeter, An elegant display of carving encircles this picture. BURGHLEY HOUSE. 271 537. A-nimals &c. . . . . . . Vander Cabel. Adjacent is — THE BLUE AND SILVEE NOETH DEESSING EOOM (34), Which measures 17i ft. by 13 ft.; and is hung with blue satin taboret. It contains the following — PAINTINGS, &c. 538. Landscape and Figures . . John and Andrew Both. 539. General Paoli, in wax . . . . Anon. Vide supra, p. 263. 540. Cupid on a Lioness, an admired cast . . Anon. 541 . Elizabeth, Countess of Exeter, from a picture by Dobson Sii' P. Lely. Wife of David, the third Earl, and daughter of John Egerton, Earl of Bridgewater. 542. Fine Print of the Interview between Henry VIII., of England, and Francis I., of France, on the "Field of the Cloth of Gold," near Calais, in 1520 . . Anon. The two original paintings by Hans Holbein, from which this print was engraved, are in Hampton Court Palace. 543. Barbara Villiers, Duchess of Cleveland . . Sir P. Lely. This picture was given by Lionel, Duke of Dorset, in the year 1754, to Sir WUham Hamilton, Knt., who presented it to Brownlow, ninth Earl of Exeter, in 1772. 544. Sir William Hamilton, a model . , Anon. This elegant scholar and antiquarian, descended from a noble Scotch family, was born in 1730. In 1764, he was sent as Ambassador to the court of Naples, which situation he filled untU 1800. He was a man of the most refined taste and ability ; and during his absence abroad he made a collection of antiquities and other valuable curiosities, many of which he bequeathed to the British Museum. Sir William, during his residence at 272 BURGHLEY HOUSE. Naples, was honored with the i-ibbon of the order of the Bath, and received every mark of attention and respect from his Sicilian Majesty. He died in London in 1803. 545. Cupid on a Lion . . . . . . Anon. 546. Landscape . . . . . . . . Anon. 547. Whole-length Figure of Eve .. .. Veronese. 548. Old Head, from Rembrandt . . . . Cleg. 549. Catherine II., Empress of Russia .. Ihid. Vide supra, p. 249. The two last portraits were executed at a manufac- tory near Birmingham. 550. Engraving of Dr. Willis . . . . Anon. Vide supra, p. 236. 551. Print of Lord St. Helens .. .. Anon. See picture (423). 552. Landscape and Ruins . . . . P. Pannini. 553. Curious view of old London Bridge Henry JDanckers. Painted in England for Charles II. 554. Print of Louis XVIII. of France 555. Print of St. Hubert . . . . A. Durer. From the original painting marked (258). This engraving was given to Brownlow, ninth Earl of Exeter, in the year 1768, by Colonel St. Paul, who was created Count of the most Holy Roman Empire by Maria Theresa, Empress of Germany. 556. Venus and Satyr . . . . . . Libert. The mantel-piece of this apartment is embellished by rich carved work. Beyond is — THE CLOSET (35), Either side of which measures 9^ ft., and which is situated in the north-western angle of the house. It contains two fine — PAINTINGS. 557. Death of Abel A. Celesti. BURGHLEY HOUSE. 273 558. Brownlow, Eighth Earl of Exeter, when young Kneller. Vide supra, p. 144. In a glass-case, fixed in one of the sides of the room, is a fine display of old china : the closet also contains a curious ebony cabinet, having different Scriptural subjects etched upon it on ivory. Returning through the Blue and Silver Dressing Room, we pass into — THE ANTE-LIBRAEY (36), Which is situated on the north side of the house, and is 22 ft. square. This apartment, which is fitted up with commodious and well filled book-cases, contains the following: — PAINTINGS. 559. Thomas Hobbes . . . , . . Anon. An eminent writer and philosopher, born April 5th, 1588, at Malmesbury in Wiltshire. During the earlier part of his career he was tutor to the son of the Earl of Devonshire, and was introduced by that nobleman to many persons of genius and distinction ; and he enjoyed the acquaintance, amongst others, of the great Lord Bacon, Lord Herbert of Cherbury, Ben Johnson, &c. He was subsequently appointed preceptor to the Piince of Wales, afterwards Charles II. ; and so highly did that Prince appreciate his services, that, at the Restoration, he treated him with marked attention and respect. In his old age he was visited by persons of the highest rank and distinction, princes and ambassadors appearing anxious to do honor to a man whose writings and sentiments were celebrated throughout Europe. Hobbes died in November, 1679, at the advanced age of ninety-one. 560. Earl of Gainsborough . . . , Anon. Baptist Noel, Earl of Gainsborough, was born in 1687, and succeeded to the family honors in the year 1690. He married Lady Dorothy Manners, second daughter of John, Duke of Rutland, and niece to Frances, Countess of John, fourth Earl of Exeter. He died in the twenty-eighth year of his age. S 274 BUR6HLEY HOUSE. 561. Dr. Haschard, Dean of Windsor .. Riley. He was born in 1646. 562. Verrio . . . . . . . • Verrio. See the note at page 216. 563. Sir Isaac Newton . . . . . . Anon. Vide supra, p. 261. 564. Solomon and the Queen of Sheba . . Agostino Tassi. 565. Sir Godfrey Kneller, Knt. and Bart. Sir Godfrey Kneller. This eminent portrait painter was born of a noble family at Lubeck in 1648. He was educated at Leyden, and intended for the military profession ; but having displayed a great taste for drawing figures, he studied the art of painting for some time under Rembrandt at Amsterdam ; whence he pro- ceeded to Rome, and became a pupil of Carlo Maratti and Bemini. Having resided a short time at Venice, he afterwards came to England, where he soon attracted the notice of Charles II., whose portrait he is said to have taken several times. He continued to be highly patronised, no less than ten crowned heads having their likenesses drawn by him. William III., who was par- ticularly sensible of his merits, knighted him, and made him a gentleman of his privy chamber ; and he was created a baronet by George I. He was also made a nobleman and knight of the holy Roman Empire by Leopold, and received the degree of LL.D. from the University of Oxford. Kneller excelled in the outline and graceftd disposal of his figures ; but there is, generally speaking, a want of spirit in them, and too great a monotony in the expression of their faces. He died October 27th, 1723, and a monu- ment, by Rysbrach, was erected to his memory in Westminster Abbey. 566. William, late Earl of Lonsdale, K.G., at the age of fifty years, from a portrait by Sir Thomas Lawrence G. Phillips, R.A. This picture was presented to Lord Exeter by the late Earl of Lonsdale. This room communicates with — THE LIBEAEY (37), Which measures 30 ft. by 22 ft. The ceiling of this apartment is curiously worked in lozenges and circles, and the sides are hung with brown satin. Between the windows are two large BURGHLEY HOUSE. 275 pier-glasses in gilt frames. Over the fire-place and doors are suspended the following — PAINTINGS. 567. Flowers . . . . . 568. Ehzabeth, Marchioness of Exeter, in a curious and massive frame .. .. Sir Thomas Lawrence. Third wife of Henry, first Marquis of Exeter, and widow of Doudas eighth Duke of Hamilton. ' 569. Flowers . . . . . . In the two apartments just described, as well as in the invisible book-cases, before mentioned,^ in the Great Hall, is deposited a large collection of rare and valuable works, num- bering several thousand volumes, of which an admirably arranged catalogue has been recently drawn up under the direction of the Marquis. The Kbrary also contains some curious ancient manuscripts ; amongst others, a mamiscript hfe of the Lord Treasurer Burghley, to which we have before referred ;2 and his Diary, written by his own hand. A large room, situated at the extremity of the range of buildings projecting from the north-eastern angle of the house, and formerly used as a hbrary, contains, we may here observe! several Roman altars brought from Italy by the fifth Earl of Exeter; and an excellent collection of coins, medals &c., made for the most part by the same nobleman, although it would seem that the latter had been commenced by the Lord Treasurer Burghley himself, from the following extractwhich appears inhis Diary " Memorandum, quod habeo decern vetustas Monetas Impera- " torumRomanorum inArgentopuro: unam, Neronis, in Auro; " novem in ^re." « Two of these," says Peck, « Augustus,' ^ Vide supra, p. 172. ^ Vide note at page 8. 276 BURGHLEY HOUSE. " a god in brass, and Nero, a devil in gold, as tlie donor " himself calls them, were given to his lordship by the famous " Roger Ascham.i And the brass one alone, as Don Diego de " Mendoza, afterwards the Spanish Ambassador in England, " and a great critic in those things, assured Ascham, was a " present fit for an Emperor."^ Upon quitting the Library, we pass into — THE NOETH FEONT HALL (38), Which is the entrance to the mansion assigned to the use of the family and friends of the Marquis of Exeter ; and measures 44 ft. by 28 ft., exclusive of the porch, which is 8 ft. 8 in. by 7 ft. The ceiling of this hall is handsomely stuccoed, and supported by twelve Ionic columns of Scagliola marble. The pavement is inlaid with squares of black and white marble; and the architraves of the doors are of the same material, veined. Four beautifully executed statues stand upon pedestals similar to the columns above mentioned, representing the following subjects : — Near the entrance gates on one side is — Mercury, seated on a pedestal, and playing on a musical instrument, holding his herpe, or short sword, in his right hand, and wearing the petasus, or winged cap, — a copy from . . . . Thorwalsden. On the corresponding side is a — Nymph of the Arno, having a band round her head, and flowing drapery about her, — a copy from BertoUni. At the other end of the hall, on either side, are — * Vide suprd, p. 7. ' Pesid : Cur : lib. vi. no. xxii. BURGHLEY HOUSE. 277 Paris, son of Priam, his head resting on his left hand, whilst the other contains the apple of discord, — a copy fr jm Canova. And— Venus, holding in one of her hands the golden apple adjudged to her by Paris, — a copy from Tkorwalsden. The above figures, which were purchased by Lord Exeter in 18-13, are of the purest Carrara marble, highly polished ; they are most exquisitely chiselled, and the incomparable grace and beauty of their composition cannot fail to excite the warmest admiration in the mind of the spectator. At the lower end of the hall stands a fine antique marble statue of Bacchus upon an elegantly carved pedestal of the same material, having been purchased at Rome by Brownlow, ninth Earl of Exeter : the figure is 5 ft. in height, and holds a cup in its right hand. Folding doors opposite to the gilded gates open into the Corridors ; and a door facing that by which we entered the hall leads into — THE STONE PAELOUE (39), Which measures 34 ft. by 21 ft. and answers the double purpose of a school and dining room for the younger members of the family. It is ornamented with a large collection of stuffed birds in glass cases. The only apartment in Burghley House which remains to be described is — THE KITCHEN (40), Which, we have before observed,^ is supposed to form part of the remains of the ancient Minster of " Burghe," which once ' Vide supra, p. 161. 278 BURGHLEY HOUSE. occupied the site of the present edifice. This noble room, which is situated at the eastern extremity of the mansion, and is perhaps the finest and largest apartment in the kingdom appropriated to culinary purposes, measures 50 ft. by 30 ft ; and has a stone roof, fan-groined, and otherwise peculiarly constructed, rising to the height of 56 ft., and crowned with an octangular lantern. On one of the walls is a large and very fine painting of a slaughtered ox ; and the apartment, it is almost unnecessary to mention, is fitted up with every con- venience and accommodation that can be conceived requisite for the use of the extensive establishment to which it forms so essential an appendage. We need only observe, in proof of its efficiency, that, on the occasion of the present heir-apparent to the title and estates of Burghley attaining his majority, of which an account has been given in a preceding part of this volume, the whole of the sumptuous entertainment provided for the large number of guests who were then assembled, — to the goodness and excellence of which, many of our readers will no doubt bear ample testimony, — was prepared and served up from the apartment in question. A brief notice of the remaining offices belonging to the establishment will serve to complete our account of the interior of the mansion. Convenient and commodious apartments are assigned to the use of the steward (41), housekeeper, and other members of the household. Some of these contain a considerable num- ber of paintings, consisting, however, for the most part, of copies. In the steward's room are nine paintings in oil of Burghley House, and three large and curious engravings of ancient Rome by Giuseppe Vasi. Adjacent to the above, are the various cellars, larders, pantries, and other necessary appendages to this princely residence. The cellars demand a particular notice, from their vast capacity and extent, running, BURGHLEY HOUSE. 279 as they do, under the entire length and breadth of the mansion, and frequently attracting the curiosity and personal inspection of the guests of the noble Marquis. To the foregoing description of the curiosities and contents of Burghley House, it will only be necessary to subjoin a short notice of the park and grounds attached to it. The private gardens or shrubberies, situated on the eastern side of the mansion, are very beautifully laid out ; having been formed under the direction of Mr. Launcelot Brown, whose superior taste in horticulture we have had occasion more than once to mention. Within a few yards of the house, in the same direction, is a large oval bason, 140 ft. in circumference, enclosing a fountain, and containing gold and silver fish. Near this is a spacious conservatory, measuring 100 ft. by 18 ft., filled with rare and beautiful plants of every description; several similar structures, though of smaller dimensions, stand- ing in diflFerent parts of the shrubberies. Passing a door in the side of a gentle declivity, which opens into an extensive Boat- house, having its sides protected by a handsome iron balcony, we reach, at the distance of about a quarter of a mile from the house,, a modern Gothic Temple, or Summer-house, situated immediately in front of the lake, and commanding a delightful view of the rich and diversified scenery of the park. The exterior of this building, which is in perfect character with the more stately mansion in its vicinity, is of stone ; and the interior is fitted up with carved oak book-shelves. Immediately behind it, and in a lonely and sequestered spot, surrounded by evergreens, stands a marble pedestal, about 5 ft. high, erected to the memory of Hannah Sophia Chambers, Countess of 280 BURGHLEY HOUSE. Brownlow, eighth Earl of Exeter, and bearing the folio-wing inscription : — Thou most esteemed, most honor'd, most rever'd, " Accept this tribute to thy merit due ; " Nor blame me, if, by each fond tie endear' d, " I bring again your virtues into view. " These lonely scenes your memory shall restore, " Here oft the silent tear for thee be shed ; " Belov'd, till gratitude can feel no more, And mourn'd till filial piety is dead." Below the shrubberies are the Stables, a range of offices of considerable magnitude and extent. They occupy three sides of an immense square, in tha centre of each of which are large and commodious coach-houses ; and in the middle of the area is a circular bason, containing a constant supply of fresh water. Beyond these are the Dairy, Ice-house, Lower Lodges, &c. The middle and upper parks extend to a considerable distance southward of the mansion. The former commands a most excellent view of the house, the south side of which presents an even and regular front, adorned with handsome spacious sashes, which were substituted for old Gothic windows by John, fifth Earl of Exeter. Near the south west corner of the mansion may be seen a fine old lime tree, which was planted by Queen Elizabeth during one of her visits to Burghley,— and, enclosed within fences midway b-tween the house and the lake, the two saplings, planted by her present Majesty and Prince Albert, on the similar occasion to which we have alluded in a former page. In the middle park are situated, — the Bailiff's Cottage, a handsome edifice, recently erected, in the Tudor style; and the residences assigned to the use of the head Gamekeeper and Shepherd. Lofty iron gates commimicate with the upper, park, which is the most extensive of the three, and is plentifully BURGHLEY HOUSE. 281 Stocked with deer. To the left, on entering it, is the Steward's cottage, a rustic and picturesque structure. This part of the demesne is intersected by a triple avenue, formed by four rows of noble and majestic lime trees, running in a direct line from the London road towards the house. Beyond this avenue are situated the Kitchen gardens, a district covering a space of nearly twelve acres, and containing extensive Hothouses, Pineries, Graperies, and every convenience for the growth and cultivation of fruit and vegetable. A gate on the western side of the upper park opens upon the high road, before mentioned ; crossing which, we enter a private road, leading at the distance of about a quarter of a mile to — WOTHOEPE EUINS, Which are the remains of an old manor-house, erected by Thomas, first Earl of Exeter. Fuller, in his notice of the resi- dence in question, which he styles " the least of yioble houses, " hnt best oi lodges " adding that it "seems a dim reflection of " Burleigh, whence it is but a mile distant," tells us that it was built by the above nobleman " to retire to, as he pleasantly " said, out of the dust, whilst his great house of Burleigh was " a sweeping."! The Abbey of Crowland formerly possessed land at Wothorpe, which was confirmed to one of the Abbots by King Ed red in 948.2 A convent also once stood here for nuns of the order of St. Augustin ; although little appears to be known with regard either to the precise period of its estabUshment, or to the revenues with which it was endowed.^ Peck supposes it to have * Worthies of England, p. 285. 2 Bridges' Hist, of Northamptonshire, ii. 592. * Ibid. ii. 593. 282 nURGHLEY HOXJSK. been founded by Edmund, Earl of Woodstock, or some other member of the Royal Family. The following hst of the Prioresses who governed the convent, occurs in the Lincoln registers : — Dionisia de Caldwell, a nun of St. Michael's monastery, in Stamford, elected prioress of this convent, was confirmed by the Bishop of Lincoln, on the fourth of the calends of July, 1224. Maud de Glinton, of whose election no time appears ; but on her decease in 1288, she was succeeded by — Isoda de Wirthorp. The successor of this lady was probably — Ascelina, a sister of the convent, who, through levity of mind, resigned her office ; but in 1296, was re-admitted. Isolda; who was succeeded in 1312 by — Emma de Pincebek. Agnes Bowes, one of the nuns, was collated by the Bishop in 1 349, although it was not customary to apply for the Bishop's licence in the choice of the prioresses. In the year 13.55, the convent was united to the monastery of St. Michael, Stamford Baron; and upon the suppression of the monasteries by Henry VIII., the manor &c. of Wothorpe was granted in the year 1541, to Richard Cecil, Esq. father of the Lord Treasurer Burghley.^ After the Restoration, the Duke of Buckingham, with his family, resided in it for many years. In 1778, the greater part of the building erected by the first Earl of Exeter was pulled down by his descendant, the ninth Earl, the materials being employed in the construction of the stables at Burghley ; and the only remains of the manor house are to be seen in the ruins which form a pleasing and picturesque object in the vicinity of the town of Stamford. 1 Bridges' Hist, of Northamptonshire, ii. 593. INDEX TO THE PLANS. No. 1. Great Hall 2. Saloon. 3. West Front Hall 4. Chapel Room o. Chapel 6. Billiard Room 7. Ball Room 8. Brown Drawing Room 9. Black and Yellow Bed Chamber 10. West Dressing Room 1 1 . North Dressing Room 12. China Closet 13. Queen Elizabeth's Bed Room 14. Pagoda Room 1 5 . Purple Satin Bed Room 16. Purple Satin Dressing Room 1 7. State Bed Dressing Room, or First George Room 18. Jewel Closet No. 19. State Bed Room, or Second George Room 20. State Dressing Room, or Third George Room 2 1 . Great Drawing Room, or Fourth George Room 22. Fifth George Room 23. Grand Staircase 24. Dining Room 25. Marble Hall 26. Red Drawing Room 27. Blue Drawing Room 28. Green Dressing Room 29. Japan Closet 30. Crimson Velvet Bed Room 3 1 . Crimson Velvet Dressing Room 32. Blue and Silver West Dressing Room 33. Blue and Silver Bed Chamber INDEX TO THE PLANS. No. Silver North 45. Plate Closet No. 34. Blue and Dressing Room 35. Closet 36. Ante-Library 37. Library 38. North Front Hall 39. Stone Parlour 40. Kitchen *40. Scullery 41. Steward's Room 42. Evidence Room 43. Waiting Room 44. Butler's Pantry 46. Still Room 47. Dairy 48. Servant's Room 49. Larder 50. Servants' Hall 51. Porter's Lodge '51. Reservoir 52. Nursery 53. Ditto 54. Chapel Tower 55. Spare Room DESCRIPTION or ST. MARTIN'S CHURCH, STAMFORD BARON. it). The burying-place of the Cecil family, was built by John Russel, Bishop of Lincoln, in the reign of Edward IV., about the year 1480 ;i the same site having been previously occupied by a sacred edifice, erected between 1133 and 1147, by Martin de Vecti, Abbot of Peterborough, who dedicated it to the Saint whose name he bore ;^ which edifice was given to the convent of St. Michael, in Stamford, by William de Waterville, the founder of that monastery, and the vicarage was soon afterwards ordained. Upon the suppression of the monasteries, the rectory and vicarage were granted, about the year 1541, to 1 Harrod's Hist, of Stamford, 1, 270, note. 2 St. Martin, a native of Sabaria, in Pannonia, during the early part of his hfe was a soldier, but having subsequently taken orders, he was made Bishop of Tours in France, in the year 374. He was very active in breaking down the heathen images and altars, which were in existence during his time. He founded the monastery of Marmontier, and is regarded as the apostle of Gaul. So highly did the inhabitants of that country esteem his memory, that they carried his helmet with them to battle, under the impression that its presence would instil courage into their troops, or possibly act as a charm to procure them victory. St. Martin died in the year 400. His confession of faith respecting the Trinity is still extant. 284 ST. MARTIN S CHURCH. Richard Cecil, Esq., father of the Lord Treasurer Burghley, from whom they have descended to his successors. ^ The present Church, which is situated on the east side of the High-street, in St. Martin's, Stamford Baron, is a very handsome edifice, consisting of a nave, chancel, three aisles, and a large square embattled tower at its western extremity surmounted at each corner by a lofty pinnacle. The tower contains three old bells, round the first of which are inscribed the words ^tt nomen Ijomiiti Jjenetftctum t round the second, $ntoitat t ctli^ hoy campane jHtcaelfe ; and round the third, ^tim ro^a })iil^ata muntjC |Mavia bocata* The whole length of the Church is 11 3^ ft., and its extreme width is 43f ft. On the south side of it is a porch, upon the crown of which are the following arms ; — two lions passant guardant ; on a chief a pale, and on it a prester John on a tombstone. The lofty and spacious roof is supported by slender but hand- some clustered pillars, between which are six pointed arches on the north side, and five on the south side of the building. Several of the windows consist of painted glass, some of it, although very old, being in a fine state of preservation. The most important feature in St. Martin's Church connected with the present work, being the handsome monuments which have been erected in it to the memory of various members of the house of Cecil, a description of these may possibly not be unacceptable to the reader. Above the family vault, which is situated at the eastern extremity of the north aisle, is a mural monument of alabaster and other kinds of marble, upwards of twelve feet high, erected to the memory of Richard Cecil, Esq., and Jane Cecil, his wife, the parents of the Lord Treasurer Burghley. The monument represents a tomb surmounted by an arch ; beneath ^ Bridges' Hist, of Northamptonshire, ii. 579. ST. martin's church. 285 the latter, the interior of which is embellished with various ornaments, are placed the figures of a man in armour and a woman in a long robe, both of whom are kneeUng at a desk in the attitude of prayer. Below them are represented their three daughters, also in a kneehng posture. The upper part of the monument is supported by two columns having Corinthian capitals, and surmounted by pyramids ; between which is a cabinet of arms ; viz. -.—quarterly, 1 and 4, Cecil; 2, Winston; 3, Cairleon ; impaling quarterly, 1 and 4, Heckington ; 2 and 3, Walcot. The following inscriptions are displayed on different parts of the monument : — In happy memory of Richard Cecill, Esqr. ; and Jayne his wife. The said Richard was of the Robes to Kinge Henry 8. & to K. E. 6. He deceased ye 19. of May 1552. and is interred in St Margaretts Church in Westmr- He was Sonne to David Cecill of Stamford Esqr High Sherif of ye County of Northampton in the 33. & 34. Yeares of Kinge H. 8. & is buried in St George his Church in Stamford. The said Jayne was Daughter and Heyre of Warn Heckington of Bourne in the County of Lincolne Esqr She lived 87 Years, whereof she continued a widowe 35 Yeares. She deceased ye IQth of March 1587. She was a very grave, religious, vertuous, & worthy Matron ; & delighted excedingly in ye works of Piety and Charity. She was crowned wth much Honor and Comfort, & (by God his great Blessing) she lived to see her Children, and her Childrens Children, to ye fourth and fifth Generation, & yt in a plentifuU & honorable succession, being a happy Mother of y* most HonoraMe Sr Wm Cecill Knight of ye noble Orderof^ ye Garter, Lo : Burgbley, Lord high TRER^ of England, who lyeth here by her. ou ST. martin's church. Margaret was Elizabeth was Anne marryed first marryed first marryed to Thomas Whyte to Roger Cave to Robert of Tuxford Esqr of Stamford Esqr Wingfield of of whom is of whom is Upton Esquire descended John descended Ser of whom is Whyte Esquire. Thomas Cave, descended Ser and after to Robert Wingfield Ambrosse Smith of Upton Knight ; of Bosworth & after to Hugh Esquier. Allington Esqr Next in order of time should be noticed the monument erected to the memory of the Lord Treasurer Burghley, which is a magnificent specimen of the heavy style of architecture which prevailed towards the close of the sixteenth, and at the commencement of the seventeenth centuries. The figure of that renowned statesman, whose renaains were deposited in the vault beneath, is represented in a recumbent posture, clad in armour, and bareheaded, decorated with the insignia of the order of the Garter, and holding in the right hand his wand of office. Above him is a double arched canopy, supported by ten columns surmounted by Corinthian capitals, whose pedes- tals rest upon the ground, three on each side and two at each corner ; those at the corner are of porphyry, the others of black marble. The interior of the canopy is embelhshed with various ornaments, and above it is placed a cabinet, having on the north and south sides the family arms, and above them the crest. On each side of the cabinet, and connected with it by brackets, are the arms of Cecil impaling argent, three crescents gules, Cheeke ; and argent, a chevron corn- pone argent and azure, between cinquefoils of the last, Cooke. The whole structure, which is composed of alabaster, and marble of different colors, is about sixteen feet in height, and is surmounted at either extremity by two black marble ST. martin's church. 287 pyramids. Upon compartments of black marble, on each side of the tomb, are the following inscriptions : — Deo Optimo, maximo, & memorise sacrum. Honoratissim. & longe clarissim. D. Gulielm. Cecili', Baro de Burghley, summ' Anglise Thesaurari', Curiae Pupillor. Prsefect', Georgiani ordinis Eques Auratus, Serenissimae Elisabethse Anglise, &c. Reginae, a Sanctiorib. consiliis & Academise Cantabrigiensis Cancellari', sub hoc tumulo secundum Christi adventum manet. Qui, ob eximias animi dotes, primum a Secretis fuit Edwardo sexto Anglise Regi, deinde Reginae Elisabethae ; sub qua in maximis et gravissimis hujus Regni caussis spectat' & imprimis probat', veram religionem i)romovendo, Reipublicae saluti et dignitati providendo, consilio, aequitate, constantia, magnisq ; in Rempub. meritis, honores consecutus summos, cum Naturee & Gloriae satis, Patriae autem parum, vixisset ; placide in Christo obdormivit. Uxores habuit duas, Mariam, sororem Joannis Cheek Equitis aurati ; e qua genuit filium unicum, Thomam nunc Baronem de Burghley ; & Mildredam, FUiam Antonii Cooke equitis aurati ; quae illi peperit Robertum Cecilium Equitem auratum Reg. Elisabethae a Secretis, et Curiae Pupil- lonim praefectum ; Annam enuptam Edwardo Comiti Oxoniae ; & Elisabetham, Gulielmo Wentworth, filio primogenito Baronis Wentworth. Against the north wall of the north chancel is a lofty and splendid monument of white and veined marble, nearly thirty feet high, erected to the memory of John, fifth Earl of Exeter, and his Countess. This fine work of art, which was executed by Monnot, the Italian sculptor, in the year 1700, under the immediate direction of the Earl himself, demands a somewhat particular description. On a black marble pediment is constructed a platform of white marble, on which, supported by four lions' paws, stands a sarcophagus, presenting the inscription hereafter given . Above the latter are the reclining figures of the Earl and his Lady, 288 ST. MARTIN S CHURCH. cut out of a solid block of white marble ; the former, who is represented in a Roman costume, has his right arm supported on a cushion of the same material, wrought with gilt embroidery, and apparently covering a heap of books ; the latter is holding a pen in her right hand, and she appears to be on the point of noting down the words which fall from her lord in an open book which is in her left. On the right of the tomb is a full length figure of Minerva, also cut out of one solid block of white marble, having a spear in her right hand, and the Palladium in her left ; a shield, upon which is portrayed the Gorgon's head, being by her side. On the left of the tomb is another statue of the same goddess, represented in a mourning attitude, as lamenting the loss of her patron : her right elbow rests on a large book ; and her left hand contains a hammer, pencils, and brushes, whilst other imple- ments of art are scattered, as if thrown aside and neglected, upon the ground. Behind the Earl and his lady is another platform, at each end of which is placed a large urn, from which flame appears to be issuing. Above the whole rises a lofty pyramid, of grey marble, reaching to the roof of the church, in the centre of which are the arms of Cecil impaling Cavendish on a shield of white marble, surmounted by a gilded coronet ; and above this the figure of a child, holding in his hands a snake in the form of a gilded annulet, intended to represent Eternity. In the front of the sarcophagus is the following inscription : — H. S. E. Johannes Cecil, Baro de Burghley, Exonise Comes, Magni Burleii Abnepos haudquaquam degener. Egregiam enim indolem optimis moribus, optimis artibus excoluit. Humanioribus literis bene instructus, peregre, plus vice simplici, profectus est : et ab excultis Europse regionibus multam, Antiquitatum, Linguarum, nec non et rerum civilium, scientiam reportavit. Cum nemo forte melius vel Aulam omare, vel curare Res publicas posset, maluit tamen otium & secessum. Itaque ruri suo vixit, eleganter, sumptuose, splendide; liberalibus studiis oblectatus, Amicis comis et jucundus ; Egenis krgus ; Legum, & ST. martin's church. 289 Ecclesise Anglicanse, fortis semper Propugnator. Suarum virtutum & peregrinationum, imo fere & scientiarum, sociam habuit uxorem, Annam, ex prsenobili domo de Cavendish, Gulielmi Comitis Devonise Filiam ; Corporis forma, & Animi ingenio, & omnibus, quae foeminam decere possent, dotibus, insignem ; e qua quinque liberos suscepit: foelix conjuge, foelix & prole. Sad inter omnia, vitam quae faciunt beatiorem, mortalitatis baud immemor, dum apud Italos, prfficipuse artis opera curiosus lustrabat, hoc monumentum illic, ubi exquisitissime fieri potuit, sibi & charissimse lecti sui, & itinerum, & curarum omnium consorti Obiit ille F, F. Obiit ilia Aug. 29, 1700. Jan. 18, 1703. Above the inscription is the following ; — Petrus. Stephaaus. Monnot. Bisuntinus. Fecit, Romae. mdcciv. The following inscriptions are upon various coffins deposited in the vault belonging to the Cecil family : — In capitals on a stone coffin, GULIELMUS CECIL BARON DE BURGHLEY EaUES AURATUS MAGNUS ANGLIC THESAURARIUS JACET SUB HOC TUMULO OBIITQUE QUARTO DIE AUGUSTI ANNO DOMINI 1599. On a small coffin near the above is the following : — Reliquiae nobilis Dnse, Franciseae Manners Hie reconduntur In spem resurrectionis. Obiit Febr. 7. 1659. In a leaden coffin, under the above, lies Henry, Lord Grey of Groby, Earl of Stamford, who married Anne, youngest daughter of William second Earl of Exeter, and died in August 1673. T 290 ST. martin's church. Upon a similar coffin, containing the remains of Frances, wife of John fourth Earl of Exeter, and daughter of John, eighth Earl of Rutland, is the inscription which has already been given at page 138 of this work. A coffin covered with black velvet, and containing the remains of iVnnabella, Countess of the fourth Earl of Exeter, and daughter of Lord Ossulston, has upon it this inscription : The right HonWe Anna Bella Burghley late wife to the Right Hon^le John Lord Burgh- ley son and heire aparent to the right Hon^lf John Earle of Exeter. She departed this life the 30th of July 1698. in the 24th yeare ofherage. Upon another covered with black velvet, under the arms of Cecil impaling three stags' heads caboched, displayed in a lozenge, is the inscription, — The Right HonWe Anne Countess Dowager of Exeter daughter of the Right HonMe Wm late Earle of Devonshire and Sister to the right Noble Wm Duke of Devonshire Lord Steward of her Maties household late wife to the right Honble John Earle of Exeter deceased who dyed upon the 18*1" day of June in the 2^ year of the reign of Queen Anne Ano Domini 1703. and in the 59'^ year of her age. Other coffins, deposited in the same vault, are inscribed as containing the ashes of the following : viz. — John, the seventh Earl of Exeter, born, 1700, died April ; 9th 1722; Charles, brother to the last-named Earl, died ST. MARTIN S CHURCH. 291 March 1.5, 1720, aged 16; Brownlow, the eighth Earl, who died Nov. 3, 1754, aged 53; Hannah Sophia, his wife, who died April 30th, 1 765, aged 63 ; David, their third son, born January 18th, 1736, and died the same day; Anne, their third daughter, died April 8th, 1 785 ; Brownlow, tlie ninth Earl, died December 26th, 1793, aged 68 ; Letitia Townshend, his Countess, died April 17th, 1756, aged 30 ; Henry, the late Marquis, died May 1st, 1804, aged 50; Sarah, his second wife, died Jan. 18, 1797, aged 24 ; and three children of the present Marquis. Besides the monuments before mentioned, all of which refer either to members of the house of Cecil, or to individuals immediately connected with it, are several others, to some of which we may briefly allude. On the north side of the Church, near the large monument of the fifth Earl of Exeter, is one erected to the memory of Edward Dethe Esq., bearing a Latin inscription, denoting, amongst other things, the relief and support alforded to him by two successive Earls of Exeter amid the loss of his fortune and property, occasioned by the civil wars in the time of Charles I. The inscription is to the following effect : M. S. Jiixta hoc monumentum jacet Edwardus Dethe. armg. Vir in patriae commodum facundus Ex una uxore Grisilla Steuarda (E nobili Steuardorum prosapia oriund^) Viginti liberorum pater Vir fide antiqua, emendatissimis moribus, Insigni erga Deum pietate, Et pads artibus conspicuus, Eirenarchse munus (in hoc districtu) pro dignitate exercens. 292 ST. martin's church. Qui ad facultates non exiguas natus, Illis dum licuit decore usus est, Bello civili direptas animose sustinuit, Duorum successive heroum (Excestrise Comitum) Benigno patrocinio ad extremum sublevatus. Qui temperantise inusitatse (nec hujus sseculi") Merceilem tulit vegetam diu senectam, Donee tandem ingravescentibus annis Paralysi diutina, et monitoria confectus, Diem suum obijt supremum, Vto nonas Martij anno setatis suse lxxviii. ^rse Christianse mdclxxxvii. Cui (amicitise memor quam secum per aliquot annos sanctissime coluit) Sic pie parentavit Franciscus Hatcher, Senex serumnosus, et brevi secuturus. Against one of the pillars opposite to the above is the monument to which we have before alluded,! erected by John, fifth Earl of Exeter, to the memory of William Wissing, and bearing the following inscription : — Quem Batava tellus educavit Gallia aliquandiu fovit Anglia cumulatioribus beneficijs prosecuta est, Artium (quas varias callebat) justior sestimatrix ; Vir facillimis et suavissimis moribus, Inter florem et robur juventse, Vix 32duni vitae annum ingressus, Intempestiva morte praereptus Ws. Wissingus Amstelodamensis H.S.E. Pictor antiquis par, hodiernis major, Lilij celeberrimi non degener discipulus Heu fatum prsecocis ingenij ! Quam subito decerpitur botrus, Qui caeteris festinatius maturescit ! Cujus ad conservandam memoriam, lUustrss. Joannes Comes Excestrensis (Patronorum optimus) P: M: P: C. Obijt Sept. lOmo Annoq. Dni. 1687. ' Vide supra, page 141. ST. MARTIN S CHURCH. 293 The following inscription is upon a monument, composed of marble of various colors, on the north wall, bearing the arms of the Mackenzies, viz., azure, a buck's head or ; and the motto, " Data Fata Secutus ;" — William Mackenzie, (whose remains are deposited in a vault in the chancel,) son of Col. Alexander Mackenzie, of Coningsby, second son of Kenneth, Earl of Seaforth, early stimulated to action by a passion for military glory, he served in various nations with honour. He held the rank of Major in the English, and Colonel in the Russian service. Compelled by indisposition early to quit the scene of action, his superior talents and high taste for literature enabled him to bear with fortitude and resignation the remainder of a painful life. His private virtues are impressed on the souls of all connected with him, in characters more legible and permanent than any of which marble is susceptible. He died March 12*, 1770, aged 60 years. Also of Mary Humberstone, his wife, who died Feb. 12, 1813, in the 84tli year of her age. On a slab, which was formerly at the west end of the nave, but is now immediately in front of the porch on the south side of the Church, is the following inscription to the memory of Mrs. Ryley, at whose house King "William III. slept on the occasion of his visit to Stamford, to which we have before alluded 1 : — Here lieth the body of M" Elizabeth the wife of M^ John Ryley, who departed this life March Sis*, 1708, ' Vide supra, page 141. 294 ST. MARTIN S CHURCH. On the south wall of the chancel, is a neat tablet, bearing the following inscription to the memory of Dr. Cyril Jackson, father of Bishop and Dean Jackson, and Judith his wife : — Cyrillus Jackson M.D., ob. Dec 17, 1797, se. 80. Juditha, uxor Cyrilli, ob. Mar. 2, 1785, se. 66. Parentibus optimis Filii Moerentes. P. P. In other parts of the Church are various monuments erected to the memory of private individuals, none of which are of any particular interest, though we should not omit to notice a marble tablet in the south aisle bearing the inscription which follows to the memory of Henry Fryer, Esq., the munificent founder of the Stamford and Rutland Infirmary. Sacred to the memory of Henry Fryer, of Martin's, Stamford Baron, son of Hem-y Fryer and Ann his wife : he died the 17* of May, 1823, aged 61 years. Having, through life, been a friend to the poor, he finally devoted to their use the bulk of his estate. Also to the memory of Martha Fryer, his sister : she died the 17th of February, 1804, aged 43 years. The confined limits of the present work preclude a more extended or detailed account of St. Martin's Church, than is here olFered. The reader will find farther information respect- ing it in Bridges' History of Northamptonshire ; and in the Histories of Stamford published by Harrod and Drakard. We must not, however, conclude, without noticing the im- provements which have been recently eifected in the interior of the edifice. In the year 1844, the Church was handsomely repewed with oak, the carving of which is of a very superior description ; a new pulpit and reading-desk, of the same material, were also erected, the former having its sides orna- mented with several beautifully-carved figures. The chancel was ST. martin's church. 29.5 at the same time thoroughly restored and beautified at the sole expense of the Marquis of Exeter, by whom the cost of erecting the reading-desk and pulpit was also defrayed. His Lordship's pew, which is situated in this part of the Church, consists of a double row of stalls, each row containing six sittings ; the front and sides of the pew are handsomely carved, and above the elbows of the stalls are small figures representing the twelve apostles. Over the Commimion-table is a canopied reredos, of Clunch stone, having the Decalogue &c. inscribed upon it in elaborately- painted and illuminated letters. The floor of the chancel is paved with encaustic tiles, each of which bears some particular device of a sacred character. The expenses incurred by the Marquis in effecting the improvements to which we have alluded amounted to about £900 ; in addition to which, a donation of S200 was presented by him to the fund collected from the parish for carrying out the alterations in the other parts of the Church, making a sum of no less than aSllOO expended by him in the repairs of the sacred edifice.^ ' The above statement is made from a detailed estimate of the expense, which the author has had an opportunity of examining. IN AMES OF THE ARTISTS BY WHOM THE COLLECTION OF PICTURES IN BUKGHLEY HOUSE WAS PAINTED, WITH THE PLACES WHERE THEY WERE BORN, AND THE TIMES OF THEIR BIRTHS AND DEATHS. The figures attached to each name denote the position of the several pictures by that artist in the collection. The miniatures are those contained in the Glass-cases, or Cabinets, described pp. 259-266. Agar, Jacques d' .. .. Paris .. 1640 1716. 390, 391. Albano, Francesco .. Bologna .. 1578 1666, 101, 269, 362, 486. Allegri, Antonio da Coreggio Coreggio .. 1494 1534. 280. Angeli, Filippo d' (called II Napolitano) . . .. Rome .. 1600 1640. 144, 145. 298 NAMES OF THE ARTISTS. NAMES. WHERE BORN. BORN. DIED. Angeloj Michael, Buonaroti . . Arezzo in Tm- 107. cany .. 1474 1563. Angosciola, Sofonisba .. Cremona .. 1533 1626. 316. ApoUonio, Jacopo .. .. Bassano .. 1584 1654. 427. Ashfield, Edmund .. England .. 1726. 202, 207. Baccicio (see Gauli). Balen, Henry Van .. Antwerp .. 1560 1632. 137, 430.1 Baptist (see Monnoyer). Baroccio, Federigo .. Urbino .. 1528 1612. 48, 149, 150, 356, 434, 457, 498. Bassan, or Bassano (see Ponte). Battaglio, Ang, . . . . 156, 158. Battoni, P. . . . . Miniature — 36. Beccafumi, Domenico .. Siena .. 1484 1549. 357. Bellini, Jacopo . . Venice .. 1405 1470. 344. Berghem or Berchem, Nicholas ^aarZem .. 1624 1683. 248. Bles, Henry de .. .. Bovines 1480 1550. 452. Boit .. Stockholm .. 1726. Miniature — 18. ' See the list of Errata. NAMES OF THE ARTISTS. 299 Bolognese (see Grimaldi). Bone, H. P. . . 423, 424. Miniatures— 75, Borgognone (see Cortese). Boschaert, Nicholas 85, 110, 132. Bosse, Abraham . . Miniature — 4 1 . Both, John 87, 538. Both, Andrew 538. Bourdon, Sebastian 459. Boyle, Lady Charlotte 185. Brandi, Giacinto 115. Breughel, John 478, 482, 483, 490. Briggs 395. Bril, Paul 45, 373, 475. Bronzino, Agnolo 54. Brun, Carlo le 21, 479. Buonaroti, Michael Angelo Michael) WHERE BORN. BORN. DIED. 76, 78, 80. Antwerp .. 1696 Tmrs .. 1610 Utrecht .. 1610 1650. Utrecht .. 1645. Montpelier.. 1616 1671. Poli, near Rome 1623 1691. .. Brussels .. 1565 1642. Antwerp .. 1554 1626. Florence .. 1511 1580. .. Paris .. 1619. 1690. (see Angelo, 300 NAMES OF THE ARTISTS. NAMES. WHERE BORN. BORN. DIEO. Byres . . Miniature — 35 . Cabel,. or Kabel, Adrian Vander iZy^wtCi?; .. 1631 1695. 535, 537. Cagliarij Paolo, (called Paolo Veronese) . . Verona .. 1532 1588. 61, 192, 233, 289, 294, 320, 361, 368, 547. Calvart, Denis . . Antwerp . . 1555 1619. 275. Caracci, Lodovico .. .. Bologna .. 1555 1619. 252, 319, 405. Caracci, Agostino . . Bologna . . 1558 1602. 413. Caracci, Annibale .. .. Bologna .. 1560 1609. 134, 200, 277, 292. Caracci, Antonio .. Venice .. 1583 1618. 36, 439. Caravaggio, Polidoro Caldara, da Caravaggio, in 229, 317, 358. theMilanese 1495 1543. Caravaggio, Michael Angelo, da, Caravaggio, in 183. theMilanese 1569 1609. Cardi, Lodovico, (called Cigoli) Cigoli in Tus- 52. cani/ .. 1559 1613. Carre, Henry .. .. Amsterdam.. 1656 1721. 247. Castelli, Valerio .. Genoa .. 1625 1659. 241, 283, 461. Castiglione, Giovanni Benedetto Genoa .. 1616 1670. 234, 381. NAMES OF THE ARTISTS. 301 NAMES. Castiglione, Francisco (sonoi last named artist) 141, 148, 242, 244. Celesti, Cavaliere Andrea . . 499, 501, 557. Chiari, Guiseppe . . 86, 90, 135, 187. Cignani, Carlo 416. Cigoli (see Cardi) . Cimabue, Giovanni. . 154. Claude (see Lorraine). Cleg . . 548, 549. Clovio, Giulio Giorgio 43. Cooper, Samuel Miniatures— 9, 22, 32, 48, 56 Coreggio (see Allegri). Cortese, Jacopo, (called II Bor gognone) 326, 331. Cortona, Pietro Berretini, da 465.1 Cousins 313. Cozza, Francesco . . 39. ^ See the list of Errata. WHERE BORN. BORN. DIED. Genoa . . Venice .. 1637 1706. Rome .. 1654 1727. Bologna .. 1628 1719. Florence 1240 1300. Croatia .. 1498 1578. London .. 1609 1672. St. Hippolyte 1621 1676. Cortona 1596 1669. Istilo in Calabria 1605 1682. 302 NAMES OF THE ARTISTS. NAMES. WHEKE BORN. BORN. DIED. Cranach or Kranach, Lucas . . Cranach .. 1472 1553. 203. Credi, Lorenzo di . . Florence . . 1452 1530. 18. Crosse, Lewis .. .. 1724. Miniature — 10. DaM, Michael .. Stockholm.. 1656 1743. 1, 2, 3. Dance, Sir N., Bart. . . 176, 190, 194. Danckers or Danckert, Henry Antwerp . . 1630 553. Dixon, John .. .. ■ 1715. Miniatures — 2, 58. Dobson, William .. .'. London .. 1610 1646. 69, 70, 205. Dolci, Carlo . . . . Florence .. 1616 1686. 27, 285, 298, 300, 435, 436, 447, 480. Domenichino, Domenico Zam- pieri . . .. Bologna .. 1581 1641. 26, 29, 96, 106, 152, 163, 253, 350, 359, 450, 455. Durer, Albert . . .. Nuremberg.. 1471 1528. 28, 35, 99, 258, 555. Elsheimer, or Elzheimer, Adam ^'ra?^^or^ .. 1574 1620. ■ 128, 136. Eyck, JanVan .. .. Maeseyk 1370 1441. 151, 201. Farinato, Paolo . . Verona . . 1522 1606. 236. Ferrari, Giovanni Andrea de . . Genoa . . 1598 1669. 444, 462. NAMES OF THE ARTISTS. 303 NAMES. WHERE BORN. BORN. DIED. Ferri, Giro .. .. Rome .. 1634 1689. 100, 278. Feti, Domenico .. Rome .. 1589 1624. 458, 510. Fiori, Mario da (see Nuzzi). Floris, Francis ,, Antwerp .. 1520 1570. 337. Franceschini, Cavalierie Marc Antonio .. .. Bologna .. 1648 1729. 24, 165, 523. Francia, Francesco . . Bologna . . 1450 1522, 406. Franck or Francken, John Bap- tiste .. .. Antwerp .. 1600 127. Garofalo, Benvenuto Tisio . . Ferrara . . 1481 1559. 364. Gauli, Giovanni Batista (called Baccicio) .. .. Genoa .. 1639 1709. 267. Gennari, Benedetto .. Cento .. 1633 1715. 230, 386, 403. Gerards or Guerards, Mark Bruges .. 1560 1635. 8, 209, 210. Gherardi, Cristoforo . . Borgo S. Sepol- 493. cro .. 1500 1552. Ghirlandajo, Ridolfi Corradi . . Florence . . 1485 1560. 412. Gibbons, Grinling ., London .. 1650 1721. 177. 304 NAMES OF THE ARTISTS. NAMES. WHERE BORN. BORN. DIED. Gimignani or Gemignanao, Giacinto .. .. Pistoja .. 1611 1680. 318, 323. Giordano, Luca . . Naples . . 1632 1705. 64, 88, 91, 97, 130, 399, 400, 401, 402, 489. Miniature— 66. Giorgione, Giorgio Barbarelli. . Castelfranco 1477 1511. Miniature — 33. Goes, Hugo Vander . . Bruges . . 1405 89. Grimaldi, Giovanni Francesco (called II Bolognese) . . Bologna .. 1606 1680. 50, 58, 146. Gucht, John Vander . . Antwerp . . 1696 1776. 76. Guercino, Giovanni Francesco Barbieri .. .. Cento .. 1590 1666. 12, 121, 166, 246, 271, 353, 355, 398. Guido (see Reni). Gurnier, Du . . . . Miniature — 61. Heem, Cornelius de .. Utrecht . . 1623 117. Heere, Lucas de . . Ghent . . 1534 1584. 5, 7, 507. Heil, Daniel Van . . . . Brussels . . 1604 Miniatures — 1, 3. Hobbema, Minderhout . . Haarlem . . 1611 1678. 378. Holbein, Hans . . . . Basle or Augs- 196, 208, 211,213, 219. burg 1498 1554. NAMES OF THE ARTISTS. 305 NAMES. WHERE BORN. BORN. DIED. Honthorst, Gerard .. Vtrecht 1592 1660. 231. Hoskins, John . . . . 1664. Miniatures— 4, 5, 6, 53, 55, 67, 68, 71, 73. Hoskins, John (the younger) Miniature — 54. Hudson, Thomas .. .. Devonshire.. 1701 1779. 67, 392, 394. Janssen, Cornelius .. Amsterdam 1590 1665. 214, 218, 227, 333. Jordaens, Jacob .. Antwerp .. 1594 1678. 155, 228. Kauffman, Maria Angehca .. Coire .. 1742 1807. Ill, 116, 120, 237, 243, 245, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 314, 502, 524. Kneller, Sir Godfrey .. Luheck .. 1648 1723. 73> 78, 81, 82, 83, 84, 558, 565. Koninck, David de . . Antwerp . . 1636 1687. 93, 119, 167, 182, 382, 477, 481, 505, 508. Lanfranco, Cavaliere Giovanni Parma . . 1581 1647. 25, 468. Langton, — lived about 1700. 181. Lauri, Fihppo . . Rome . . 1623 1694. 126, 438, 467, 470, 485, 487, 488, 492, 494, 495. Lawrence, Sir Thomas Bristol 1769 1830. 75, 500, 511, 568. Lely, Sir Peter . . Soest in West- phalia .. 1617 1680. 74, 77, 232, 388, 389, 393, 527, 541, 543. u 306 NAMES OF THE ARTISTS. NAMES. Liberi, Cavaliere Pietro . . 63, 65, 123, 259, 556. Lint, Henry Van . . 139. Lis or Lys, John Vander . . 22, 34. Lorraine, Claude Gelee 169, 363, 366. Loti or Loth, Giovanni Carlo 59, 60, 62, 417. Luti, Cavaliere Benedetto . . 484, 491. Macpherson, of Florence Miniature — 14. Mangoni, R. Miniature — 40. Mantegna, Andrea 497. Maratti, Carlo 49, 57, 118, 157, 249, 250, 414, 419, 425, 432, 454, Massini, Chr. 217. Mazzuoli, Francesco (called II Parmigiano) . . 32, 42, 270, 301, 348, 407, Medina, Giovanni Battista . 385. Melville, Alexander 6. WHERE BORN. BORN. DIED. Padua 1605 1687. Antwerp lived about 1680. Oldenburg . . 1570 1629. Chamagne in Lorraine.. 1600 1682. Munich .. 1632 1698. Florence 1666 1724. Padua 1431 1505. Camurano, in Ancona . . 1625 1713. 255, 256, 299, 322, 334, 404, 471. Parma 428, 496. Brussels 1503 1540. 1660 1711. NAMES OF THE ARTISTS. 307 NAMES. WHERE BORN. BORN. DIED. Meulen, Anthony Francis Van- der . . 472, 476, 516. Mignard, Peter 251. Minderhout, Giles 133. Mola, Pietro Francesco 168, 188, 321, 335. Monna or Mona, Domenico 140. Monnoyer, John Baptist . . 112, 383, 384, 567, 569. Murillo, Bartolome Estevan 161, 380. Muron, Mrs., born about 1730. Miniature — 59. Muziano, Girolanao . . Aquafredda. . 1528 1590. 448. Myn, Herman Vander .. Amsterdam.. 1684 1741. 162, 164. Newton, . . . . Miniature — 79. Nun at Rome . . . . 173. Nuzzi, Mario (called Mario da Fiori) .. .. Penna .. 1603 1673. 166. Oliver, Isaac .. ., England .. 1556 1617. Miniature — 81. Oliver, Peter . . .. London .. 1601 1660. Miniature — 46. . . Brussels .. 1634 1690. . . Troyes .. 1610 1695. Antwerp . . 1637 . . Coldra, in the MilaneseState 1609 1665. . . Ferrara .. 1550 1602. Lisle .. 1635 1699. . . Pitas, near Se- ville .. 1613 1685. 308 NAMES OF THE ARTISTS. NAMES. WHERE BORN. BORN. DIED. Palma, Jacopo Vecchio (called old Palma) . . . . Serinalta, in the 352, 418, 460. Bergamese territory 1510 Pannini, Cavaliere Giovanni Paolo .. .. Piacensa .. 1691 1758. 552. Parmigiano (see Mazzuoli). Pasinelli, Lorenzo . . . . Bologna . . 1629 1700. 410. Passeri, Giovanni Batista Rome .. 1610 1679. 153, 290. Passeri, Giuseppe .. Rome .. 1654 1714. 180. Paton, Richard — flourished about 1758. 175. Peschi, E. 171. Peters, Rev. William 103, 108, 160, 305. Petitot, John .. Geneva .. 1607 1691. Miniatures— 11, 15, 29, 30, 37. Phillips, G., R. A. . . 566. Poelemburg, Cornelius . . Utrecht . . 1586 1660. 55, 257. Ponte, Giacomo da (usually called II Bassano) . . Bassano .. 1510 1592. 351, 371, 409. Ponte, Leandro da. . . . Bassano . . 1558 1623. 186,1 347. No reference has been made to the pictures, numbered 46, 530, 531, 532, 533, as, although they are unquestionably painted by one of the family of the Bassans, it is impossible to say which is the actual artist. * See the list of Errata. NAMES OF THE ARTISTS. 309 Poussin, Nicholas 287, 296, 340. Poussin, Gaspar Dughet 92, 429, 443. Powle, 68. Preti, Mattia (called II Cala- brese) 370. Procaccini, Giulio Cesare 122. RaflFaelle, Raffaelle Sanzio 235, 325, 327. RafFaellino, da Reggio . . 456. Rathbone, John . . 309, 311.1 Ravesteyn, Hubert Van 369. ReifPenstein, 113, 114,2 544.3 Rembrandt, Van Ryn . . 98, 102, 226, 240. Reni, Guido WHERE BORN. Andely in Normandy . . Rome Taverna in Calabria Bologna XJrbino Reggio Cheshire Bort Bologna BORN. DIED. 1594 1665. 1613 1675. 1613 1699. 1548 1626. 1483 1520. 1605 1654. 1750 1807. 1647 near Leyden 1606 1674. 10, 37, 40, 44, 47, 56, 94, 291, 330, 332, 426, 509, 526. Ricci, Sebastiano 17, 131. Riccio, Domenico 324, 329. ' See the Errata. - Ibid. ■5 Ibid. Belluno, in the Venetian State . . Verona 1574 1642. 360, 365, 420, 1659 1734. 1494 1567. 310 NAMES OF THE ARTISTS. NAMES. WHERE BORN. Richardson, Jonathan . . London 71. Riley, John . . . . London 561. Rocquet, . . France Miniature — 16. Romanelli, Giovanni Francesco Viterho 466. Romano, Giulio . . . . Rome 11, 411. Romney, George . . Lancashire . 198. Rosa, Salvatore . . Naples 138, 342. Rottenhamer, John . . Munich 295. Rubens, Sir Peter Paul . . Cologne 9, 51, 125, 286. Ruysdael, Jacob . . Haarlem 95, 105. Ruyter, N. de . . . . Flanders 315, 341. Sacchi, Andrea . . Rome 33, 328, 431, 441, 449, 453. Salvi, Giovanni Batista (called II Sassoferrato) . . Sassoferrato 104, 273, 446. Sarto, Andrea Vanucchi del . . Florence 276, 345. Sassoferrato (see Salvi). BORN. DIED. 1665 1745. 1646 1691. 1617 1662. 1492 1546. 1734 1802. 1615 1673. 1564 1606. 1577 1640. 1636 1681. 1688 1594 1661. 1605 1685. 1488 1530. NAMES OF THE ARTISTS. 311 NAMES. WHERE BORN. BORN. DEID. Savery, Roland ,. Courtray .. 1576 1639. 473. Scarsella, Ippolito (called Lo Scarsellino) .. .. Ferrara .. 1560 1621. 53.1 Schiavone, Andrea . . . . Sebenico in 282, 376, 421. Balmatia 1522 1582. Schidoni or Schedone, Barto- lommeo . . . . Modena . . 1560 1616. 284, 288, 293, 354, 372, 374, 377, 379, 442. Scott, Miss . . . . 422. Segers or Seghers, Daniel .. Antwerp .. 1590 1660. 517. Sestri, Antonio (see Travi) . Shee, Sir Martin Archer . . 191, 396. Silla or Scilla, Agostino. . Messina .. 1629 1700. 129. Sirani, Elisabetta .. .. Bologna .. 1638 1664. 336. Snyders, Francis . . Antwerp . . 1579 1657. 375. Spagnoletto, Josef Ribera . . Xativa in Va- 279, 349. lencia .. 1589 1656. Spencer, . . England . . 1763. Miniature — 28. Steenwyck, Henry (theyounger) Antwerp . . 1589 437. * See the list of Errata. 312 NAMES OF THE ARTISTS. NAMES. WHERE BORN. BORN. DIED. Stern, Silvia . . . . Miniatures— 13, 26, 27, 63. Stone, John . . . . England . . 1653. 195, 199. Sueur, Eustachius le .. Paris .. 161/ 1655. 445, 464. Tassi, Agostino .. Perugia .. 1566 1642. 564. Tempesta Peter Molyn (the younger) .. .. Haarlem .. 1637 1701. 268, 274, 297, 433, 440, 515, 518, 519. Tempesta, Antonio . . Florence . . 1555 1630. 41, 512. Tempesta or Tempestino, Do- menico .. .. Florence .. 1652 504, 521, 528, 529. Teniers, David (the younger) Antwerp .. 1610 1694. 16, 38, 239. Tintoretto, Giacomo Robusti. . Venice .. 1512 1594. 415. Titian, Tiziano VecelU . . Castle of Cadore 1477 1576. 197, 272, 408, 451. Travi, Antonio (called II Sordo di Sestri) . . . . Sestri, in the Ge- 343. noese territory 1613 1668. Trevisani, Cavaliere Francesco Trevigi .. 1656 1746. 14, 15, 19, 20, 339. Urbani, U. . . . . . . Miniature — 3 1 . Vaart, JohnVander .. Haarlem 1647 1721. 534. NAMES OF THE ARTISTS. 313 NAMES. WHERE BORN. BORN. DIED. Vagneer,'L. . . . . • • 159. Valentin, Peter . . Colomiers en 170,513. Brie. .. 1600 1632. Vandyck, Sir Anthony .. Antwerp .. 1599 1641. 79, 109, 189, 193, 212, 215, 338, 463. Vanloo, John Baptist .. Aix in Provence 16S4 1746. 4. Vanni, Francesco Cavaliere .. Siena .. 1563 1610. 30. Vanuden, Lucas . . Antwerp . . 1595 1660. 281. Vecchia, Pietro .. .. Venice .. 1605 1678. 346. Velasquez de Silva, Don Diego Seville . . 1594 1660. 221, 225. Verdizottiji Giovanni Maria . . Venice . . 1525 1600. 31. Verelst, Maria . . . • • • 1630 72, 172, 474, 520, 525. Verhoek, Peter Cornelius . . Boodegraven 1642 147. Veronese, Paolo (see Cagliari). Verrio Antonio .. Naples .. 1634 1707. 562. Vinci, Lionardo da .. Castleof Vinci 1445 1519. 367, 506, 514. Voligny, Miniatures — 43, 44. Walker, Robert . . . • England . . 1658. 204. ' See the liat of Errata. 3\4 NAMES OP THE ARTISTS. Dresden NAMES. West, Sir Benjamin 307. Wissing, William 224,1 387, 536. Zincke, Frederick Miniatures— 21, 23, 24. Zuccaro or Zucchero, Federigo S. Angelo in 216. Vado Zuccherelli, Francesco . . Pitigliano in 254. Tuscany . . ^ See the list of Errata. WHERE BORN. BORN. DIED. Sprinfield in 1738 1820. Pennsylvania Amsterdam.. 1656 1687. 1684 1767. 1543 1609. 1702 1788. INDEX TO THE POETEAITS. PICTURES. MINIATURES. Aislabie, William, Esq. . . . . . . 80. , Lady Elizabeth . . . . . . 66. Albert, H.R.H. Prince . . . . . . 6. Alvarez, Ferdinand, Duke of Alva ... . . 192. Anne, Queen of England. ..... 74. Augustin St. . . . . . . . . 368. Baglione, Francisco . . . . . . 354. Bates Mrs. . . . . . . . . 524. Bennet, Lady Annabella . , .. .. 77. Boyle, Hon. Robert . . . . . . . . 18. Brown, Launcelot, Esq. . . . . . . 176. Browne, Sir Anthony, first Viscount Montague . . 5. , Anthony Maria, second Viscount Mon- tague, and his two Brothers .. .. 81. -Caracci, Armibale . . . . . . 200. Caroline, Queen . . . . . . . . 3. Catherine II, . . . . . . . . 549. Cavendish, William, Duke of Newcastle . . 215. , Hon. Charles . . . . . . 157. , Col. .. .. .. .. 5. Cecil, Mrs. Jane . . . . . . 223. , Sir William, Lord Treasurer Burghley . . 209. 316 INDEX TO THE PORTRAITS. PICTURES. MINIATURES. Cecil, Thomas, first Earl of Exeter . . 214, , Dorothy NeviU, his first Wife . . . . 227. , Lady Georgi- Anna, Daughter of the first Earl 218. , Elizabeth, second Wife of the second Earl 205, 527. , William, Lord Roos . . . . . . 393. 60. , Elizabeth, Countess of the third Earl . . 541. 54. , John, the fourth Earl . . . . . . 79. 53. , Frances, his Countess . . . . 79, 385. , Hon. David, younger Son of the fourth Earl 390. 6. , Lady Frances, Daughter of the same . . 390. , John, the fifth Earl . . . . 82, 388, 390. , Anne, his Countess .. .. 81,389. 37. , Hon. William, Son of the fifth Earl 73, 536. , Hon. Charles, Son of the same . . . . 391. , Hon. Edward, Son of the same . . 84. , Lady Elizabeth, Daughter of the same . . 391. , John, the sixth Earl . . 387, 391. , Elizabeth, his Countess . . . . 83. , John, the seventh Earl . . . . 78. , Brownlow, the eighth Earl . . ' .. 71,558. 21. , Hannah Sophia, his Countess . . . . 72. 23. , Lady EUzabeth, Daughter of the eighth Earl 394. 28. , Lady Anne, Daughter of the same . . 392. , Brownlow, the ninth Earl . . . . 67. 24. , Letitia, his Countess . . . . 68. 16. , Henry, tenth Earl, and first Marquis 75, 396. , Sarah, his second Wife . . . . . . 75. , Lady Sophia, their daughter . . . . 75, 500. 77. , Lord Thomas, their Son . . . . 500. , Elizabeth, third wife of the first Marquis 568. , Brownlow, the present Marquis . . 191, 500. 78. , Isabella, the present Marchioness . . 511. 79. , William Alleyne, Lord Burghley, their eldest Son . . . . . . . . 80. , Lord Brownlow Thomas Montague, their second Son . . . . . . 80. , Lady Mary Frances, their eldest Daughter .. 422. 78. INDEX TO THE PORTRAITS. 317 Cecil, Sir Robert, first Earl of Salisbury , Lady Anne, Daughter of the second Earl of Salisbury .. .. •• 212. , Master Chambers, Thomas, Esq. Chaplin, Lady EUzabeth . . . . . . 394. Charles L .. .. 195. II. , with his Brother and Sisters • • 199. Charles v., of Spain .. * .. 431. Charles IX., of France . . • • • • 220. Charles XII., of Sweden . . • • 124. Cleveland, Barbara, Duchess of . . 74, 543. Cranmer, Archbishop . . . . • • page 198. Cromwell, Thomas, Earl of Essex . . . . 196. Cromwell, Oliver . . . . . • 204. Dacres, Magdalen . . • • 7. Desmond, Countess of . . . . . . 226. Devereux, Robert, Earl of Essex . . . . 216, Devonshire, Elizabeth, Countess of , William, Duke of . . . . 69. , Rachael, Duchess of . . . . 70. Dolci, Carlo's, Daughter . . . . . . 435. Domenichino's Mistress . . . . . . 163. Edward VI. .. .. .. 213. Ehzabeth, Queen of England .. .. 210,219. Ernest Augustus, and Sophia his Wife Exeter (see Cecil). Exeter, a Countess of . . Eyck, Jan Van .. .. .. .. 201. Gainsborough, Earl of . . . . . . 560. Garrick, David . . . . . . • . 190. George I. . . . . . • • • !• IL 2. IV. .. Giordano, Luca Gregory, Pope . . . . . . • • 328. MINIATURES. 55. 67. 8. 28. 4. 22. 19. 48. 49. 25. 75. 66. 318 INDEX TO THE PORTRAITS. PICTURES, MINIATURES. Guido Hamilton, Sir William Haschard, Dr. Henrietta Maria, Queen of Charles I. Henry VIII. .. Hobbes, Thomas Isabella Clara Eugenia . . Kauffman, Angelica Kent, H.R.H. Duchess of Kirk, Mrs. Ann Kneller, Sir Godfrey Lipsius, Justus Lonsdale, Wilham, Earl of Louis XIV. — xvin. Luther, Martin Maintenon, Madame de Mary, Queen of England Matilda, Countess Montrose, Duchess of Nevill, Lady Dorothy Newton, Sir Isaac Paoli, General Parmigiano's Mistress Pelham, Mrs. Pembroke, Lady Percy, Lady Elizabeth Peterborough, Earl of Queroualle, Louisa de Rafifaelle Raleigh, Sir Walter, and his Son Russell, Lady Rachael Sevigne, Madame de Southampton, Earl of St. Helens, Lord . . Stanley, Venetia Anastatia Stern, Silvia 544. 561. 193. 208. 559. 217. 194. 312. 565. 566. 554. 203. 479. 211. 154. 76. 227. 563. 539. 171. 198. 202. 189. 224. 423, 551. 27. 71. 68. 7. 30. 10. 34. 56. 32. 63. 29. 38. 62. INDEX TO THE PORTRAITS. 319 PICTURES. MINIATURES. Stothard . . . . . . . . page 239. Stuart, Charles Edward . . . . . . 50. , Maria Matilda .. .. 5). Tell, William . . . , . . . . 240. Titian .. .. .. .. 26. Titian's Wife and Son . . . . . . 38. Townshend, Marchioness of, and her Son . . 314. Tuscany, Duke of .. .. .. .. 397. Valliere, Madame de la . . . . 108, 469. Verrio, Antonio . . . . . . . . 562. Victoria, Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen 303, 313. Warwick, Lady .. .. .. .. 207. Wellington, Arthur, Duke of . . . . 395, 424. Williams, Lady . . . . . . . . 534. WiUis, Dr. . . . . . . . . 550. York, H.R.H., the late Duke of .. .. 76. ERRATA. Page 98, last line but six, for " 1570," read " 1560." „ 139, line 4, for " 1688," read " 1678." „ 144, line 3, for " 1722," read " 1700." „ 144, last line but six, for " 1791," read " 1761." ,, 144, same line, for " Gomier," read " Gamier." „ 185, picture 31, for " Vidozotti," read " Verdizotti." ,, 185, picture 53, for " Surcelo Farara," read " Ippolito Scarsella." ,, 192, lines 1 and 5, for " clara obscura," read " cMar-oscuro." ,, 196, pictures 113, 114, for "Ravesteyn," read " Reiffenstein." ,, 206, picture 186, for " G. Bassano," read " Leandro da Ponte." ,, 209, instead of the note after picture 205, read " She was the second wife of William, second Earl of Exeter." „ 211, picture 224, for " Anon.," read " Wissing." „ 226, pictures 309 and 311, for " Rath Bonn," read " Rathbone," ,, 254, picture 430, for " Diepenbeck," read " H. Van Balen." „ 256, picture 465, for " Van Remee," read " P. da Cortona." „ 271, picture 544, for " Anon.," read " Reiffenstein." ■ :i