=0 i. OF-CALIFO/? I HOWELL'S FAMILIAR LETTERS. EPISTOLsE HO-ELIAN^E The Familiar Letters of James Howell Historiographer Royal to Charles II. EDITED, ANNOTATED, AND INDEXED BY JOSEPH JACOBS CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE ROYAI. ACADEMY OF HISTORY, MADRID INTRODUCTION, BOOK I. LONDON: PUBLISHED BY DAVID NUTT IN THE STRAND MDCCCXCII \J I f 7o 3/r. (MOM; JDr.) JAMES GQW, at Nottingham. MY DEAR Go iv, TT is some years ago, you may remember, that you asked me to procure you a Howell, if 1 chanced upon another copy. Here then at last you have him, tricked out in braver apparel than he ever yet has known, and provided with such aids to the better understanding and enjoying of him as my poor skill could devise. You were probably attracted to Howell, as I was, by our Thackeray's perhaps too enthusiastic praise ; but, once the ceremony of introduction is over, he wins us to him- self by his own merits. His wide range of experience nnd of interest, his vicissitudes of travel and of fortune, the many cities he visited, the many men he knew, his fund of gossip and anecdote, his quaint yet earnest reflections on life, all combine to make his Letters a more varied literary repast than almost any other collection of the kind in our literature ; and with it all there goes his unabashed self- satisfaction in his own cleverness which gives an added piquancy to everything he says. In short, he is Jirst in point of time of the order of men to which Pepys, Bosivell, and JValpole belong. I am hoping that he will take his place by their b 647173 vi To DR. JAMES Gow. their side as one of' the perennial sources., instructive at once and amusing, of English Culturgeschichte. Amid all his vanity and superficiality, there is one note of sentiment which rings true. He could make friends and keep them. I have therefore thought it not inappropriate to connect this attempt to win for him a secure place in English Letters with the name of one of my oldest and truest friends. I am, my dear Gow, Yours very sincerely, JOSEPH JACOBS. KILBURN, this ist of October, 1890. CONTENTS. PAGE DEDICATION v PREFACE . . . . ix TESTIMONIA xr INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . xxi APPENDIX : BIBLIOGRAPHY OF HOWELL'S WORKS . Ixxxiii EPISTOL^E HO-ELIAN^E : Book I. (1645) 17 Book II. (1647) . . . .375 Book III. (1650) 511 Book IV. (1655) . ., -555 SUPPLEMENT I. : DOCUMENTS OF AND ABOUT HOWELL . 649 Do. II. : Do. do. . 673 NOTES 699 INDEX . . . . . ..... . . 809 PREFACE. F is strange that no new edition of Howell's Letters has appeared for the last 130 years. In the century after their first appear- ance, no less than a dozen edi- tions testified to their continued vitality, and stray allusions prove that they have never passed beyond the ken of the true lovers of books. A work which Thackeray has praised so highly, and Scott, Browning, and Kingsley have used for some of their most popular effects, cannot be said to have ever lost its chances of revival. Perhaps the supply of the second-hand copies of twelve editions has hitherto been sufficient to satisfy the demand. But the avidity of our American cousins is fast causing this source to fail, and the time x PREFACE. time seems opportune for Howell to make a fresh bid for the popularity he deserves. In order not to diminish his chances, I have selected for this reprint the so-called tenth edition of 1737, which is regarded as the best "in the trade," or, in other words, has found most favour among readers hitherto. This is sufficiently archaic to give the old-world air which seems congenial to the book, and yet sufficiently free from the eccentri- cities of seventeenth century spelling, which repel so many readers. There is a special reason why we may more boldly depart from the spelling of the original copies in Ho well's case than in that of most others. In his way, Howell was a spelling reformer, and attempted to carry out his reforms in his own books. But, then as now, authors had to reckon with compositors, and what with Howell's reforms and his printer's customs of the trade, a more confounded confusion could not well be ima- gined than the cacography of the early editions. And the punctuation if punctuation it can be called is in even a still worse state. It did not seem worth while to reproduce this. The history of English spelling is doubtless an instructive and exhilarating study, but the interests of English literature are paramount. In the Supplement, how- ever, I have reproduced the previously inedited Letters of Howell with diplomatic accuracy, from which the reader will be able to judge what he has lost. PREFACE. xi lost, or gained, by my adoption of a middle course between entire modernisation and retention of the original spelling. In one point it seemed worth while reverting to Howell's original spelling. The proper names, personal and geographical, had suffered somewhat severely at the hands of successive reprinters. I have therefore restored these, I believe in every case, to the form in which they appeared in the first editions of the several parts. While doing this, I have corrected the few misprints, and here and there have restored the original spelling, either because it was more quaint or more modern than the orthography of 1737. In my annotations, I have endeavoured to iden- tify the many persons mentioned by Howell, and have for the most part been successful. For the rest, I have tried to interpret Howell as much as possible from himself, by reference to similar passages or views in other parts of the Letters, or in his other works. The question of the authen- ticity of the letters has particularly engaged my attention, and I have been often obliged on this account to go into minutiae, biographical and historical, which would otherwise be superfluous. On the other hand, I have spared the reader the infliction of long parallel passages intended only to elucidate or illustrate rare words occurring in the Letters, contenting myself for the most part with xii PREFACE. with the curtest definitions inserted in the Index. I am heretic enough to believe that English litera- ture was not solely written to provide quotations for the Oxford English Dictionary, though I have done what I could for that noble undertaking by indexing Howell's phraseology. In compiling my annotations I have consulted books with all the diligence I could, and where books failed, I have been equally diligent in con- sulting men. I have to mention in this connection Mr. Henry Bradley, Mr. G. T. Clark, F.S.A., Mr. Everard Green, F.S.A., Dr. James Gow, Mr. Octa- vius Johnson of the Cambridge University Library, Mr. S. L. Lee, Mr. C. Trice Martin, F.S.A., Mr. Alfred Morrison, and Professor Rhys, who has been invaluable for Welsh matters. Some of these gentlemen I have the happiness to call my friends, others I have only approached in connection with the present work. But each and all have taken great pains to answer my questions, and have taken even greater when they could not. One name deserves to stand out from the list of those to whom I am indebted. The only person who, so far as I can find, has hitherto made serious collections for an edition of Howell was Mr. Henry King, whose name was known to the readers of Notes and Queries in the "fifties" and "sixties." His notes came recently into a bookseller's cata- logue, where I heard of them, of course, a couple of PREFACE. xiii of days too late. Fortunately for me, they had come into the possession of Mr. C. H. Firth, who, on my application to him, willingly granted me the use of King's materials. These consisted chiefly of elaborate biographical notes on some eighty or ninety of the persons mentioned in the Letters. I have culled from these what I thought was pertinent to my researches, and when I make use of them I have added Mr. King's initials. Mr. Firth has added to this obligation by communi- cating to me his marginal notes on his own copy of Howell, and has crowned his kindness by going through my Notes in the proofs. I have made specific acknowledgment for each item of infor- mation by adding Mr. Firth's initials to the notes thus obtained. But no such acknowledgment could adequately express the advantage I have reaped by having ready access to the vast and minute knowledge of the period possessed by Mr. Firth, almost alone among contemporary English- men. I have no terms sufficient to express my gratitude for the ready generosity shown by Mr. Firth towards one, whose only claim upon him was a common interest in Howell and in the truth. At the same time it is only fair to Mr. Firth and to myself to relieve him from any responsibility for any of the views expressed in the Notes or the Introduction. One last acknowledgment and my debts are paid so xiv PREFACE. so far as words can repay kindness. This time it is one who was dead and buried before I thought of Howell. Yet he has laid me and all other students of English history and letters in the seventeenth century under every kind of obligation. He wrote good books himself, and, what is more to the pre- sent purpose, collected the materials out of which good books could be written. I am surprised that more use is not made of the Forster Library at South Kensington Museum by students of the Stuart period, who will find there almost everything they can desire for their work, very accessible and most comfortably arranged. I have done most of my work for this edition of Howell in the snug room devoted to the Dyce and Forster collections. My only regret has been that I could not personally thank John Forster for the conveniences thus laid at my disposal. As that is impossible, let my thanks be given to his representative in this con- nection, Mr. R. F. Sketchley, the courteous and obliging Librarian of the Dyce and Forster collec- tions, who has aided my researches in every pos- sible way. JOSEPH JACOBS. TEST I MONIA. NOT to know the Author of these Poems, were an ignorance beyond Barbarism. . . . He may be called the prodigie of his Age, for the variety of his Volumes ; for from his Aei/^oXoy/a or Parly of Trees [1640], to his j^oXoy/'a or Parly of Beasts [1660] (not inferior to the other), there hath pass'd the Press above forty of his Works on various subjects ; useful not only to the present times, but to all posterity. And .'tis observed that in all his Writings there is something still New, either in the Matter, Method or Fancy, and in an untrodden Tract. Moreover, one may dis- cover a kinde of Vein of Poesie to run through the body of his Prose, in the Continuity and succinctness thereof all along. He teacheth a new way of Epistolizing ; and that Familiar Letters may not only consist of Words and a bombast of Compliments, but that they are capable of the highest Speculations and solidest kind of Knowledge. PAYNE FISHER, Preface to Mr. HoweVs Poems, 1664. AND now I think on it, I cannot a little wonder that whilst there are extant so many volumes of letters, and familiar epistles in the politer modern languages, Italian, Spanish, and French, we should have so few tolerable ones of our own country now extant, who have adorned the part of elegancy, so proper and so becoming persons of the nobility, quality, and men of business, and educa- tion, as well as lovers and couriers of the fair sex. Sir Francis Bacon, Dr. Donne, and I hardly remember any else who have published anything considerable, and these but gleanings : or Cabal men, who have put many things in a heap, without much choice xvi TESTIMONIA. choice or fruits, especially as to the culture of the style or language, the genius of the nation being almost another thing than it was at that time. James Howell published his " Ho-Elianae " for which he indeed was laughed at (not for his letters which acquainted us with a number of passages worthy to be known and had never else been preserved) but which, were the language enlightened with that sort of exercise and conversation, I should not question its being equal to any of the most celebrated abroad. JOHN EVELYN to Lord Spencer (1688). HE had a singular command of his pen whether in verse or in prose, and was well read in modern Histories, especially in those of the Countries wherein he had travelled, had a parabolical and allusive fancy, according to his motto Senesco non segnesco. But the Reader is to know that his writings, having been only to gain a livelihood, and by their dedications to flatter great and noble persons, are very trite and empty, stolen from other authors with- out acknowledgment, and fitted only to please the humours of novices. . . . Many of the said Letters were never written before the Author of them was in the Fleet, as he pretends they were, only feigned (no time being kept with their dates) and purposely published to gain money to relieve his necessities, yet give a tolerable history of these times. ANTHONY A WOOD, Athena Oxon. (1691), iii. 744 (ed. 1817). HE was master of more modern languages and author of more books than any other Englishman of his time. J. GRANGER, Biogr. Hist, of Engl. (1769). I BELIEVE the second published correspondence of this kind and in our own language, at least of any importance after Hall, will be found to be EPISTOL^E HOELIAN^E, or the letters of James Howell, a great traveller, an intimate friend of Jonson, and the first who bore the office of historiographer, which dis- cover a variety of literature, and abound with much entertaining and useful information. T. WARTON, Hist, of English Poetry (1781), Ixiv. ad fin. HOWELL, the author of Familiar Letters, &c., wrote the chief part TESTIMONIA. xvii part of them, and almost all his other works, during his long con- finement in the Fleet Prison ; some say for debts which his irregular living had occasioned, and others for political reasons. This is certain, that he used his pen for subsistence in that im- prisonment, and there produced one of the most agreeable works in the English language. I. D'ISRAELI, Curiosities of Literature (1791). A WORK containing numberless anecdotes and historical narratives, and forming one of the most amusing and instructive volumes of the seventeenth century. SIR EGERTON BRYDGES, Centura Literaria (1808), vi. 232. THE Epist. Ho-Eliana is one of the most amusing volumes extant. And I purpose, God willing, at some future time to give a new and corrected impression of this excellent book, with notes and an appendix, for which work I have for a long time past been making the necessary collections. PH. BLISS, notes on Athen. Oxon. (1817), iii. 747. HOWELL has no wit, but he has abundance of conceits, flat and commonplace enough. With all this he was a man of some sense and observation. His letters are entertaining. H. HALLAM, Literature of Europe (1839), iii. 393 (ed. 1872). WHAT old English work, it might be asked, is there which gives so vivid a picture of the period to which it relates, in so amusing a style, and which so pleasantly varies its subjects, passing " from grave to gay, from lively to severe," as Howell's Letters? If Anthony Wood's statement is true that many of the letters were composed in prison for the press, and were never actually sent to the correspondents whose names are prefixed to them, the volume is entitled to a still higher place in a critical review of the literature of the time. None but a " master of the craft " could have given to a series prepared for such a purpose, so much of " the form and pressure " of the ordinary letters which pass in the social intercourse of life, without a view to any ulterior destination, between man and man. f; J. CROSSLEY, Diary of Worthington (1847), P- 349- MONTAIGNE xviii TESTIMONIA. MONTAIGNE and " Howel's Letters " are my bedside books. If I wake at night, I have one or other of them to prattle me to sleep again. They talk about themselves for ever and don't weary me. I like to hear them tell their old stories over and over again. I read them in the dozy hours and only half remember them. I am informed that both of them tell coarse stories. I don't heed them. It was the custom of their time, as it is of Highlanders and Hottentots, to dispense with a part of dress which we all wear in cities. ... I love, I say, and scarcely ever tire of hearing, the artless prattle of those two dear old friends, the Perigourdin gentleman and the priggish little Clerk of King Charles's Council. W. M. THACKERAY, Roundabout Papers : On Two Children in Black. A THOROUGH Welshman, Howeil became a celebrated English author in his day. He was past forty years of age before his first book was published. Then for the remaining twenty odd years of his life, with an incessant and unwearying industry, he wrote, compiled, or translated book after book, each varying greatly in subject. Lastly, he is one of the earliest instances of a literary man successfully maintaining himself with the fruits of his pen. E. ARBER, Pref. to Howell's Instructions (1869). To the list of writers whom it is impossible to use with con- fidence must, I am afraid, be added that agreeable letter-writer Howeil. But there can be no doubt that many of his letters are mere products of the bookmaker's skill, drawn up from memory long afterwards \E.g. I. ii. 12]. On the other hand, some of the letters have all the look of being what they purport to be, actually written at the time, but even then, the dates at the end are fre- quently incorrectly given. S. R. GARDINER, Prince Charles and the Spanish Marriage, Pref. p. xiv. (1869). HOWELL had something of the versatile activity of Defoe ; like Defoe, he travelled on the Continent for commercial purposes, and like Defoe, he was often employed on political missions. Only Howeil had less power than the later adventurer, and was less TESTIMONIA. xix less intensely political, observing men good-humouredly, and recording his observations with sparkling liveliness. W. MINTO, Engl. Prose Lit. (1872), p. 351. HE may be called the Father of Epistolary Literature, the first writer, that is to say, of letters which, addressed to individuals, were intended for publication. A style animated, racy, and picturesque ; keen powers of observation ; great literary skill ; an eager, restless, curious spirit ; some humour and much wit, and a catholicity of sympathy very unusual with the writers of his age are his chief claims to distinction. W. B. SCOONES, English Letters (1880), p. 71. MY BOOKS. For the row that I prize is yonder, Away on the unglazed shelves, The bulged and the bruised octavos, The dear and the dumpy twelves. Montaigne with his sheepskin blistered, And Howell the worse for wear, And the worm-drilled Jesuits' Horace, And the little old cropped Moliere, And the Burton I bought for a florin, And the Rabelais foxed and flea'd. For the others I never have opened, But those are the books I read. AUSTIN DOBSON, At tJie Sign of the Lyre (1885), p. 82. HE wrote all manner of things, but has chiefly survived as the author of a large collection of Familiar Letters, which have been great favourites with some excellent judges. They have some- thing of the agreeable garrulousness of Walton. But Howell was not only much more of a gossip than Izaak ; he was also a good deal of a coxcomb, while Walton was destitute of even a trace of coxcombry. In one, however, as in the other, the attraction of matter completely outdoes the purely literary attraction. The reader is glad to hear at first hand what men thought of Raleigh's execution ; XX TESTIMONIA. execution; how Ben Jonson behaved in his cups; how foreign parts looked to a genuine English traveller early in the seventeenth century, and so forth. Moreover, the book was long a very popular one, and an unusual number of anecdotes and scraps passed from it into the general literary stock of English writers. But Howell's manner of telling his stories is not extraordinarily attractive, and has something self-conscious and artificial about it which detracts from its interest. G. SAINTSBURY, Elizabethan Literature (1887), p. 441. INTRODUCTION. , HEN Wales conquered England in 1485, one consequence of the conquest was that Welshmen found a carrih'e ouverte in the civil and military services of England. The finest spirits of the Prin- cipality looked henceforth to England as a fit field for the exercise of their talents. It soon came about that Wales contributed her quota to the spiritual, as well as the practical, life of Eng- land. In the Jacobean period especially, a circle of remark- able men make a distinct Welsh group in the band of English writers. The brothers Herbert, the poet and the autobiographer, the brothers Vaughan, and James Howell, have something special about them a mystic grace in the poet, an overweening vanity in the autobiographer, and a vivacity in the letter writer which may fairly be set down to their Welsh origin. Of these writers Howell is personally as interesting as any, and it would not be too bold to claim for his chief work, the Epistolce Ho-Eliance, 1 that it is the most important contribution Wales has made to English literature. 1 It may be desirable, even at this early stage, to remind the reader that our hero's name is to be pronounced Ho-el. It xxii INTRODUCTION. It cannot be said that either Wales or England has re- cognised adequately Howell's claims as writer or as man. Wales in particular is not so rich in great contributions to English letters that she can afford to neglect perhaps the most important of all. In order to justify both this claim and the implied reproach, a somewhat fuller account of the man and his writings must be afforded than would be neces- sary merely to introduce the Epistolce Ho-Eliaiuz. I. I. HOWELL'S LIFE. 1 Qua Regio in terris nostro non nota Jacobo. P. FISHER. fAMES HO WELL was born at Abernant, 2 co. Carmarthen, in July I593- 3 "At my nativity," says he (infra, p. 372), "my ascendant was that hot constellation of Cancer about the Dog-days, as my Ephe- merides tells me ; Mars was then predo- minant : Of all the elements Fire sways most in me ; I have many aspiring and airy odd thoughts swell often in me; according to the quality of the ground 1 The chief authority for Howell's life has hitherto been Anthony a Wood, Athena Oxon. (ed. Bliss, iii. 744, seq.) : it has not hitherto been noticed that this biography is merely a cento of Ilowell's own statements in the Letters. The admirable life in the Biographia Britannica goes still further in the same direction. The Latin poem prefixed by Payne Fisher to Howell's Poems has some new points. A few additional facts from the State Papers were given by Mr. J. E. Bailey, 5 Notes and Queries, xi. 450, and these were incorporated in the anonymous life in the last edition of the Ency. Brit. Mr. Lee's succinct account in the Diet. Nat. Biog. has several new suggestions. Where no authority is given in the following account, a reference will easily be found, s. v. Howell, James, in the Index. - Theophilus Jones claims him for Brecknockshire in his History of the county, ii. 270, and has been followed by Nicholas, Annals of Wales, p. 102; P. C. Jones, Cymru (in Welsh, 1875), s. v. Howel, James, and Mr. Bailey. But on T. Jones' own showing (I.e. 279) Howell's father vacated the cure of Cefn-Bryn in 1583. Howell is, besides, attributed to Carmarthen in the matriculation lists of his University, where such attribution was of importance in the grant of fellowships. See notes on pp. 218, 238, 688. 3 When he entered Jesus Coll., Oxon., in June 1610, he was 16, ergo, he should have been born in 1 593. whereon xxiv INTRODUCTION. whereon I was born, which was the belly of a huge Hill situated South-East ; so that the House I came from (be- sides my Father's and Mother's Coat) must needs be Illus- trious, being more obvious to the Sun-beams than ordinary. I have, upon occasion of a sudden distemper, sometimes a mad-man, sometimes a fool, sometimes a melancholy odd fellow to deal withal ; I mean myself, for I have the humours within me that belong to all three, therefore I came tumbling out into the World a pure Cadet, a true Cosmopolite ; not born to Land, Lease, House, or Office." His father was one Thomas Howell, of whom all that is known is that he was curate of Cefn-Bryn, in Llangammarch, co. Brecon, 157683, and rector of Cynwil and Abernant, co. Carmarthen, 1583-1631 (Th. Jones, Hist, of Brecknockshire, ii. 270) ; his mother is declared by the same authority to have been the daughter of one Chantor Huet, and was possibly sister-in-law to Sir Sackville Trevor, whom Howell addresses as " uncle." He claims Gwynns, Vaughans, Prices, St Johns as his " cousins/' a somewhat elastic term in the seventeenth century, and in his letter to Philip, Earl of Pembroke (Bill. List, No. 20), he boasts of kinship with the Herberts. 1 Welsh genealogies are proverbially intricate, and are ren- dered so by the fact that surnames were only adopted in the Principality under Roland Lee's ordinance of 1536. But, though difficult, Welsh genealogies are more than usually trustworthy ; for, owing to the clan tenure of Wales, a man's genealogy represented his title-deeds. The genealogy of the Howells can be traced (in a Harleian MS. at the British Museum) back to Tudwal Gloff, son of Rhodri the Great, who flourished in the ninth century. More interest perhaps attaches to the descending than to the ascending 1 Portraits 'of the Howells, including one of James probably taken from the Melan plate, were still preserved, in 1801 at Landeilo House (at Llandeilo Cresseny, on the road between Abergaveny and Carmarthen), the seat of the cadet branch of the Powells (ap. Howell), descended from the Herberts (W. Coxe, Tour in Monmouth, ii. 284). This appears now to be in the possession of Rev. H. Howell of Blaina (D.N.B. s.v.). .; lines HOWELLS O A uthoritjfs. Harl. MS., 4181. ' Howell's Letters and Will. MS. Pedigree lent by J. Bagnall Evans, Esq. Jones, Brecon, I. i. 672. Biog. Brit., s.v. TUDWAL G Howel ab David ab Einion i ab Howel ab Mad ab Tudwal ab G abTi Gruffyd. Ho 1 Humphrey. 1 Thomas. Benjamin. 1 1 I.I Mary. Humphrey. Benjamin. James. vel rle ter Rachel. = Evan David of Trialypwl. William Evans. 1 David. 1 Thomas Dr. = J Howell Howell | j of Abernant. David. James, Cha author of wri 12 books. I Enoch. Hov John Enoch, Cardigan Militia. John, Col. 2 3 rd Welsh Fusiliers. DrU D.Lewis,M.D. \ irell. James. David. | Rachel. = D. E. Johns. Sarah. = Silvan Evans. D. Silvan Evans, B.D. 1 Thomas. Howel!. 1 1 Mary. J. Bagnall M = W. H. Awdry Evans, =W. of M.A.J.P. ofC, Chippenliam. 1 aria. j L Phillips Thomas. Theoi 'yngwyn. \ Thomas. )hilus. William. sIV., f Rev. G. 'Howell ch. \ Llangattoch. owell, 1 Rev. J. Griffiths, ry. \ L landeila Vawr. David. James, J$ \ Vicar of D. 1 John. Clutton. 1 ! Henry W Howell Hugh, of Glaspant. Rector of Llanfymach. | I M heophilu D r = Carnch Rev. W.' Lloyd, | Rev. J. H Rector of V Coven i Manordeifi. David III | Howell j ane . Mary . Ann- Harriet. of ii Gilfach Rev. Wnda. V Mi PENCAERAU. T, fl. A.D. iwel ab John Fychau ab John i Howel ab Gruffyd ib Aulau ab Alser Gloff. I THOMAS, Curate of Llangammarch, Vicar of Conivil and Abernant, = (i) Dr. of J. D. Powell of Bua.lt; (2) Catharine Foy. Thomas, Bishop of Bristol. JAMES, 1593-1666, Historio- grapher Royal. I I I Ann. Rebecca. = Griffith. = Hugh (i) Rev. J. Prichard. Penny. (2) Rhys Vaughan of Cors-y-Gedol. (3) John Price of Richardston. Mary. = Edward. Rev. Jacob Wood. Dr. = Roberta. Gwyn. Price. John. Henry. Charles. Thomas, George, Griffith. Fellow of Rector of New Coll., Bttckland. Oxon. Arthur. Robert, at Elizabeth. Chickester, = J. Bannister. 1695. Hugh. James. Charles. Jeremiah. Howel Howel, Welsh writer, Vicar of Llanbovjy. Hugh, Mary. = ob. 1799. L. Harcourt J. p. of Dan-y- Park. Meredith, Vicar of Brecon, had issue. 1 i Hannah. 5. Thomas, author of "Travels through Anatolia." Benjamin, Rector of Llyswan. Thomas. = Anne : Commodore Hughes. tis, Jenkins. 1 Howel Thomas, Gwyn V adopted Howel of name of Llanelwed Hughes of Hall. Glynn and Brillington. \Bttweenpp. xxiv. xxv INTRODUCTION. xxv lines of the pedigree of a man of repute. James Howell himself never married, but cousins, brothers, and sisters of his have wed and multiplied considerably since the seven- teenth century. Thanks to the courtesy of Mr. J. Bagnall Evans, a descendant of Howell's uncle Griffith, I have been able to draw up the accompanying pedigree of the Howells of PencaeraUj which indicates James Howell's immediate relationships, and at the same time indicates the families now living, who have a personal interest in his name and fame. 1 I have managed to be equally successful with his " Father's and Mother's Coat" of arms referred to in the above extract. Howell destroyed the artistic value of the second state of the plate attached to many of his works by inserting his shield and crest : I have had this engraved for the title-page of the present edition. This has been adopted by a de- scendant of the Howells, who blazons it (cf. T. Nicholas, Annals and Families of Wales, i. 116) as follows : i. Azure, a wolf salient, ppr [should be, arg. cf. Berry, s. v. Howell] ; 2. Arg. a chev. gu. between three cocks ; 3. Erm. charged with a chev. gu. in chief, a lioncil, ppr; 4. Sable, a ion rampant or [should be, reguardant] ; 5. Or, a lion rampant gules; 6. Sable, a bend or between two daggers ppr, hiked or [should be, the one in chief pointing upwards, the one in base downwards, hilts and pomels of the second]. Crest, a wolf, ppr. 2 It is worth while lingering on these particulars, as a man's 1 I have added something from the sources indicated in the margin, while I have expunged from Mr. Evans' MS. pedigree the names of the spouses in most instances, as well as those persons who are mentioned as having died sine prole. I should be glad to receive corrections and additions. The de- scendants of Bishop Howell and of Hugh Penry ought to be more traceable. - With the aid of Mr. Everard Green, F.S.A., I have identified the follow- ing quarterings : i. Howell. 2. Owen. 3. Jenkyn, ap. David. 6. Gwynne of Trecastle. It is, perhaps, worth while adding that Howell's brother, Bishop of Bristol, had for arms Gu., a falcon rising, wings expanded, arg. (Bedford, Blazon of Episcopacy, p. 23). I fancy, however, that this is a mistake. Both Howells use this on their seal. career xxvi INTRODUCTION. career before the French Revolution depended in no small degree on his genealogy. " In this world/' says Goethe, "a man must be either hammer or anvil/' and, in the England of the Stuarts, it depended on a man's family to which of these classes he belonged. The hard knocks of fortune which Howell suffered would indicate that he belonged to the latter and less fortunate class, and found little aid from the influ- ential families of whose relationship he characteristically boasts. But they undoubtedly determined the circle of friends with which he began life, and to some degree the employment in which he started. It is sufficient for our purpose to recollect that James Howell belonged by birth and kindred to the set of Welsh families introduced into English public life by the Tudors. Of his early years little is to be gathered. In the opening Letter (of the first edition) he thanks his father for "that most indulgent and costly care you have been pleased to have had of my Breeding (tho* but one Child oijifteeri), by plac- ing me in a choice methodical School (so far distant from your Dwelling) under a learned (tho' lashing) Master; and by transplanting me thence to Oxford to be graduated." The school was Hereford grammar school, the Master one Harley. 1 He appears to have received a sound classical training there. Mention is made of Virgil, 2 Lucan, Terence, and Plautus as forming the subject of his studies. On the i6th of June 1610, "Howell, James, Carmath., cler[ici] fil[ius], 16," of Jesus College, matriculated at Ox- ford (A. Clark, Registers Matric., ii. 312), and on I7th Dec. 1613, he was admitted Bachelor of Arts (ibid., Degrees, iii. 324). Of his college chums we can trace in the Registers T. Pritchard (ii. 317, iii. 315): Christopher Jones (ii. 298, iii. 306) ; James Crofts (ii. 329) ; Edw. Rumsey (ii. 329) ; and Tom Bowyer (iii. 319), all of Jesus College. The only 1 Payne Fisher in the Latin poem prefixed to Howell's Poems. Suppt. No. xxxviii. 2 Under the curious form "Flacci Epos," see note on p. 689. recollection INTRODUCTION. xxvii recollection given of his school or 'Varsity days in the Letters is where he doubts (infra, p. 71) " whether I had the same identical individually numerical Body when I carried a Calf- leather Sachel to School in Hereford, as when I wore a Lamb- skin Hood in Oxford." We should remember, however, that his mother-tongue was Welsh ; the need of a special College at Oxford for Welshmen was due to the fact that English had to be learned as a foreign tongue by the young Welsh students who came up to the University. 1 Howell is among the not small class of English writers, like the brothers Vaughan, David Hume, Hugh Miller and Prof. Bain, to whom English was originally a foreign tongue that had to be acquired consciously. His other studies at the University were of the ordinary course then pursued at the seats of learning logic, rhetoric and mathematics or as he puts it, " the briars of logic, the fields of philosophy and the mathe- matics" (p. 433). One of the most influential men at Jesus during HowelPs undergraduate days was Dr. Francis Mansel, soon to be Principal 2 of the College. He was a Carmarthenshire man, and probably Howell had known him "at home." His brother, Sir Robert Mansel, was perhaps the most promi- nent of the sea-dogs that succeeded the school of Drake. During the peace with Spain, Sir Robert amused his leisure with an attempt to introduce the Italian methods of making glass. 3 He had acquired rights in a patent for "making glass with pit-coal" (instead of wood), which became in 1615 one of the monopolies for which James I.'s reign was notorious. Sir Robert was destined to spend some ^30,000 on this business, an enormous sum in those days. He had just started a factory at Broad Street, with Italian workmen 1 The poets Vaughan only spoke Welsh in their youth ( Works, ed. Grosart, vol. ii. pp. 298-9). 2 See notes on I. i. 3, p. 21. 3 Mansel fills a considerable space in Hondoy, Les Verreries, cxxxviii.-xl. trying xxviii INTRODUCTION. trying the new methods, and Howell's first employment 1 in life was as steward to this ^lass-house in Broad Street. D Curiously enough, some of the glass made at the factory was unearthed some years ago during some excavations in Broad Street, and specimens were exhibited before the Archaeological Institute, and described in the Journal? Howell did not find his post as Steward of the Glass-house very congenial to him, though he began his career as a practical philologist by picking up the rudiments of Italian from the Venetian workmen. He also laid the foundation of a lasting friendship with the Altham family in Bishops- gate. He seems, too, to have sown his wild oats in company with a college chum, Dan. Caldwell, his brother-in-law Jack Toldervy, and another Jesus man, Tom Bowyer, after- wards to be Captain Bowyer. Casual references to merry times at the Fleece in Cornhill indicate Howell's capacity for enjoyment and vivid interest in the new life that was opening out before him. Still wider was the opening that presented itself to Howell after a few months of his stewardship. The enterprise on which Mansel was engaged needed a regular supply of work- men from Venice, and of the alkali known as "baryllia" from Alicant in Spain. 3 Howell was selected by him as a travelling agent to make arrangements for these two needs, and the first section of the Letters deal with his grand tour in search of them. In the spring of 1617, so far as can be ascertained, 4 1 There is some indication of his having studied at the Temple, in a letter to Caldwell (I. i. 6, p. 27, last line). 2 Journ. Arch. Instit., xxx. 204, xxxi. 108. The pieces seem to bear a resem- blance in shape to those reintroduced to London of recent years by Dr. Salviati. 3 See note on p. 60, and the elaborate note D of the Biog. Brit., s. v. Howell, James. 4 The dates in the Letters themselves are perfectly untrustworthy, as we shall see, infra, p. Ixxiii.-vi. I have therefore been obliged to make my own chronological scheme, which is, roughly : Section I. 1617-20, Holland, France, Spain, Italy ; II. 1620-22, St. Osyth, and Tour with Altham ; III. 1622- 24, Spanish Match ; IV. 1624-27, London and York ; V. 1627-32, York and London ; VI. 1632-45, Embassy to Denmark ; Intelligencer and Fleet Prison. Howell INTRODUCTION. xxix Howell started from Gravesend for Amsterdam. He was " pitifully sick all the voyage, for the weather was rough and the wind untowards," but soon recovered, and began his peregrination through Holland, with a view to learning, not Dutch, as might be thought, but French {p. 27). He was struck by the cleanliness of the Dutch, a virtue which, it is said, they invented, and took note of their learning; but otherwise does not seem to have been much impressed by the Low Countries, even though they were then at the acme of their culture and influence. So on to Paris, then, according to Howell, the filthiest city in Christendom, via Leyden, The Hague, Middleborough, Antwerp, and Rouen a curious route. There is extremely little in the letters from Paris l about the town itself or its inhabitants, and it is somewhat difficult to guess what Howell was at in his travels through the Low Countries to Paris. From a reference at the beginning of Letter XVI., it would seem that his expenses were paid for by the Glass-house authori- ties, 2 yet it is difficult to see what purpose of that establish- ment he could serve by his travels. 3 It would seem as if Sir Robert Mansel, finding him too young for the steward- ship at Broad Street, had determined to give him the general education and fitness for the position which extended travel would produce. 4 After a couple of months' stay in Paris he started for Spain by the somewhat roundabout route of going to St. Malo. Here he hoped to find a vessel to carry him round by water. A touch of local patriotism peeps out in his visit to Brittany, when he discovers the resemblance of the 1 I. i. 16-19, pp. 42-53. 3 Captain F. Bacon, who sends the Bills of Exchange (p. 42), had succeeded Howell as Steward of the Glass-house (p. 27). 3 Possibly he may have been sent to Holland to secure the services of one of the Miotti family, the chief glass-workers of the time. He meets with one at Middleborough, p. 37. 4 Howell says expressly (p. 103) ; " I shall ever acknowledge a good part of my education from him." local xxx INTRODUCTION. local patois to Welsh. Failing to take ship at St. Malo, he proceeds leisurely, vid Bordeaux and Toulouse, over the Pyrenees to Barcelona, where he arrived in the autumn of 1617. In Spain he remains for nearly a year, visiting in succession Barcelona, Valencia, and Alicant. At the last- named place we find him at last doing business for the Glass-house, making arrangement for a consignment of ^3000 worth of baryllia, one of the chief ingredients used by the Venetians in making their glass. After spending a whole year in Spain, Howell took sail in a Dutchman for Italy, and seems to have coasted along the north shore of the Mediterranean, passing through Scylla and Charybdis, and, if we may judge by casual references, 1 landing in Sicily. After a toilsome voyage, he arrives before Venice in the autumn of 1618, but had to undergo a month's quarantine before landing. Here at Venice he " apply'd himself to dispatch your [Sir R. Man- sel's] business according to instructions" (p. 65), by for- warding him two skilled Italian workmen, one of them a member of the Miotti family, the chief repositories of the trade secrets of glass manufacture. Venice made upon Howell the deepest impression of all the towns he visited on the Continent. Having executed the main object of his travels by arrang- ing for the Barillia at Alicant and for the workmen at Venice, Howell seems to have thrown off his connection with Sir Robert Mansel, and for a time travelled aimlessly through Italy, visiting, as he says (p. 93), "Venice the Rich, Padua the Learned, Bologna the Fat, Rome the Holy, 2 Naples the Gentle, Genoa the Proud, Florence the Fair, and Milan the Great," whence he came to Turin and pre- pared to scale the Alps, those " uncouth, huge, monstrous excrescences of Nature," as he calls them. Howell seems 1 See notes on p. 66, 344. - This was against the direct prohibition of his warrant to travel, which forbade any visit to Rome or St. Omers, the chief centres of Romanist travel. See note on p. 22. to INTRODUCTION. xxxi to have tramped all the way from Turin across the Alps to Lyons, returning with a band of French pilgrims to Rome. At Lyons, however, he fell in with a countryman of his (i.e. a Welshman), one Lewis, whom he had known at Alicant, and by whom he was provided with cash. He started for home, making a detour to see Geneva, the head centre of Calvinism, and sailing down the Loire and Seine, reached Gravesend in the winter of I62O. 1 His privations had told upon him, and he arrived in London insensible, and had to be tended by his brother Thomas, afterwards Bishop of Bristol, who was at that time Rector of St. Stephen's, Walbrook. When he recovered under the care of the great Harvey, Howell had to look about him for employment. Sir Robert Mansel was at sea, and it was doubtful how far the costly experiment of glass-making would be carried on. Howell applied for the post of Secretary to Sir John Eyre, the Ambassador at Constantinople, but he had been anticipated. From this dilemma Howell was released by the action of Sir James Croft, his father's firm friend and a man of much influence. He recommended the vounu; Welshman as ' O travelling tutor to the two sons of Sir Thomas Savage, son-in-law of Lord Darcy of Chiche (St. Os'yth) in Essex. He accordingly spent the summer of 1621 in Essex, either at Long Melford near Sudbury, the seat of Sir Thomas Savage, or at St. Osyth, that of Lord Darcy, who that summer became Viscount Colchester, and later on blossomed into Earl Rivers. Howell gives an interesting and pleasing picture of a well-appointed country house in Jacobean Eng- land (I. ii. 8, p. 106). He remained with his young pupils (one of whom, John, was to succeed to the titles of his grand- father) till the end of 1621, but declined to escort them on 1 I take the forty months of Foreign Travell, p. 80, to represent Howell's own experience of the grand tour. The reference to Cadenet's having arrived in I. ii. I, fixes the terminus ad quern of the first tour of Howell. the xxxii INTRODUCTION. the grand tour as they were Roman Catholics, and a dif- ference of creed between "governor" and pupils would be more embarrassing abroad. Nor did he care to spend another three years on the Continent. 1 Howell accepted, however, a proposal to go abroad for a trip with young Richard Altham, one of the Althams of Bishopsgate, whom he had learned to know during his stewardship in Broad Street. They seem to have started in the winter of 1621, and were away till the beginning of the following year. The route seems to have been Trevere, The Hague, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Brussels, Paris, Poissy, Orleans, and home again via Paris. While at Poissy Howell overworked himself by setting himself too great a number of books to read through, and brought on a recurrence of the imposthume that had caused him so much inconvenience on his return from his first tour. The resulting illness was serious, lasting six weeks, a length due, perhaps, to the remedy employed, if it is true, as he states, that he "parted with above fifty ounces [of blood] in less than a fortnight " (p. 136). Thus at the beginning of 1622 we find Howell once more in England and once more without employment. Here again fortune favoured him. He found waiting for him an enterprise which ultimately brought him in contact with public life, and, what is more important for us, caused him to be the spectator and historian of one of the most romantic episodes in English history, the journey of Prince Charles and Buckingham to Madrid, and the final breaking off of the Spanish Match. It came about in this way. An English merchantman in the Levant trade, named the Vineyard, and belonging to some London merchants, was forced by stress of weather into a port of Sardinia, which at that time belonged to Spain. The Sardinian authorities found the cargo very valuable worth .30,000, says Howell and on the pretext that she was carrying war material to 1 .See I. iii. 2, p. 145. the INTRODUCTION. xxxiii the Grand Turk, against the maritime regulations of the time, seized her and her goods as contraband. The Turkey merchants of London to whom the Vineyard belonged determined to appeal to the Spanish Court against this high-handed proceeding, and for some time the affair of the Vineyard was a standing order in every Spanish Am- bassador's instructions who left London for Madrid. On his appointment in the early part of 1622, Lord John Digby (soon to be Earl of Bristol) suggested to the merchants who were interested in the Vineyard, among them Sir R. Napier and Captain Leat, that they should send an agent who should solely devote himself to so important a matter, and, he did not add, relieve himself of a very troublesome busi- ness. Howell seemed specially suited for this position, owing to his previous long residence in Spain, as likewise that he would be content to undertake the affair on the speculation of only getting his expenses if he failed, and the moderate fee of ten per cent, if he succeeded. 1 Howell did not start, as he had intended, with Lord Digby. It appears that his friend Altham and he had an alter- cation with some Serjeants in Lombard Street, which de- tained him he is not very explicit how for three weeks after the Ambassador. Young blood will out, and a parting dinner at the Fleece or the Ship would not have an appro- priate ending unless after an interview with the Serjeants of Lombard Street and their superiors. Arrived in Spain, Howell is able to present himself at Court at the first interview of Lord Digby and Philip IV. Howell himself is somewhat of an accredited representative, since James I. took up the case of the Vineyard, and Howell had kissed hands on appointment (p. 152). At first all goes well, so well indeed that the sanguine Welshman reckons up the quarter of a million crowns which the award in favour of his patrons will come to, counting principal and interest 1 I deduce this from H.'s expression " it is like to be out of my way ^"3000 " (P- 193). and xxxiv INTRODUCTION. and processal charges (p. 154). The chief delinquent, Conde del Real, the former Sardinian Viceroy, who had seized the ship, was at Madrid and attachable, being Major Domo to the Infante, Cardinal Archbishop of Toledo. Matters got so far, thanks to Howell' s introduction with Olivares, the all-powerful minister of Philip IV., that referees were nominated (p. 156), a warrant was granted against Conde del Real (p. 163), who began to make overtures for a compromise, and Howell made preparations to go over to Sardinia (pp. 161, 162), where he had obtained a concession for shipping corn duty free (p. 167). Suddenly a new complexion was put upon the negocia- tions about the Vineyard affair, as well as all others, by the unexpected appearance of Prince Charles and Buckingham at the Earl of Bristol's house in Madrid on Friday, March 7, 1623. In reality the relations of the two Courts were made more difficult by the romantic yet foolhardy journey, as Howell was soon to find out. Having so much to ask from the Spanish king, Charles and his advisers did not wish to be under an obligation to him in the Vineyard affair; at least that is how I interpret Cottington's intervention in the affair (p. 167), with directions not to proceed further till after Charles's departure. Howell had accordingly nothing to do but look on at the Court merrymakings, the ups and downs of the negociations for the match, and make acquaintance with the Prince's retinue, some of whom, e.g., Sir Kenelm Digby, became his fast friends. The delays of the Junta and of the Pope, the dispensation and the proxy, the bull-fights and the visits to notable sights, all pass before us in the Letters, and form their most important portion as historical documents. The match was broken off, and all hope of recovering the .30,000 of the Vineyard was gone; so Howell determined to come home with the convoy that took charge of the jewels (valued at 400,000 crowns) which Charles had in- tended to present to the Infanta. In company with Mr. (afterwards Sir Peter) Wych he made a five days' journey from INTRODUCTION. xxxv from Madrid to Bilboa, and thence by sea to Plymouth in October 1624. For the third time in his short life of thirty years our wandering stone had been dislodged from his resting-place. Here Jie was again in London as a sturdy rogue and vaga- bond, without visible means of subsistence. It is true that during his absence in Spain his old College at Oxford had elected him fellow (see Doc. xl.), but the foundation was not rich, and the glorious institution of non-resident fellowships was not then in existence. He had gained some friends and patrons, but the chief of them, Bristol, was out of favour at Court from the time of his return from Spain, and was soon to be banished to his place at Sherburne. Howell seems to have hung about the Court in the spirit and probably with the spirits of Mr. Micawber. Any hopes of advancement from King James died away with his death in the following spring of 1625. Bucking- ham practically succeeded to the throne, and seems to have taken a dislike to Howell, as of the party of his chief rival, Bristol. To the application of some of his friends to make Howell a fourth secretary (p. 223), Buckingham replied, with some wit and more force, that he was "too much Digbyfied," and Howell was left with nothing better to do than teach Spanish to the Marchioness of Winchester, sister of his old pupils the Savages. Meanwhile he took occasion to visit his father in Wales, and his mother, as he calls his University of Oxford, where Charles's first Parliament was sitting, August 1626, to avoid the plague, then raging in London. It was also doubtless during this period that the only incident in Howell's life recorded by another took place, if it did ever take place. 1 Sir Kenelm Digby in his description of his powder of sympathy, which cures wounds telepathetically 1 Mr. Lee, D.N.B. s.v. Howell, places the incident in Spain, but the reference to " the court " negatives the possibility of this. (it xxxvi INTRODUCTION. (it was published as late as 1658), claims Howell as his first " subject/' and reports that he had been wounded in trying to interfere in a duel between two of his friends, and that he had been cured by the garter which had dressed his wound being placed during Howell's absence in Sir Kenelm's magic powder. 1 Howell indeed mentions the prevalence of duels among his friends (see p. 284), but says nothing of his presence or interference, still less of his being wounded in one of them. Yet Sir Kenelm's account was published during Howell's lifetime, and was, according to Aubrey, even put into English by him from the original French. For these two years (1624-26) we have nothing very definite about Howell's doings; indeed, after his second return from Spain there is a marked reticence in Howell's references to his doings in the Letters. From a document I have printed from the Record Office (Doc. i.), it would appear that it was part of Howell's work in life to keep an eye on suspicious characters. In 1627, it would seem 2 negociations were entered into with Howell on behalf of what may be called the Foreign Office of the period, with regard to a post of " travelling agent " in Italy. This was, in fact, nothing more or less than a post as political spy, one of some difficulty, delicacy, and danger, which would not have been too highly paid at the rate of .400 a year, which Howell demanded for it. The negociations broke off 011 this issue, which makes one suspect they were only en- tered into to escape the importunities of our not over- modest hero, who, according to his own account, even dared to suggest to Buckingham that he would do well to organise his establishment at York House better, the suggestion evidently being that he, Howell, might be of use in the said organisation. Everything comes to him who waits and asks. So after 1 See Suppt. II. No. xxii. and notes. 2 Conway only became Lord Conway in that year ; see note on p. 239. more INTRODUCTION. xxxvii more than two years' weary waiting, Howell's importunities at Court were rewarded with the post of Secretary to Lord Scrope (afterwards Earl of Sunderland), who had been ap- pointed Lord President of the North. 1 This turned out to be a snug thing, "a fee from the King, diet for myself and two servants, livery for a horse, and a part of the King's house for a lodging." He seems to have made himself popular in Yorkshire, for at the election of 1627 he was elected M.P. for Richmond in that county, even against the candidature of a man of considerable influence, Chris- topher Wandsford, who was supported by the powerful Wentworth. Howell does not seem to have made any figure in Parliament, no record existing of his having ever spoken. He promised his constituents to follow faithfully the lead of the senior member of the borough, Sir Talbot Bows, in anything relating to its interests : " this," he adds, " I take to be the true duty of a Parliamentary Burgess, without roving at random to generals" (p. 250). For the next few years our notices of him are very scanty, though judging from the Letters which may be ascribed to that time he must have been much up in London. During some of these visits he made acquaintance with Ben Jonson, whom he calls father. He seems to have enrolled himself of the Tribe of Ben, who gathered round the chief of their clan at the Old Devil, and formed the first of those literary courts that have had so much influence on our literature. He again resumed, on these visits to London, his intercourse with Dan Caldwell and Jack Toldervy, though the latter's bacchanalian indulgence shocked the now staid M.P. and Secretary to the President of the North. He was not destined, however, to retain his Secretaryship long. He had the ill-luck or the bad judgment to choose unlucky patrons. Bristol was in disgrace, and now the Earl 1 He had possibly been recommended by his friend Dr. Prichard, as he was summoned to Worcester House (p. 242, cf. p. 131). of d xxxviii INTRODUCTION. of Sunderland fell ill, and Lord Wentworth, now reconciled to the King and preparing for a thorough policy, succeeded him as Lord President of the North in the autumn of 1628. Some compensation was made to Howell by Sunderland, who gave him the advowson of Hambledon, which, with characteristic generosity, he offered to his brother (p. 366). Wentworth also dismissed him civilly with the presentation to the next Attorney's place at York (pp. 275 and 649), which brought Howell in ;ioo or so. Though his official connection with the Earl of Sunder- land was thus at an end, he seems to have continued to act for him as a kind of private secretary and ff odd man." Sunderland had given up the Presidency of the North as much from ill-health as anything, 1 and he remained under the doctor's care till his death in 1630, during which time Howell appears to have acted for him in various matters of business, and even saw to the burial of the Earl's mother, the Dowager Lady Scrope (p. 274). Again a two years' blank occurs in our knowledge of Ho well's doings after the death of Sunderland in 1630. Then we have full details of an episode which evidently shone out in our hero's recollection as the height of his achievements. In 1632 the Queen-Dowager of Denmark, James I.'s mother-in-law and Charles I.'s grandmother, had died with very great savings, "so that she was reputed the richest Queen in Christendom" (p. 288). The Ear! of Leicester was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary to condole with the King of Denmark and put in a claim for a share in the late Queen's dollars. The condolence, being the ostensible object, had to be expressed in suitable language in other words, the mission would not be com- plete without an orator to do the official grief in Latin. To his evident delight, Howell was selected as orator and secretary to the embassy. 1 So I judge from the expressions on p. 274 ; but the letter is evidently " cooked." See Notes. The INTRODUCTION. xxxix The embassy occupied some two and a half months, and is fully described in the Letters as in a Latin account by Howell which I discovered in the Bodleian and have printed in the Supplement to the Letters (pp. 651-3). Howell had also the necessary arrangements to make for the voyage, and letters are still extant (Suppt. II. Nos. xxiii-xxvi.) exchanged between him and Sir John Pennington, the captain entrusted with the transport of the ambassador's train. Starting from Margate on September 12, on the i8th Pennington landed Howell at Brusbiittel, who secured lodgings for his lordship at Gluckstadt. From here Howell journeyed to Hamburg to cash some bills of exchange, and returned to Rensburgh, where the King now was. Here he had the honour to deliver no less than three consolatory speeches in Latin to the King and his two sons. Then to business, which lasted about a month, during which a con- siderable quantity of liquor must have been consumed, as at one banquet of the King's, lasting from eleven till evening, no less than thirty-five healths were drunk. " A custom more honoured in the breach than in the observance." 1 The Earl of Leicester showed his superiority by drinking the toasts and yet managing to reach his lodgings without the help of the King's guard, two of whom offered him their arms (p. 295). The King, according to Howell, had to be carried off* in his chair. One suspects a certain amount of prejudice against a king of whom Howell reports that he did not "part with presents" (p. 295). From Rensburgh to Gothorp, to give Howell another opportunity for a Latin speech to the Duke of Holstein, a grandson of Queen Sophia: "our entertainment there was brave, tho' a little fulsome." Thence to Husem, where Howell succeeded in drawing tears from the Duchess of 1 It is likely enough that Shakespeare was pointing at such Danish customs in the carousal scene, Hamlet, i. 3. Holstein xl INTRODUCTION. Holstein. So back to Rensburgh, Hamburg, and Brus- biittel, where Pennington re-shipped them on November 22, 1632, and safely landed them on the 3Oth. They brought with them the news of Gustavus Adolphus's death, and Howell found on his arrival that his father had died during his absence. The letter his son writes at the news (I. vi. 7, p. 306) is a pleasing exhibition of a good father appre- ciated by a good son. Some time after his return from Denmark, Howell was on the look-out for a fixed employment in some office of State, but in vain. His importunities seem to have set the permanent officials against him. In a letter I have un- earthed from the Record Office, his brother Thomas, after- wards the Bishop of Bristol, desires Secretary Windebank not to be prejudiced against him, Thomas, because of his brother's urgencies. In this, as subsequently in the escape of Dr. Howell from the clutches of the Commons (Doc. No. xxix.), w.e have an interesting contrast of the successful sneak and the ill luck of the more open nature. Howell pro- bably never knew of this unkind intervention of his brother, and we find him kind to the Bishop's children up to the day of his death. This embassy to Denmark is almost the last glimpse we get of any visible means of subsistence for James Howell, who gives us little or no information as to his sources of income or actual work for the next ten years. It is not difficult, I fancy, to fill up the gap, and by so doing ex- plain Howell's reticence in speaking of this part of his life, especially under the circumstances under which his book was first published. As early as 1625 we ^ n ^ a letter of his in the Record Office giving information to the Government O o of a dangerous " pragmatical " fellow. In the Stafford Letters for 1635 there is a whole series from Howell giving; the news of the day to Wentworth while in Ireland and carrying the policy of thorough in its full vigour. We hear of sudden missions to Orleans (p. 321), and later on to Ruelle to see Richelieu (p. 352); and when Wentworth is INTRODUCTION. xli is preparing the final coup of the Army of the North, we have Howell summoned to him at Dublin and dispatched to Edinburgh at the meeting of the Scots Parliament (I. vi. 34-38) in 1639. Hopes were held out to him by Went- worth of a clerkship to the Irish Council, and hy Charles himself of the succession to Sir Edward Nicholas's place as Clerk of the Privy Council. But meanwhile Howell's work as "travelling agent" or as "intelligencer," or what- ever other name he chose to disguise his calling, was toe* well done for his masters to exchange the fidelity of expecta- tion for the sluggishness of gratitude. There can be little doubt that during the ten years 1632-42 Howell was nothing more or less than a Royalist spy, not to put too fine a point on, it. Hence the rancour with which he was ultimately dealt with by the Parliamentarians ; hence the reticence with which he speaks of the period ; hence the paucity of letters dealing with it, which had either been destroyed by Howell or seized by the Parliamentarians. When the Civil War broke out, Howell's functions became at once more important and more dangerous. He appears to have been sent on a secret mission to Richelieu, and speaks vaguely of the promises held out to him by the great minister. But his prospects at home were at last brightening. Charles at last gave way to his importunity, and on August 30,. 1642, two days after the Royal Standard had been planted as a sign of war, James Howell was sworn in as an extra Clerk of the Council at Nottingham, 1 and the King pro- mised him the very next post that should become vacant. Thus, to all appearance, was James Howell safely landed in a harbour of safety. At the mature age of forty-nine he had at last some prospects of a permanent position in life in a congenial employment for which his talents and experience exactly suited him. J Howell himself says at York (infra, p. 667), but I give the entry from the Privy Council Minutes (infra, p. 657), which shows that he is mistaken. I have to thank Sir Chas. Lenox Peel, the present Clerk to the Council, for permission to search the Minnie Books. Alas xlii INTRODUCTION. Alas for the fleeting hopes of man ! Howell, though he knew it not, was going to be settled for life in quite a different position to that which he contemplated. A couple of months after his appointment his active career as a man of affairs 1 was suddenly put an end to. As he tells the story himself (p. 355), he had " lately come up to London; . . . but one morning betimes there rushed into my chamber five Armed Men, with Swords, Pistols, and Bills, and told me they had a Warrant from the Parliament for me. ... So they rush'd presently into my Closet and seiz'd on all my Papers and Letters, and anything that was Manuscript, . . . and hurl'd all into a great hair Trunk, which they carry'd away with them. . . . They suffer'd me to stay in my Chamber with two Guards upon me till the evening, at which time they brought me before the Committee for Exa- mination, where I confess I found good respect ; And being brought up to the Close Committee, I was order' d to be forthcoming, till some Papers of mine were perus'd, and Mr. Corbet was appointed to do it. Some days after I came to Mr. Corlet, and he told me he had perused them, and could find nothing that might give offence. Hereupon I desir'd him to make a report to the House, according to which (as I was told) he did very fairly ; yet such was my hard hap, that I was committed to the Fleet, where I am now under close restraint." This passage is of crucial im- portance, both as giving the crisis of Howell's life and as throwing light on the question of the authenticity of his Letters, which will later concern us. Meanwhile let us remark that it is fully confirmed by the entry in the Com- mons Journals under date I4th Nov. 1642, "that Mr. James Howell be forthwith committed to the Fleet, there to remain during the Pleasure of the House." The dis- pleasure of the House lasted eight years, 2 and can have been 1 Prynne, infra, p. 682, reports that he was engaged in the battle of Edge- hill. H. says nothing of this himself, and was scarcely likely to do so while he was in the power of the Parliamentarians. - See Howell's own statement, p. 667. earned INTRODUCTION. xliii arned by no trivial cause. 1 At any rate, the entry in the Commons Journal is sufficient by itself to disprove Anthony a Wood's malicious assertion that he was cast into the Fleet for debt. It is perhaps worth while remarking that the order of the House was issued just two days after "the assault was intended to the City," and Charles, though he knew it not, had his last chance. The irritation against the King's adherents and instruments would be at its strongest just at that time. When once the gates of the Fleet had closed upon James Howell in his fiftieth year, his life as a man practically ends. Henceforth it is as an author that he interests us. Leaving for a later division of this Introduction the multi- tudinous literary productions of Howell during his confine- ment in the Fleet and afterwards, we may rapidly and roughly run through the few remaining external events of his life, including the few occasions when his literary work attracted attention to himself personally. Just as Howell was being cast into the Fleet a book of his on foreign travel had been published by Humphrey Moseley, the chief publisher of the period, 2 who was to be the means of providing employment for our hero during his incarceration, and for years afterwards. After a long life as a travelling agent Howell was destined, at the age of fifty, to learn new paces as a publisher's hack. Almost all his works were published by Moseley, and were suggested by that general purveyor of literature. In after-years Sir Roger L'Estrange had the laugh of Howell by pointing out the number of coats he turned in the trying and troublesome times between the Long Parliament and the Restoration. But the probability is that his tone was dictated by Moseley, though Howell, of course, is equally responsible for opinions published under his name (or with his initials). At an early 1 It is just possible that the letter of a Royalist spy signed J. H., and dated June II, 1642, may be by Howell. See .Par/. Hisl., vol. xxiii. pp. 87-9. 3 On him see Masson, Life of Milton, iii. 448-59 ; vi. 400-403. stage xliv INTRODUCTION. stage we find Howell put to defence by the redoubtable William Prynne, who published a couple of tracts on the matter in i6^. 1 It says something for Hovvell's general character that even the rancorous Prynne speaks in respectful terms of the imprisoned Cavalier. Of his life in the Fleet we get a few glimpses in the Letters. He walked at times the long galleries; he was visited by his friends, or even made new ones among his fellow-prisoners. At first he was brought low by a severe attack of prison-fever (p. 421), but his buoyant nature bore up against this, and it only gave him occasion to indite a mock will, leaving all he had to leave his intellect and heart to various of his friends. He had the annoyance of seeing other prisoners released from the remaining prisons (p. 424). Yet all these and other disappointments from treacherous friends, like T. P. (p. 503), were unable to depress his spirits, and if he broods on his imprisonment, it is only in order to turn out such a mock epitaph as this (p. 431) : " Here lies entomb 'd a walking' thing Whom Fortune (with the States) 2 did fling Between these walls. Why? Ask not that ; That blind Whore does she knows not what." At last his patience was rewarded, and -in the general amnesty of 1650 Howell was included and released from the Fleet. Yet even then his case was regarded as so serious . that bail was demanded for his good behaviour, and his recognisances were not released from their responsibility till the last year of Cromwell's life, seven years later. 3 How, where, and from what he lived during the succeed- ing ten years (1650-60) is by no means clear, either from his own statement or from any contemporary record. Con- 1 See Bill. Hist., vol. viii. - A reference to the Commons and the State reasons for his incarceration. 3 I deduce this from Howell's own statement of his case to Charles II. (Suppt. No. xvii. p. 667). sidering INTRODUCTION. xlv sidering the large amount of printed matter he poured forth during this time, there is some probability in Wood's state- ment, that "tho' several of them are meer scribbles, yet they brought him in a comfortable subsistence." The last letter of the Fourth Part of the Epistolcz, published in 1655, is dated from Holborn, in which district he died eleven years later, so it is probable that he lived at the house of the lawyer Leigh and afterwards of his widow for the remainder of his life. 1 As regards his attitude towards public affairs during all this time there are somewhat conflicting accounts. After the Restoration disappointed Cavaliers like Sir Roger L'Estrange taunted Howell with having " ratted " to the other side during the eclipse of the Cavaliers. 2 And, indeed, we do find a curious vacillation in HowelPs attitude towards the chief power in the State during the memorable twenty years 1640-60. He had the courage to dedicate the first collection of his Letters in 1645 to Charles I., yet in the Second Book there is a letter (No. Ixiii.) apologising for the lukewarm tone of his Parables, published in 1647. He speaks cynically enough of the martyrdom of Charles I. as curing the country of the " King's evil" (Contents, ed. 1650), yet it is probable that the verses signed J. H. and attached to Eitca)v /3a(Ti\iKT] were by Howell. 3 He writes of the Preheminence of Parliament, and yet approves of Cromwell's dictatorship, dedicating to him his Sober Inspections as a sort of Charles Martel and a Hercules. His Dedications vary between the Duke of York (vol. ii. of Letters], Charles Prince of Wales (Foreign Travel, Lustra), The Parliament (S.P.Q.f^.), and Cromwell (Sober Inspections'). He peti- 1 Cf. end of Doc. xv., and Howell's Will. Earlier in life he had lived in St. Martin's Lane (Docs. ii. and iii.). 2 L'Estrange's Modest Plea, 1661, pp. 31 to the end, has some interesting extracts, entitled " Notes upon Mr. James Howell, &c." 3 And not by John Hewitt, the Royalist martyr, executed for conspiring against Cromwell in 1658. So Mr. Lee at end of his article on Howell in, D. N. B. :lvi INTRODUCTION. tions the Council of State for literary employment (Suppt. No. xiii.), and applies to Selden, the storehouse of Re- publican learning, for permission to present him with his works (Ibid. No. xii.). 1 Yet it was probably no conversion to Republican views that led him to seek acquaintance with Selden. The industrious Howell was hoping to adapt Sel- den's Mare Clausum to the new circumstances of the war with Holland, and approached the great scholar to get his permission and help. But the great scholar was man of the world as well as student of books, and the result was the issue of an English translation of the Mare Clausum, but not by James Howell. 2 There is thus abundant evidence of a certain amount of rapprochement on the part of Howell with the Parliamentary part, yet not so much more than any unprejudiced Eng- lishman of even Royalist sympathies might have made as the need of a settled government became apparent. Howell's fault as a practical politician was not going far enough. He eulogised Cromwell, yet he had the hardihood to suggest that the best solution of the situation just before his death would be to arrange for the succession of Charles II. 3 Altogether, it is clear that we have not to deal in Howell's case with any Athanasian rigidity of conviction on the politics of his day. Nor need we apply any lofty ethic norm to adjudge of his vacillations. He belonged to the class, so numerous in our days, only just coming into exist- ence in his, whose function in political matters is to express, excite, and simulate conviction, not necessarily to feel it. If we do not too harshly condemn the journalist who votes Radical and writes Tory, we need not waste our denuncia- 1 One of the books thus given to Selden is in the Bodleian : it is dated 1652, which enables us to date the two documents in the Supplement. 2 He did not lose his interest in the book, however. After the Restoration he made the necessary alterations in the Dedication, which was to Parliament in the "fifties," to Charles II. in the "sixties" (Lowndes). 3 That is, if my attribution of An Admonition, by J. H. (B. L. No. 47), be correct. tions INTRODUCTION. xlvii tions on James Howell for changing his published opinion on politics according to his personal needs or the changes of public opinion around him. After Cromwell's death Howell turned more definitely towards the direction from which, after all, his views had only occasionally wandered, a moderate Monarchy. He also, probably, reverted to his old trade of Royalist Intelli- gencer or spy. For just on the eve of the Restoration we find him reporting on the condition of things in London to Sir Edward Walker at the English Court in Brussels (Suppt. No. xv.). And after the Restoration we find him greeting Monk as "the temporal Redeemer of this land." l Almost as soon as Charles II. had landed there was a rush for the spoils on behalf of all the dispossessed Cavaliers. Those martyrs for the royal cause sought for earthly crowns to console them for their past afflictions. Among the most assiduous applicants was James Howell, now an old man of nearly sixty-six years. Within a year of Charles' return we find him applying to be restored as Clerk of the Council, or to be appointed Secretary to the Royal Commission on Trade, or to be appointed English tutor to the Portuguese Princess whom Charles had chosen for Queen." 2 He was successful in none of these applications, probably on account of his age. But he did not desist from applications, and the result proved the wisdom of his persistence. In a further petition, still preserved in the University library at Cambridge, 3 he pointed out that " among the prudentst and best policed nations there is a Minister of State appointed and qualified with the title of Historiographer General!," the obvious inference beino- that the author of histories of O France, of Naples, and of Venice would be a most appro- priate holder of such an office. At last he got the King and his advisers to share his own views as to his capabilities. He was appointed Historiographer Royal "primus in 1 B. L. No. 56. 2 See Suppt. Nos. xvii. to xix. 3 See Suppt. II. No. Anglia,' xlviii INTRODUCTION. Anglia," his monument proudly declares with the usual amount of monumental veracity, 1 and a grant of 200 was docketed at the Exchequer " as of his ma ties free guift " in Feb. i66i 2 . For the remaining five years of his life he held the even tenor of his way, producing book after book and being tended in all comfort by Mrs. Leigh and her daughter Edith at his lodgings against the Pye Inn in Fetter Lane, Holborn. 3 Only one incident in his career needs a further reference. No sooner was Howell comfortably settled himself than he turned round rather unreasonably on the remaining crowd of esurient and expectant Cavaliers and advised them to wait in his Cordial for the Cavaliers. Sir Roger L'Estrange, not unjustly incensed at this piece of gratuitous impudence brought forth his own Cordial for the Cavaliers, in which he answered Howell with some spirit and force, and on Howell's rejoinder with Some Sober Inspections, returned to the charge with his Modest Plea and pointed out in an Ap- pendix Howell's own failings with regard to political patience and constancy. Howell was undoubtedly in the wrong, and practically admitted it by retiring from the conflict. He lived through the Great Plague and the Great Fire, and died in Nov. 1666, a?tat. seventy-three, after having executed his will on the I4th Oct. 1666. In this he shows that he was living in comfort, leaving some ^63 in legacies, not to mention the " Thirty pounds in a white Bagg" which were to be set aside for a tomb. His will is per- fectly regular and conventional in its disposition of this little property. His brother, his sisters, and some favoured nephews and nieces get legacies, his landlady and her daughter are remembered, and those who were to bury him are also named and considered. 1 According to Thorn's Book of the Court, the first Historiographer Royal was appointed by Henry VII. ; the last was G. P. R. James, of "two horse- men " memory. 2 Suppt. Doc. xx. 3 See the address given at the end of Doc. xv. of the Suppt., and compare with the references in the Will No. xxi. The INTRODUCTION. xlix The only point in which his will differs from the stereo- typed form is the evident solicitude with which Howell regarded the monument which was to be set up over his remains in the Temple church. Not only did he reserve so large a sum as ^30 for this, but he " directed Mr. Marshall to sett up a large Black Marble with a Brasse Picture of mine in the Middle, with my Armes and a Latin Epitaph." Henry Howell, his nephew and executor, saw his instruc- tions carried out, and the monument remained over Howell's remains till 1683, when it was removed to the triforium of the church, where it remains to the present day in excellent preservation. It would be a pious work to restore it to the body of the church, " Att the foote of next great Filler this side the little Quier," where Howell directed it to be placed. Meanwhile in this place a counterfeit presentment may serve, both to record his epitaph and to give an appropriate end-piece to this account of Howell's life-history. What 1 INTRODUCTION. What kind of man was he whose varied fortunes we have thus followed from cradle to grave? Externally we have unusual opportunities of knowing him. To the French translation of his Dendrologia a fine plate was prefixed, executed by Claude Melan and Bosc, and exhibiting Howell in a romantic situation, leaning in meditative fashion against an oak. 1 A second state of this plate was added to many of Howell's later works. Besides this, in the engraved title- page of the Letters there is a portrait of Howell (by Mar- shall), in one of the compartments, which confirms the other portrait in all essential particulars. The total impres- sion given is that of strongly marked features, with a nose too prominent 2 and the bushy eyebrows of a determined character. This somewhat harsh expression is relieved by large, brilliant, yet meditative eyes. But why attempt de- scription when the reader has before him all the materials that are accessible ? In portraiture more than anything, Dejinitio optima Demonstratio. Let me add, however, that his hair was dark brown, 3 his height below the medium, 4 and the pose of the Melan figure admirably suggests the self-consciousness of the author. Of Howell as a man his Letters give us plenty of oppor- tunity for judging. If as a poet he was of the Tribe of Ben, as a man he was decidedly of the Tribe of Reuben. He never stuck long enough to one master or to one employment to win a firm position in life. He was choleric 5 and impulsive, too ready to offer advice to his 1 The frontispiece of this volume is a reproduction. There is a second state of the plate with shorter collar and Howell's arms inserted in the place where the attendant squire and horse stand in the first state. 2 The French engraver has ingeniously disguised this by turning the face upwards. 3 We learn this from p. 72. 4 This I conjecture from Howell's energy, his acquiescence in Bacon's dictum that Nature never put her jewels in garrets, and the evident attempt of the French artist to give an impression of height. 5 Cf. the Letters I. v. 18; II. 75. superiors, INTRODUCTION. li superiors, yet often too independent to obey their commands. 1 He has not the courtier's eye to guess the rising star, nor even the servant's, to know a good master when he has one. He almost invariably pays court at the wrong time or to the wrong person. In the day of patrons such a fault was fatal. Unstable as water, he could not excel. Yet, if he was ineffective as a man of action, he was cer- tainly successful in one of the chief branches of worldly wisdom. He could make friends and keep them. Wher- ever he went he seems to have added to the increasing number of those who liked him. We can trace an ever- widening circle from the old Oxford days with the Mansels, Prichard, and Caldwell, then up to Broad Street with the Althams and Savages, until at Madrid he adds the Herberts and Digbys to his list, and the time of seeking friends is almost over. Yet one more episode brings him into a new circle the centre of which is Father Ben. As years go on it is Howell's turn to be sought in friendship, and even in the Fleet young men like the Blois and Brownriggs seek him ; while later Forde and Loveday approach him in their letters as the master of their craft. There must have been something eminently likeable in a nature that could attract so many men of such various types. Both in his qualities and in his defects James Howell is thus characteristically Celtic. The brightness and vivacity, the touches of imaginative sentiment and of mild melancholy, are part of the Celt's attractiveness ; his instability and want of practical discernment share the general ineffectiveness of the Celt. He was himself always conscious of his Welsh de- scent and proud of it. It is perhaps time that Wales, better late than never, should reciprocate that pride. And indeed he is likeable, with all his vanity or garrulous- ness; or, rather, because of them the Cavalier of literary tastes finds one of its best specimens in James Howell. He 1 With both Sir Robert Mansel and Sir Thos. Savage he declines to follow orders. was lii INTRODUCTION. was a ne'er-do-well, maybe; but he was also a ne'er-do-ill ; and we are beginning to appreciate more highly those natures who do not well because they are not scheming or sub- servient, the men who preserve some of the ingenuousness of youth till the end. Knights of the Order of the Sun, they bring the light with them. Howell was such a knight ; his bright, frank, joyous nature shines out unmistakably in his Letters, and is equally shown in his friendships. If the Letters are good literature, it is mainly because the nature they reveal is an eminently likeable one. II. II. HOWELL'S WORKS. " Hoelianas vanus comprehendere chartas Molior, Herculeos quum tot recitare labores Herculeus labor alter erit." P. FISHER. I HEN the gates of the Fleet closed upon Howell in 1642, his life as a man of action came to an end. Yet the re- maining quarter of a century that he passed upon earth was filled with an amount of work and activity that would have sufficed to fill out a whole lifetime of a less industrious person. Howell the adventurer died in 1642, but Howell the writer practically begins his literary life in that year. 1 And before it closes some sixty works, ranging from mere broadsheets to bulky folios, were to leave the press with his name or initials. In an Ap- pendix I have drawn up as complete a Bibliographical list of his productions as I could make, 2 and this runs to no less than seventy numbers, some of them including several works; others, however, being new editions. It would be obviously impossible to deal at any length or in detail with such a mass of printed matter, nor can I claim to have read it all with reverent attention. Yet no account of Howell or his Letters can be considered complete that did not consider his other works and their general value 1 Only Dodona's Grove precedes 1642. - Anthony a Wood has a very full list ; Watt and Lowndes less extensive. Mr. Lee gives a classified list (mainly from Wood) in the D. N. B. value liv INTRODUCTION. and significance. For this purpose all that will be neces- sary is to arrange them into convenient classes, referring to them by the short titles I have prefixed to the Biblio- graphical list, and placing within brackets the numbers in that list which contain in each case full bibliographical details. The Familiar Letters stand apart from the rest, and should be treated apart, above all in an edition of them. The largest space in the list is filled with the POLITICAL pamphlets. Indeed, in one way or another, the majority of Howell's works are political. This is only another way of saying that Howell was a journalist of the period. The pamphlet in Stuart England took the place of the "leader" and the magazine article of to-day. 1 We have already discussed the variations of political opinion expressed in them. 2 Here we are more concerned with their literary merits or demerits, such as they are. In writings intended to impress public opinion at the time, the way in which public opinion was impressed is at least a practical test of their literary effectiveness. Some of them went through several editions. The most notable were collected twice during his lifetime once during the Commonwealth in 1654, and again after the Restoration in 1653. They have at least the merit of clearness. Howell knew, perhaps, better than any man living in his day, how to put clearly and brightly, in readable English prose, what he had to say. And to this clearness of form there was at times boldness, if not originality, of matter. His Patricius (7), according to Wood, a most diligent reader of the pamphlets of the time, was the first vindication of Charles that appeared after Edgehill. Similarly with his Sober Inspections into the late Long Parliament (44). Sir W. Dugdale declares that he had " taken the boldness to speak more truth barefaced than any man that hath wrote since they sate." Howell 1 The magnificent Thomason collection of Stuart pamphlets in the King's Library at the British Museum are a sufficient evidence of this. 2 See supra, p. xlv. comes INTRODUCTION. Iv comes off fairly in a difficult position when dealing with the Preheminence of Parliament (8). One of the ablest of his tracts is his Instruments of a King (23), when arguing soberly enough for the Royalist contention that the King should keep the sword or supreme military command. Again, the boldness of An Inquisition after Blood (31) is matched by the clearness of the style, but is too short and without practical bearing. The two Admonitions (47 and 55) are, again, bold but short. Closely allied to the Political come the CONTROVERSIAL Pamphlets. We have already referred to the spirit with which he met the atrabilious Prynne in his Vindication (8), and L'Estrange in his Sober Inspections into the Cordial (62). It cannot be said that he comes out to much advan- tage in either case. He does not seem at his best in per- sonal controversy. Besides, it is difficult to defend the sport of running with the hare and chasing with the hounds. He appears to better advantage in the Letter to Pembroke (20), in which he very effectively expresses the abhorrence with which the Royalist viewed the tergiversation of Philip Herbert, Earl of Pembroke. Considering Howell's position, it is characteristic of the man that controversy fills so small a space in his literary baggage. Of considerable interest, though not of any great literary value, are Howell's POLITICAL ALLEGORIES. It was with one of these, Dodona's Grove (i), that he began his literary career. Here, under the disguise of trees, he displays his historical and political knowledge in a somewhat heavy fable, which has the Biblical example of Jotham, but does not contain the same clearness, simplicity, and directness. The genre is, however, of some interest, as it was imitated by Harrington in his Oceana, and it is even possible that Gulliver's Travels may own in the Vocal Forest a remote progenitor. 1 Howell's allegory was translated into French, and had some success in that language. In England the 1 Swift probably knew the Letters. See note on p. 359. Dodona's Ivi INTRODUCTION. Dodoncfs Grove was by far the most taking of Howell's productions with the public of the time. The first part ran through some five editions, the author kindly supplying a key to his allusions in the third. He was also encouraged to bring forth a second part, not so successful, though it was translated into French, and followed it up with a Therologia (58), with which this somewhat mechanical play of fancy came to an end. A. whole set of Parables (6) was somewhat of the same type, while A Winter Dreame (28), A Trance (29), and the Nocturnal Progress (15) combined with the allegory the common form of a fictitious dream. The weariness produced by the whole method is inde- scribable. "Why can't you say your say straight out, man ? " one feels tempted to say at each turn. But per- haps with contemporaries that was not so easy as it looks, and they would have the pleasure of catching the allusions without much racking of the brains. Another production of Howell's that falls into no very definite category, yet was too successful to be overlooked in even the shortest survey of his writings, was his England's Tears (9), a plea for peace, which was translated into Latin and Dutch. Some of Howell's tracts, though dealing with matters of interest to the politicians of the day, were more HISTORICAL than political. Thus his Mercurius Hilernicus (12) is more expository than polemical on the Land of Ire, as he calls Ireland. His Bella Scot-Anglica (25), again, is simply an enumeration of the conflicts between England and Scotland. The Royal Matches (63) was merely a catchpenny foisted together in readiness for the marriage of Charles II. His short, witty, but malicious description of the People of Scot- land was neither political nor historical, yet was probably intended to serve both ends. It became historical by being reprinted by Wilkes in No. 13 of the North Briton during the outcry against Bute. 1 1 Its last fate was, strange to say, to be praised, or at least only faintly damned, in the last volume of the Scots Observer, a paper written by Scots to Scots, for Scots O Scots ! Howell INTRODUCTION. Ivii Howell executed a whole series of HISTORICAL DESCRIP- TIONS of the countries of Europe, which would be invaluable if they had been accurate or trustworthy. But they are mostly patchwork of a gossipy kind. They deal with Venice in the S.P.Q.V. (38), Naples in the Parthenopceia (48), Hungary in the Florus Hungaricus (67), and the Empire in the Discourse (53). France was only dealt with his- torically in Lustra Ludovici (16), a somewhat elaborate his- tory of Louis XIII. 's reign, arranged absurdly in seven "lustres," but showing some research and care. The whole series was summed up in a book of somewhat higher value, entitled The German Diet (43). This takes each of the great States of Europe, and gives a trial of its merits in the shape of imaginary speeches in favour of and against each country in turn. The characterisations show some knowledge and skill of delineation, and the whole gives a fair estimate of the chief nations of Europe in the middle of the seven- teenth century. 1 Still higher rank is taken by Howell, Precedency of the Kings of England (68) over those of France and Germany. This contains among other things a list of the royal forests (pp. 723), and a very full account of all the officers of King James' court, with their respective salaries. Here for once Howell condescends to give the names not to quote his authorities a list of whom, very miscellaneous in character, is appended to the book. He excuses himself from quoting exactly, as only schoolmen are so " punctual " ; " but, under favour, free Historians are not tied to such a strictness": one would like to hear Prof. Gardiner on such views. Attached to the Precedency is a collection of gossipy anec- dotes about ambassadors, many of which appear also in the Epistolce Ho-Eliance. Most of Howell's TRANSLATIONS were of historical pieces, and fall to be treated here. The account of Christina of 1 I have the impression that the whole is a translation or adaptation, but I have failed to find an original. Moryson's Itinerary, 1617, Bk. III., must have given the hint. Sweden Iviii INTRODUCTION. Sweden (51) was from the French, that of the rebellion of Massaniello (37, 42), from the Italian, which he seems to have got in MS. from his friend Mr. Samuel Bonnel, in Jewry St. (see note on p. 638). St. Paul's Progress (13), from the Italian, was more in line with his political alle- gories; and so was the Venice Looking- Glass (24), also from the same language. Both these are referred to in the Letters (see Index), and the introductory letters to the former are included among them. The translations of the King's Declaration (27) into Latin and French, as well as the version from the Spanish of the Process (26) of A. Ascham, the English Resident at Madrid, who had been murdered, were both bits of hack-work, unworthy of serious mention. The skill in languages shown in these translations pro- duced other and more important fruit in HowelPs PHILO- LOGICAL works. He was certainly gifted with practical skill in tongues. He boasts that he can pray to his Maker in a different language in each day of the week (Welsh, English, Latin, Greek, French, Italian, Spanish, are pro- bably the list). He produced a French Grammar (70), which gave a useful list of idioms or Gallicisms. The Eng- lish Grammar (64) which he produced for the Portuguese Infanta has a Spanish grammar as well. There is nothing particularly striking in any, so far as I could observe. Servile imitation of the current Latin grammars, with a few rules of thumb thrown in, form the staple. Howell's chief work in this direction was his Lexicon Tetra- glotton } or English-French-Italian-Spanish Dictionary, a work of considerable value for obsolete words in all four languages. Attached to the Lexicon Tetraglotton was a series of col- lections of proverbs in each of the above languages that give the book considerable value. At the end of these he gives a list of Welsh proverbs, the earliest, and till quite recently the only one in that language. And as a final supplement he had the temerity to add 500 sayings of his own, " which in tract of Time may serve as Proverbs for Posteritv." INTRODUCTION. Hx Posterity." Some of these have caught the true proverbial ring, as, e.g. : He may k?iock loudly who leareth good news. A rich fool is good for nothing lut to borrow money of. The worst people have most laws. Rather than lurn try a fall from the window. 'Tis further from London to Highgate than from Highgate to London. 1 But they serve merely as a flagrant example of the folk-lore principle that no individual can consciously spread among the folk a new word, a new proverb, or a new custom. We may conclude this review of Howell's philological productions by the bare mention that he edited Cotgrave's French-English Dictionary (34), his edition of which is recognised to be the best. He pre- faced it by a history of the French language, taken chiefly from Pasquiere's Reserches, and reprinted in the Letters (iv. 19, p.^ 58 7^9.)- This was not the only occasion on which Howell touched up the work of others. His Josippon (40), or later history of the Jews, is merely a redressing of Moroyng's adaptation of Gagnier's Latin translation of the Late Hebrew abridge- ment of Josephus, though Howell makes no reference to his predecessor. His introductory essay has some historic in- terest, and is represented in the Letters by two essays on the contemporary Jews (I. vi. 14; II. 8). Similarly his Londmopolis (53) is merely an adaptation of Stow. It remains only to add that Howell edited the posthumous remains of Sir R. Cotton (39), 2 and of Sir John Finett, Elizabeth's Master of the Ceremonies (50) ; and there is only left one more of Howell's prose works to be dealt with. His Instructions for Foreign Travel (4) comes next to the Letters in value, both in point of style and of matter. Here Howell's large experience stood him in good stead, and in the first edition (which did not deal with the Levant) he was mainly giving advice which his own travels had 1 Imitated from II y a plus de Monmartre a Paris que de Paris a Monmartre, which Howell must have come across in Moryson's Itinerary, iii. 53. 2 Forster points out that he includes by mistake a speech of Sir John Elliot's. Eliot, vol. i. p. 284. taught Ix INTRODUCTION. taught himself. 1 The book may still be read with interest, and has been reprinted by Professor Arber. The bulk of it occurs in one way or another in the Letters. Of Howell's POETRY it is almost sufficient to say that it proves he was no poet. His lines are at best those of a practised versifier. There is something of the conceits of Donne's school, with an aping of the more varied versifi- cation of Waller's. He was of the band who surrounded Ben Jonson at the Devil's Inn, but except for the personal contact, he has but little claim to be enrolled in the Tribe of Ben. The prefatory epistle on letter-writing is, perhaps, more noteworthy for the subject-matter than the poetry, yet they are his best-sustained lines. England's Alarm (54) and Joy (56) are merely catchpenny broadsheets. His Poems (66) contain the Vote (3), Ah ! ha I (45), a curious association of elegy and epithalamium, all the verses con- tained in the Letters, as well as the commendatory poems sent by Howell, according to the custom of the time, ta preface his friends' productions. It professes to be collected and edited by Payne Fisher, who had been laureate to Crom- well. Yet I suspect that Howell himself had the main hand in bringing the poems together, and even wrote or touched up the compliments on himself which were prefixed to the volume. There are points in the Latin verses which could not well have come from any but Howell himself, and the phrase " Ignorance beyond Barbarisme," which Fisher is supposed to employ to designate those unacquainted with Howell, had been used by Howell himself in a letter to Selden (see p. 660). The possessor of the Letters has got the main contents of the Poems contained in them, and is fully in a position to judge of their want of merit. Howell, it may be here mentioned, was one of the earliest who became conscious of the divorce between English sounds and English spelling, and ventured to become an innovator in ORTHOGRAPHY. At the end of Book II. of the Letters He used Moryson's Itinerary for it. he INTRODUCTION. Ixi he explains his principal alterations : very sensible ones they are, and have been mostly adopted Physic for Physique, star for starre, pity for pitie. He went so far in his war against the mute final e that he proposed to read don (for done), som, com. But here the printers would not go with him, and a strange variety occurs in the early editions of his books. In his MS. he always writes "wilbe," "shalbe," as one word, regarding them as parts of the verb " to be." It was natural that the deficiencies of English spelling should appeal to one who approached English as a foreign tongue. Voluminous as are the writings that have thus been o briefly characterised, none of them, except perhaps the Foreign Travell, deserved a longer life than they enjoyed. Written in almost every case for the day, their work was- over with their day. Neither the arguments of the political pamphlets nor the influences of their writer stand out con- spicuously amid the crowd of pamphlets and pamphleteers that distinguish the age. The allegories are frigid and mechanical ; the histories are nothing less than historical ; the philology of the philological works is sadly to seek ; the poetry is but verse. Yet with all this there is one quality which gives these pamphlets and allegories and histories a certain amount of vitality even now, and certainly give a marked place in English literature for their author. In the development of English style the decisive and critical moment is the introduction of the easy short sentence. 1 Everything written after that sounds familiar and native to modern Englishmen ; everything written before that, in prose, sounds archaic and extraneous. Now it is usual to trace the introduction of the natural sentence (as distin- guished from the period after the model of Latin prose) to Dryden, or at earliest to Cowley. Yet if we open Howell anywhere we come across sentences as short and as natural as any in Dryden, or even in Addison. Opening the Twelve Treatises at random, one is struck with sentences like this 1 Bacon, in the Essays, is often short enough. But it is a lapidarian brevity. at Ixii INTRODUCTION. at the beginning of Mercurius Hibernicus (ia, 60?), "There is a inongrell race of Mercuries lately sprung up, but I claim no acquaintance with them, much less any kindred" Or take the beginning of Preheminence of Parliament, " I am a free- born subject of the Realm of England ; whereby I claim as my native Inheritance an undoubted right, propriety and portion in the Laws of the Land." There is a ring and rhythm in that which is eminently modern. Replace the "whereby." by a " therefore," and the sentence might have been written anytime during the past or the present century. They may seem quite commonplace to us now, but the hitting upon the exact lilt and run of them was no slight thing. And such sentences are so frequent in Howell as to be charac- teristic of his style. True, he indulges at times in the more periodic or euphuistic sentence. 1 Yet the point is the first frequent appearance of the more natural sentence, and that, so far as I know, is to be found in Howell, even in his most hack-work performances. It is not too much to say that in the development of English prose true ease in writing comes from Howell, not Dryden. 2 1 Howell's English is also strikingly correct for his epoch; it almost always construes. Contrast the slipshod style of Evelyn in the passage in the Testimonia, supra, p. xv. 2 This does not preclude the probability that it was Dryden who made the easy style more popular. III. III. THE "FAMILIAR LETTERS/' AND THEIR AUTHENTICITY. " Cultius lllud opus quo spl 1 classifies Letters as " Narratory, Objurgatory, Con- 1 I have given the Table of Contents of Day's Model Letter-Writer in the Introduction to my edition of his translation of Daphnis and Cliloe, p. xxviii. solatory, INTRODUCTION. Ixv solatory, Monitory, or Congratulatory" (I. i. i, p. 18), and he can adapt his style to each and all of these various classes. Nothing can be more vivid than his description of Bucking- ham's assassination (I. v. 7, pp. 2524), or of the announce- ment of Charles I.'s accession (I. iv. 7, p. 217), or of Charles' surreptitious interview with the Infanta (I. iii. 18, p. 169). Yet he is equally at home with a vastly different kind of epistle, the reflective or philosophical, such as that on the Unity of Nature (II. 50, p. 443), or on a Lunary World (III. 9, p. 528), or on Studies (I. v. 9, p. 256). One cannot help thinking that we have here the model of similar essays or papers in the Tatler and Spectator: but of this more anon. Howell is, however, at his best in the light, sportive vein, as when he recommends a cook to Lady Cornwallis (I. v. 36, p. 286), or a footman to Sir J. S. (I. v. 13, p. 264) : good examples of this vein are the three letters on p. 216. Still, he can be dignified in rebuke, as to R. S. (I. iv. 16, p. 230), and pathetic in consolation, as to Dan Caldwell's widow, or on the death of a true friend, Dr. Prichard (11.44, P- 43$). His letter on his father's death (I. vi. 7) is manly and full of feeling. He can tell an anecdote with point, and his pages are crowded with examples of such pithy narratives. 1 And yet he can command his reader's interest for longer narra- tion or exposition, as is shown by his letters on the Inquisi- tion (I. v. 42, p. 290), or the series of disquisitions on the creeds and tongues of the world. A style that can adapt itself to such varied requirements must be as flexible as a Toledo blade, and among English writers is unique in the seventeenth century. This wide range of interest may give a somewhat exagger- ated notion of the extent of Howell's specialist knowledge. But most of his learning was second-hand. His account of the various religions and languages of the world was taken from Brerewood, his knowledge of the East from Sandys, his essay on French from Pasquiere, his Welsh lore from 1 See Index s. v. Anecdotes. Herbert Ixvi INTRODUCTION. Herbert and Rice, his discourse on the moon from Wilkins, his characterisation of the Sybils from Sandys. Browne and Bacon give him hints in the more reflective passages. Even when he professes to tell a story from hearsay he is not unfrequently quoting from book, as in the case of De Coucy (p. 322, see note). His whole plan was probably in- fluenced by Angel Day's Letter Writer and Fynes Moryson's Itinerary. Altogether Howell has not any oppressive amount of original learning about him, and for that reason repre- sents better the ordinary cultivated intelligence of his time. His contemporaries felt the attraction as much as, per- haps more than, we can who come to it already influenced to it indirectly through Dryden and Addison. It is only by the painful process of taking large doses of contemporary pamphlets and treatises that we can appreciate what a con- trast and relief Howell's style must have been to his con- temporaries. No wonder that they welcomed three further instalments of the EpistolfZ during their author's lifetime, and called for two further issues of the whole during the same period. And the interest survived his death. For a century afterwards not a decade passed without a fresh edition of Howell's Letters being called for. Except Bacon's Essays, Browne's Religio Medici, and Burton's Anatomy, I can scarcely recall any seventeenth century work of pure literature in prose that showed such continued popularity. As was natural, such success had its imitators, and Howell bade fair to found a school of Epistolisers. During his lifetime two young writers, 1 Thomas Forde and Loveday, produced volumes of Familiar Letters which contained in a disguised form letters addressed to Howell himself. 2 After his death the Duchess of Newcastle produced a volume of Familiar Letters which were probably inspired by the desire to be in fashion with a current literary vogue. Nor was it probably without reference to the success of the Epistolce 1 I owe my knowledge of these imitators of Howell to Mr. Firth. 2 Specimens are reprinted in Suppt. II. Ho-Eliana INTRODUCTION. Ixvii Ho-Eliance that Donne's letters were collected by his son and published in 1651. While these serve to show the influence of Ho well's Letters, they also act as an excellent foil to them. Nothing more lifeless can be conceived than these performances, which smell of the oil used during their composition. It is difficult to ascertain what influence Howell's style and method had upon the writers who succeeded him. Defoe knew him (Wilson, Life, in. 484), as was natural in one whose own career was so much like his. It is probably to his influence on Defoe that we can trace the striking re- semblance to Howell's style shown in the Essayists. Every one must be struck with the Taller tone of the Letters. Often we seem to be reading a number of the Spectator. Take, for example, the essay it is scarce a letter on the Unity of the Universe (II. 1., p. 443 seq.}. The beginning, " I was upon point of going abroad to start a solitary walk," is exactly in the Essayists' style, while the reflections that succeed might be thought to ape their tone. One of the Spectators, indeed (No. 237), is directly taken from Howell (pp. 559562), and formed in turn the source of Parnell's poem of The Hermit and the Angel. Altogether, if one knew nothing of Howell's age one would guess him to be an eighteenth century writer, formed on the model of Steele and Addison. The inference is obvious that they must have come to a certain extent under his. Editions of the Letters appeared in 1705, 1713, 1726, and 1737, which shows how they chimed in with the taste of the time. It is probable, indeed, that the very resemblance to the Essayists accounts for the decline in popularity of the Letters towards the end of the century. 1 The Essays had ousted the Letters. Not, indeed, that they ever escaped altogether from the sight of book-lovers. The catena of praises I have prefixed to this edition show a continuity of affectionate memory that is 1 So far as I know, neither Walpole nor Johnson ever refer to them. Gold- smith would have enjoyed them, one likes to think. rare Ixviii INTRODUCTION. rare indeed in the case of a book of such a miscellaneous character. Few books of the seventeenth century can claim to have been read and liked by such men as Defoe, Swift, Addison, Scott, Browning, Thackeray, and Kingsley. There is only one thing that could have kept such a book alive through such vicissitudes of taste. It is style, and style alone, that can grant eternal or even prolonged life to a book. Mr. Saintsbury does not think so. Amid the chorus of praise that the book has received, his is the sole dissentient voice. That Mr. Saintsbury does not express any en- thusiasm about Howell (or any one else) is not to be wondered at ; one who has to " do " so many books can- not afford to take any vivid interest in any particular one. Indeed Mr. Saintsbury has arrived at such a stage that, to use a convenient Hibernicism, he seems never to have read a book for the first time. But what strikes one in a critic with a reputation is, that he should commit himself to the statement that with Howell (as with Walton !) " the attrac- tion of matter completely outdoes the purely literary attrac- tion." It seemSj then, that we are to read Walton for information about flies and bait, and Howell for an account of Ben Jonson in his cups or Buckingham's assassination. There is such a complete failure of critical vision in such a statement that one can only wonder and pass on. 1 Thackeray was no critic. Yet he recognised the charm of the Letters, and penetrated to the secret of that charm. Mr. Saintsbury complains of the coxcombry of Howell : Thackeray rightly sees in his priggishness the source of his attraction. It is a curious law of literary production that any foible of a writer unconsciously revealed adds a charm to his writing. What would Pepys be without his vanity and his amorousness? Boswell's egotism is the crown of his work. And so with Howell, it is the perpetual revela- 1 Mr. Saintsbury, I may add, seems entirely ignorant of the doubtful authenticity of the matter of Howell's olla podrida. tion INTRODUCTION. Lxix tion of his self-satisfaction in all that he does and says that gives the final touch to his style and makes his remarks individual and artistic. Howell has nothing to fear from the self-revelation in the Letters. If he is vain, that is, after all, the most amusing of sins in life and letters. His vivacity, his wide interests, his friendly feeling to those who befriended him, his " tiffs " and his impertinences to men in high place, his rare tolera- tion and wide sympathies, his genuine reverence and some- what lukewarm patriotism to England, that is; he is ever loyal to Wales are all displayed without reserve in the Letters. References in them, too, show that he was not altogether free from the frailties which are usually associated with the name of Cavalier. The freedom of contemporary talk crops up at times in the Letters, but not frequently enough to indicate any morbid taste in this direction. Not more than half a dozen passages offend against even the most squeamish taste. Howell liked his cup, too, but he was no Roger Wildrake, and he is altogether a favourable specimen of the Cavalier. When a nature like his tells frankly his experiences and development, the result cannot well fail to be charming. The Letters contain a " Legend of the Author's Life," as the table of the first edition puts it : whether legendary or not will later concern us. But the Letters to Howell's father and brother contain a tolerably full autobiography of our hero, so that we have the charm of that species of com- position added to the more varied attractions of the less personal letters. Not only does Howell describe himself in his own pages : he paints his age. He bids us be present at many an ex- citing or interesting event of his time. He depicts at least the feelings which all the great movements of his time pro- duced in an exceptionally competent observer. We hear of Somerset's fall and Villiers' rise; of Raleigh's return and Bacon's disgrace; of the various fortunes of the French King's favourites; of Olivares, Lerma, and Ossuna; of Charles' Ixx INTRODUCTION. Charles' journey to Madrid, and of his welcome to Henrietta Maria. We see Buckingham fall beneath Fenton's knife, or are present as Charles I. was declared King before 'Change in the dismal drizzling rain. Ben Jonson rolls before us in his easy-chair at the Devil's Inn. Howell himself hobnobs with his chums at the Ship, behind the Exchange. Nor is it without a grim interest to find Milton regarded as a "triobolary Pasquiller," a "sterquilinous rascal" (p. 442), or a " poor shallow-brained puppy " (p. 569) ; or catch a glimpse of the way in which the Religio Medici was first received (p. 373). All this is history as Thackeray would have it, the pano- rama that passes before men's eyes, excites their curiosity, and rouses their enthusiasm. The professed historian desires to go behind the canvas and trace the motives at work, the hidden springs of national action. For the latter Howell has little instruction to bring. He is in a position to know much more than Howell of the secrets of Cabinets or the true motives of rulers. In fact, thanks to the methods of Ranke and the free access given now-a-days to national archives, the modern historian is often in a position to know more about the real causes of events than even those most deeply concerned in them at the time. Mr. Gardiner, for example, knows more about the Spanish Match than even Oiivares or King James, because he can read the most secret and deli- berate plans of both at Simancas and Fetter Lane. Howell can have little instruction to offer to him. While Howell thinks the Infanta in love with Charles, the modern his- torian knows that she hates the heretic. Howell sees only the curtain of history ; the historian has the privilege of going behind the scenes. Yet, from a certain point of view, the curtain is the picture in history as in life. What appears on the curtain is that which moves men in the present, and is certainly that which leaves the most vivid impression on men in their thoughts of the past. And for the history of men's thoughts, habits, and customs this external diorama is all that we have to deal INTRODUCTION Ixxi deal with, and it is often more interesting than the relations of Governments with which history proper deals. Now, Howell is the first who gives us anything like a vivid ac- count of English Culturgeschichte, and is therefore to be welcomed by the historian as artist, if not by the his- torian as scientific student of causes. One can imagine the use Macaulay would have made of him. One cannot help thinking that even Professor Gardiner might have enlivened some of his all too leaden pages by a few purple patches from Howell. But Professor Gardiner will reply, indeed he has already replied in the preface to his fourth volume, that Ho well's letters are not authentic, and cannot, therefore, be used by a historian, whose first concern is with the authen- ticity of his sources. This leads at once to the final and perplexing question of the AUTHENTICITY of Ho well's letters. On the face of them they seem authentic enough. They bear dates at the foot of each ; they are addressed to well-known names, mainly of the Cavalier circles that Howell would just be likely to know. They are full, detailed, and explicit about events which would be of common know- ledge to the public whom they addressed. Above all, they were published during the lifetime of the author, and of many of the men whose actions are mentioned or criticised in the Letters. But a closer scrutiny causes doubts to attach to many, if not most, of these assurances of authenticity. While some of the letters are addressed to definite and well-known names, others, and those the more intimate and detailed, have only initials at their head. Many of the letters, espe- cially in the later books, are rather essays than letters essays on the Sibyls (IV. 43), on the Inquisition (I. v. 42), on Roman Catholicism (IV. 36), on Witches (III. 33). The letters, again, must be copies. How is it that, amid all the masses of correspondence of this period that has been un- earthed during the past two centuries, not a single letter of Howell's identical with the supposed transcript in the pub- lished Ixxii INTRODUCTION. lished Letters has ever come to light ? Above all, the dates that seem so methodical are of the wildest description when -examined with a little scrutiny. The pendulum turns again, however, on examining more closely some of these objections. It is true that the a large number of the letters have only the initials of the addressees. But this circumstance, which looks at first so suspicious, be- comes rather a matter of confirmation when we find that we can identify almost every one of the 67 initials. With the exception of some half a dozen, I have been able to identify all the supposed recipients of Howell's letters, and to his contemporaries even the unknown ones would probably have presented no difficulty. In several cases one can guess a reason for the initials. Thus, when it is suggested that J. T. is drinking himself to death (p. 275), one can easily understand that Howell would wish to spare his whilom friend, John Toldervy, who had become a Quaker, a reminder of his wild ways in his youth. Only in one case is there reason to suspect the initials to be a cover for fiction. The Doctor B. to whom are addressed the four letters on the religions of the world (II. 8-11) was probably an ancestor of Mrs. Harris. 1 As regards the non-existence of originals of these numerous letters, it must be remembered that the Royalists were par- ticularly careful to destroy their papers as likely to lead to confiscation or heavy fines. Howell's, as those of a Royalist spy detained in the Fleet, would be especially likely to suffer. And, as a matter of fact, some of Howell's letters written in Madrid in 1623 were actually in the late Earl of Westmoreland's collection (Hist. MSS. Com., X. iv. 55) 2 till a few years ago, when they were sold at Messrs. Sotheby, 1 Mr. Firth suggests that Howell was trying to leave the impression that the letters, really taken from Brerewood, were sent to instruct Dr. (not yet Sir) Thomas Browne. 2 I owe this piece of information to Mr. J. C. Doble of the Clarendon Press. Wilkinson, INTRODUCTION. Ixxiii Wilkinson, & Co.'s (in July I887). 1 Besides, many, in fact most, of the letters were addressed to persons still living at the time of the first edition, and these would have had the right to protest against the use of their names unless it had been justified. Among these may be mentioned Bishop Duppa, Dr. Prichard, Principal Mansel, the Earl of Bristol, Sir F. Cottington, Sir K. Digby, Sir J. Croft, Sir P. Wych, Sir P. Warwick, Sir E. Savage, and Sir A. Hopton. If the letters addressed to these gentlemen in the EpistolVV/JLOS addressed to Sir D., Knight (probably Sir Kenelm Digby). The British Museum copy has a MS. note in contemporary handwriting " written by James Howell," which is con- firmed by a remark in the postscript, " I am one that lyeth at the Cape of Good Hope, though a long time under hatches," cf. p. 218. The sub- scription, "Yours as at first inalterable" is also like Howell. The Parables are "The Parlement of Stars," "The Great Council of Birds," "The Parliament of Flowers, "The Assembly of Architects," and " The Insurrection of the Winds." The explanations are printed at the side of the parables. The Paris imprint is merely a blind. Reprinted in Twelve Treatises, 167-197, under title " Apologs or Fables."] (7) ' A Difcourfe, or Parly continued'/ betwixt Partricius and Pere- grine (upon their/ landing in France) touching the civill Wars / of England and Ireland. [Museum copy, incomplete, is dated in Thomasson's handwriting, 21 July, 1643. A second part was written, but probably not published till 1 66 1 in Twelve Treatises, No. 6o b .] (8) The Preheminence and / Pedigree of/ Parlement / By James Howell Efquire, one of the Clerks of His Majeflies mofl Honourable Privy Councill / Whereunto is added,/ A Vindi- cation of fome Paffages reflecting upon him,/ in a Booke called the Popijh Roy all Favorite, penn'd/ & publifhed by Mafter Prynne, page 42 / Wherein he fliles him / No friend to Parliament and a Malignant I Together,/ With a cleering of fome Occurrences in Spaine at His Majeflies being there, cited by the faid Mafter Prynne / out of the Vocall Foreft / Publifhed by Special Licence and entred into the/ Hall Booke according to Order/ Printed at London by Richard Heron 1644 [Feb. 29], 410. pp. ii. + 18. [With Melan plate without arms. Dedicated to Sir W. S., Kt. Re- printed with England's Teares same year, No. 10, in Twelve Treatises, 1661, also separately, 1677. Also in vol. i. p. 35, Harl. Misc.* ed. 1808, and vol. v. p. 47, Somers' Tracts, ed. 1809. There must have been an edition without the Vindication, which was occasioned by Prynne's pamphlet as follows.] A Modeft Apology againft a Pretended Calumny in anfwer to fome Paffages in the Preheminence of Parlement. Newly publifhed by James Howell Efquire, one of the Clerks of his Majefties moft Honourable Privy Council. By William Prynne of Lincolnes Inne Efquire. 1644. The Vindication in vol. vi. p. 127. (9) Ixxxvi APPENDIX. (9) England's / Teares, / For the Prefent / Wars,/ which for the Nature / of the Quarrell, the Quality of Strength, the/ Diver- fity of Battailes, Skirmiges, Encounters, and/ Sieges, (hap- pened in fo fhort a compaffe of/ time) cannot be paralleled by any precedent Age./ [Royal Arms] Hie mihi, quam mifer\ rugit Leo, Lilia langueat,/ Heu, Lyra, quam mseftos pulfat Hiberna fonos./ Printed at London, according to order, by Richard Heron, 1644. 4to. pp. 18. [Translated into Latin and Dutch, See Nos. 17, 30. Reprinted with Preheminence and Dodona's Grove (See No. n), in HarL Misc., ed. 1744, viii. 249, and Earners' Tracts, v. 37.]' (10) Two Difcourfes, Lately Review'd and enrich'd by the Author. One, The Pre-eminence and Pedigree of Parlement Where- unto is added A Vindication of fome paflages reflecting upon the Author in a Book call'd the Popilh Roy all Favorit penn'd and publifh'd by Matter Prynne. . . . The Second, Eng- land's Teares. By James Howell. Printed at London according to Order, by Richard Home. 410. A D in fours, firft leaf blank. [VV. C. Hazlitt. Wood reports another edition of the Preheminence as late as 1677. (Ed. Bliss, iii. col. 746.)] (n) AENAPOAOriA Dodona's Grove/ Or the Vocall Forreft/ The Second Edition more exact and perfect then / the former with an addition of two other Tracts : / viz. / Parables re- fleSling upon the Times / AND / England's Teares for the prefent Warres / By J. H. Efquire / Printed in the yeare 1644. 410 A Z in fours. [With frontispiece by R. Vaughan. A third edition in I2mo appeared at Cambridge in 1645, with addition of Preheminence (No. 8) as well as above, also another edition in 1650.] (12) Mercurius Hibernicus : or a difcourfe of the late infurrec- tion in Ireland, difplaying i. The true caufes of it (till now not fo fully difcovered). 2. The courfe that was taken to suppreffe it. 3. The reafons that drew on a ceflation of armes and other compliances fince. As alfo touching thofe auxiliaries which are tranfported thence to ferve in the prefent warre. Printed at Brifloll 1644, pp. 2. 6. t. 14. [Dedication signed Philarenus. Halkett-Laing, 1601. Same as Land of Ire. in Twelve Treatises. No. 6o f .] (13) S'. Paul's/ Late Progres/ Upon Earth/ About a Divorce 'twixt Chrtft and / the Church of Rome, by reafon / of her diffolutenefs / and exceffes/ Recommended to all tender- confcienced I Chriflians/ A frefh Fancy full of various drains and APPENDIX. Ixxxvii and fuitable / to the Times, Rendered out of Italian / into Englifli/ Published by Authority/ London/ Printed by Richard Heron for Matthew Wai / banck neare Grayes Inne Gate 1644, izmo pp. xviii. + 148 + iv. [With Prefatory letters to Sir Paul Pindar (cf. iii. 20). and Sir Paul Neale (iii. 21).] (i4)]Epiftolae Ho-Elianee/ Familiar/ Letters/ Dome/lie and ( Hiftoricall Forren / Divided into / Six Sections / Partly < Politicall ( Philofophicall/ Upon Emergent Occafions : / By J. H. Efq; : One of the Clerks of/ His Majeflies mofl Honourable Privy Councill/ London, Printed for Humphrey Mofeley ; and are to be / fold at his mop at the Prince's Arms in S. Pauls Church-yard, 1645. 4to pp. + 88+ 120 + 40 + 48 + 92 + ii. [With frontispiece in 8 compartments. .7 At end '* Imprimatur, Nat. Brent. June 9, 1645."] (15) A Nocturnal Progrefs or a Perambulation of mofl countrys in Chriflendom, Performed in One Night by ftrength of the Imagination. London 1645. [Anthony a Wood. Reprinted in Twelve Treatises > 60'.] (16) Lujlra Ludovici I or the / Life of the late Victorious/ King of France/ Lewis/ the XIII / (and of his Cardinal de Richelieu) / Divided / into Seven Luflres / Confelinus Ar- moTumCardo/ By James Howell, Efq./ London / Printed for Humphrey Mofeley ; and are to be fold at his fhop / at the Prince's Arms in S. Pauls Church-yard/ 1646. Sm. fol. pp. x. + i88 + viii. [Dedicated to Prince Charles at Jersey.]! (17) Anglise/ Sufpiria/ & Lachrymse/ Ob Horrendos hofce/ tumultus, & bellum phifquam civile, quo vifcera / ejus ipfseq ; Cordis fibrse a fuis / Propriis Incolis & In / digenis tarn miferi delacerantur / KO.I ffu TJXKOV ? / Eft qucedam Heu volup- tas I Lenitur Lachrymis arguiturq ; dolor. Ovid / Aut : la : Howell, Arm. Brit. Anglo/ Londini/ Exaudit Humphrey Mofley, 1646, 24mo pp. viii. + 75 + iv. [Appeared 6th Feb. 1646. Dedicated to Jackson, Bp. of London, "e Carcere Fletensi, Cal. Jan."] (18) Downright Dealing, or the defpifed Proteftant fpeaking plain Englifh to the King, the Houfes of Parliament, the City of London and the Army. Printed in the year of Difcoveries. [Halkett-Laing, No. 783. Bodl. Cat. ii. 224!).] (19) Ixxxviii APPENDIX. (19) An Account of the Deplorable and defperate Condition that England Hands in, An. 1647, in a letter to Francis Cardinal Barbarini. 1647. [Qy. the same as No. 24.] (20) A Letter to the Earl of Pembr. concerning the Times and the fad Condition both of Prince and People. Printed in the yeare 1647, 4 to PP- I2 - [Halkett-Laing, No. 1895. A. a W.] ( Philofophicall ) (ai) A New Volume of Letters Partly < Politicall > By ( Hiftoricall j lames Howell Efq. Ut clavis portam fie pandit Epiflola pectus. London, Printed by T. W. for Humphrey Mofeley &c. 1647, 8vo A 4 leaves 6-84 in eights. [The Vote added at end. The first edition of Second Book of letters.] (22) Strange News / from Scotland / or,/ A ftrange Relation of a terrible and / prodigious Monfter borne to the amazement / of all thofe that were fpedlators, in the Kingdome of/ Scot- land, in a village neare Edinborough, call'd / Hadenfworth, Septem. 14, 1647, and the words /the faid Monfter fpake at its birth. Printed according to the Originall Relation fent over to / a great Divine hereafter mentioned. Sm. 4to pp. 5. [With cut of a two-headed monster with a second set of hands pro- truding from the knees.] (23) The/ Inilruments / of/ A King / or / A fhort Difcourfe / of ( The Sword ] < The Scepter > Satis habet Rex ad poenam / Quod Deum \ The Crowne j txpeSiet Ultorem / London / Printed in the Year 1848. 4to pp. ii. + 11. (24) A Venice Looking-glafs ; or, a Letter written very lately from Lond. to Card. Barbarini at Rome by a Venetian Clariffimo touching the prefent Diftempersin England, 1648. 4to, pp. 24. (25) Bella Scot-Anglica./ A Briefe/ of all the/ Battells, and Martiall / Encounters which have hap / pened 'twixt England and / Scotland from all / times to this prefent./ Wherunto is annexed a Corolla-/ ry declaring the caufes whereby the Scot is / come of late years to be fo hight-/ ned in his fpirits ; / With fome Prophecies which are much cryed up, as reflecting upon the fate of both nations./ Printed in the Yeare 1648. 4topp. 19. (26) APPENDIX. Ixxxix (26) The Procefs and Pleadings / In the Court of Spain upon the death of Anthonie Afcham / Refident for the Parliament of / England / And of John Baptifla Riva his Interpreter / who 'John Guillim, William Spark, i -n>j u J Valentine Progers, / , n i / -r were kill d by \ y w If 1 are ln pnfon William Harnet, Henri e Progers, in Madrid for the faid fact,/ except Henry Progers who fled to the Venetian Ambaffador's Hous, and fo efcaped / London,/ printed by William Du Card, Printer to the Council of State / 1651 / 410 pp. ii. + 15. (27) The late King's Declaration in Latin French & Englifh, 1649. [Anthony a Wood. Watt.] (28) A / Winter/ Dreame./ Qua me fufpenfum Infomnia terrentl Virg. / Stzpe futurarum prcefagia Somnia Rerum. Printed Anno Domini / QuanDo ReX AngloruM Ve6li vlctltabat Captlvus / 1649 [Nov. 26, 1648] 410 pp. 20. (29) A / Trance. / Or / Newes from Hell / Brought frefh to Towne / By / Mercurius Acheronticus. / London, / Printed, Ann. Dom. 1649 [Jan. 3, 1648 O.S.] 4to pp. 19. [At end author advises reader to take heed to his words, as "he hath been buried many years."] (30) Engelants / Tranen / Over / Kreghs-Beroerten / Zijnde / ( De Natuero der Oneenegheden Van wegens < De Qualiteyt der Machten ( De Veelheyt der Veltflaghen Schermutfelen, Belegeringen, &c. (binnen foo korten tijd gefchiet) by alle voorgaende Eeuwen niet te vergelijcken. / Hei mihi [&c.] / t'Amflerdam./ Voor Gerrit Willemfz, Boeck- verkoper inde Nieuwe / Gaflhuys-Molenfleegh, in't groot Cantoor-Boeck. 1649, 4to pp. 16, double cols. (31) An / Inquifition / after / Blood / To the Parliament injlatu quo nunc / and / To the Army Regnant / Or any other whether Royallift, Prefbyterian, Inde- / pendent or Further, whom it may concern / Blood is a crying Jin, but that of Kings I Cryes loudefl for revenge, and ruine brings / Printed in the Year 1649 / (July i;th is added in MS. in Brit. Mus. copy), 4to pp. 13. (32) xc APPENDIX. (32) A Perfect / Defcription / of the / People 'and Country / of Scotland / By James Howel, Gent. / London, printed for J. S. 1649. 410 pp. 8. [A second edition in I2mo, pp. 21, appeared in 1659. It was reprinted in 1788, in the North Briton No. 13, and there was then some talk of prosecuting the publisher owing to thVlibellous character of the tract.] (33) Epiftolce Ho-Elianae. / Familiar / Letters / Domeftic and For- [ Hiftoricall, ren; / Divided into fundry Sections,/ Partly < Politicall, ( Philofophicall, / Vpon Emergent Occafions : I By James Howell, Efq; One of the Clerks of / His late Ma ties moil Hon ble Privy Councill. / The fecond Edition, enlarged with divers fupple- / ments, and the Dates annexed which were / wanting in the firfl,/ With an Addition of a third volume of new Letters. / Ut clavis portam, Jic pandit Epiflola pe6lus./ London, Printed by W. H. for Humphrey Mofeley, and are to be fold at his Shop at the Princes Armes in St. Pauls Church-yard, 1650. 8vo pp. xxii. (Lift of perfons addreffed, Dedication to Chas. I., To the Knowing Reader, and Table of Contents) + 82 + 256 + i. (Advt. about orthography) + iv. (Title-page and Dedica- tion to Duke of York of vol. ii.) + 122 + viii. (the Vote) + iv. (Title-page and Dedication to Earl of Dorfet of Additional Letters) + 43 + xv. (Contents of vol. ii. and Additional Letters). (34) A / French-Englifh / Dictionary / Compil'd by Mr. Randle Cotgrave : / with / Another in Englifh and French. / Where- unto are newly added the Animadverfions and Supple- / ments, &c., of James Howell, Efquire / Inter Eneditos Cathe- dram habeat Polygloths / London, / Printed by W. H. for Octavian Palleyn, and are to be fold at his (hop at the / figne of the Rofe in Pauls Churchyard. 1650. fol. pp. xxx. (Dedi- catory Epiftle and French Grammar by J. H.) + forms A-Z, Aa-Zz, Aaa-Zzz, Aaaa-Xxxx ( = [Another edition in 1660, and still another after H's death in 1673.] (35) Ae^oXoy/a. / Dodona's / Grove, / Or / The Vocall Foreft, / Second Part. / Stives funt Confute digniz. Virg. / By James Howell, Efquire. / Printed according to Order. London. Printed by W. H. for Humphrey Mofeley, and / are to be fold at his (hop at the Princes Arms / in St. Pauls Church- yard. 1650. 8vo pp. xviii. (Index) + 286. [With Melan portrait of Howell, second state. Plate of "Robur Britannicum " and two folded plates of trees by Merian junr.] (36) APPENDIX. xci (36) Inftrudtions / and / Directions / For Forren / Travell / Shew- ing by what cours and / in what compas of time, one may / take an exa6t Survey of the Kingdomes /and States of Chriftendorne, and ar- / rive to the prafticall knowledge of the / Languages, to good purpofe. / With a new Appendix for Tra- I veiling into Turkey and the Levant parts / By James Howell, Efq. : / Poft motum dulcior inde Quies / London, / Printed by W. W. for Humphrey Mofeley at the Princes Armes in St. Pauls Church-yard. 1650. i2mo pp. vi. + 140. [Dedicated to Prince Charles. A plate of the spheres prefixed.] (37) An Exat / Hiflorie / of / The late Revolutions / in / Naples / and of/ their monftrous Succeffes/ Not to be parallel'd by any / Ancient or Modern Hiftory / Publiihed by the Lord Alexander Giraffi / in Italian, And (for the rareneffe of/ the fubjeft) rendered into Englifh,/ By J. H. Efq. . . . London Printed by R. A. for R. Lowndes. 1650. 8vo pp. ii. + 206. [With coloured frontispiece " Effigie & uero Ritratto di Masianiello, comandante in Napoli." Dedicated to the Levant Company.] (37 a ) Vifion or Dialogue between the Soul and the Body. Lond. 1651, Oct. [Anthony a Wood, also given as No. xviii. of Howell's Works at end of Parthenopceia, No. 48.] (38) S. P. Q. V. / A Survey/ of the/ Signorie/ of/ Venice,/ of her admired policy, and method of/ Government &c. / With / A cohortation to all Chriflian Princes to refent / Her dangerous condition at prefent./ By James Howell, Efq. I London / Printed for Richard Lowndes at the White Lion / in S. Pauls Churchyard, near the Weft end / M.DC.LI. fm. fol. pp. iv. + 2i [Dedicated to Parliament. Large plate of Venice safe in Neptune's arms, smaller lion of St. Mark.] (39) Cottoni Pofthuma / Divers / Choice Pieces / of that / re- nowned Antiquary / Sir Robert Cotton / Knight and Baronet / Preferved from the inju-/ ry of Time and Expof'd / to public Light, for the benefit of Pofterity,/ By J. H. Efq; / London / Printed by Francis Leach, for Henry Scill / over againft St. Dunftans Church in/ Fleet Street, 1651 [Apr. 30], pp. vi. + 35 1 - [Dedicated to Sir Robt. Pye.] (40) The/ Wonderful/ and/ moft deplorable Hiftory/ of the latter Times / of the / Jews / and of the City of/ Hierufalem / Beginning xcii APPENDIX. Beginning where the Holy Scriptures do end./ Written firfl in Hebrew and now made / more Methodical and corrected / of fundry Errors / Perditio tua ex te Ifrael / London / Printed for John Stafford and are to be fold at the George at Fleet- Bridge and by Humphrey Mofeley at the / Princes Arms in St. Pauls Church-yard. 1652 [Jan. 2]. 8vo, pp. xii. + 432 + viii. [With plates of Josephus, Jerusalem, battering rams, &c. Dedicated to Mayor and Corporation of London. Reprinted 1684, 1699.] (41) Dendrologie ou la Foreft de Dodonne Duixieme Partie, Paris 1652, 410. [Anthony a Wood and Bodl. Cat.] (42) The / Second Part / of/ Maffaniello / His body taken out of the Town-Ditch and / folemnly Buried with Epitaphs upon him./ A continuation of the Tumults ; / The D. of Guife made GeneraliJJimo / Taken prifoner by young / Don John of Auftria./ The end of the Commotions./ By J. H. Efquire / Truth never look'd fo like a Lie / As in this modern Hiftorie / London/ Printed by D. M. for Abel Roper at the fign / of the Sun and T. Dring at the George / near St Dunftans Church in / Fleet ftreet, MDCLII / 8vo pp. xii. + 199. [Continuation of No. 37. Two plates, that of Massaniello un- coloured, and three heads of Genovino, Gennaro and Mass : A second edition of the two parts in 1664.] (43) The German Diet. : or, the Ballance of Europe, wherein the Power and Weaknefs, Glory and Reproach, Virtues and Vices, &c., of all the kingdoms and Hates of Chriftendom are impartially poifed. London, 1653. fol. [With Melan plate as frontispiece.] (44) Some fober Infpe6tions made into the Carriage and Confults of the late Long Parliament by J. H. 1653. [Other editions in 1655 and 1656. " Dedicated to O. Cromwell whom he compares to Charles Martel." A. a W. See No. 59 for fourth etition.] (443) A Dialogue, c. 1653. ["Published and couched under .'the name of (Polyander. Written about the Time that Oliver began to be protector. In this dialogue he gives his opinion for a single person against all other governments." Anthony h Wood.~\ (44b) Ah, Ha ; / Tumulus, Thalamus : / Two Counter- / Poems / The Firft an Elegy Upon Edward, late Earl of Dor-fet ; The fecond, an Epithalamium to the Lord M. of Dor-chefter / Invicem cedunt Dolor 6 Voluptas / Funera, Tcedoe / Sorrow may APPENDIX. xciii may endure for a Night / But joy cometh in the Morning / London / Printed for Humphrey Mofeley and are to be fold / at his mop at the Princes Armes in St. Pauls Church-yard, 1654. 4to pp. 15. (45) Some of Mr. Howell's minor works reflecting upon the times; upon emergent occasions. 4 n.p. 1654. [Bodl. Cat, ii. 3S5a.] (a) Instruments of a King. 1648. (No. 23). (b) Venice looking glass. 1648. (No. 24). (c) Winter Dreame. 1649. (No. 28). (d) Letters to Earl of Pembroke. 1647. (No. 20). (e) A Trance, or News from Hell. 1649. (No. 29). (f) Bella Scot-Anglica. 1648. (No. 25). (g) The Vote, or a Poem Royal. 1642. (No. 3). (h) Inquisition after Blood. 1649. (No. 31)- (i) Ah, ha ! Tumulus, Thalamus. 1653. (46) The Nuptialls of / Peleus / and / Thetes / confifling of a / Mafk and a Comedy / or the / The Great Royall Ball / Acted lately in Pan's fix times / By / The King in Perfon / The Duke of Anjou / The Duke of Yorke / with divers other Noble men / Alfo by / The Princefs Royall Henrette Marie / The Princefs of Conty / The Dutchefs of Roquelaire / The Dutchefs of Crequy / with many other Ladies of Honour / London / Printed for Henry Honnyman, and are to be fold at his / fhop at the Ancor in the lower walk of the New / Exchange, 1654. 410 pp. vi. + 25. [Dedicated to Katharine, Marchioness of Dorchester, &c.] (47) An / Admonition / to my Lord / Protector/ and his / Coun- cil / Of their prefent Danger / with / The means to fecure him and his POSTERITY in / the prefent greatneffe : With the generall applaufe and lading Tranquillity of the / Nation / London, Printed in the year 1654, 410 pp. 10. [Preface signed by J. H. A Proposal to come to arrangement with Chas. II. to have the crown after Cromwell's death.] (48) Parthenopoeia / or the / Hiflory / of the / Moft Noble and Renowned Kingdom / of / Naples / With the Dominions therunto annexed / and the Lives of all their / Kings / The Firft xciv APPENDIX. Firfl Part by that Famous Antiquary Scipio Mazzella / made Englilh/ by Mr. Samfon Lennard/ Herald of Armes./ The Second Part Compil'd / By James Howell Efq. ; who troches fome fupplements to the Firfl part, drawn on / the Thread of the Story to thefe prefent Times, 1654 / . . . London, Printed for Humphrey Mofeley . . . 1654 sm. fol. pp. xviii. + 191 + 62 -t-ii. (49) A Fourth / Volume / of / Familiar Letters / Upon various ( Philofophical, j Emergent occafions / Partly < Political, > By James ( Hiflorical, } Howell Efq. I Clerk of the Council to his / late Majeftie. / Senefco non Segnefco / Never Publijlied before I LONDON J Printed for Humphrey Mofeley and are to be fold / at his Shop at the Princes Arms in/ St. Pauls Church- Yard, 1655. 8vo pp. viii. + 126 + xij. [Attached to the third ed. xxii. +3O9 + iv. + Ii5 + ix. (Index to vol. ii.) + viii. (The Vote) + iv. + 3O + V. (Index to vol. iii.) and vol. iv. is here.] (50) Finetti Philoxenis.j Som choice / Obfervations / of/ S r John Finett / Knight,/ And Mafter of the Ceremonies / to the two laft / Kings / Touching the Reception, and / Pre- cedence, the Treatment and / Audience, the Puntillios and Con / tefls of Forren / Ambaffadors / in / England / Legati ligant mundum. London / Printed by T. R. for H. Twyford and G. Bedell and are / to be fold at their mops in Vine Court, Middle / Temple, and the Middle Temple Gate, 1656. 8vo pp. xii. + 280 + x. [Dedicated to Visct. Lisle.] (51) A / relation / Of the / Life /of/ Chriflina / Queen of Sweden / With her refignation of the crown,/ voyage to Bruxels, and / Journey to Rome./ Whereunto is added,/ Her geniufs./ Tranflated out of French, by J. H. / London 1656 [March 26.] 4to. [Attributed doubtfully to J. H. in Brit. Mu?. Cat. and without query in Bliss Cat. i. No. 2307.] (52) Londinopolis / An / Hiftoricall Difcourfe / or / Perluflration / of the City of/ London/ The Imperial Chamber,/ and chief Emporium/ of/ Great Britain/ whereunto is added another of the City of Weftminfter./ With / The Courts of Juftice, Antiquities, and new / Buildings thereunto belonging./ By Jam. Hovvel Efq./ Senefco non Segnefco! London / Printed by J. Streater, for Henry Twiford, George Sawbridge / and John APPENDIX. xcv John Place and are to be fold at their (hops. 1657, sm. fol. pp. viii. + 407 + viii. [With folding plate of the Thames and a portrait of Howell, E. Milan and Bosc. sculp. It is mainly a compilation from Stow, whose very words are often used, e.g. p. 123. It finishes with an interesting "Parallel by way of Corollary betwixt London and other great Cities of the World," pp. 381-407.] (53) A / Difcourfe / of the / Empire / And of the Ele6lion of A KING of the / Romans the greateft Btmnefs of/ Chriflen- dom now in A / gitation / As alfo / Of the Colledg of Electors / their particular Interejls and who is moft likely to be the / next Emperor / Ev pixep Mdxcov / J. Senefco, non Segnefco H. / Printed by F. L. for Charles Webb at the Bores- / Head in S. Pauls Church-yard / 1658 [May 29]. i2mo + iv. + 109 + x. [Also another title page "for Rich. Lffiviides at the IVhite-Lyon, near the little North door of S. Pauls. 1638." With advertisement from Lowndes. At end " Infantium cerebri / Quadragesimus" Holborn Cal. Jan. 1658.] (54) Englands / Alarm / The / State- Maladies /' And Cure : / A Mirror to the / Soldiers / And / A Parallel to Egypts Plagues with Eng / lands fmnes : / To which is added, A perpetual Almanack. / By J. H. A Lover of Englands Peace / London Printed by Tho. Johnfon, 1659. 4to pp. 8. [All in verse.] (55) A brief/ Admonition /of/ fome of the / Inconveniences / of all the three moft Famous / Governments / Known to the World / With their Comparifons together / London, Printed, 1659. 4:0 pp. i. +6. [Preface "To all honest disinterested Common Wealths-men," signed J. H.] (56) Englands Joy, / Expreffed in the 'EIIINI'KION, / To the moft Renowned Man of Honor, and Temporal Redeemer of the / Prince, Peers, and People of this Land, / His Excel- lency / The Lord General Monck. /..../ London, Printed for M. B. 1660 [June 25] fing. sh. fol. double cols, verse. [Signed J. H.] (57) Lexicon Tetraglotton, / An / Englim-French-Italian-Spanifh / Dictionary : / Whereunto is adjoined / A large Nomenclature of the proper Terms / (in all the four) belonging to feveral Arts and Sciences, to Recreations, to / Profeffions both Liberal and Mechanick &c. / With another Volume of the Choiceft / Proverbs / In all the faid Toungs, (confifting of divers compleat Tomes) and the Englifli tranflated into the other xcvi APPENDIX. other Three, to take off the reproch which ufeth to be cafl upon Her, That / She is but barren in this point and thofe Proverbs She / hath are but fiat and empty. / Moreover there are fundry familiar Letters and Verfes running all in Proverbs with a particular Tome of the Britijh or old Cambrian / Sayed Sawes and Adages which the Author thought fit to annex thereunto, and make / Intelligible for their great Anti- quity and Weight : / Laftly, there are five Centuries of New Sayings which in tracl: of Time may ferve / for Proverbs to Poflerity / By the Labours and Lucubrations of James Hovvell, Efq. ; / Senefco non Segnefco / London / Printed by J. G. for Cornelius Bee at the Kinges Armes in Little Britain, 1660, fol. pp. xviii. [Dedications, (i) To Chas. II., (2) Eng. Prov. to Earl Lindsey at Grimsthorp, (3) French Prov. to Lord Willoughby of Ersby, (4) Ital. Prov. to Sir W. Pacton, (5) Spanish Prov. to Sir Lewis Dives, (6) Welsh Prov. to Richard, Earl of Carberry, (7) To Brian Duppa on the new proverbs.] (58) 0rjcoXoy/a. / The / Parley / of / Beafts / or Morphundra / Queen of the / Inchanted Ifland / Wherein Men were found, who being tranf / muted to Beafls, though proffered to be dis-inchanted, / and to become Men again ; yet, in regard of the / crying Sins, and rebellious humors of the Times, they prefer the Life of a Brute Animal / before That of a Rational Creture : / Which Fancy confifls of various Philo- fophicail Dis- / courfes, With Morall, Metaphyjicall, Hijlorical and Naturall touching the declinings of the World and late / Depravation of Human Nature / With Reflexes upon the prefent ftate of moft / Countries in Chriflendom / Divided into a XI Sections / By Jam. Howell, Efq. : / Senefco, non Segnefco. / The Firft Tome / London, Printed by W. Wilfon for William Palmer at / the Palm Tree in Fleet-jlreet near St. Dunftan's Church, 1660. sm. fol. pp. xvi. (including Key of Anograms) + 152 + xii. (orthography and Index). [Dedicated to Lady Marie de la Fontaine. Melan plate second state as frontispiece, Plate of beasts facing it.] (59) Philanglus / Some fober Infpeclions / Made into the / Carriage and Confults / Of the Late long Parlement / Whereby occafion is taken to fpeak / of Parlements in / former Times &c.,/ With fom Reflexes upon Government in general / With fom Prophetic Paragraffs / The fourth edition with a Supplement of divers / figned paffages which the other three had not./ By Jam. Howell, Efq./ Cupio ut refle capiar.j London, printed by T. L. for W. Palmer at the Palm Tree near St. Dunstans APPENDIX. xcvii Dunstans Church in Fleet jlreet 1660, 12 mo pp. vi. + i8o + iv. [Quotation from Vocal Forest dated 1638.] (60) Divers Hiftoricall Difcourfes of the late Popular Infurreclions in Great Britain, and Ireland, Tending to the afferting of Truth in Vindication of their Majefties. By James Howell, Efquire. Some of which Difcourfes were ftrangled in the Prefle by the power which then fwayed, but now are newly retriev'd, collected and Publifh'd by Richard Royfton. The Firft Tome. London, Printed by J. Grifmond 1661. [From MS. note in'Bliss' copy of the Grismond issue.] Alfo under the title : Twelve / Several Treatifes / Of the late Revolutions / In thefe / Three Kingdomes ; / Deducing the caufes thereof from / Their originals./ By James Howell Efq. ; / His Majesties Historiographer Royal./ London:/ Printed by J. Grifmond, and are to be fold by / the Book-fellers in London and Wejl- minfter,! 1661, 8vo pp. ii. (Table of Contents) + 411. [Has a frontispiece not in the Royston issue. Contains the following.] (a) Cafual Difcourfes / and / Interlocutions / Betwixt / Patricius and Peregrin / Touching the DiftraSlions of the Times / With the Caufes of them. [Pp. 1-85. Cf. No. 7.] (b) The / Second Part / of / A Difcourfe / 'Twixt / Patricius / and Peregrin,/ Touching / the Diftempers / of the / Times. [Pp. 87-1 19.^2, Probably not printed before.] (c) A / Sober and Seafonable / Memorandum / fent to the Right Honourable / Philip late Earl of Pembrock / and Mont- gomery, &c./ To mind him of the particular Sacred / Ties (befides the Common Oath of / Alleagance and Supremacy) wereby he was / bound to adhere to the King his Liege / Lord and Mafter,/ and prefented unto Him in the hotteft Brunt of the late Civill Wars./ Juramentum ligamen con- fcienticz marinum. [Pp. 121-141. Same as No. 20.] (d) His / Late Majefties Royal / Declaration / or / Manifefto / to all / Forrein Princes / and / States / Touching his conftancy in the Proteftant Religion./ Being traduced abroad by fome Mi- xcviii APPENDIX. Mi-/licious and lying Agents/ That he was wavering therein, and upon the high road of returning to Rome. [Pp. 142-165, in Latin, French, and English, and Preface in which J. H. states that Salmasius quoted this when it first appeared. Same as No. 27. (e) Apologs / or / Fables / Mythologiz'd / Out of whofe Moralls the / State and Hiftory of the late unhap/py Deftractions in Great Britain and / Ireland may be extracted ; / Some of which Apologs have prov'd / Prophetical Nil eft niji Fabula Mundus. [Same as No. 6. Prefatory letter to my Honoured and known friend Sir J. C. Knight, and Postscript in which a reference to the True Informer.] (f) Of / the Land of Ire. / or, / A Difcours / of that / Horrid Infurre<5lion / and / Maffacres / which happen'd lately / In Ireland ; / By Mercurius Hibernicus / Who difcovers unto the World the / True Caufes and Incendiaries thereof./ In Vindication / Of His Majefty, who is mofl malicioufly / Traduc'd to be Acceflbry thereunto ; / which is as damnable a Lie as poffibly / could be hatched in Hell ; which is the / Staple of Lies / A Lie flands upon one Legg. / Truth upon two. [Twelve Treatises 199-230. Same as No. 12. Dated from Fleet 3 Nonas Apriles, 1643.] {g) The Sway / of the / Sword / or a Difcours / of the Militia Train'd Band / or / Common Soldiery / of the Land ; / Prov- ing,/ that the Power and Command thereof in Chief belongs to / the Ruling Prince, and to no other / Sine Gladio milla defenjis. [Pp. 233-59. Dated 3 Non. Marcas 1645. = Instruments of a King, No. 23.] (h) An /Italian/ Perfpeclive,/ Through which/ Great Britain/ (without any / Multiplying Art) may clearly yk / Her prefent Danger / Andforefee Her future / Deflruclion / If not timely prevented / Perditio tua ex te Anglia. [Pp. 263-304 "2-12 Aug. 1647, Heading of letter," An Account &c. No. 19.] (i) A / Nocturnal Progrefs : / or / a Perambulation / of moft / countreys / in / Chriftendom,/ Performed in One Night by ftrength / of the Imagination.! Which progreffe terminates in thefe / North- Weft Ifles / And declares the woful con- fufions / They are involv'd at Prefent. [Pp. 307-338. Dated Ides Dec. 1645. Same as No. 15.] (J) APPENDIX. xcix (j) A / Vindication / of his / Majefly / touching a Letter he wrote to Rome, &c. [ p P- 339-370. Not previously printed.] s Feet, And in thy best Attire thy Sov'reign greet. Go, an auspicious and most blissful Year Wish him, as e'er shin'd o'er this Hemisphere. Good may the Entrance, better the Middle be, And the Conclusion best of all the Three : Of Joy ungrudg'd may each Day be a Debtor, And ev'ry Morn still usher in a better : May the soft gliding Nones, and ev'ry Ide, With all the Calends still some good betide ; May Cynthia with kind Looks, and Phoebus' Rays, One clear his Nights, the other gild his Days ; Free IO A POEM-ROYAL, Free Limbs, unphysick'd Health, due Appetite, Which no Sauce else but Hunger may excite : Sound Sleeps, green Dreams be his, which represent Symptoms of Health, and the next day's content ; Chearful and vacant Thoughts, not always bound To Counsel, or in deep Ideas drown'd, (Tho' such late Traverses, and Tumults might Turn to a Lump of Care, the airest Wight) And since while fragile Flesh doth us array, The Humours still are combating for sway, (Which were they free from this reluctancy, And counterpois'd, Man would immortal be) May Sanguine o'er the rest predominate In him, and their malignant Flux abate. May his great Queen, in whose imperious Eye Reigns such a world of winning Majesty, Like the rich Olive or Falernian Vine, Swell with more Gems of Cyons masculine : And as her Fruit sprung from the Rose and Luce, (The best of Stems Earth yet did e'er produce) Is tied already by a sanguine Lace, To all the Kings of Europe's high-born Race ; So may they shoot their youthful Branches o'er The surging Seas, and graff with every shore. May Home-commerce and Trade increase from far, Till both the Indies meet within his bar, And bring in Mounts of Coin his Mint to feed, And Banquers (Traffic's chief supporters) breed, Which may enrich his Kingdom, Court, and Town, And ballast still the Coffers of the Crown ; For Kingdoms are as Ships, the Prince his Chests The Ballast, which if empty, when distress'd With Storms, their Holds are lightly trimm'd, the Keel Can run no steedy Course, but toss and reel : May PRESENTED TO His MAJESTY. n May his Imperial Chamber always ply To his Desires her Wealth to multiply, That she may praise his Royal Favour more, Than all the Wares fetch'd from the Great Mogor. May the Grand Senate,* with the Subjects Right, Put in the counter-scale the Regal Might, The Flow'rs o' th' Crown, that they may prop each other, And like the Grecians Twin, live, love together. For the chief Glory of a People is, The Power of their King, as theirs is his : May he be still within himself at Home, That no just Passion make the Reason roam ; Yet Passions have their turns to rouse the Soul, And stir her slumb'ring Spirits, not controul : For as the Ocean, besides Ebb and Flood, (Which f Nature's greatest Clerk ne'er understood) Is not for Sail, if an impregning Wind Fill not the flagging Canvas ; so a Mind Too calm is not for Action, if Desire Heats not itself at Passion's quick'ning Fire : For Nature is allow'd sometimes to muster Her Passions, so they only blow, not bluster. May Justice still in her true Scales appear, And Honour fix'd in no unworthy Sphere ; Unto whose Palace all Access should have Through Virtue's Temple, not through Pluto's Cave. May his true Subjects' Hearts be his chief Fort, Their Purse his Treasure, and their Love his Port, Their Prayers as sweet Incense, to draw down Myriads of Blessings on his Queen and Crown. And now that his glad Presence did asswage That fearful Tempest in the North did rage, * The Parliament. f Hippocrates. May 12 A POEM-ROYAL, PRESENTED TO HlS MAJESTY. May those Frog Vapours in the Irish Sky Be scatter'd by the Beams of Majesty ; That the Hybernian Lyre give such a Sound, May on our Coasts with joyful Echoes bound. And when this fatal Planet leaves to lour, Which too too long on Monarchies doth pour His direful Influence, may Peace once more Descend from Heav'n upon our tottering Shore, And ride in Triumph both in Land and Main, And with her Milk-white Steeds draw Charles his Wain ; That so, for those Saturnian Times of old, An Age of Pearl may come in lieu of Gold. Virtue still guide his Course ; and if there be A Thing as Fortune, him accompany. May no ill Genius haunt him, but by's side The best protecting Angel ever bide. May he go on to Vindicate the Right Of holy Things, and make the Temple bright, To keep that Faith, that sacred Truth entire, Which he receiVd from Solomon * his Sire. And since we all must hence, by th' Iron Decree Stamp'd in the black Records of Destiny, Late may his Life, his Glory ne'er wear out, Till the great Year of Plato wheel about. So prayeth, The worst of Poets, to The best of Princes, yet The most Loyal of His Votaries and Vassals, JAMES H DWELL. * King James. To To the knowing Reader touching Familiar Letters. !|OVE is the Life of Friendship, Letters are The Life of Love, the Loadstones that by rare Attraction make Souls meet, and melt, and mix, As when by Fire exalted Gold we fix. They are those wing'd Postilions that can fly From the Antarctick to the Arctic Sky, The Heralds and swift Harbingers that move From East to West, on Embassies of Love ; They can the Tropics cut, and cross the Line, And swim from Ganges to the Rhone or Rhine, From Thames to Tagus, thence to Tyber run, And terminate their Journey with the Sun. They can the Cabinets of Kings unscrue, And hardest Intricacies of State undue ; They can the Tartar tell, what the Mogor, Or the Great Turk doth on the Asian Shore : The Knez of them may know what Prester John Doth with his Camels in the torrid Zone ; Which made the Indian Inca think they were Spirits, who in white Sheets the Air did tear. The lucky Goose szv'd Jove's beleagred Hill, Once by her Noise, but oftner by her Quill : It twice prevented, Rome was not o'er-run By the tough Vandal, and the rough-hewn Hun. Letters can Plots, tho' moulder'd under Ground, Disclose, and their fell Complices confound ; Witness 14 To THE KNOWING READER Witness that fiery Pile, which would have blown Up to the Clouds, Prince, People, Peers and Town, Tribunals, Church, and Chapel ; and had dry'd The Thames, tho' swelling in her highest Pride, And parboil'd the poor Fish, which from her Sands Had been toss'd up to the adjoining Lands. Lawyers, as Vultures, had soar'd up and down ; Prelates, like Magpies, in the Air had flown, Had not the Eagle's Letter brought to Light That subterranean horrid Work of Night. Credential Letters, States and Kingdoms tie, And Monarchs knit in Leagues of Amity ; They are those golden Links that do enchain Whole Nations, tho' discinded by the Main ; They are the Soul of Trade, they make Commerce Expand itself throughout the Universe. Letters may more than History inclose The choicest Learning both for Verse and Prose : They Knowledge can unto our Souls display, By a more gentle, and familiar way ; The highest Points of State and Policy, The most severe Parts of Philosophy May be their Subject, and their Themes enrich, As well as private Businesses, in which Friends use to correspond, and Kindred greet, Merchants negotiat, and the whole World meet. In Seneca's rich Letters is enshrin'd Whate'er the ancient Sages left behind : Tully makes his the secret Symptoms tell Of those Distempers which proud Rome befel ; When in her highest Flourish she would make Her Tyber from the Ocean Homage take. Great Antonine the Emperor did gain More Glory by his Letters than his Reign : His TOUCHING FAMILIAR LETTERS. 15 His Pen out-lasts his Pike, each golden Line In his Epistles doth his Name enshrine. Aurelius by his Letters did the same, And they in chief immortalise his Fame. Words vanish soon, and Vapour into Air, While Letters on Record stand fresh and fair ; And tell our Nephews who to us were dear, Who our choice Friends, who our Familiars were. The bashful Lover, when his stammering Lips Falter, and fear some unadvised Slips, May boldly court his Mistress with the Quill, And his hot Passions to her Breast instil : The Pen can furrow a fond Female's Heart, And pierce it more than Cuflid's feigned Dart : Letters a kind of Magic Virtue have, And like strong Philtres human Souls enslave. Speech is the Index, Letters Ideas are Of the informing Soul ; they can declare, And shew the inward Man, as we behold A Face reflecting in a Crystal Mould ; They serve the Dead and Living, they become Attorneys and Administers in some. Letters, like Gordian Knots, do Nations tie, Else all Commerce, and Love, 'twixt Men would die. y. Epistolae Ho-Elianae. jfamiltar ^Letters?, BOOK i. SECTION I. I. To Sir J. S. at Leeds-Castle. T was a quaint Difference the Ancients did put 'twixt a Letter and an Ora- tion ; that the one should be attired like a Woman, the other like a Man : the latter of the two is allowed large side Robes, as long Periods, Paren- theses, Similes, Examples, and other Parts of Rhetorical Flourishes: But a Letter or Epistle should be short-coated, and closely couched ; a Hungerlin becomes a Letter more hand- somely than a Gown : Indeed we should write as we speak; and that's a true familiar Letter which expresseth one's Mind, as if he were discoursing with the Party to whom he writes, in succinct and short Terms. The Tongue, and the Pen, are both of them Interpreters of the Mind ; but I hold the Pen to be the more faithful of the two : The Tongue in udo posita, being seated in a moist slippery Place, may fail and faulter in her sudden extemporal Expressions; B but i8 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. but the Pen having a greater advantage of Premeditation, is not so subject to error, and leaves things behind it upon firm and authentic record. Now, Letters, tho' they be capable of any Subject, yet commonly they are either Narratory, Objurgatory, Consolatory, Monitory, or Con- gratulatory. The first consists of Relations, the second of Reprehensions, the third of Comfort, the two last of Counsel and Joy : There are some, who in lieu of Letters, write Homilies ; they preach, when they should epistolize : There are others that turn them to tedious Tractats : This is to make Letters degenerate from their true Nature. Some modern Authors there are who have exposed their Letters to the World, but most of them, I mean among your Latin Epistolizers, go freighted with mere Bartholomew Ware, with trite and trivial Phrases only, listed with pedantic Shreds of School-boy Verses. Others there are among our next transmarine Neighbours Eastward, who write in their own Language, but their Style is soft and easy, that their Letters may be said to be like Bodies of loose Flesh without Sinews, they have neither Joints of Art nor Arteries in them ; they have a kind of simpering and lank hectic Expressions made up of a Bombast of Words, and finical affected Com- pliments only: I cannot well away with such sleazy Stuff, with such Cobweb-compositions, where there is no Strength of Matter, nothing for the Reader to carry away with him, that may enlarge the Notions of his Soul. One shall hardly find an Apothegm, Example, Simile, or anything of Philo- sophy, History, or solid Knowledge, or as much as one new created Phrase, in a hundred of them : and to draw any Observations out of them, were as if one went about to distill Cream out of Froth ; insomuch, that it may be said of them, what was said of the Echo, That she is a mere Sound and nothing else, I return you your Balzac by this Bearer : and when I found those Letters, wherein he is so familiar with his King, so flat ; and those to Richlieu, so puffed with pro- phane Hyperboles, and larded up and down with such gross Flatteries, Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 19 Flatteries, with others, besides, which he sends as Urinals up and down the World to look into his Water for discovery of the crazy Condition of his Body, I forbore him further. So I am Your most most affectionate Servitor, J. H. Westmin., 2$fafy 1625. IT. To my Father upon my first going beyond Sea. SIR, I SHOULD be much wanting to myself, and to that Obli- gation of Duty, the Law of God, and his Handmaid Nature, hath imposed upon me, if I should not aquaint you with the Course and Quality of my Affairs and Fortunes, especially at this time, that I am upon point of crossing the Seas to eat my bread abroad. Nor is it the common Relation of a Son that only induced me hereunto, but that most indulgent and costly Care you have been pleased (in so extraordinary a manner) to have had of my Breeding (tho' but one Child of fifteen) by placing me in a choice methodi- cal School (so far distant from your Dwelling) under a learned (tho' lasking] Master ; and by transplanting me thence to Oxford, to be graduated ; and so holding me still up by the Chin until I could swim without Bladders. This Patrimony of liberal Education you have been pleased to endow me withal, I now carry along with me abroad, as a sure inseparable Treasure; nor do I feel it any Burden or Incumbrance unto me at all : And what Danger soever, my Person, or other things I have about me, do incur, yet I do not fear the losing of this, either by Shipwreck, or Pirates at Sea, nor by Robbers, or Fire, or any other Casualty on shore : and at my Return to England, I hope at least-wise I shall do my endeavour, that you may find this Patrimony improved somewhat to your Comfort. The main of my Employment is from that gallant Knight Sir Robert Mansell, who, with my Lord of Pembroke, and divers others of the prime Lords of the Court, have got the sole Patent of making all sorts of Glass with Pit-coal, only 20 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. only to save those huge Proportions of Wood which were consumed formerly in the Glass Furnaces : And this Business being of that nature, that the Workmen are to be had from Italy, and the chief Materials from Spain, France, and other foreign Countries ; there is need of an Agent abroad for this Use ; (and better than I have offered their service in this kind) so that I believe I shall have employment in all these Countries before I return. Had I continued still Steward of the Glass-house in Broad-street, where Captain Francis Bacon hath succeeded me, I should in a short time have melted away to nothing amongst those hot Venetians, finding my self too green for such a Charge ; therefore it hath pleased God to dispose of me now to a condition more suitable to my Years, and that will, I hope, prove more advantageous to my future Fortunes. In this my Peregrination, if I happen, by some accident, to be disappointed of that allowance I am to subsist by, I must make my address to you, for I have no other Rendez- vous to flee unto ; but it shall not be, unless in case of great indigence. Touching the News of the Time : Sir George Villiers, the new Favourite, tapers up apace, and grows strong at Court : His Predecessor the Earl of Somerset hath got a Lease of 90 years for his Life, and so hath his Articulate Lady, called so, for articling against the frigidity and impotence of her former Lord. She was afraid that Coke the Lord Chief Justice (who had used such extraordinary art and industry in discovering all the circumstances of the poisoning of Overbury] would have made white Broth of them, but that the Prerogative kept them from the Pot: yet the subservient Instruments, the lesser Flies could not break thorow, but lay entangled in the Cobweb ; amongst others Mistress Turner, the first inventress of yellow Starch, was executed in a Cobweb Lawn Ruff of that colour at Tylurn ; and with her I believe that yellow Starch, which so much disfigured our Nation, and rendered them so ridicu- lous Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 21 lous and fantastic, will receive its Funeral. Sir Gervas Elways, Lieut, of the Tower, was made a notable Example of Justice and Terror to all Officers of Trust : for being accessory, and that in a passive way only, to the murder, yet he was hang'd on Tower-hill: and the Caveat is very remarkable which he gave upon the Gallows, That People should be very cautious how they make Vows to Heaven, for the breach of them seldom passes without a Judgment, whereof he was a most ruthful Example; for being in the Low Countries, and much given to Gaming, he once made a solemn Vow, (which he brake afterwards) that if he played above such a Sum, he might le hanged. My Lord (William) of Pembroke did a most noble Act, like himself; for the King having given him all Sir Gervas Elways's Estate, which came to above a thousand pound per An. y he freely bestowed it on the Widow and her Children. The latter end of this Week I am to go a Ship-board, and first for the Low Countries. I humbly pray your Blessing may accompany me in these my Travels by Land and Sea, with a continuance of your Prayers, which will be as so many good Gales to blow me to safe Port; for I have been taught, That the Parents' Benedictions contribute very much, and have a kind of Prophetic Virtue to make the Child prosperous. In this opinion I shall ever rest Your dutiful Son, J. H. Broad Street, London, i March 1618. III. To Dr. Francis Mansell, since Principal of Jesus College in Oxford. SIR, BEING to take leave of England, and to launch out into the World abroad, to breathe foreign Air a while, I thought it very handsome, and an Act well becoming me, to take my leave also of you, and of my dearly honoured Mother Oxford: Otherwise both of you might have just grounds 22 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. grounds to exhibit a Bill of Complaint, or rather a Protest against me, and cry me up; You for a forgetful Friend; She for an ungrateful Son, if not some spurious Issue. To prevent this, I salute you both together: You with the best of my most candid affections; Her with my most dutiful observance, and thankfulness for the Milk she pleased to give me in that Exuberance, had I taken it in that measure she offered it me while I slept in her lap : yet that little I have sucked, I carry with me now abroad, and hope that this course of Life will help to concoct it to a greater advantage, having opportunity, by the nature of my employ- ment, to study Men as well as Books. The small time I supervis'd the Glass-house, I got among those Venetians some smatterings of the Italian Tongue, which besides the little I have, you know, of School-language, is all the Preparatives I have made for travel. I am to go this week down to Gravesend, and so embark for Holland. I have got a warrant from the Lords of the Council to travel for three years any where, Rome and St. Omers excepted. I pray let me retain some room, tho' never so little, in your thoughts, during the time of this our separation ; and let our Souls meet sometimes by intercourse of Letters : I promise you that yours shall receive the best entertainment I can make them, for I love you dearly, dearly well, and value your Friendship at a very high rate. So with appre- ciation of as much happiness to you at home, as I shall desire to accompany me abroad, I rest ever Your friend to serve you, J. H. London, 20 March 1618. IV. To Sir James Crofts, Knight, at St. Osith. SIR, I COULD not shake hands with England, without kiss- ing your hands also; and because, in regard of your distance now from London, I cannot do it in person, I send this Paper for my Deputy. The Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 23 The news that keeps greatest noise here now, is the return of Sir Walter Raleigh from his Mine of Gold in Guiana, the South parts of America, which at first was like to be such a hopeful boon Voyage, but it seems that that Golden Mine is proved a mere Chimera, an imaginary airy Mine ; and indeed his Majesty had never any other conceit of it : But what will not one in Captivity (as Sir Walter was) promise, to regain his Freedom ? who would not promise, not only Mines, but Mountains of Gold, for Liberty ? and 'tis pity such a knowing well-weigh'd Knight had not had a better Fortune ; for the Destiny (I mean that brave Ship which he built himself of that name, that carry'd him thither) is like to prove a Fatal Destiny to him, and to some of the rest of those gallant Adventurers which con- tributed for the setting forth of thirteen Ships more, who were most of them his Kinsmen and younger Brothers, being led into the said Expedition by a general conceit the World had of the Wisdom of Sir Walter Raleigh; and many of these are like to make Shipwrack of their Estates by this Voyage. Sir Walter landed at Plymouth, whence he thought to make an escape ; and some say he hath tampered with his Body by Physick, to make him look sickly, that he may be the more pitied, and permitted to lie in his own House. Count Gondamar the Spanish Ambassador speaks high language; and sending lately to desire Audience of his Majesty, he said he had but one word to tell him: his Majesty wondring what might be delivered in one word, when he came before him, he said only, Pirates, Pirates, Pirates, and so departed. 'Tis true that he protested against this Voyage before, and that it could not be but for some predatory design : And that if it be as I hear, I fear it will go very ill with Sir Walter, and that Gondamar will never give him over, till he hath his head off his shoulders; which may quickly be done, without any new Arraignment, by virtue of the old Sentence that lies still dormant against him, which he could never get off by Pardon, notwithstanding that he mainly 24 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. mainly laboured in it before he went : but his Majesty could never be brought to it, for he said he would keep this as a Curb to hold him within the bounds of his Com- mission, and the good behaviour. Gondamar cries out, that he hath broke the sacred Peace 'twixt the two Kingdoms; That he hath fired and plundered Santo Tkoma, a Colony the Spaniards had planted with so much blood, near under the Line, which made it prove such hot service unto him, and where, besides others, he lost his eldest Son in the Action : And could they have preserv'd the Magazine of Tobacco only, besides other things in that Town, something might have been had to countervail the charge of the Voyage. Gondamar alledgeth farther, That the enterprize of the Mine failing, he pro- pounded to the rest of his Fleet to go and intercept some of the Plate Galeons, with other Designs which would have drawn after them apparent Acts of Hostility ; and so demands Justice : besides other Disasters which fell out upon the dashing of the first design, Captain Remish, who was the main instrument for discovery of the mine, pistoled himself in a desperate mood of discontent in his Cabin, in the Convertine. This Return of Sir Walter Raleigh from Guiana, puts me in mind of a facetious tale I read lately in Italian (for I have a little of that language already) how Alphonso King of Naples sent a Moor, who had been his Captive a long time, to Barbary, with a considerable sum of money to buy Horses, and return by such a time. Now there was about the King a kind of Buffoon or Jester, who had a Table-book or Journal, wherein he was used to register any absurdity, or impertinence, or merry passage that happened upon the Court. That day the Moor was dispatched for Barbary, the said Jester waiting upon the King at Supper, the King call'd for his Journal, and ask'd what he had observ'd that day; thereupon he produc'd his Table-book, and among other things, he read how Alphonso King of Naples had sent Beltram the Moor, who had been a long time his Prisoner Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 25 Prisoner, to Morocco (his own Country) with so many thousand Crowns, to buy Horses. The King asked him why he inserted that ; Because, said he, I think he will never come back to be a Prisoner again, and so you have lost both Man and Money. But if he do come, then your Jest is marr'd, quoth the King: No, Sir ; for if he return I will Hot out your Name, and put him in for a Fool. The Application is easy and obvious: But the World wonders extremely, that so great a wise Man as Sir Walter Raleigh would return to cast himself upon so inevitable a Rock, as I fear he will; and much more, that such choice Men, and so great a power of Ships, should all come home and do nothing. The Letter you sent to my Father, I convey'd safely the last week to Wales. I am this week, by God's help, for the Netherlands, and then I think for France. If in this my foreign employment I may be any way serviceable unto you, you know what power you have to dispose of me, for I honour you in a very high degree, and will live and die Your humble and ready Servant, J. H. London, 28 March 1618. V. To my Brother, after Dr. Howel, and now Bishop of Bristol ; from Amsterdam. BROTHER, I AM newly landed at Amsterdam, and it is the first foreign Earth I have ever set foot upon. I was pitifully sick all the Voyage, for the Weather was rough, and the Wind untowards ; and at the mouth of the Texel we were surpriz'd by a furious Tempest, so that the Ship was like to split upon some of those old stumps of trees wherewith that River is full; for in Ages past, as the Skipper told me, there grew a fair Forest in that Channel where the Texel makes now her Bed. Having been so rock'd and shaken at Sea, when I came a-shore, I began to incline 26 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book L incline to Copernicus his Opinion, which hath got such a sway lately in the World, viz. That the Earth, as well as the rest of her Fellow-Elements, is in perpetual Motion, for she seemed so to me a good while after I had landed. He that observes the Site and Position of this Country, will never hereafter doubt the Truth of that Philosophical Problem which keeps so great a noise in the Schools, viz. That the Sea is higher than the Earth, because, as I sailed along these Coasts, I visibly found it true; for the Ground here, which is all 'twixt Marsh and Moorish, lies not only level but to the apparent Sight of the Eye far lower than the Sea; which made the Duke of Alva say, That the Inhabitants of this Country were the nearest Neighbours to Hell (the greatest Abyss) of any People upon Earth, because they dwell lowest: Most of that ground they tread, is plucked, as it were, out of the very Jaws of Neptune, who is afterwards penn'd out by high Dikes, which are preserved with incredible Charge; insomuch that the chief Dike- Grave here, is one of the greatest Officers of Trust in all the Province, it being in his power to turn the whole Country into a Salt-lough when he list, and so to put Hans to swim for his Life ; which makes it to be one of the chiefest Parts of his Litany, From the Sea, the Spajiiard, and the Devil, the Lord deliver me. I need not tell you who preserves him from the last, but, from the Spaniards, his best Friend is the Sea itself, notwithstanding that he fears him as an Enemy another way : for the Sea stretching himself here into divers Arms, and meeting with some of those fresh Rivers that descend from Germany to disgorge themselves into him through these Provinces, most of their Towns are thereby incompassed with Water, which by Sluices they can con- tract or dilate as they list. This makes their Towns inaccessible, and out of the reach of Cannon; so that Water may be said to be one of their best Fences ; other- wise I believe they had not been able to have borne up so ong against the gigantic Power of Spain. This City of Amsterdam, though she be a great Staple of News Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 27 News, yet I can impart none unto you at this time, I will defer that till I come to the Hague. I am lodged here at one Mons. de la Cluze, not far from the Exchange, to make an introduction into the French: because I believe I shall steer my course hence next to the Country where that Language is spoken ; but I think I shall sojourn here about two Months longer, therefore I pray direct your Letters accordingly, or any other you have for me. One of the prime Comforts of a Traveller, is to receive Letters from his Friends ; they beget new Spirits in him, and present joyful Objects to his Fancy, when his Mind is clouded sometimes with Fogs of Melancholy : therefore I pray make me as happy as often as your Conveniency will serve with yours : you may send or deliver them to Captain Bacon at the Glass-House, who will see them safely sent. So, my dear Brother, I pray God bless us both, and send us after this large Distance, a joyful Meeting. Your loving Brother, J. H. Amsterdam, i April 1617. VI. To Dan. Caldwell, Esq.; from Amsterdam. MY DEAR PAN, I HAVE made your Friendship so necessary unto me for the contentment of my Life, that Happiness itself would be but a kind of Infelicity without it : It is as need- ful to me, as Fire and Water, as the very Air I take in, and breathe out ; it is to me not only necessitudo, but necessitas: Therefore I pray let me enjoy it in that fair proportion, that I desire to return unto you, by way of correspondence and retaliation. Our first Ligue of Love, you know, was contracted among the Muses in Oxford ; for no sooner was I matriculated to her, but I was adopted to you ; I became her Son, and your Friend, at one time : You know I follow'd you then to London, where our Love receiv'd confirmation in the Temple, and elsewhere. We are now far 28 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. far asunder, for no less than a Sea severs us, and that no narrow one, but the German Ocean : Distance sometimes endears Friendship, and Absence sweetneth it ; it much enhanceth the value of it, and makes it more precious. Let this be verify'd in us ; let that Love which formerly us'd to be nourish'd by personal communication and the Lips, be now fed by Letters ; let the Pen supply the office of the Tongue : Letters have a strong operation, they have a kind of Art like Embraces to mingle Souls, and make them meet, tho' millions of Paces asunder ; by them we may con- verse, and know how it fares with each other as it were by intercourse of Spirits. Therefore among your civil Specu- lations, I pray let your Thoughts sometimes reflect on me (your absent self) and wrap those Thoughts in Paper, and so send them me over ; I promise you they shall be very welcome, I shall embrace and hug them with my best Affections. Commend me to Tom Bowyer, and enjoin him the like : I pray be no Niggard in distributing my Love plentifully among our Friends at the Inns of Court: Let Jack Tol- dervy have my kind Commends, with this Caveat, That the Pot which goes often to the Water, comes home crack'd at last : therefore I hope he will be careful how he makes the Fleece in Cornhill his Thorow-fare too often. So may my dear Daniel live happy and love his J. H. Amsterdam, 10 April 1619. VII. To my Father, from Amsterdam. SIR, I AM lately arriv'd in Holland in a good plight of Health, and continue yet in this Town of Amsterdam, a Town I believe, that there are few her Fellows, being from a mean Fishing-Dorp, come in a short revolution of time, by a monstrous increase of Commerce and Navigation, to be one of the greatest Marts of Europe : 'Tis admirable to see what various sorts of Buildings, and new Fabricks are now here erecting Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 29 erecting everywhere ; not in Houses only, but in whole Streets and Suburbs; so that 'tis thought she will in a short time double her proportion in bigness. I am lodg'd in a Frenchman's House, who is one of the Deacons of our English Brownists Church here ; 'tis not far from the Synagogue of Jews, who have free and open exercise of their Religion here : I believe in this Street where I lodge, there be well near as many Religions as there be Houses ; for one Neighbour knows not, nor cares not much what Religion the other is of, so that the number of Conventicles exceed the number of Churches here. And let this country call itself as long as it will, the United Provinces one way, I am persuaded in this point, there's no Place so Disunited. The Dog and Rag-Market is hard by, where every Sunday Morning there is a kind of publick Mart for those Commodities, notwithstanding their precise observance of the Sabbath. Upon Saturday last I happen'd to be in a Gentleman's Company, who shew'd me as I walk'd along in the Streets, a long-bearded old Jew of the Tribe of Aaron : when the other Jews met him, they fell down, and kiss'd his Foot : This was that Rabbi, with whom our Countryman Brough- ton had such a Dispute. This City, notwithstanding her huge Trade, is far inferior to London for populousness ; and this I infer out of their weekly Bills of Mortality, which come not at most but to fifty or thereabout ; whereas in London, the ordinary number is betwixt two or three hundred, one Week with another : Nor are there such wealthy Men in this Town as in London; for by reason of the generality of Commerce, the Banks, Adventures, the common Shares and Stocks which most have in the Indian and other Companies, the Wealth doth diffuse itself here in a strange kind of Equality, not one of the Burghers being exceeding rich, or exceeding poor: Insomuch, that I believe our four and twenty Alder- men may buy a hundred of the richest Men in Amsterdam. It 3O FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. It is a rare thing to meet with a Beggar here, as rare as to see a Horse, they say, upon the Streets of Venice ; and this is held to be one of their best pieces of Government : for besides the strictness of their Laws against Mendicants, they have Hospitals of all sorts for young and old, both for the relief of the one, and the employment of the other; so that there is no Object here to exercise any Act of Charity upon. They are here very neat, tho' not so magnificent in their Buildings, especially in their Frontispieces and first Rooms ; and for Cleanliness, they may serve for a Pattern to all People. They will presently dress half a dozen Dishes of Meat, without any noise or shew at all : for if one goes to the Kitchen, there will be scarce appearance of anything but a few cover'd Pots upon a Turf Fire, which is their prime Fuel ; after Dinner they fall a scouring of those Pots, so that the outside will be as bright as the inside, and the Kitchen suddenly so clean, as if no Meat had been dress'd there a Month before. They have neither Well or Fountain, or any Spring of fresh Water, in or about all this City, but their fresh Water is brought to them by Boats; besides, they have Cisterns to receive the Rain-water, which they much use : so that my Landress bringing my Linen to me one day, and I commending the whiteness of them, she answer'd, That they must needs be white and fair, for they were washed in Aqua Ccelestis, meaning Sky-water. 'Twere cheap living here, were it not for the monstrous Excises which are impos'd upon all sorts of Commodities, both for Belly and Back ; for the Retailer pays the States almost the one Moiety as much as he paid for the Com- modity at first : nor doth any murmur at it, because it goes not to any Favourite or private Purse, but to preserve them from the Spaniard, their common Enemy, as they term him ; so that the Saying is truly verify'd here, Defend me, and spend me. With this Excise principally, they maintain all their Armies by Sea and Land, with their Garisons at home and abroad, both here and in the Indies ; and defray all other publick Charges besides. I Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 31 I shall hence shortly for France, and in my way take most of the prime Towns of Holland and Zealand, especially Leyden (the University) where I shall sojourn some days. So humbly craving a continuance of your Blessing ? and Prayers, I rest Your dutiful Son, J. H. i May 1619. VIII. To Dr. Tho. Prichard, at Jesus College in Oxford ; from Leyden. STR, IT is the Royal Prerogative of Love, not to be confin'd to that small local compass which circumscribes the Body, but to make his Sallies and Progresses abroad, to find put and enjoy his desir'd Object, under what Region soever : Nor is it the vast Gulph of Neptune, or any distance of Place, or difference of Clime, can bar him of this Privilege. I never found the Experiment hereof so sensibly, nor felt the Comfort of it so much, as since I shook hands with England: For tho' you be in Oxford, and I at Leyden; albeit you be upon an Island, and I now upon the Conti- nent, (tho' the lowest part of Europe] yet those swift Postilions, my Thoughts, find you out daily, and bring you unto me : I behold you often in my Chamber, and in my Bed; you eat, you drink, you sit down, and walk with me; and my Fantasy enjoys you often in my Sleep, when all my Senses are lock'd up, and my Soul wanders up and down the World, sometimes thro' pleasant Fields and Gardens, sometimes thro' odd uncouth Places, over Mountains and broken confus'd Buildings. As my love to you doth thus exercise his power, so I desire yours to me may not be idle, but rouz'd up sometimes to find me out, and summon me to attend you in Jesus College. I am now here in Leyden, the only Academy besides Franeker of all the United Provinces : Here are Nations of all sorts, but the Germans swarm more than any. To com- pare 32 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. pare their University to yours, were to cast New-Inn in counterscale with Christ-Church College, or the Alms- houses on Tower-hill to Suttons Hospital. Here are no Colleges at all, God-wot, (but one for the Dutch] nor scarce the face of an University, only there are general Schools where the Sciences are read by several Professors, but all the Students are Oppidanes: A small Time and less Learning will suffice to make one a Graduate; nor are those For- malities of Habits, and other Decencies here, as with you, much less those Exhibitions and Supports for Scholars, with other Encouragements ; insomuch, that the Oxonians and Cantabrigians- Bona si sua norint, were they sensible of their own Felicity, are the happiest Academians on Earth : yet Apollo hath a strong influence here ; and as Cicero said of them of Athens, Athenis pingue ccelum, tenuia ingenia, The Athenians had a thick Air, and thin Wits; so I may say of these Lugdunensians, They have a g?~oss Air, lilt thin subtle Wits, (some of them) witness also He'msius, Grotius, Arminius, and Baudius. Of the two last I was told a Tale, that Arminius meeting Baudius one Day disguis'd with Drink (wherewith he would be often) he told him, Tu Baudi dedecoras nostram Academiam ; & tu Armini nostram Religionem : Thou Baudius disgracest our University, and thou Arminius our Religion. The Heaven here has always some Cloud in his Countenance, and from this grossness and spissitude of Air proceeds the slow nature of the Inhabi- tants ; yet this slowness is recompens'd with another Benefit, it makes them patient and constant, as in all other Actions, so in their Studies and Speculations, tho' they use Grasses transire Dies, lucemque palustrem. I pray impart my Love liberally amongst my Friends in Oxford, and when you can make Truce with your more serious Meditations, bestow a Thought drawn into a few Lines upon Yours, J. H. Ley den, 3 May 1619. IX. Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 33 IX. To Mr. Richard Altham, at his Chamber in Grays-Inn. DEAR SIR, THO' you be now a good way out of my Reach, yet you are not out of my Remembrance ; you are still within the Horizon of my Love. Now the Horizon of Love is large and spacious, it is as boundless as that of the Imagination ; and where the Imagination rangeth, the Memory is still busy to usher in, and present the desired Object it fixes upon : It is Love that sets them both on work, and may be said to be the highest Sphere whence they receive their motion. Thus you appear to me often in these foreign Travels; and that you may believe me the better, I send you these Lines as my Ambassadors (and Ambassadors must not lye) to inform you accordingly, and to salute you. I desire to know how you like Plowden : I heard it often said, that there's no Study requires Patience and Constancy more than the Common Law ; for it is a good while before one comes to any known Perfection in it, and consequently to any gainful Practice. This (I think) made Jack Chaundler throw away his Littleton, like him that, when he could not catch the Hare, said, A pox upon her, she is but dry tough Meat ; let her go : It is not so with you, for I know you are of that disposition, that when you mind a thing, nothing can frighten you in making constant pursuit after it, till you have obtained it : For if the Mathematics, with their crabbedness and intricacy, could not deter you, but that you waded thro' the very midst of them, and arriv'd to so excellent a Perfection ; I believe it is not in the power of Plowden to dastardize or cow your Spirits, until you have overcome him, at leastwise have so much of him as will serve your turn. I know you were always a quick and pressing Disputant in Logic and Philosophy ; which makes me think your Genius is fit for Law, (as the Baron your excellent Father was) for a good Logician makes always a c good 34 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. good Lawyer : And hereby one may give a strong con- jecture of the aptness or inaptitude of one's capacity to that Study and Profession ; and you know as well as I, that Logicians, who went under the name of Sophisters, were the first Lawyers that ever were. I shall be upon uncertain removes hence, until I come to Rouen in France, and there I mean to cast Anchor a good while ; I shall expect your Letters there with im- patience. I pray present my Service to Sir James Altham, and to my good Lady your Mother, with the rest to whom it is due in Bishopsgate-street, and elsewhere: So I am Yours in the best degree of friendship, J. H. Hague, 30 May 1619. X. To Sir James Crofts,yVom the Hague. SIR, THE same observance that a Father may challenge of his Child, the like you may claim of me, in regard of the extraordinary care you have been pleas'd to have always, since I had the happiness to know you, of the course of my Fortunes. I am now newly come to the Hague, the Court of the six (and almost seven) Confederated Provinces; the Council of State, with the Prince of Orange, makes his firm Re- sidence here, unless he be upon a March, and in motion for some design abroad. This Prince (Maurice) was cast in a Mould suitable to the temper of this People : He is slow and full of wariness, and not without a mixture of Fear; I do not mean a pusillanimous but politick Fear: he is the most constant in the quotidian course and carriage of his Life, of any that I have ever heard or read of; for whosoever knows the customs of the Prince of Orange, may tell what he is doing here every hour of the day, tho' he be in Constantinople. In the Morning he awakes about six in Summer, and seven in Winter ; the first thing he does, he sends one of his Grooms or Pages to see how the Wind sits, Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 35 sits, and he wears or leaves off his Wastecoat accordingly ; then he is about an hour dressing himself, and about a quarter of an hour in his Closet: Then comes in the Secretary, and if he hath any private or public Letters to write, or any other Dispatches to make, he does it before he stirs from his Chamber; then comes he abroad, and goes to his Stables, if it be no Sermon-day, to see some of his Gentlemen or Pages (of whose Breeding he is very care- ful) ride the great Horse : He is very accessible to any that hath Business with him, and sheweth a winning kind of Familiarity, for he will shake Hands with the meanest Boor of the Country, and he seldom hears any Commander or Gentleman with his Hat on : He dines punctually about twelve, and his Table is free for all Comers, but none under the degree of a Captain uses to sit down at it : After Dinner he stays in the Room a good while, and then any one may accost him, and tell his Tale; then he retires to his Chamber, where he answers all Petitions that were deliver'd him in the Morning ; and towards the Evening, if he goes not to Council, which is seldom, he goes either to make some Visits, or to take the Air abroad. And according to this constant Method he passes his Life. There are great stirs like to arise 'twixt the Bohemians and the elected King the Emperor ; and they are come already to that height, that they consult of deposing him, and to chuse some Protestant Prince to be their King. Some talk of the Duke of Saxony, others of the Palsgrave ; I believe the States here would rather be for the latter, in regard of conformity of Religion, the other being a Lutheran. I could not find in Amsterdam a large Ortelius in French to send you ; but from Antwerp I will not fail to serve you. So wishing you all happiness and health, and that the Sun may make many progresses thro' the Zodiac, before those comely gray Hairs of yours go to the Grave, I rest Your very humble Servant, J. H. 3 June 1619. XI. 36 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book /. XI. To Captain Francis Bacon, at the Glass-House in Broad-street. SIR, MY last to you was from Amsterdam, since which time I have travers'd the prime parts of the United Provinces; and I am now in Zealand, being newly come to this Town of Middleborough, which is much crestfallen since the Staple of English Cloth was remov'd hence, as is Flishing also, her next Neighbour, since the departure of the English Garison. A good intelligent Gentleman told me the manner how Flishing and the Brill, our two cau- tionary Towns here, were redeemed, which were thus : The nine hundred and odd Soldiers at Flishing, and the Ram- makins hard by, being many Weeks without their Pay, they borrow'd divers Sums of Money of the States of this Town, who finding no Hopes of Supplies from England, Advice was sent to the States- General at the Hague ; they consulting with Sir Ralph JVimvood, our Ambassador (who was a favourable Instrument to them in this Business, as also in the Match with the Palsgrave} sent Instructions to the Lord Caroon, to acquaint the Earl of Suffolk (then Lord Treasurer) herewith ; and in case they could find no Satis- faction there, to make his Address to the King himself, which Caroon did. His Majesty being much incens'd that his Subjects and Soldiers should starve for want of their Pay in a foreign Country, sent for the Lord Treasurer, who drawing his Majesty aside, and telling how empty his Exchequer was, his Majesty told the Ambassador, that if his Masters the States would pay the Money they ow'd him upon those Towns, he would deliver them up. The Ambassador returning the next day, to know whether his Majesty persisted in the same Resolution, in regard that at his former Audience he perceiv'd him to be a little transported ; his Majesty answer'd, that he knew the States of Holland to be his good Friends and Confederates, both in Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 37 in point of Religion and Policy ; therefore he apprehended not the least fear of any difference that should fall out between them, in contemplation whereof, if they desired to have their Towns again, he would willingly surrender them. Hereupon the States made up the Sum presently, which came in convenient time, for it serv'd to defray the expenceful Progress he made to Scotland the Summer fol- lowing. When that Money was lent by Queen Elizabeth, it was articled, that Interest should be paid upon Interest ; and besides, that for every Gentleman who should lose his Life in the States Service, they should make good five Pounds to the Crown of England: All this his Majesty remitted, and only took the Principal ; and this was done in requital of that Princely Entertainment, and great Presents, which my Lady Elizabeth had receiv'd in divers of their Towns as she pass'd to Heidelberg. The Bearer hereof is Sig. Antonio Miotti, who was Master of a Crystal-Glass Furnace here a long time; and as I have it by good Intelligence, he is one of the ablest and most knowing Men for the guidance of a Glass- Work in Christendom : therefore, according to my Instructions, I send him over, and hope to have done Sir Robert good Service thereby. So with my kind Respects unto you, and my most humble Service where you know it is due, I rest Your affectionate Servant, J. H. 6 June 1619. XII. To Sir James Crofts, from Antwerp. SIR, I PRESUME that my last to you from the Hague came safe to hand : I am now come to a more chearful Country, and amongst a People somewhat more vigorous and metal'd, being not so heavy as the Hollander, or homely as they of Zealand. This goodly ancient City methinks looks like a disconsolate Widow, or rather some super- annuated Virgin, that hath lost her Lover, being almost quite 38 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book 7. quite bereft of that flourishing Commerce wherewith before the falling off the rest of the Provinces from Spain she abounded, to the envy of all other Cities and Marts of Europe. There are few Places this side the Alps better built and so well streeted as this ; and none at all so well girt with Bastions and Ramparts, which in some places are so spacious, that they usually take the Air in Coaches upon the very Walls, which are beautified with divers rows of Trees and pleasant Walks. The Citadel here, tho' it be an addition to the stateliness and strength of the Town, yet it serves as a shrewd Curb unto her; which makes her chomp upon the Bit, and foam sometimes with anger, but she cannot help it. The Tumults in Bohemia now grow hotter and hotter; they write how the great Council at Prague fe\\ to such a hurliburly, that some of those Senators who adher'd to the Emperor were thrown out at the Win- dows, where some were maim'd, some broke their Necks. I am shortly to bid farewell to the Netherlands, and to bend my course for France, where I shall be most ready to entertain any Commands of yours. So may all Health and Happiness attend you, according to the Wishes of Your obliged Servant, J. H. 5/ufy 1619. XIII. To Dr. Tho. Prichard, at Oxford, from Rouen. I HAVE now taken firm footing in France, and tho' France be one of the chiefest Climates of Compliment, yet I can use none towards you, but tell you in plain down- right Language, That in the List of those Friends I left behind me in England, you are one of the prime Rank, one whose Name I have mark'd with the whitest Stone : If you have gain'd such a place amongst the choicest Friends of mine, I hope you will put me somewhere amongst yours, tho' I but fetch up the rear, being contented to be the infirma species, the lowest in the Predicament of your Friends. I Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 39 I shall sojourn a good while in this City of Rouen ; there- fore I pray make me happy with the comfort of your Letters, which I shall expect with a longing impatience : I pray send me ample advertisement of your welfare, and of the rest of your Friends, as well upon the Banks of Isis as amongst the British Mountains. I am but a Fresh-man yet in France, therefore I can send you no News but that all is here quiet, and 'Tis no ordinary News that the French should be quiet: But some think this Calm will not last long; for the Queen-Mother (late Regent] is discontented, being restrain' d from coming to the Court, or to the City of Paris; and the tragical death of her Favourite (and Foster-Brother), the late Marquis of Ancre, lieth yet in her Stomach undigested: She hath the Duke of Espernon, and divers other potent Princes, that would be strongly at her devotion (as 'tis thought) if she would stir. I pray present my Service to Sir Eubule Theloal, and send me word with what pace Jesus- College new Walls go up. I will borrow my Conclusion to you at this time of my Countryman Owen ; Uno non possum quantum te diligo versu Dicere, si satis est Distichon, ecce duos. I cannot in One Verse my Love declare ; Jf Two will serve the turn, lo here they are. Whereunto I will add this Sirname Anagram, Yours whole, J. HOWEL. 6 Aug. 1619. XIV. To Dan. Caldwall, Esq. ; from Rouen. MY dear Dan, when I came first to this Town, amongst other Objects of Contentment which I found here, whereof there are variety, a Letter of yours was brought to me, and 'twas a She-Letter, for two more were enwomb'd in her Body : she had an easy and quick deliverance of that Twin ; but, besides them, she was big and pregnant of divers sweet Pledges, and lively Evidences of your own Love towards 4O FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. towards me, whereof I am as fond as any Mother can be of her Child. I shall endeavour to cherish and foster this dear Love of yours with all the tenderness that can be, and warm it at the fuel of my best Affections, to make it grow every day stronger and stronger, until it comes to the state of Perfection; because I know it is a true and real, it is no spurious or adulterated Love. If I intend to be so indulgent and careful of yours, I hope you will not suffer mine to starve with you ; my Love to you need not much tending, for it is a lusty strong Love, and will not easily miscarry. I pray, when you write next, to send me a dozen pair of the best white Kid-skin Gloves the Royal-Exchange can afford ; as also two pair of the purest white worsted Stock- ings you can get of Women's size, together with half a dozen of pair of Knives. I pray send your Man with them to Vacandary , the French Post upon Tower-hill, who will bring them me safely. When I go to Paris, I shall send you some curiosities equivalent to these. I have here inclos'd return'd an answer to those two that came in yours; I pray see them safely deliver'd. My kind Respects to your Brother Sergeant at Court, to all at Eattersay or anywhere else, where you think my Commendations may be placed. No more at this time, but that I recommend you to the never-failing Providence of God, desiring you to go on in nourishing still between us that Love, which, for my part, No Traverses #/ Chance, 0/"Time, or Fate, Shall e'er extinguish till our Lives last date : But, as the Vine her lovely Elm doth wire, Grasp both our Hearts, and flame with fresh desire. -Yours, J. H. 13 Aug. 1619. XV. To my Father, from Rouen. SIR, "\7OURS of the third of August came safe to hand in an JL inclos'd from my Brother; you may make easy con- jecture how welcome it was unto me, and to what a height of Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 41 of comfort it rais'd my Spirits, in regard it was the first I receiv'd from you since I crossed the Seas : I humbly thank you for the Blessing you sent along with it. I am now upon the fair Continent of France, one of Nature's choicest Master-pieces ; one of Ceres' chiefest Barns for Corn ; one of Bacchus's prime Wine-Cellars, and of Nep- tune's best Salt-pits; a compleat self-sufficient Country, where there is rather a Superfluity than Defect of anything, either for Necessity or Pleasure, did the Policy of the Country cor- respond with the Bounty of Nature, in the equal distribution of the Wealth amongst the Inhabitants ; for I think there is not upon the Earth a richer Country, and poorer People. 'Tis true, England hath a good repute abroad for her Fer- tility, yet be our Harvests never so kindly, and our Crops never so plentiful, we have every year commonly some Grain from thence, or from Dantzick, and other Places imported by the Merchant : Besides, there be many more Heaths, Commons, bleak barren Hills, and waste Grounds in England, by many degrees, than I find here ; and I am sorry our Country of Wales should give more Instances hereof than any other Part. This Province of Normandy, once an Appendix of the Crown of England, tho 3 it want Wine, yet it yields the King as much Demesnes as any one of the rest ; the Lower Norman hath Cyder for his common Drink ; and I visibly observ'd that they are more plump and replete in their Bodies, and of a clearer Complexion, than those that drink altogether Wine. In this great City of Rouen there be many Monuments of the English Nation yet extant. In the outside of the highest Steeple of the great Church, there is the Word GOD engrav'd in huge golden Characters, every one almost as long as myself, to make them the more visible. In this Steeple hangs also the greatest Bell of Christendom, called d'Amboise, for it weighs near upon forty thousand pound weight. There is also here St. Oen, the greatest Sanctuary of the City, founded by one of our Compatriots, as the Name imports: This Province is also subject to Wardships, and 42 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. and no other part of France besides ; but whether the Con- queror translated that Law to England from hence, or whether he sent it over from England hither, I cannot resolve you. There is a marvellous quick Trade driven in this Town, because of the great navigable River, Sequena (the Seine] that runs hence to Paris, whereon there stands a strange Bridge that ebbs and flows, that rises and falls with the River, it being made of Boats, whereon Coach and Carts may pass over as well as Men : Besides, this is the nearest Mercantile City that stands betwixt Paris and the Sea. My last to you was from the Low Countries, where I was in motion to and fro above four Months; but I fear it mis- carry'd, in regard you make no mention of it in yours. I begin more and more to have a sense of the sweetness and advantage of foreign Travel : I pray when you come to London, to find a time to visit Sir Robert, and acknow- ledge his great Favours to me, and desire a continuance thereof, according as I shall endeavour to deserve them. So with my due and daily Prayers for your Health, and a speedy successful issue of all your Law-businesses, I humbly crave your Blessing, and rest Your dutiful Son, J. H. 7 Sept. 1619. XVI. To Capt. Francis Bacon, from Paris. SIR, I RECEIVED two of yours in Rouen, with the Bills of Exchange there inclos'd; and according to your direc- tions I sent you those things which you wrote for. I am now newly come to Paris, this huge Magazine of Men, the Epitome of this large populous Kingdom, and Rendezvous of all Foreigners. The Structures here are in- differently fair, tho' the Streets generally foul all the four Seasons of the year ; which I impute first to the Position of the City, being built upon an Isle, (the Isle of France, made so by the branching and serpentine course of the River of Seine] and having some of her Suburbs seated high, the Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 43 the Filth runs down the Channel, and settles in many places within the body of the City, which lies upon a Flat; as also for a world of Coaches, Carts, and Horses of all sorts that go to and fro perpetually, so that sometimes one shall meet with a stop half a mile long of those Coaches, Carts, and Horses, that can move neither forward nor backward, by reason of some sudden Encounter of others coming a cross-way; so that often-times it will be an hour or two before they can disintangle. In such a stop the Great Henry was so fatally slain by Ravillac. Hence comes it to pass, that this Town (for Paris is a Town, a City, and an University] is always dirty, and 'tis such a Dirt, that by perpetual Motion is beaten into such black unctuous Oil, that where it sticks no Art can wash it off of some Colours ; insomuch, that it may be no improper Comparison to say, That an ill Name is like the Crot (the Dirt] of Paris, which is indelible; besides, the Stain this Dirt leaves, it gives also so strong a scent, that it may be smelt many miles off, if the Wind be in one's Face as he comes from the fresh Air of the Country : this may be one cause why the Plague is always in some corner or other of this vast City, which may be call'd, as once Scythia was, Vagina populorum, or (as Mankind was call'd by a great Philosopher) a great Mole- hill of Ants : yet I believe this City is not so populous as she seems to be, for her Form being; round (as the whole ' O \ Kingdom is) the Passengers wheel about, and meet oftener than they used to do in the long continued Streets of London, which makes London appear less populous than she is indeed; so that London for length (tho' not for latitude) including Westminster, exceeds Paris, and hath in Michaelmas Term more souls moving within her in all places. 'Tis under one hundred years that Paris is become so sumptuous and strong in Buildings; for her Houses were mean, until a Mine of white Stone was discover'd hard by, which runs in a continued Vein of Earth, and is digg'd out with ease, being soft, and is between a white Clay and Chalk at first; but being pulley'd up with the open Air, it receives a crusty kind 44 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. kind of hardness, and so becomes perfect Freestone ; and before it is sent up from the Pit, they can reduce it to any form : Of this Stone, the Louvre, the King's Palace, is built, which is a vast Fabrick, for the Gallery wants not much of an Italian Mile in length, and will easily lodge 3000 Men ; which, some told me, was the end for which the last King made it so big, that lying at the Fag-end of this great mutinous City, if she perchance should rise, the King might pour out of the Louvre so many thousand Men unawares into the heart of her. I am lodg'd here hard by the Bastile, because it is furthest off from those Places where the English resort ; for I would go on to get a little Language as soon as I could. In my next, I shall impart unto you what State-news France affords ; in the interim, and always, I am Your humble Servant, J. H. Paris, 30 March 1620. XVII. To Richard Altham, Esg. ; from Paris. DEAR SIR, EVE is the Marrow of Friendship, and Letters are the Elixir of Love ; they are the best Fuel of Affection, and cast a sweeter Odour than any Frankincense can do ; such an Odour, such an Aromatic Perfume your late Letter brought with it, proceeding from the fragrancy of those dainty Flowers of Eloquence, which I found blossoming as it were in every Line ; I mean those sweet Expressions of Love and Wit, which in every Period were intermingled with so much Art, that they seem'd to contend for Mastery which was the strongest. I must confess, that you put me to hard shifts to correspond with you in such exquisite Strains and Raptures of Love, which were so lively, that I must needs judge them to proceed from the Motions, from the Diastole and Systole of a Heart truly affected ; certainly your Heart did dictate every Syllable you writ, and guided your Hand all along. Sir, give me leave to tell you, that not Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 45 not a dram, nor a dose, nor a scruple of this precious Love of yours is lost, but is safely treasur'd up in my Breast, and answer'd in like proportion to the full : mine to you is as cordial, it is passionate and perfect, as Love can be. I thank you for the desire you have to know how it fares with me abroad : I thank God I am perfectly well, and well contented with this wandering course of life a while : I never enjoy'd my health better, but I was like to endanger it two Nights ago ; for being in some jovial Company abroad, and coming late to our Lodging, we were suddenly surprized by a Crew of Pilous of Night-Rogues, who drew upon us; and as we had exchang'd some Blows, it pleas'd God the Chevalier du Guet, an Officer who goes up and down the Streets all Night a-Horseback to prevent Dis- orders, pass'd by, and, so rescu'd us; but Jack White was hurt, and I had two Thrusts in my Cloak. There's never a Night passes but some Robbing or Murder is committed in this Town ; so that it is not safe to go late anywhere, specially about the Pont-Neuf, the New-bridge, tho' Henry the Great himself lies Centinel there in Arms, upon a huge Florentine Horse, and sits bare to every one that passeth ; an improper posture methinks to a King on Horseback. Not long since, one of the Secretaries of State, (whereof there are always four) having been invited to the Suburbs of St. Germains to Supper, left order with one of his Lacqueys to bring him his horse about nine ; it so happen'd that a Mischance befell the Horse, which lam'd him as he went a-waterino- to the Seine, insomuch that the Secretarv was O J * put to beat the Hoof himself, and foot it home; but as he was passing the Pont-Neuf with his Lacquey carrying a Torch before him, he might o'erhear a Noise of clashing of Swords, and fighting, and looking under the Torch, and perceiving they were but two, he bad his Lacquey go on; they had not made many Paces, but two armed Men with their Pistols cock'd and Swords drawn, made puffing towards them, whereof one had a Paper in his Hand, which he said he had casually took up in the Streets, and the Difference 46 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. Difference between them was about that Paper; therefore they desir'd the Secretary to read it, with a great deal of compliment : The Secretary took out his Spectacles and fell a reading of the said Paper, whereof the substance was, That it should be known to all Men, that whosoever did pass over that Bridge after Nine a Clock at Night in Winter, and Ten in Summer, was to leave his Cloak behind him, and in case of no Cloak, his Hat. The Secretary starting at this, one of the Comrades told him, That he thought that Paper concern'd him ; so they unmantled him of a new Plush Cloak, and my Secretary was content to go home quietly, and en cuerpo. This makes me think often of the excellent noctural Government of our City of London, where one may pass and repass securely all hours of the Night, if he gives good words to the Watch. There is a gentle calm of Peace now throughout all France, and the King intends to make a Progress to all the Frontier Towns of the Kingdom, to see how they are fortify'd. The Favourite Luines strengtheneth himself more and more in his Minionship ; but he is much murmured at, in regard the access of Suitors to him is so difficult : which made a Lord of this Land say, That three of the hardest things in the World were, To quadrate a Circle, to find out the Philo- sopher 's-stone, and to speak with the Duke of Luines. I have sent you by Vacandary the Post, the French Bever and Tweeses you writ for : Bever-hats are grown dearer of late, because the Jesuits have got the Monopoly of them from the King. Farewel, dear Child of Virtue, and Minion of the Muses and continue to love Yours, J. H. Parts, i May 1620. XVIII. To Sir James Crofts, from Paris. SIR, I AM to set forward this Week for Spain, and if I can find no Commodity of Imbarkation at St. Malo's, I must Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 47 must be forc'd to journey it all the way by Land, and clamber up the huge Pyreney-Hills ; but I could not bid Paris adieu, till I had convey'd my true and constant Re- spects to you by this Letter. I was yesterday to wait upon Sir Herbert Crofts at St. Germains, where I met with a French Gentleman, who, amongst other curiosities, which he pleas'd to shew me up and down Paris, brought me to that Place where the late King was slain, and to that where the Marquis of Ancre was shot; and so made me a punctual Relation of all the Circumstances of those two Acts, which in regard they were rare, and I believe two of the notablest Acci- dents that ever happen'd in France, I thought it worth the labour to make you partaker of some part of his Discourse. France, as all Christendom besides (for there was then a Truce betwixt Spain and the Hollanders] was in a profound Peace, and had continued so twenty years together, when Henry IV. fell upon some great martial Design, the Bottom whereof is not known to this day ; and being rich (for he had heap'd up in the Bastile a Mount of Gold that was as high as a Lance) he levy'd a huge Army of 40,000 Men, whence came the Song, The Kmg of France with forty thousand Men; and upon a sudden he put this Army in per- fect Equipage, and some say he invited our Prince Henry to come to him to be a sharer in his Exploits. But going one Afternoon to the Bastile, to see his Treasure and Ammunition, his Coach stopp'd suddenly, by reason of some Colliers' and other Carts that were in that narrow Street ; whereupon one Ravillac, a Lay- Jesuit, (who had a whole twelvemonth watch'd an Opportunity to do the Act) put his Foot boldly upon one of the Wheels of the Coach, and with a long Knife stretch'd himself over their Shoulders who were in the Boot of the Coach, and reach' d the King at the end, and stabb'd him right in the left side to the Heart, and pulling out the fatal Steel, he doubled his Thrust; the King with a ruthful Voice cry'd out, Je suis llessg (I am hurt), and suddenly the Blood issued out at his Mouth. The Regicide Villain was apprehended, and command 48 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. Command given that no Violence should be offerM him, that he might be reserved for the Law, and some exquisite Torture. The Queen grew half distracted hereupon, who had been crown'd Queen of France the Day before in great Triumph ; but a few days after she had something to countervail, if not to overmatch her Sorrow : for according to St. Lewis's Law, she was made Queen-Regent of France, during the King's Minority, who was then but about ten years of Age. Many Consultations were held how to punish Ravillac, and there were some Italian Physicians that undertook to prescribe a Torment, that should last a con- stant Torment for three days; but he scap'd only with this, His Body was pull'd between four Horses, that one might hear his Bones crack, and after the Dislocation they were set again ; and so he was carry'd in a Cart standing half- naked, with a Torch in that Hand which had committed the Murder: And in the Place where the Act was done, it was cut off, and a Gauntlet of hot Oil was clap'd upon the Stump, to staunch the Blood; whereat he gave a dole- ful Shriek. Then was he brought upon a Stage, where a new pair of Boots was provided for him, half filled with boiling Oil ; then his Body was pincer'd, and hot Oil pour'd into the Holes. In all the extremity of this Torture, he scarce shew'd any sense of Pain ; but when the Gauntlet was clap'd upon his Arm to staunch the Flux at that time of reeking Blood, he gave a Shriek only. He bore up against all these Torments about three hours before he died : All the Confession that could be drawn from him, was, That he thought to have done God good Service, to take away that King which would have embroil' d all Christendom in an endless War. A fatal thing it was, that France should have three of her Kings come to such violent Deaths, in so short a revolution of time. Henry II. running at Tilt with M. Montgomery, was kill'd by a Splinter of a Lance that pierc'd his Eye : Henry III., not long after, was kill'd by a young Friar, who, in lieu of a Letter which he pretended to have for him, pull'd Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 49 pull'd out of his long Sleeve a Knife, and thrust him into the bottom of the Belly, as he was coming from his Close- stool, and so dispatch'd him ; but that Regicide was hack'd to pieces in the Place by the Nobles. The same Destiny attended the King by Ravillac, which is become now a common Name of Reproach and Infamy in France. Never was King so much lamented as this; there are a world not only of his Pictures, but Statues up and down France; and there's scarce a Market-Town but hath him erected in the Market-place, or o'er some Gate, not upon Sign-posts, as our Henry VIII.; and by a publick Act of Parliament, which was confirmed in the Consistory at Rome, he was entitled Henry the Great, and so plac'd in the Temple of Immortality. A notable Prince he was, and of an admirable Temper of Body and Mind; he had a graceful facetious way to gain both Love and Awe : He would be never transported beyond himself with Choler, but he would pass by anything with some Repartee, some witty Strain, wherein he was excellent. I will instance in a few which were told me from a good Hand. One Day he was charg'd by the Duke of Bouillon to have chang'd his Religion : He answer'd, No, Cousin, I have chang'd no Religion, lut an Opinion : And the Cardinal of Perron being by, he enjoin' d him to write a Treatise for his Vindi- cation ; the Cardinal was long about the Work, and when the King ask'd from time to time where his Book was, he would still answer him, That he expected some Manuscripts from Rome, before he could finish it. It happen'd, that one Day the King took the Cardinal along with him to look on his Workmen and New-buildings at the Louvre ; and pass- ing by one Corner which had been a long time begun, but left unfinish'd, the King ask'd the chief Mason why that Corner was not all this while perfected ? Sir, it is because I want some choice Stones. No, no, said the King, looking upon the Cardinal, It is because thou wantest Manuscripts from Rome. Another time, the old Duke of Main, who was used to play the Droll with him, coming softly into his D Bedchamber, 5O FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. Bedchamber, and thrusting in his bald Head, and long Neck, in a Posture to make the King merry, it happen'd the King was coming from doing his Ease ; and spying him, he took the round Cover of the Close-stool, and clap'd it on his bald Sconce, saying, Ah, Cousin, you thought once to have taken the Crown off of my Head, and wear it on your own-, but this of my Tail shall now serve your Turn. Another time, when at the Siege of Amiens, he having sent for the Count of Soissons (who had 100,000 Franks a Year Pension from the Crown) to assist him in those Wars, and that the Count excus'd himself, by reason of his Years and Poverty, having exhausted himself in the former Wars, and all that he could do now was to pray for his Majesty, which he would do heartily : This Answer being brought to the King, he reply'd, Will my Cousin, the Count of Soissons, do nothing else but pray for me ? Tell him that Prayer without Fasting is not available; therefore / will make my Cousin fast also from his Pension of 100,000 per An. He was once troubled with a Fit of the Gout ; and the Spanish Ambassador coming then to visit him, and saying he was sorry to see his Majesty so lame; he answer'd, As lame as I am, if there were Occasion, your Master the King of Spain should no sooner have his Foot in the Stirrup, but he should jind me on Horseback. By these few you may guess at the Genius of this spright- ful Prince : I could make many more Instances, but then I should exceed the bounds of a Letter. When I am in Spain, you shall hear further from me; and if you can think on anything wherein I may serve you, believe it, Sir, that any Employment from you shall be welcome to Your much obliged Servant, J. H. Paris, 12 May, 1620. XIX. To my Brother, Dr. Howell. BROTHER, BEING to-morrow to part with Paris, and begin my Journey for Spain, I thought it not amiss to send you Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 51 you this, in regard I know not when I shall have Oppor- tunity to write to you again. This Kingdom, since the young King hath taken the Sceptre into his own hands, doth nourish very much with Quietness and Commerce; nor is there any Motion, or the least tintamar of Trouble in any part of the Country, which is rare in France. 'Tis true, the Queen-Mother is discon- tented since she left her Regency, being confin'd ; and I know not what it may come to in time, for she hath a strong Party ; and the murdering of her Marquis of Ancre will yet bleed, as some fear. I was lately in Society of a Gentleman, who was a Spectator of that Tragedy ; and he was pleas'd to relate to me the Particulars of it, which was thus : When Henry IV. was slain, the Queen-Dowager took the Reins of the Government into her hands during the young King's Mi- nority ; and amongst others whom she advanc'd, Signior Conchino, a Florentine, and her Foster-Brother, was one : Her Countenance came to shine so strongly upon him, that he became her only Confident and Favourite, insomuch that she made him Marquis of Ancre, one of the twelve Mareschals of France, Governor of Normandy; and con- ferr'd divers other Honours and Offices of Trust upon him ; and who but he? The Princes of France could not endure the domineering of a Stranger ; therefore they leagu'd together to suppress him by Arms : The Queen- Regent having Intelligence hereof, surpriz'd the Prince of Cond, and clap'd him up in the Bastile ; the Duke of Main fled hereupon to Peronne in Picardy, and other great Men put themselves in an armed Posture to stand upon their guard. The young King being told, that the Marquis of Ancre was the ground of this Discontentment, commanded M. de Viiry, Captain of his Guards, to arrest him, and in case of Resistance to kill him: This Business was carry'd very closely till the next Morning, that the said Marquis was coming to the Louvre with a ruffling Train of Gallants after him ; and passing over the Drawbridge at the Court- Gate, 52 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I Gate, Vltry stood there with the King's Guard about him ; and as the Marquis enter'd, he told him, that he had a Commission from the King to apprehend him ; therefore he demanded his Sword : The Marquis hereupon put his Hand upon his Sword, some thought to yield it up, others to make Opposition ; in the meantime Vltry discharg'd a Pistol at him, and so dispatch'd him. The King being above in his Gallery, ask'd what Noise that was below. One smilingly answer'd, Nothing, Sir, but that the Mareschal of Ancre is slain. Who slew him ? The Captain of your Guard. Why ? Because he would have drawn his Sword at your Majesty's Royal Commission : Then the King reply'd, Vitry hath done well, and I will maintain the Act. Presently the Queen-Mother had all her Guard taken from her, except six Men and sixteen Women, and so she was banish'd Paris, and commanded to retire to Blois : Ancre s Body was bury'd that Night in a Churchyard by the Court ; but the next Morning the Lacqueys and Pages (who are more unhappy here than the Apprentices in London] broke open his Grave, tore his Coffin to pieces, rip'd the Winding-sheet, and tied his Body to an Ass's Tail, and so dragg'd him up and down the Gutters of Paris, which are none of the sweetest; they then slic'd off his Ears, and nail'd them upon the Gates of the City ; they cut off his Genitories (and they say he was hung like an Ass) and sent them for a Present to the Duke of Main; the rest of his Body they carry'd to the New-bridge, and hung him his Heels upwards and Head downwards upon a new Gibbet, that had been set up a little before, to punish them who should speak ill of the present Government ; and it was his Chance to have the Maidenhead of it himself. His Wife was here- upon apprehended, imprison'd, and beheaded for a Witch some few days after, upon a Surmise that she had enchanted the Queen to dote so upon her Husband ; and they say the young King's Picture was found in her Closet in Virgin- wax, with one Leg melted away. A little after, a Process was form'd against the Marquis (her Husband) and so he was Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 53 was condemn'd after death. This was a riojht Act of a y o French popular Fury, which like an angry Torrent is irre- sistible ; nor can any Banks, Boundaries, or Dikes, stop the impetuous Rage of it. How the young King will prosper after so high and an unexampled Act of Violence, by beginning his Reign, and embruing the Walls of his own Court with Blood in that manner, there are divers Censures. When I am settled in Spain, you shall hear from me; in the interim, I pray let your Prayers accompany me in this long Journey ; and when you write to Wales, I pray acquaint our Friends with my Welfare. So I pray God bless us both, and send us a happy Interview. Your loving Brother, J. H. Paris, 8 Sept. 1620. XX. To my Cousin, W. Vaughan, Esg. ; from St. Malo. COUSIN, I AM now in French Britany. I went back from Paris to Rouen, and so thro' all Low Normandy, to a little Port call'd Granville, where I embark'd for this Town of St. Malo ; but I did purge so violently at Sea, that it put me into a burning Fever for some few days, whereof (I thank God) I am newly recover'd ; and finding no Opportunity of shipping here, I must be forc'd to turn my intended Sea- Voyage to a long Land-Journey. Since I came to this Province, I was curious to converse with some of the Lower Britons, who speak no other Lan- guage but our Welsh, for their radical Words are no other; but 'tis no wonder, for they were a Colony of Welsh at first, as the Name of this Province doth imply; as also the Latin Name Armorlca, which, tho' it pass for Latin, yet it is pure Welsh, and signifies a Country bordering upon the Sea; as that Arch-Heretick was call'd Pelagius, a Pelago, his Name being Morgan. I was a little curious to peruse the 54 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. the Annals of this Province ; and during the time that it was a Kingdom, there were four Kings of the Name Hoell, whereof one was call'd Hoell the Great. This Town of St. Malo hath one Rarity in it ; for there is here a perpetual Garison of English, but they are of English Dogs, which are let out in the Night to guard the Ships, and eat the Carrens up and down the Streets, and so they are shut up again in the Morning. It will be now a good while before I shall have Conveni- ency to send to you, or receive from you ; howsoever, let me retain still some little room in your Memory, and some- times in your Meditations, while I carry you about me per- petually, not only in my Head, but in Heart, and make you travel all along with me thus from Town to Country, from Hill to Dale, from Sea to Land, up and down the World : And you must be contented to be subject to these uncertain Removes and Perambulations, until it shall please God to fix me again in England : nor need you, while you are thus my Concomitant thro' new Places every Day, to fear any ill Usage, as long as I fare well. Yours xprja-ei KOI KTij&ei, J. H. St. Malo, 25 Sept. 1620. XXI. To Sir John North, Knight ; from Rochel. SIR, I AM newly come to Rochel, nor am I sorry that I went somewhat out of my way to see this Town, not (to tell you true) out of any extraordinary love I bear to the People ; for I do not find them so gentle and debonair to Strangers, nor so hospitable as the rest of France; but I excuse them for it, in regard it is commonly so with all Republic and Hans Towns, whereof this smells very rank : nor indeed hath any Englishman much cause to love this Town, in regard, in Ages pass'd, she play'd the most trea- cherous part with England of any other Place in France. For Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 55 For the Story tells us, That this Town having by a per- fidious Stratagem (by forging a Counterfeit Commission from England) induc'd the English Governor to make a general Muster of all his Forces out of the Town ; this being one Day done, they shut their Gates against him, and made him go shake his Ears, and to shift for his Lodging, and so render'd themselves to the French King, who sent them a Blank to write their own Conditions. I think they have the strongest Ramparts by Sea of any Place of Christendom ; nor have I seen the like in any Town of Holland, whose Safety depends upon Water. I am bound To-morrow for Bourdeaux, then thro' Gascogny to Tholouse, so thro' Languedoc o'er the Hills to Spain : I go in the best Season of the Year, for I make an Autumnal Journey of it. I pray let your Prayers accompany me all along; they are the best Offices of Love, and Fruits of Friendship : So God prosper you at home, as me abroad, and send us in good time a joyful Conjuncture. Yours, J. H. Rochel, 8 Octob. 1620. XXII. To Mr. Tho. Porter, after Capt. Porter ; from Barcelona. MY dear Tom, I had no sooner set foot upon this Soil^ and breath'd Spanish Air, but my Thoughts pre- sently reflected upon you : Of all my Friends in England, you were the first I met here; you were the prime Object of my Speculation ; methought the very Winds in gentle Whispers did breathe out your Name, and blow it on me ; you seem'd to reverberate upon me with the Beams of the Sun, which you know hath such a powerful influence, and indeed too great a Stroke in this Country. And all this you must ascribe to the Operations of Love, which hath such a strong virtual Force, that when it fastneth upon a pleas- ing Subject, its sets the Imagination in a strange Fit of working, it employs all the Faculties of the Soul, so that not 56 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. not one Cell in the Brain is idle; it busieth the whole inward Man, it affects the Heart, amuseth the Understanding; it quickneth the Fancy, and leads the Will as it were by a silken Thread to co-operate with 'em all : I have felt these Motions often in me, especially at this time, that my Memory fix'd upon you. But the reason that I fell first upon you in Spain was, that I remember'd I had heard you often discoursing how you have receiv'd part of your Educa- tion here, which brought you to speak the Language so exactly well. I think often of the Relations I have heard you make of this Country, and the good Instruction you pleas'd to give me. I am now in Barcelona, but the next Week I intend to go on thro' your Town of Valencia to Alicant, and thence you shall be sure to hear from me farther, for I make account to winter there. The Duke of Ossuna pass'd by here lately, and having got leave of Grace to release some Slaves, he went aboard the Cape Gallies, and passing thro' the Churma of Slaves, he ask'd divers of them what their Offences were: Every one excus'd himself; one saying, That he was put in out of Malice, another by Bribery of the Judge, but all of them unjustly: Amongst the rest there was one little sturdy black Man, and the Duke asking him what he was in for, Sir, said he, I cannot deny but I am justly put in here, for I wanted Money, and so took a Purse hard by Tarragona, to keep me from starving. The Duke, with a little Staff he had in his hand, gave him two or three blows upon the Shoulders, saying, You Rogue, what do you do amongst so many honest innocent Men ? Get you gone out oj their Company : So he was freed, and the rest remain'd still in statu quo prius, to tug at the Oar. I pray commend me to Signior Camillo, and Mazalao, with the rest of the Venetians with you ; and when you go aboard the Ship behind the Exchange, think upon Yours, J. H. Barcelona, 10 Nov. 1620. XXIII. Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 57 XXIII. To Sir James Crofts. SIR, I AM now a good way within the Body of Spain, at Barcelona, a proud wealthy City, situated upon the Mediterranean, and is the Metropolis of the Kingdom of Catalunia, call'd of old Hispania Tarraconensis. I had much ado to reach hither ; for besides the monstrous abrupt- ness of the way, these Parts of the Pyrenees that border upon the Mediterranean are never without Thieves by Land (called Bajidoleros) and Pirates on the Sea-side, which lie sculking in the hollows of the Rocks, and often surprise Passengers unawares, and carry them Slaves to Barbary on the other side. The safest way to pass, is to take a Bordon in the Habit of a Pilgrim, whereof there are abundance that perform their Vows this way to the Lady of Monserrat, one of the prime Places of Pilgrimage in Christendom : It is a stupendous Monastery, built on the top of a huge Land-Rock, whither it is impossible to go up, or come down by a direct way, but a Path is cut out full of Windings and Turnings ; and on the Crown of this Craggy-hill there is a Flat, upon which the Monastery and Pilgrimage place is founded, where there is a Picture of the Virgin Mary Sun- burnt, and tann'd, it seems when she went to Egypt ; and to this Picture, a marvellous confluence of People, from all Parts of Europe, resort. As I pass'd between some of the Pyreney- Hills, I per- ceiv'd the poor Labradors, some of the Country People, live no better than brute Animals, in point of Food ; for their ordinary Commons is Grass and Water, only they have always within their Houses a Bottle of Vinegar, and another of Oil; and when Dinner or Supper-time comes, they go abroad and gather their Herds, and so cast Vinegar and Oil upon them, and will pass thus two or three Days with- out Bread or Wine ; yet they are strong lusty Men, and will stand stiffly under a Musket. There 58 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. There is a Tradition, that there were divers Mines of Gold in Ages past amongst those Mountains : And the Shepherds that kept Goats then, having made a small Fire of Rosemary-stubs, with other combustible Stuff to warm themselves, this Fire graz'd along, and grew so outrageous, that it consum'd the very Entrails of the Earth, and melted those Mines ; which, growing fluid by Liquefaction, ran down into the small Rivulets that were in the Vallies, and so carry'd all into the Sea, that monstrous Gulph which swal- loweth all, but seldom disgorgeth anything: and in these Brooks to this Day some small Grains of Gold are found. The Viceroy of this Country hath taken much pains to clear these Hills of Robbers, and there hath been a notable Havock made of them this Year ; for in divers Woods, as I passed, I might spy some Trees laden with dead Carcasses, a better Fruit far than Diogenes 's Tree bore, whereon a Woman had hang'd herself; which the Cynic cry'd out to be the best bearing Tree that ever he saw. In this Place there lives neither English Merchant or Factor; which I wonder at, considering that it is a mari- time Town, and one of the greatest in Spain, her chiefest Arsenal for Gallies, and the Scale by which she conveys her Monies to Italy : But I believe the Reason is, that there is no commodious Port here for Ships of any Burden, but a large Bay. I will enlarge myself no farther at this time, but leave you to the Guard and Guidance of God, whose sweet Hand of Protection hath brought me thro' so many uncouth Places and Difficulties to this City. So, hoping to meet your Letters in ALicant, where I shall anchor a good while, I rest Yours to dispose of, J. H. Barcelona, 24 Nov. 1620. XXIV. To Dr. Fr. Mansel,/ro??i Valentia. SIR, THO' it be the same glorious Sun that shines upon you in England which illuminates also this Part of the Hemisphere; Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 59 Hemisphere ; tho' it be the Sun that ripeneth your Pippins, and our Pomgranets; your Hops, and our Vineyards here; yet he dispenseth his Heat in different Degrees of Strength: those Rays that do but warm you in England, do half roast us here; those Beams that irradiate only, and gild your Honeysuckle Fields, do scorch and parch this chinky gaping Soil, and so put too many Wrinkles upon the Face of our common Mother the Earth. O blessed Clime, O happy England, where there is such a rare temperature of Heat and Cold, and all the rest of elementary Qualities, that one may pass (and suffer little) all the year long, without either Shade in Summer, or Fire in Winter. I am now in Valentia, one of the noblest Cities in all Spain, situate in a large Vega or Valley, above sixty miles compass : here are the strongest Silks, the sweetest Wines, the excellentest Almonds, the best Oils, and beautiful'st Females of all Spain, for the prime Courtesans in Madrid and elsewhere are had hence. The very brute Animals make themselves Beds of Rosemary, and other fragrant Flowers hereabouts ; and when one is at Sea, if the Wind blow from the Shore, he may smell this Soil before he come in sight of it, many Leagues off", by the strong odoriferous Scent it casts. As it is the most pleasant, so it is also the temperat'st Clime of all Spain; and they commonly call it the second Italy, which made the Moors, whereof many thousands were disterr'd and banish'd hence to Barlary, to think that Paradise was in that part of the Heavens which hung over this City. Some twelve miles off" is old Sagunto, call'd now Morviedre, thro' which I pass'd, and saw many Monuments of Roman Antiquities there; amongst others, there is the Temple dedicated to Venus, when the Snake came about her Neck, a little before Hanibal came thither. No more now, but that I heartily wish you were here with me, and I believe you would not desire to be a good while in England. So I am Yours, J. H. Valentia, i March 1620. XXV. 60 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book L I XXV. To Christopher Jones, Esq., at Gray's-Inn. AM now (thanks be to God) come to Alicant, the chief Rendezvouz I aim'd at in Spain ; for I am to send hence a Commodity call'd Barillia to Sir Robert Mansel, for making of Crystal Glass; and I have treated with Signior Andriotti, a Genoa Merchant, for a good round parcel of it, to the value of 2OOoZ. by Letters of Credit from Master Richant ; and upon his Credit, I might have taken many thousand Pounds more, he is so well known in the Kingdom of Valentia. This Barillia is a strange kind of Vegetable, and it grows nowhere upon the Surface of the Earth in that Perfection as here : The Venetians have it hence, and it is a Commodity whereby this Maritime Town doth partly subsist; for it is an Ingredient that goes to the making of the best Castile Soap. It grows thus, 'Tis a round thick earthy Shrub that bears Berries like Barberries, betwixt blue and green ; it lies close to the Ground, and when it is ripe they dig it up by the Roots, and put it together in Cocks, where they leave it to dry many days like Hay; then they make a Pit of a Fathom deep in the Earth, and with an Instrument like one of our Prongs, they take the Tuffs and put fire to them, and when the Flame comes to the Berries, they melt and dissolve into an Azure Liquor, and fall down into the Pit till it be full; then they dam it up, and some days after they open it, and find this Barillia Juice turn'd to a blue Stone, so hard, that it is scarce malleable ; it is sold at one hundred Crowns a Tun, but I had it for less. There is also a spurious Flower call'd Gazull, that grows here, but the Glass that's made of that is not so resplendent and clear. I have been here now these three Months, and most of my Food hath been Grapes and Bread, with other Roots, which have made me so fat, that I think, if you saw me, you would hardly know me, such Nutriture this deep sanguine Alicant Grape gives. I Sect, i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 61 I have not received a Syllable from you since I was in Antwerp, which transforms me to wonder, and engenders odd thoughts of Jealousy in me, that as my Body grows fatter, your Love grows lanker towards me. I pray take off these Scruples, and let me hear from you, else it will make a Schism in Friendship, which I hold to be a very holy League, and no less than a Piacle to infringe it; in which Opinion I rest Your constant Friend, J. H. AZicant, 27 Mar. 1621. XXVI. To Sir John North, Knight. SIR, HAVING endur'd the Brunt of a whole Summer in Spain, and try'd the Temper of all the other three Seasons of the Year, up and down the Kingdoms of Cata- lonia, Valentia, and Marcia, with some parts of dragon, I am now to direct my course for Italy : I hop'd to have embark'd at Carthagena, the best Port upon the Mediter- ranean; for what Ships and Gallies get in thither, are shut up as it were in a Box from the violence and injury of all Weathers ; which made Andrea Doria, being ask'd by Philip II. which were his best Harbours? he answer'd, June, July, and Carthagena; meaning that any Port is good in those two Months, but Carthagena, was good any time of the year. There was a most ruthful Accident had happened there a little before I came: For whereas five Ships had gone thence laden with Soldiers for Naples, amongst whom there was the Flower of the Gentry of the Kingdom of Mercia; those Ships had hardly sail'd three Leagues, but they met with sixteen Sail of Algier Men of War, who had lay skulking in the Creeks thereabout; and they had the Winds and all things else so favourable, that of those five Ships they took one, sunk another, and burnt a third, and two fled back safe to Harbour. The Report hereof being bruited up and down the Country, the Gentle- women 62 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. women came from the Country to have Tidings, some of their Children, others of their Brothers and Kindred, and went tearing their Hair, and boating up and down the Streets in a most piteous Manner. The Admiral of those five Ships, as I heard afterwards, was sent for to Madrid, and hang'd at the Court-Gate, because he did not fight. Had I come time enough to have taken the Opportunity, I might have been made either Food for Haddocks, or turn'd to Cinders, or have been by this time a Slave in the Bannier at Algier, or tugging at an Oar ; but I hope God hath reserved me for a better Destiny : So I came back to Alicant, where I lighted upon a lusty Dutchman, who hath carried me safe hither, but we were near upon forty Days in Voyage : we pass'd by Majorca and Minorca, the Baleares Insulce, by some Ports of Barlary, by Sardinia, Corsica, and all the Islands of the Mediterranean Sea. We were at the Mouth of Tyler, and thence fetch'd our Course for Sicily; we pass'd by those sulphureous fiery Islands, Mongibel and Strombolo ; and about the Dawn of the Day we shot thro' Scylla and Charyldis, and so into the Phare of Messina; thence we touch'd upon some of the Greek Islands, and so came to our first intended Course, into the Venetian Gulph, and are now here at Malamocco, where we remain yet aboard, and must be content to be so, to make up the Month before we have pratic, that is, before any be permitted to go ashore, and negotiate, in regard we touch'd at some infected Places : For there are no People so fearful of the Plague as the Italians, especially the Venetians, tho' their Neighbours the Greeks hard by, and the Turks, have little or no Apprehension at all of the Danger of it ; for they will visit and commerce with the Sick without any Scruple, and will fix their longest Finger in the Midst of their Forehead, and say, Their Destiny and Manner of Death is pointed there. When we have gain'd yon Maiden City, which lieth before us, you shall hear farther from me : So leaving you to His holy Protection, who hath thus graciously vouchsafed to preserve this Ship Sect i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 63 Ship, and me, in so long and dangerous a Voyage, I rest Yours, J. H. 'Malamocco, 30 April 1621. XXVII. To my Brother, Dr. Howell J% /ro7 on Shipboard before Venice. BROTHER, IF this Letter fail either in point of Orthography or Style, you must impute the first to the tumbling Posture my Body was in at the writing hereof, being a Shipboard; the second the muddiness of my Brain, which, like Lees in a narrow Vessel, hath been shaken at Sea in divers Tempests near upon forty Days I mean natural Days, which include the Nights also, and are compos'd of twenty-four hours, by which number the Italian computes his Time, and tells the Clock; for at the writing hereof, I heard one from Mala- mocco strike twenty-one hours. When I shall have saluted yonder Virgin City that stands before me, and hath tanta- liz'd me now this Sennight, I hope to cheer my Spirits, and settle my Pericranium again. In this Voyage we pass'd thro', at least touch'd, all those Seas which Horace and other Poets sing of so often, as the Ionian, the JE,gean, the Icarian, the Tyrrhene, with others; and now we are in the Adrian Sea, in the Mouth whereof Venice stands, like a gold Ring in a Bear's Muzzle. We pass'd also by J&tna, by the Infames Scopulos, Acroceraunia, and thro' Scylla and Charybdis, about which the ancient Poets, both Greek and Latin, keep such a Coil ; but they are nothing so horrid or dangerous as they make them to be; they are two white keen-pointed Rocks that lie under Water diametrically oppos'd, and like two Dragons defying one another; and there are Pilots, that in small Shallops are ready to steer all Ships that pass. This, amongst divers others, may serve for an instance, that the old Poets used to heighten and hoise up things by their airy fancies, above the reality of truth. JEtna was very furious when we pass'd by, 64 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book L by, as she useth to be sometimes more than other, especially when the Wind is southward, for then she is more subject to belching out flakes of Fire (as Stutterers use to stammer more when the Wind is in that Hole). Some of the Sparkles fell aboard us ; but they would make us believe in Syracusa, now Messina, that J&tna in times past hath eructated such huge gobbets of Fire, that the sparks of them have burnt Houses in Malta above fifty miles off, transported thither by a direct strong Wind. We pass'd hard by Corinth, now Ragiisa ; but I was not so happy as to touch there, for you know : Non cuivis homini contingit adire Corinthum. I convers'd with many Greeks, but found none that could understand, much less practically speak, any of the old Dialects of the pristine Greek, it is so adulterated by the Vulgar, as a Bed of Flowers by Weeds ; nor is there any , People, either in the Island or on the Continent, that speaks it conversably : yet there are in the Morea seven Parishes call'd Zacones, where the original Greek is not much degenerated, but they confound divers Letters of the Alphabet with one Sound ; for in point of Pronunciation, there is no difference betwixt Upsilon, Iota, and Eta. The last I receiv'd from you was in Latin, whereof I sent you an Answer from Spain in the same Language, tho j in a coarser Dialect. I shall be a Guest to Venice a good while; therefore I desire a frequency of Correspondence between us by Letters, for there will be Conveniency every Week of receiving and sending. When you write to Wales, I pray send Advice that I am come safe to Italy, tho' not landed there yet. So, my dear Brother, I pray God bless us both, and all our Friends, and reserve me to see you again with Comfort, and you me, who am Your loving Brother, J. H. 5 May 1621. XXVIII. Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 65 xxviir. To the Honouralle Sir Robert Mansell, Vice-Admiral of England ; from Venice. SIR, S soon as I came to Venice, I apply'd myself to dis- patch your Business according to Instructions, and Mr. Seymor was ready to contribute his best furtherance. These two Italians, who are the Bearers hereof, by report here, are the best Gentlemen-workmen that ever blew Crystal ; one is ally'd to Antonio Miotti, the other is Cousin to Mazalao : for other things they shall be sent in the Ship Lion, which rides here at Malamocco, as I shall send you account by conveyance of Mr. Symns. Herewith I have sent a Letter to you from Sir Henry Wotton, the Lord Ambassador here, of whom I have receiv'd some Favours : He wish'd me to write, that you have now a double Interest in him ; for whereas before he was only your Servant, he is now your Kinsman by your late Marriage. I was lately to see the Arsenal of Venice, one of the worthiest things in Christendom ; they say there are as many Gallies and Galeasses of all sorts, belonging to St. Mark, either in Course, at Anchor, in Dock, or upon the Careen, as there be days in the year : here they can build a compleat Galley in half a day, and put her afloat in perfect Equipage, having all the Ingredients fitted before- hand; as they did in three hours, when Henry III. pass'd this way to France from Poland, who wish'd, that besides Paris, and his Parliament Towns, he had this Arsenal in ex- change for three of his chiefest Cities. There are 300 People perpetually here at work ; and if one comes young, and grows old in St. Mark's Service, he hath a Pension from the State during Life. Being brought to see one of the Clarissimos that govern this Arsenal, this huge Sea Store- house, among other matters reflecting upon England, he was saying, That if Cavaglier Do?i Roberto Mansel were E here, 66 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book /. here, he thought verily the Republic would make a Proffer to him to be Admiral of that Fleet of Gallies and Galeons, which are now going against the Duke of Ossuna, and the Forces of Naples, you are so well known here. I was, since I came hither, in Murano, a little Island about the distance of Lambeth from London, where Crystal- Glass is made ; and 'tis a rare sight to see a whole Street, where on the one side there are twenty Furnaces together at work. They say here, That altho 5 one should transplant a Glass-Furnace from Murano to Venice herself, or to any of the little Assembly of Islands about her, or to any other part of the Earth besides, and use the same Materials, the same Workmen, the same Fuel, the self-same Ingredients every way, yet they cannot make Crystal-Glass in that perfection, for beauty and lustre, as in Murano : Some im- pute it to the quality of the circumambient Air that hangs o'er the Place, which is purify'd and attenuated by the concurrence of so many Fires that are in those Furnaces Night and Day perpetually, for they are like the Vestal-fire, which never goes out. And it is well known, that some Airs make more qualifying Impressions than others; as a Greek told me in Sicily of the Air of Egypt, where there be huge common Furnaces to hatch Eggs by the thousands in Camels' 9 Dung : for during the time of hatching, if the Air happen to come to be overcast, and grow cloudy, it spoils all ; if the Sky continue still, serene and clear, not one Egg in an hundred will miscarry. I met with Camilla, your Consaorman, here lately ; and could he be sure of Entertainment, he would return to serve you again, and I believe for less Salary. I shall attend your Commands herein by the next, and touching other Particulars, whereof I have written to Capt. Bacon: So I rest Your most humble and ready Servant, J.H. Venice, 30 May 1621. XXIX. Sect. i. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 67 XXIX. To my Brother, from Venice. BROTHER, I FOUND a Letter of yours that had lain dormant here a good while in Mr. Symn's hands, to welcome me to Venice, and I thank you for the variety of News wherewith she went freighted ; for she was to me as a Ship richly laden from London useth to be to our Merchants here, and I esteem her Cargazon at no less a Value, for she enrich'd me with the Knowledge of my Father's Health_, and your own, with the rest of my Brothers and Sisters in the Country, with divers other Passages of Contentment : be- sides, she went also ballasted with your good Instructions, which as Merchants use to do of their Commodities, I will turn to the best Advantage, and Italy is no ill Market to improve anything. The only Procede (that I may use the Mercantile Term) you can expect is Thanks, and this way shall not be wanting to make you rich Returns. Since I came to this Town, I dispatched sundry Businesses of good value for Sir Robert Mansel, which I hope will give content. The Art of Glass-making here is very highly valued ; for whosoever be of that Profession are Gentlemen ipso facto, and it is not without reason, it being a rare kind of Knowledge and Chymistry to transmute Dust and Sand (for they are the only main Ingredients) to such a diaphanous pellucid dainty Body as you see a Crystal-Glass is, which hath this Property above Gold or Silver, or any other Mineral, to admit no Poison ; as also that it never wastes or loses a whit of its first weight, tho' you use it never so long. When I saw so many sorts of curious Glasses made here, I thought upon the Compliment which a Gentleman put upon a Lady in England, who having five or six comely Daughters, said, He never saw in his life such a dainty Cup- loard of Crystal Glasses. The Compliment proceeds, it seems, from a Saying they have here, That the Jirst hand- some Woman that ever was made, was made of Venice Glass ; 68 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. Glass; which implies Beauty, but Brittleness withal (and Venice is not unfurnish'd with some of that Mould, for no place abounds more with Lasses and Glasses) ; but consider- ing the Brittleness of the Stuff, it was an odd kind of melancholy in him that could not be persuaded but he was an Urinal, surely he deserved to be piss'd in the Mouth. But when I pry'd into the Materials, and observ'd the Furnaces and Calcinations, the Transubstantiations, the Liquefactions that are incident to this Art, my Thoughts were rais'd to a higher Speculation ; that if this small Furnace-fire hath vertue to convert such a small lump of dark Dust and Sand into such a precious clear Body as Crystal, surely that grand Universal Fire which shall happen at the Day of Judgment, may by its violent ardor vitrify and turn to one lump of Crystal the whole Body of the Earth; nor am I the first that fell upon this Conceit. I will enlarge my self no further to you at this time, but conclude with this Tetraslic, which my Brain ran upon in my Bed this Morning. Vitrea sunt nostrtz commissa negotia eur HE Commands your Lordship pleas'd to impose upon JL me when I left England, and those high Favours wherein I stand bound to your Lordship, call upon me at this time to send your Lordship some small fruits of my foreign Travel. Marquis Spinola is return'd from the Palatinate, where he was so fortunate, that (like Caesar'] he came, Sect. 2. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 115 came, saw, and overcame, notwithstanding that huge Army of the Princes of the Union, consisting of 40,000 Men ; whereas his was under 20,000, but made up of old tough Blades and Veteran Commanders. He hath now chang'd his Coat, and taken up his old Commission again from Don Philippo, whereas during that Expedition he call'd himself Caesar 's Servant. I hear the Emperor hath transmitted the upper Palatinate to the Duke of Bavaria, as caution for those Moneys he hath expended in those Wars. And the King of Spain is the Emperor's Commissary for the lower Pala- tinate : They both pretend that they were bound to obey the Imperial Summons to assist Ccesar in these Wars; the one as he was Duke of Burgundy, the other of Bavaria, both which Countries are feudatory to the Empire; else they had incur'd the Imperial Ban. It is fear'd this German War will be, as the Frenchman saith, de longue haleine, long- breath'd ; for there are great Powers on both sides, and they say the King of Denmark is arming. Having made a leisurely sojourn in this Town, I had yours to couch in writing a survey of these Countries, which I have now travers'd the second time; but in regard it would be a great bulk for a Letter, I send it your Lordship apart, and when I return to England I shall be bold to attend your Lordship for correction of my Faults. In the Interim I rest, my Lord, Your thrice humble Servitor, J. H. Antwerp, r May 1623. XV. A Survey of the seventeen Provinces. MY LORD, TO attempt a precise description of each of the seven- teen Provinces, and of its Progression, Privileges, and primitive Government, were a task of no less confusion than labour : Let it suffice to know, that since Flanders and Holland were erected to Earldoms, and so left to be an Appendix to the Crown of France, some of them have had absolute ii6 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. absolute and supreme Governors, some subaltern and sub- ject to a superior Power. Among the rest, the Earls of Flanders and Holland were most considerable ; but of them two he of Holland being homageable to none, and having Friesland and Zealand added, was the more potent. In pro- cess of time all the seventeen met in one; some by Conquest, others by Donation and Legacy, but most by Alliance. In the House of Burgundy this Union receiv'd most growth, but in the House of Austria it came to its full perfection ; for in Charles V. they all met as so many Lines drawn from the circumference to the centre; who, lording as supreme Head not only over the fifteen temporal, but the two spiri- tual, Liege and Utrecht, had a Design to reduce them to a Kingdom, which his Son Philip II. attempted after him: But they could not bring their intents home to their Aim ; the cause is imputed to that multiplicity and difference of privileges which they are so eager to maintain, and whereof some cannot stand with a Monarchy without Incongruity. Philip II. at his Inauguration was sworn to observe them, and at his departure he oblig'd himself by an Oath to send still one of his own Blood to govern them : Moreover, at the Request of the Knights of the Golden Fleece, he promised that all foreign Soldiers should retire, and that he himself would come to visit them once every seventh year; but being once gone, and leaving in lieu of a Sword a Distaff, an unwieldly Woman to govern, he came not only short of his Promise, but procured a Dispensation from the Pope to be absolv'd of his Oath, and all this by the counsel of Cardinal Granvill, who, as the States Chronicler writes, was the first Firebrand that kindled that lamentable and longsome War wherein the Netherlands have traded above fifty years in Blood : For, intending to increase the Number of Bishops, to establish the Decrees of the Council of Trent, and to clip the Power of the Council of State compos'd of the Natives of the Land, by making it appealable to the Council of Spain, and by adding to the former Oath of Allegiance (all which conduced to settle the Inquisi- tion, Sect. 2. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 117 tion and to curb the Conscience), the broils began ; to appease which Ambassadors were dispatch'd to Spain, whereof the two first came to violent deaths, the one being beheaded, the other poison'd. But the two last, Egmond and Horn, were nourish'd still with Hopes, until Philip II. had prepared an Army under the conduct of the Duke of Alva, to compose the difference by Arms. For as soon as he came to the Government, he established the Bloetrad, as the Complainants term'd it, a Council of Blood, made up most of Spaniards : Egmond and Horn were appre- hended, and afterwards beheaded ; Citadels were erected, and the Oath of Allegiance, with the political Government of the Country, in divers things alter'd. This pour'd Oil on the Fire formerly kindled, and put all in combustion : The Prince of Orange retires ; thereupon his eldest Son was surpriz'd, and sent as Hostage to Spain, and above 5000 Families quit the Country ; many Towns revolted, but were afterwards reduc'd to obedience : which made the Duke of Alva say, That the Netherlands appertain'd to the King of Spain not only by Descent, but Conquest ; and for cumble of his Vic- tories, when he attempted to impose the tenth Penny for maintenance of the Garrisons in the Citadels he had erected at Grave, Utrecht, and Antwerp (where he caus'd his Statue made of Cannon-brass to be erected, trampling the Belgians under his feet), all the Towns withstood this Imposition: So that at last matters succeeding ill with him, and having had his Cousin Pacecio hang'd at Flushing-Gates, after he had trac'd out the Platform of a Citadel in that Town also, he receiv'd Letters of Revocation from Spain. Him succeeded Don Luys de Requiluis, who came short of his Predecessor in Exploits; and dying suddenly in the Field, the Govern- ment was invested for a time in the Council of State: The Spanish Soldiers being without a Head, gather'd together to the number of 1600, and committed such Outrages up and down, that they were proclaim'd Enemies to the State. Hereupon the Pacification of Ghent was transacted, whereof among other Articles one was, That all foreign Soldiers should n8 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. should quit the Country. This was ratified by the King, and observ'd by Don John of Austria, who succeeded in the Government ; yet Don John retain'd the Landskneghts at his devotion still for some secret Design, and, as some conjectur'd, for the Invasion of England; he kept the Spaniards also still hovering about the frontiers ready upon all occasions. Certain Letters were intercepted that made a Discovery of some Projects, which made the War to bleed afresh ; Don John was proclaim'd Enemy to the State: So the Archduke Matthias was sent for, who, being a Man of small performance, and improper for the times, was dismiss'd, but upon honourable Terms. Don John a little after dies, and, as some gave out, of the Pox ; then comes in the Duke of Parma, a Man as of a different nation, being an Italian, so of a differing temper and more moderate spirit, and of greater performance than all the rest ; for, whereas all the Provinces except Luxemburg and Hainault had revolted, he reduc'd Ghent, Tourney, Bruges, Malines, Brussels, Antwerp (which three last he beleaguer'd at one time), and divers other great Towns to the Spanish obe- dience again. He had 60,000 Men in pay, and the choicest which Spain and Italy could afford. The French and English Ambassadors, interceding for a Peace, had a short Answer of Philip II., who said that he needed not the help of any to reconcile himself to his own Subjects and reduce them to Conformity ; but the difference that was he would refer to his Cousin the Emperor : Hereupon the business was agitated at Colen, where the Spaniard stood as high a-tiptoe as ever, and notwithstanding the vast expence of treasure and blood he had been at for so many years, and that matters began to exasperate more and more, which were like to prolong the Wars in infinitum, he would abate nothing in point of Ecclesiastick Government. Hereupon the States perceiv'd that King Philip could not be wrought either by the sollicitations of other Princes, or their own supplications so often reiterated, that they might enjoy the freedom of Religion, with other infranchisements; and finding Sect, 2. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 119 finding him inexorable, being incited also by the Ban which was publish'd against the Prince of Orange, that whosoever kill'd him should have 5000 Crowns, they at last absolutely renounc'd and abjured the King of Spain for their Sovereign : They broke his Seals, chang'd the Oath of Allegiance, and fled to France for shelter ; they inaugurated the Duke of Anjou (recommended to them by the Queen of England, to whom he was a Suitor) for their Prince, who attempted to render himself absolute, and so thought to surprize Ant- werp, where he received an ill-favour'd repulse ; yet neverthe- less the United Provinces, for so they term'd themselves ever after, fearing to distaste their next great Neighbour France, made a second Proffer of their Protection and Sovereignty to that King, who having too many irons in the fire at his own home, the League growing stronger and stronger, he answer'd 'em, That the Shirt was nearer to him than his Doublet. Then had they recourse to Queen Elizabeth, who, partly for her own security, partly for Interest in Religion, reach'd them a supporting hand, and so sent them Men, Money, and a Governor, the Earl of Leicester, who not symbolizing with their humour, was quickly revok'd, yet without any outward dislike on the Queen's side, for she left her Forces still with them, but upon their expence : she lent them afterwards some considerable sums of moneys, and she received Flushing and Brill for caution. Ever since the English have been the best sinews of their war, and achievers of the greatest exploits amongst them. Having thus made sure work with the English, they made young Count Maurice their Governor, who for twenty-five years together held task with the Spaniard, and during those traverses of War was very fortunate : an overture of peace was then propounded, which the States would not hearken to singly with the King of Spain, unless the Provinces that yet re- main'd under him would engage themselves for the per- formance of what was articled; besides, they would not treat either of Peace or Truce, unless they were declared Free States, all which was granted : so by the intervention of the English I2O FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. English and French Ambassadors, a Truce was concluded for twelve years. These Wars did so drain and discommodate the King of Spain, by reason of his distance (every Soldier that he sent either from Spain or Italy costing him near upon 100 Crowns before he could be render'd in Flanders), that not- withstanding his Mines of Mexico and Peru, it plung'd him so deeply in debt, that, having taken up Moneys in all the chief Banks of Christendom, he was forced to publish a Diploma, wherein he dispensed with himself (as the Holland Story hath it) from payment, alledging that he had employ'd those Moneys for the publick Peace of Christendom : this broke many great Bankers, and they say his credit was not current in Sevil or Lisbon, his own Towns ; and which was worse, while he stood wrestling thus with his own Subjects, the Turk took his opportunity to take from him Tunis and the Goletta, the Trophies of Charles V., his Father. So eager he was in this quarrel, that he employ'd the utmost of his strength and industry to reduce his People to his Will ; in regard he had an intent to make these Provinces his main Randevous and Magazine of Men of War ; which his Neighbours perceiving, and that he had a kind of aim to be Western Monarch, being led not so much for love as reasons of State, they stuck close to the revolted Provinces ; and this was the Bone that Secretary Walsingham told Q. Elizabeth he would cast the K. of Spain, that should last him twenty years, and perhaps make his teeth shake in his head. But to return to my first discourse, whence this Digres- sion hath snatch'd me: The Netherlands, who had been formerly knit and concentred under one Sovereign Prince, were thus dismember' d ; and as they subsist now, they are a State and a Province: The Province, having ten of the seventeen at least, is far greater, more populous, better soiled, and more stor'd with Gentry. The State is the richer and stronger, the one proceeding from their vast Navigation and Commerce, the other from the quality of their Country, being Sect. 2. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 121 being defensible by Rivers and Sluices, by means whereof they can suddenly overwhelm all the whole Country : wit- ness that stupendous Siege of Leyden and Haerlem ; for most of their Towns, the marks being taken away, are inaccessible, by reason of shelves of Sands. Touching the transaction of these Provinces, which the K. of Spain made as a Dowry to the Archduke Albertus, upon marriage with the Infanta (who thereupon left his red Hat and Toledo Mitre, the chiefest spiritual Dignity in Christendom for revenue, after the Papacy), it was fring'd with such cautelous restraints, that he was sure to keep the better end of the staff still to himself; for he was to have the tutele and ward of his Children, that they were to marry with one of the Austrian Family recommended by Spain, and in default of Issue, and in case Allertus should survive the Infanta, he should be but Governor only : add hereunto, that K. Philip reserv'd still to himself all the Citadels and Castles, with the Order of the Golden Fleece, whereof he is Master, as he is Duke of Burgundy. The Archduke for the Time hath a very princely Com- mand; all Coins bear his Stamp, all Placarts or Edicts are published in his Name; he hath the Election of all civil Officers and Magistrates ; he nominates also Bishops and Abbots, for the Pope hath only the confirmation of them here; nor can he adjourn any out of the Country to answer anything, neither are his Bulls of any strength without the Prince's Placet, which makes him have always some Commissioners to execute his Authority. The People here grow hotter and hotter in the Roman Cause, by reason of the mixture with Spaniards and Italians ; and also by the example of the Archduke and the Infanta, who are devout in an intense degree. There are two supreme Councils, the Privy-Council and that of the State; this treats of Confederations and Intelligence with foreign Princes, of Peace and War, of entertaining or of dismissing Colonels and Captains, of Fortifications ; and they have the Super- intendency of the highest Affairs that concern the Prince and 122 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book L and the Policy of the Provinces : The Primate hath the granting of all Patents and Requests, the publishing of all Edicts and Proclamations, the prizing of Coin, the looking to the Confines and Extent of the Provinces, and the enact- ing of all new Ordinances. Of these two Councils there is never a Spaniard, but in the actual Council of War their Voices are predominant: There is also a Court of Finances or Exchequer, whence all they that have the fingring of the King's Money must draw a Discharge. Touching matters of Justice, their Law is mix'd betwixt Civil and Common, with some Clauses of Canonical. The High Court of Parliament is at Malines, whither all civil Causes may be brought by Appeal from other Towns, except some that have municipal Privileges and are Sovereign in their own Jurisdictions, as Mons in Hainalt, and a few more. The prime Province for Dignity is Braba?it, which, among many other Privileges it enjoys, hath this for one, not to appear upon any Summons out of its own Precinct; which is one of the reasons why the Prince makes his residence there : but the prime, for extent and fame, is Flanders, the chiefest Earldom in Christendom, which is three days' journey in length ; Ghent, its Metropolis, is reputed the greatest Town of Europe, whence arose the Proverb, Les flamene tient un Gan, qul tiendra Paris dedans. But the beautifullest, richest, strongest, and most privileged City is Antwerp in Brabant, being the Marquisate of the Holy Empire, and drawing near to the nature of a Ha?is Town, for she pays the Prince no other Tax but the Impost. Before the Dissociation of the seventeen Provinces, this Town was one of the greatest Marts of Europe and greatest Bank this side the Alps ; most Princes having their Factors here, to take up or let out Moneys : and here our Gresham got all his Wealth, and built our Royal Exchange by model of that here. The Merchandize brought hither from Germany, France, and Italy by Land, and from England, Spain, and the Hans-Towns by Sea, was estimated at above twenty Millions of Crowns every year: but as no violent thing Sect. 2. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 123 thing is long lasting, and as 'tis fatal to all Kingdoms, States, Towns, and Languages to have their period, so this renown'd Mart hath suflfer'd a shrewd Eclipse, yet no utter downfal ; the exchange of the King of Spam's Money and some small Land-traffic keeping still Life in her, tho' nothing so full of Vigor as it was. Therefore there is no Town under the Archduke where the States have more conceal'd Friends than in Antwerp, who would willingly make them her Masters, in hope to recover her former Com- merce; which after the last twelve years' Truce began to revive a little, the States permitting to pass by Lillo's Sconce, which commands the River Scheld, and lieth in the teeth of the Town, some small cross-sail'd Ships to pass hither : There is no place hath been more passive than this, and more often pillaged ; among other times she was once plun- der'd most miserably by the Spaniards under the conduct of a Priest, immediately on Don John of Austria's death ; she had then her Stadt-house burnt, which had cost a few years before above 20,000 Crowns the building; and the spoils that were carried away thence amounted to forty tuns of gold : thus she was reduced not only to poverty, but a kind of captivity, being commanded by a Citadel, which she pre- ferr'd before a Garrison. This made the merchants retire and seek a more free Randevous, some in Zealand, some in Holland, especially in Amsterdam, which rose upon the fall of this Town, as Lisbon did from Venice upon the discovery of the Cape of Good Hope, tho j Venice be not near so much crestfallen. I will now steer my discourse to the United Provinces, as they term themselves, which are six in number, viz., Hol- land, Zealand, Friesland, Overyssel, Grojinighen, and Utrecht, three parts of Gelderland, and some Frontier Towns and Places of contribution in Brabant and Flanders : In all these there is no innovation at all introduced, notwithstanding this great change in point of Government, except that the College of States represent the Duke or Earl in times past ; which College consists of the chiefest Gentry of the Country, Superintendants 124 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. Superintendants of Towns, and the principal Magistrates: Every Province and great Town chuse yearly certain De- puties, to whom they give plenary power to deliberate with the other States of all affairs touching the publick welfare of the whole Province ; and what they vote stands for Law. These being assembled, consult all matters of State, Justice, and War; the Advocate who is prime in the Assembly propounds the business, and after collects the suffrages, first of the Provinces, then of the Towns ; which being put in form, he delivers in pregnant and moving speeches; and in case there be a dissonance and reluctancy of opinions, he labours to accord and reconcile them ; con- cluding always with the major Voices. Touching the administration of Justice, the President, who is monthly chang'd, with the great Council, have the supreme Judicature ; from whose Decrees there is no appeal, but a revision; and then some of the choicest Lawyers among them are appointed. For their Oppidan Government, they have variety of Officers, a Scout, Burgmasters, a Balue, and Vroetschoppens : The Scout is chosen by the States, who with the Balues have the judging of all criminal matters in last resort without appeal ; they have also the determining of civil Causes, but those are appealable to the Hague. Touching their chiefest Governor (or General rather now), having made proof of the Spaniard, German, French, and English, and agreeing with none of them, they alighted at last upon a Man of their own mould, Prince Maurice, now their General ; in whom concurr'd divers parts suitable to such a charge, having been train' d up in the Wars by his Father, who, with three of his Uncles and divers of his Kindred, sacrificed their Lives in the States Quarrel : he hath thriven well since he came to the Government; he clear'd Friesland, Overyssel, and Gro- ningen in less than eighteen months : He hath now continued their Governor and General by Sea and Land above thirty- three years; he hath the election of Magistrates, the pardoning of Malefactors, and divers other Prerogatives ; yet they are short Sect. 2. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 125 short of the reach of Sovereignty, and of the Authority of the antient Counts of Holland: Tho' I cannot say 'tis a mercenary employment, yet he hath a limited allowance; nor hath he any implicit command when he goes to the field, for either the Council of War marcheth with him, or else he receives daily directions from them: moreover, the States themselves reserve the power of nominating all Com- manders in the Army, which being of sundry Nations, de- prive him of those advantages he might have to make him- self absolute. Martial Discipline is nowhere so regular as among the States; nowhere are there lesser insolences com- mitted upon the Burgher, nor robberies upon the Country Boors ; nor are the Officers permitted to insult over the common Soldier: When the Army marcheth, not one dares take so much as an apple off a tree or a root out of the earth in their Passage ; and the reason is, they are punctu- ally paid their Pay, or else I believe they would be insolent enough ; and were not the Pay so certain, I think few or none would serve them. They speak of 60,000 they have in perpetual Pay by Land a-nd Sea, at home, and in the Indies : The King of France was used to maintain a Regi- ment, but since Henry the Great's death the Payment hath been neglected. The means they have to maintain these Forces, to pay their Governor, to discharge all other ex- pence, as the preservation of their Dikes, which comes to a vast expence yearly, is the antient revenue of the Counts of Holland, the impropriate Church-livings, Imposts upon all Merchandise, which is greater upon exported than imported Goods ; Excise upon all Commodities, as well for necessity as pleasure; Taxes upon every Acre of Ground, which is such, that the whole Country returns into their hands every three years : Add hereunto the Art they use in their Bank by the rise and fall of Money, the fishing upon our Coasts, whither they send every Autumn above 700 Hulks or Busses, which in the Voyages they make return above a Million in Herrings ; moreover, their fishing for green Fish and Salmon amounts to so much more ; and for their Cheese and Butter, 'tis 126 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. 'tis thought they vent as much every year as Lisbon doth Spices. This keeps the common Treasury always full, that upon any extraordinary service or design there is seldom any new Tax upon the People. Traffic is their general Pro- fession, being all either Merchants or Mariners ; and having no Land to manure, they furrow the Sea for their living : and this universality of Trade, and their Banks of Adven- tures, distributes the Wealth so equally, that few among them are exceeding rich or exceeding poor ; Gentry among them is very thin, and as in all Democracies, little respected, and coming to dwell in Towns, they soon mingle with the Merchant, and so degenerate : Their Soil being all 'twixt Marsh and Meadow, is so fat in pasturage that one Cow will give eight Quarts of Milk a day; so that, as a Boor told me, in four little dorps near Harlem 'tis thought there is as much Milk milk'd in the year as there is Rhenish-Wine brought to Dort, which is the sole Staple of it. Their Towns are beautiful and neatly built, and with uniformity, that who sees one, sees all : In some Places, as in ^Amsterdam, the Foundation costs more than the Superstructure, for the Ground being soft, they are constrained to ram in huge Stakes of Timber (with Wool about it to preserve it from Putrefaction) till they come to a firm Basis ; so that, as one said, Whosoever could see Amsterdam under ground should see a hus;e Winter-Forest. O Among all the confederate Provinces, Holland is most predominant, which, being but six hours' Journey in breadth, contains forty-nine wall'd Towns, and all these within a day's Journey one of another. Amsterdam for the present is one of the greatest mercantil Towns in Europe. To her is appropriated the East and West-India Trade, whither she sends yearly forty great Ships, with another Fleet to the Baltic Sea; but they send not near so many to the Mediterranean as England : Other Towns are passably rich, and stor'd with Shipping, but not one very poor; which proceeds from the wholesome Policy they use, to assign every Town some firm Staple Commodity; as to (their Maiden-Town Sect. 2. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 127 Maiden-Town) Dort the German Wines and Corn, to Middelourgh the French and Spanish Wines, to Trevere (the Prince of Orange's Town) the Scots Trade : Leyden, in recompense of her long Siege, was erected to an University, which with Franiker in Friesland is all they have; Harlem for Knitting and Weaving hath some Privilege ; Rotterdam hath the English Cloth : and this renders their Towns so equally rich and populous. They allow free harbour to all Nations, with liberty of Religion (the Roman only excepted) as far as the Jew, who hath two Synagogues allow' d him, but only in Amsterdam ; which piece of Policy they borrow of the Venetian, with whom they have very intimate intelligence : only the Jews in Venice, in Rome, and other places go with some outward Mark of Distinc- tion, but here they wear none : and these two Republics, that in the East and this in the West, are the two Remora's, that stick to the great Vessel of Spain, that it cannot sail to the Western Monarchy. I have been long in the Survey of these Provinces, yet not long enough, for much more might be said, which is fitter for a Story than a Survey : I will conclude with a mot or two of the People, whereof some have been renown'd in time past for Feats of War. Among the States, the Hollander or Batavian hath been most known, for some of the Roman Emperors have had a selected Guard of them about their Persons for their Fidelity and Valour, as now the King of France hath of the Swisse. The Frisians also have been famous for those large Privileges wherewith Charlemain endow'd them; the Flemins also have been illustrious for the martial Exploits they achiev'd in the East, where two of the Earls of Flanders were crown'd Emperors. They have all a Genius inclin'd to Commerce, very intentive and witty in Manufactures, witness the Art of Printing, Painting, and Colouring in Glass ; those curious Quadrants, Chimes, and Dials, those kind of Waggons which are used up and down Christendom, were first used by them; and for the Mariner's Compass, tho' the matter be disputable 'twixt the 128 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book L the Neapolitan, the Portugal, and them, yet there is a strong argument on their side, in regard they were the first that subdivided the four Cardinal Winds to two and thirty, others naming them in their Language. There is no part of Europe so haunted with all sorts of Foreigners as the Netherlands, which makes the Inhabitants, as well Women as Men, so well vers'd in all sorts of Lan- guages, so that in Exchange-time one may hear seven or eight sorts of Tongues spoken upon their Bourses : nor are the Men only expert herein, but the Women and Maids also in their common Hostries ; and in Holland the Wives are so well vers'd in Bargaining, Cyphering, and Writing, that in the absence of their Husbands in long Sea-voyages they beat the Trade at home, and their Words will pass in equal Credit : These Women are wonderfully sober, tho' their Husbands make commonlv their Bargains in drink, and * O ' then are they more cautelous. This confluence of Strangers makes them very populous, which was the cause that Charles the Emperor said, That all the Netherlands seem'd to him but as one continued Town. He and his Grandfather Maximilian, notwithstanding the choice of Kingdoms they had, kept their Courts most frequently in them, which shew'd how highly they esteem'd them ; and I believe, if Philip II. had visited them sometimes, Matters had not gone so ill. There is no part of the Earth, considering the small Cir- cuit of Country, which is estimated to be but as big as the fifth part of Italy, where one may find more differing Cus- toms, Tempers and Humours of People than in the Nether- lands : The Walloon is quick and sprightful, accostable and full of Compliment, and gaudy in Apparel, like his next Neighbour the French : The Fleming and Bralanter, some- what more slow and more sparing of Speech : The Hollander slower than he, more surly and respectless of Gentry and Strangers, homely in his clothing, of very few words, and heavy in action ; which may be well imputed to the quality of the Soil, which works so strongly upon the Humours, that Sect. 2. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 129 that when People of a more vivacious and nimble Temper come to mingle with them, their Children are observ'd to partake rather of the Soil than the Sire : and so it is in all Animals besides. Thus have I huddled up some Observations of the "Low- Countries, beseeching your Lordship would be pleased to pardon the Imperfections, and correct the Errors of them; for I know none so capable to do it as your Lordship, to whom I am A most humble and ready Servitor, J. H. Antwerp, i May, 1622. XVI. To my Brother, Mr. Hugh Penry, upon his Marriage. SIR, YOU have had a good while the Interest of a Friend in me, but you have me now in a straiter Tie, for I am your Brother by your late Marriage, which hath turn'd Friendship into an Alliance ; you have in your Arms one of my dearest Sisters, who I hope, nay I know wilt make a good Wife. I heartily congratulate this Marriage, and pray that a Blessing may descend upon it from that Place where all Marriages are made, which is from Heaven, the Fountain of all Felicity : to this Prayer, I think it no Pro- phaness to add the Saying of the Lyric Poet Horace, in whom I know you delight much ; and I send it you as a kind of Epithalamium, and wish it may be verify'd in you both : Fcelices ter 6 amplius Quos irrupta tenet copula, nee malis Divulsus qiierimoniis Suprema citius solvet amor die. Thus English'd : That Couple's more than trebly blest, Which nuptial Bonds do so combine, That no distaste can them untwine, Till the last day send both to rest. So, my dear Brother, I much rejoice for this Alliance, i and 130 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. and wish you may increase and multiply to your Heart's content. Your affectionate Brother, J. H. 20 May 1622. XVII. To my Brother, Doctor Howell, from Brussels. SIR, I HAD yours in Latin at Rotterdam, whence I cor- responded with you in the same Language ; I heard, tho* not from you, since I came to Brussels, that our Sister Anne is lately marry'd to Mr. Hugh Penry : I am heartily glad of it, and wish the rest of our Sisters were so well bestow'd; for I know Mr. Penry to be a Gentleman of a great deal of solid Worth and Integrity, and one that will prove a great Husband and a good Oeconomist. Here is News that Mansfelt hath receiv'd a foil lately in Germany, and that the Duke of Brunswick, alias Bishop of Halverstadt, hath lost one of his Arms: this makes them vapour here extremely, and the last Week I heard of a Play the Jesuits of Antwerp made, in derogation, or rather de- rision of the Proceedings of the Prince Palsgrave, where, among divers other Passages, they feign'd a Post to come puffing upon the Stage; and being ask'd what news, he answer'd, how the Palsgrave was like to have shortly a huge formidable Army, for the King of Denmark was to send him 100,000, the Hollanders 100,000, and the King of Great Britain 100,000; but being ask'd thousands of what? he reply'd,The first would send 100,000 Red Herrings, the second 100,000 Cheeses, and the last 100,000 Ambassadors; allud- ing to Sir Richard West on, and Sir Edward Conway, my Lord Carlisle, Sir Arthur Chichester, and lastly the Lord Digly, who have been all employ'd in quality of Ambassadors in less than two years, since the beginning of these German Broils. Touching the last, having been with the Emperor and the Duke of Bavaria, and carry'd himself with such high Wisdom in his Negotiations with the one, and Stout- ness with the other, and having preserved Count Mansfelt's Troops Sect. 2. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 131 Troops from disbanding, by pawning his own Argentry and Jewels, he pass'd this way, where they say the Arch- duke did esteem him more than any Ambassador that ever was in this Court ; and the Report yet is very fresh of his high Abilities. We are to remove hence in Coach towards Paris the next week, where we intend to winter, or hard by. When you have opportunity to write to Wales, I pray present my duty to my Father, and my love to the rest ; and pray remember me also to all at the Hill and the Dale, especially to that most virtuous Gentleman, Sir John Franklin. So, my dear Brother, I pray God continue and improve His Bless- ings to us both, and bring us again together with comfort. Your Brother, J. H. i o June 1622. XVIII. To Dr. Tho. Prichard, at Worcester-House. SIR, Z^RIENDSHIP is the great Chain of human Society, and intercourse of Letters is one of the chief est links of that Chain: you know this as well as I ; therefore I pray let our Friendship, let our Love, that nationality of British Love, that virtuous tie of Academic Love, be still strengthened (as heretofore) and receive daily more and more Vigor. I am now in Paris, and there is weekly opportunity to receive and send : and if you please to send, you shall be sure to receive, for I make it a kind of Religion to be punctual in this kind of Payment. I am heartily glad to hear that you are become a domestic Member to that most noble Family of the Worcesters, and I hold it to be a very good Founda- tion for future Preferment ; I wish you may be as happy in them, as I know they will be happy in you. France is now barren of News, only there was a shrewd Brush lately 'twixt the young King and his Mother, who having the Duke of Epernon and others for her Champions, met him in open Field about Pont de C } but she went away with the worst 132 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. worst; such was the rare dutifulness of the King, that he forgave her upon his Knees, and pardon'd all her Complices : and now there is an universal Peace in this Country, which 'tis thought will not last long, for there is a War intended against them of the Reform'd Religion ; for this King, tho' he be slow in Speech, yet he is active in Spirit, and loves Motion. I am here comrade to a gallant young Gentle- man, my old Acquaintance, who is full of excellent Parts, which he hath acquired by a choice breeding, the Baron his Father gave him, both in the University, and in the Inns of Court; so that, for the time, I envy no Man's happiness. So, with my hearty Commends, and much endear'd Love unto you, I rest Yours whiles JAM. HOWELL. Paris, 3 Aug. 1621. XIX. To the Honourable Sir Tho. Savage (after Lord Savage), at his House upon Tower-Hill. HONOURABLE SIR, THOSE many undeserved Favours for which I stand obliged to your self and my noble Lady, since the time I had the happiness to come first under your roof, and the command you pleased to lay upon me at my departure thence, call upon me at this time to give you account how Matters pass in France. That which for the present affords most plenty of News, is Rochell, which the King threateneth to block up this Spring with an Army by Sea, under the Command of the Duke of Nevers, and by a Land Army under his own Con- duct : both sides prepare, he to assault, the Rochellers to defend. The King declares that he proceeds not against them for their Religion, which he is still contented to tolerate, but for holding an Assembly against his Declara- tions. They answer, That their Assembly is grounded upon His Majesty's Royal Warrant, given at the dissolution of the last Assembly at Lodun, where he solemnly gave his word, Sect. 2. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 133 word, to permit them to re-assemble when they would six months after, if the Breaches of their Liberty and Grievances which they then propounded were not redress'd ; and they say, this being unperform'd, it stands not with the sacred Person of a King to violate his Promise, being the first that ever he made them. The King is so incens'd against them, that their Deputies can have neither access to his Person, nor audience of his Council, as they stile themselves the Deputies of the Assembly at Rochell ; but if they say they come from the whole Body of them of the pretended Reform d Religion, he will hear them. The Breach between them is grown so wide, that the King resolves on a Siege. This Resolution of the King is much fomented by the Roman Clergy; especially by the Celestines, who have 200,000 Crowns of Gold in the Arsenal of Paris, which they would sacrifice all to this Service ; besides, the Pope sent him a Bull to levy what Sums he would of the Galilean Church, for the advancement of his Design. This Resolution also is much push'd on by the Gentry, who, besides the particular Employments and Pay they shall receive hereby, are glad to have their young King train'd up in Arms, to make him a martial Man : but for the Merchant and poor Peasant, they tremble at the Name of this War, fearing their Teeth should be set on edge with those soure Grapes their Fathers tasted in the time of the League; for if the King begins with Rochell, 'tis fear'd all the four Corners of the Kingdom will be set on fire. Of all the Towns of surety which they of the Religion hold, Rochell is the chiefest, a Place strong by Nature, but stronger by Art. It is a maritime Town, and landward they can by Sluices drown a League's distance ; 'tis fortify'd with mighty thick Walls, Bastions, and Counterscarps, and those according to the modern Rules of Enginry. This, among other cautionary Towns, was granted by Henry IV. to them of the Religion for a certain term of years; which being expir'd, the King saith they are devolv'd again to the Crown, and so demands them. They of the Religion pretend 134 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. pretend to have divers Grievances ; first, they have not been paid these two years the 160,000 Crowns which the last King gave them annually, to maintain their Ministers and Garrisons: They complain of the King's Carriage lately at Beam (Henry the Great's Country), which was merely Protestant, where he hath introduced two years since the publick Exercise of the Mass, which had not been sung there fifty years before; he alter'd also there the Govern- ment of the Country, and in lieu of a Viceroy, left a Governor only : And whereas Navarrin was formerly a Court of Parliament for the whole Kingdom of Navar (that's under France], he hath put it down and publish'd an Edict, That the Navarrois should come to Toulouse, the chief Town of Languedoc ; and lastly, he left behind him a Garrison in the said Town of Navarrin. These and other Grievances they of the Religion proposed to the King lately, desiring His Majesty would let them enjoy still those Pri- vileges his Predecessor Henry III. and his Father Henry IV. afforded them by Act of Pacification: But he made them a short Answer, That what the one did in this Point, he did it out of fear ; what the other did, he did it out of love ; but he would have them know, that he neither lov'd them nor fear 'd them : so the business is like to bleed sore on both sides ; nor is there yet any appearance of prevention. There was a Scuffle lately here 'twixt the D. of Nevers and the Cardinal of Guise, who have had a long Suit in Law about an Abbey ; and meeting the last Week about the Palace, from Words they fell to Blows, the Cardinal struck the Duke first, and so were parted ; but in the Afternoon there appear'd on both sides no less than 3000 Horse in a Field hard by, which shews the populousness and sudden strength of this huge City : but the Matter was taken up by the King himself, and the Cardinal clapt up in the Bastile, where the King saith he shall abide to ripen; for he is but young, and they speak of a Bull that is to come from Rome to decardinalize him. I fear to have trespass'd too much upon your Patience, therefore I will conclude Sect. 2. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 135 conclude for the present, but will never cease to profess my self Your thrice humble and ready Servitor, J. H. Paris, 1 8 Aug. 1622. XX. To D. Caldwall, Esq., from Poissy. MY DEAR D., TO be free from English, and to have the more con- veniency to fall close to our business, Mr. Altham and I are lately retir'd from Paris to this Town of Poissy, a pretty genteel place at the Foot of the great Forest of St. Germain upon the River Sequana, and within a mile of one of the King's chiefest standing Houses, and about fifteen miles from Paris. Here is one of the prime Nunneries of all France. Lewis IX., who in the Catalogue of the French Kings, is call'd St. Lewis, which Title was confirm'd by the Pope, was baptiz'd in this little Town ; and after his return from Egypt and other places against the Saracens, being ask'd by what Title he would be distinguish'd from the rest of his Predecessors after his death, he answer'd, That he desir'd to be call'd Lewis of Poissy. Reply being made, that there were divers other Places and Cities of renown, where he had perform'd brave Exploits, and obtain'd famous Victories, therefore it was more fitting that some of those places should denominate him : No, said he, I desire to be call'd Lewis of Poissy, because there I got the most glorious Victory that ever I had, for there I overcame the Devil; meaning he was christen'd there. I sent you from Antwerp a silver Dutch Table-book, I desire to hear of the receipt of it in your next: I must desire you (as I did once at Rouen) to send me a dozen pair of the whitest Kidskin gloves for Women, and half a dozen pair of Knives, by the Merchant's Post ; and if you want anything that France can afford, I hope you know what Power you have to dispose of Yours, J. H. 7 Sep. 1622. XXI. 136 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I, XXI. To my Father, from Paris. SIR, I was afraid I should never have had Ability to write to you again, I had lately such a dangerous Fit of Sickness; but I have now pass'd the Brunt of it, God hath been pleas'd to reprieve me, and reserve me for more days, which I hope to have Grace to number better. Mr. Altham and I having retir'd to a small Town from Paris, for more privacy, and sole conversation with the nation, I ty'd myself to a task for the reading of so many books in such a compass of time; and thereupon, to make good my word to myself, I us'd to watch many nights together, tho' it was in the depth of Winter ; but returning to this Town, I took cold in the head, and so that mass of rheum which had gather'd by my former watching, return'd to an impos- thume in my head, whereof I was sick above forty days : at the end they cauteriz'd and made an issue in my cheek, to make vent for the imposthume, and that sav'd my life. At first they let me blood, and I parted with above fifty ounces in less than a fortnight; for Phlebotomy is so much practis'd here, that if one's little finger ache, they presently open a vein ; and to balance the blood on both sides, they usually let blood in both arms. And the commonness of the thing seems to take away all fear, insomuch that the very Women, when they find themselves indispos'd, will open a vein themselves; for they hold, that the blood, which hath a circulation, and fetcheth a round every twenty-four hours about the body, is quickly repair'd again. I was eighteen days and nights that I had no sleep, but short imperfect slumbers, and those too procur'd by potions : the tumor at last came so about the throat, that I had scarce vent left for respiration ; and my body was brought so low with all sorts of Physic, that I appear'd like a mere Skeleton. When I was indifferently well recover'd, some of the Doctors and Chirurgeons that tended me, gave me a visit ; Sect. 2. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 137 visit; and among other things, they fell into discourse of Wines which was the best, and so by degrees they fell upon other beverages; and one Doctor in the company who had been in England, told me that we have a Drink in England call'd Ale, which he thought was the wholsomest liquor that could go into one's Guts; for whereas the body of Man is supported by two columns, viz., the natural heat and the radical moisture, he said, there is no Drink conduceth more to the preservation of the one, and the increase of the other, than Ale : for while the Englishmen drank only Ale, they were strong, brawny, able Men, and could draw an arrow an ell long; but when they fell to wine and beer, they are found to be much impair'd in their strength and age : so the Ale bore away the bell among the Doctors. The next week we advance our course further into France, towards the river of Loire to Orleans, whence I shall continue to convey my duty to you. In the meantime I humbly crave your blessing, and your acknowledgment to God Almighty for my recovery ; be pleas'd further to im- part my love among my brothers and sisters, with all my kinsmen and friends in the Country : So I rest Your dutiful Son, J. H. 10 Dee. 1622. XXII. To Sir Tho. Savage, Knight and Baronet. HONOURABLE SIR, THAT of the 5th of this present which you pleas'd to send me was receiv'd, and I begin to think myself something more than I was, that you value so much the slender endeavours of my pen to do you service : I shall continue to improve your good opinion of me as opportunity shall serve. Touching the great threats against Rochell, whereof I gave you an ample relation in my last, matters are become now more calm, and rather inclining to an accommodation, for 'tis thought a sum of money will make up the breach; and 138 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book L and to this end some think all these bravado's were made. The D. of Luynes is at last made Ld. High Constable of France, the prime Officer of the Crown ; he hath a peculiar Court to himself, a guard of 100 Men in rich liveries, and 100,000 livres a year Pension. The old D. of Lesdiguieres, one of the ancientest Soldiers in France, and a Protestant, is made his Lieutenant. But in regard all Christendom rings of this Favourite, being the greatest that ever was in France, since the Maires of the Palace, who came to be Kings afterwards, I will send you herein this Legend : He was born in Provence, and is a Gentleman by descent, tho' of a petty Extraction ; in the last King's time he was preferr'd to be one of his Pages, who, finding him industrious, and a good waiter, allow'd him 300 Crowns Pension per an., which he husbanded so well, that he maintain'd himself and his two brothers in passable good fashion therewith. The King observing that, doubled his Pension, and taking notice that he was a serviceable Instrument and apt to please, he thought him fit to be about his Son, in whose service he hath continued above fifteen years ; and he hath Jlown so high into his Favour by singular dexterity and art he hath in Faulconry, and by shooting at birds flying, wherein the King took great pleasure, that he hath soar'd to this pitch of honour. He is a Man of a passable good understanding and forecast, of a mild comportment, humble and debonair to all, and of a winning conversation ; he hath about him choice and solid heads, who prescribe to him rules of Policy, by whose Com- pass he steers his course, which it's likely will make him subsist long : He is now come to that transcendent altitude, that he seems to have mounted above the reach of Envy, and made all hopes of supplanting him frustrate, both by the politic guidance of his own actions, and the powerful alliances he hath got for himself and his two brothers : He is marry'd to the Duke of Montbazon's Daughter, one of the prime Peers of France; his second Brother Cadenet (who is reputed the wisest of the three) marry'd the Heiress of Sect. 2. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 139 of Picardy, with whom he had ^9000 lands a year ; his third Brother Brand to the great Heiress of Luxemburgh, of which House there have been five Emperors: so that these three Brothers and their Allies would be able to counterbalance any one Faction in France, the eldest and youngest being made Dukes and Peers of France, the other Marshal. There are lately two Ambassadors extraordinary come hither from Venice about the Valtolin, but their negotiation is at a stand, until the return of an Ambassador extraordinary who is gone to Spain. Ambassadors also are come from the Hague for payment of the French Regiment there, which hath been neglected these ten years; and to know whether his Majesty will be pleas'd to continue their Pay any longer ; but their Answer is yet suspended : They have brought news that the seven ships which were built for His Majesty in the Tessel are ready ; to this he answer'd, that he desires to have ten more built ; for he intends to finish that design which his Father had a-foot a little before his Death, to establish a Royal Company of Merchants. This is all the News that France affords for the present, the relation whereof, if it proves as acceptable as my endea- vours to serve you herein are pleasing unto me, I shall esteem myself happy : so, wishing you and my noble Lady con- tinuance of health, and increase of Honour, I rest Your humble Servitor, J. H. Paris, 15 Dec. 1622. XXIII. To Sir John North, Knight. SIR, I CONFESS you have made a perfect conquest of me by your late Favours, and I yield myself your Captive : a day may come that will enable me to pay my ransom ; in the interim, let a most thankful acknowledgment be my Bail and Main prise. I am now remov'd from off the Sein to the Loire, to the fair Town of Orleans : there was here lately a mixt Proces- sion 140 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. sion 'twixt Military and Ecclesiastic for the Maid of Orleans, which is perform'd every year very solemnly ; her Statue stands upon the Bridge, and her Clothes are preserv'd to this day, which a young Man wore in the Procession; which makes me think that her Story, tho* it sound like a Romance, is very true. And I read it thus in two or three Chronicles : When the English had made such firm In- vasions in France, that their Armies had march'd into the heart of the Country, besieged Orleans, and driven Charles VII. to Bourges in Berry, which made him to be call'd, for the time, King of Berry ; there came to his Army a Shep- herdess, one Anne de Arque, who with a confident look and language told the King, that she was design'd by Heaven to beat the English, and drive them out of France. Therefore she desired a Command in the Army, which by her extra- ordinary confidence and importunity she obtain' d ; and putting on Man's apparel, she prov'd so prosperous, that the Siege was rais'd from before Orleans, and the English were pursued to Paris, and forced to quit that, and driven to Normandy : She us'd to go on with marvellous courage and resolution, and her word was Hara ha : but in Normandy she was taken Prisoner, and the English had a fair revenge upon her, for by an Arrest of the Parliament of Rouen she was burnt for a Witch. There is a great business now a-foot in Paris, call'd the Poletle, which, if it take effect, will tend to correct, at leastwise to cover a great Error in the French Government : the custom is, that all the chief places of Justice thro'out all the eight Courts of Parliament in France, besides a great number of other Offices are set to sale by the King, and they return to him, unless the Buyer liveth forty days after his resignation to another. It is now propounded that these casual Offices shall be absolutely hereditary, provided that every Officer pay a yearly revenue to the King, according to the valuation of and perquisites of the Office : this business is now in hot agitation, but the issue is yet doubtful. The last you sent I receiv'd by Vaca.nda.ry in Paris : So highly Sect. 2. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 141 highly honouring your excellent Parts and Merit, I rest, now that I understand French indifferently well, no more your (she) Servant, but Your most faithful Servitor, J. H. Orleans, 3 Mar. 1622. XXIV. To Sir James Crofts, Knight. SIR, WERE I to freight a Letter with Compliments, this Country would furnish me with variety, but of News a small store at this present; and for Compliment, it is dangerous to use any to you, who have such a piercing Judgment to discern semblances from realities. The Queen-Mother is come at last to Paris, where she hath not been since dncre's death; the King is also return' d post from Bourdeaux, having travers'd most part of his King- dom : he settled Peace everywhere he pass'd, and quash'd divers Insurrections; and by his obedience to his Mother, and his lenity towards all his Partisans at Pont de Ce, where above 400 were slain, and notwithstanding that he was victorious, yet he gave a general Pardon ; he hath gain'd much upon the affections of his People. His Council of State went ambulatory always with him, and as they say here, never did Men manage things with more wisdom. There is a War questionless a fermenting against the Protestants ; the Duke of Epernon, in a kind of a Rodomon- tado way, desir'd leave of the King to block up Rochell, and in six weeks he would undertake to deliver her to his hands ; but I believe he reckons without his Host. I was told a merrv Passage of this little Gascon Duke, who is now the ' w * oldest Soldier in France; having come lately to Paris, he treated with a Pander to procure him a Courtesan, and if she was a Damoisel (a Gentlewoman) he would give so much, and if a Citizen, he would give so much : The Pander did his Office, but brought him a Citizen clad in Damoisel's apparel, so she and her Maquerel were paid accordingly. The 142 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book L The next day after, some of his Familiars having understood hereof, began to be pleasant with the Duke, and to jeer him, that he being a Vieil Routier, an old try'd Soldier, should suffer himself to be so cozen'd, as to pay for a Citizen after the rate of a Gentlewoman : The little Duke grew half wild hereupon, and commenced an Action of Fraud against the Pander; but what became of it I cannot tell you, but all Paris rang of it. I hope to return now very shortly to England, where, among the rest of my noble Friends, I shall much rejoice to see and serve you, whom I honour with no vulgar affection : So I am Your true Servitor, J. H. Orleans, 5 Mar, 1622. XXV. To my Cousin, Mr. Will. Martin, at Brussels. DEAR COUSIN, I FIND you are very punctual in your performances, and a precise observer of the promise you made here to cor- respond with Mr. Alt ham and me by Letters. I thank you for the variety of German News you imparted to me, which was so neatly couch'd and curiously knit together, that your Letter might serve for a pattern to the best Intelligencer. I am sorry the Affairs of the Prince Palsgrave go so un- towardly; the wheel of War may turn, and that spoke which is now up may down again. For French Occurrences, there is a War certainly intended against them of the Religion here, and there are visible preparations a-foot already : Among others that shrink in the Shoulders at it, the King's Servants are not very well pleas' d with it, in regard, besides Scots and Swissers, there are divers of the King's Servants that are Protestants. If a Man go to ragion' di stato, to reason of State, the French King hath something to justify this design ; for the Protestants being so numerous, and having near upon fifty presidiary wall'd Towns in their hands for caution, they have power to disturb France when they please, and being abetted by a foreign Prince, to give the King Sect. 2. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 143 King Law ; and you know as well as I, how they have been made use of to kindle a Fire in France: Therefore rather than they should be utterly suppress'd, I believe the Spaniard himself would reach them his Ragged-staff to defend them. I send you here inclos'd another from Master Altham, who respects you dearly, and we remember'd you lately at la pomme du pin in the best Liquor of the French Grape. I shall be shortly for London, where I shall not rejoice a little to meet you. The English air may confirm what foreign begun, I mean our Friendship and Affections; and in Me (that I may return you in English the Latin Verses You sent me) : As soon a little Ant Shall bib the Ocean dry, A Snail shall creep about the World, E'er these Affections die. So, my dear Cousin, may Virtue be your Guide, and Fortune your Companion. Yours while JAM. HOWELL. Paris, 1 8 Mar. 1622. SECTION SECTION III. I. To my Father. SIR, I AM safely return'd now the second time from beyond the Seas, but I have yet no Employment : God and good Friends, I hope, will shortly provide one for me. The Spanish Ambassador, Count Gondomar, doth strongly negotiate a Match 'twixt our Prince and the Infanta of Spain; but at his first Audience there happen'd an ill- favour'd accident (pray God it prove no ill augury), for my Lord of Arundel being sent to accompany him to Whitehall, upon a Sunday in the afternoon, as they were going over the Terrass, it broke under them, but only one was hurt in the Arm. Gondomar said, that he had not car'd to have dy'd in so good Company : He saith, there is no other way to regain the Palatinate but by this Match, and to settle an eternal Peace in Christendom. The Marquis of Buckingham continueth still in fulness of grace and favour; the Countess his Mother sways also much at Court: she brought Sir Henry Montague from delivering Law on the King's-Bench, to look to his Bags in the Exchequer, for she made him Lord High-Treasurer of England; but he parted with his white Staff before the year's end, tho' his Purse had bled deeply for it (above ^20,000), which made a Lord of this Land to ask him at his return from Court, Whether he did not Jind that Wood was extreme dear at Newmarket, for there he received the white Staff. There is now a notable stirring Man in the Place, my Lord Cranfield, who, from walking about the Exchange, is come to sit Chief-Justice in the Chequer- Chamler, Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 145 Chamber, and to have one of the highest Places at the Council-Table : He is marry'd to one of the Tribe of For- tune, a Kinswoman of the Marquis of Buckingham. Thus there is rising and falling at Court; and as in our natural pace one foot cannot be up till the other be down, so it is in the affairs of the World commonly, one Man riseth at the fall of another. I have no more to write at this time, but that with tender of my duty to you, I desire a continuance of your Blessing and Prayers. Your dutiful Son, J. H. Lond., 22 Mar. 1622. II. To the Honourable Mr. John Savage (now Earl of Rivers) at Florence. SIR, MY love is not so short but it can reach as far as Florence to find you out, and farther too if occa- sion required; nor are these affections I have to serve you so dull, but they can clamber o'er the Alps and Appenin to wait upon you, as they have adventur'd to do now in this paper. I am sorry I was not in London to kiss your hands before you set to Sea, and much more sorry that I had not the happiness to meet you in Holland or Brabant, for we went the very same road, and lay in Dort and Antwerp, in the same lodgings you had lain in a fortnight before. I presume you have by this time tasted of the sweetness of Travel, and that you have wean'd your affections from England for a good while ; you must now think upon home, as (one said) good men think upon Heaven, aiming still to go thither, but not till they finish their course; and yours, I understand, will be three years: in the meantime you must not suffer any melting tenderness of thoughts, or longing desires, to distract or interrupt you in that fair road you are in to Virtue, and to beautify within that comely Edifice which Nature hath built without you. I K know 146 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. know your Reputation is precious to you, as it should be to every noble Mind ; you have expos' d it now to the hazard, therefore you must be careful it receive no taint at your return, by not answering that expectation which your Prince and noble Parents have of you. You are now under the chiefest clime of Wisdom, fair Italy, the Darling of Nature, the Nurse of Policy, the Theatre of Virtue : But tho' Italy give milk to Virtue with one dug, she often suffers Vice to suck at the other; therefore you must take heed you mistake not the dug: for there is an ill-favour'd Saying, That Inglese Italionato & Diavolo incarnato ; an Englishman Italianate is a Devil incarnate. I fear no such thing of you, I have had such pregnant proofs of your in- genuity, and noble inclinations to virtue and honour : I know you have a mind to both, but I must tell you that you will hardly get the good-will of the latter, unless the Jirst speak a good word for you. When you go to Rome, you may haply see the ruins of two Temples, one dedicated to Virtue, the other to Honour ; and there was no way to enter into the last but thro* the first. Noble Sir, I wish your good very seriously, and if you please to call to memory, and examine the circumstance of things, and my carriage towards you since I had the happiness to be known first to your honourable Family, I know you will conclude that I love and honour you in no vulgar way. My Lord, your Grandfather was complaining lately that he had not heard from you a good while: By the next Shipping to Leghorn, among other things, he intends to send you a whole Brawn in collars. I pray be pleased to remember my affectionate service to Mr. Thomas Savage, and my kind respects to Mr. Bold. For English News, I know this packet comes freighted to you, therefore I forbear at this time to send any. Farewell, noble Heir of Honour, and command always. Your true Servitor, J. H. Land., 24 Mar. 1622. III. Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 147 III. To Sir James Crofts, Knight, at St. Osith in Essex. SIR, I HAD yours upon Tuesday last, and whereas you are desirous to know the proceedings of the Parliament I am sorry I must write to you that matters begin to grow boisterous ; the King retir'd not long since to Newmarket, not very well pleased, and this week there went thither twelve from the House of Commons, to whom Sir Richard Weston was the mouth : the King not liking the Message they brought, call'd them his Ambassadors, and in the large Answer which he hath sent to the Speaker, he saith, that he must apply to them a Speech of Queen Elizabeth's to an Ambassador of Poland, Legatum expectavimus, Heraldum accepimus ; We expected an Ambassador, we have receivd a Herald : he takes it not well that they should meddle with the Match 'twixt his Son and the Infanta, alleging an example of one of the Kings of France, who would not marry his Son without the advice of his Parliament; but afterwards the King grew so despicable abroad, that no foreign State would treat with him about anything with- out his Parliament. Sundry other high passages there were as a caveat he gave them, not to touch the honour of the King of Spain, with whom he was so far engaged in a matri- monial Treaty, that he could not go back : he gave them also a check for taking cognisance of those things which had their motion in the ordinary Courts of Justice, and that Sir Edward Coke (tho' these words were not inserted in the Answer), whom he thought to be the fittest Instrument for a Tyrant that ever was in England, should be so bold as to call the Prerogative of the Crown a great Monster. The Parliament after this was not long-liv'd, but broke up in discontent ; and upon the point of dissolution, they made a Protest against divers particulars in the aforesaid Answer of His Majesty's. My Lord Digly is preparing for Spain in quality of Ambassador Extraordinary, to perfect the Match 'twixt 148 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. 'twixt our Prince and the Lady Infanta; in which business Gondomar hath waded already very deep, and been very active, and ingratiated himself with divers Persons of Quality, Ladies especially : yet he could do no good upon the Lady Hatton, whom he desir'd lately, that in regard he was her next Neighbour (at Ely-House) he might have the Benefit of her Back-gate to go abroad into the Fields; but she put him off with a Compliment : whereupon in a private Audience lately with the King, among other passages of merriment, he told him, that my Lady Hatton was a strange Lady, for she would not suffer her Husband, Sir Ed. Coke, to come in at her fore-door, nor him to go out at her back- door ; and so related the whole business. He was also dis- patching a Post lately for Spain; and the Post having re- ceiv'd his Packet, and kiss'd his hands, he call'd him back, and told him he had forgot one thing, which was, That when he came to Spain, he should commend him to the Sun, for he had not seen him a great while, and in Spain he should le sure tojind him. So, with my humble service to my Lord of Colchester, I rest Your most humble Servitor, J. H. Lond., 24 Mar. 1622. IV. To my Brother, Mr. Hugh Penry. SIR, THE Welsh Nag you sent me was deliver'd me in a very good plight, and I give you a thousand thanks for him ; I had occasion lately to try his mettle and his lungs, and every one tells me he is right, and of no mongrel Race, but a true Mountaineer ; for besides his toughness and strength of Lungs up a Hill, he is quickly curry'd, and content with short Commons : I believe he hath not been long a highway traveller ; for whereas other Horses, when they pass by an Inn or Alehouse, use to make towards them to give them a friendly visit, this Nag roundly goes on, and scorns to cast as much as a glance upon any of them ; which I know not whether I shall impute it to his ignorance, or height Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 149 height of Spirit ; but conversing with the soft Horses in England, I believe he will quickly be brought to be more courteous. The greatest News we have now, is the return of the Lord Bishop of Landaff, Davenant, Ward, and Belcanquell, from the Synod of Dort, where the Bishop had precedence given him according to his episcopal dignity. Arminlus and Vorstius were sore baited there concerning Predestination, Election, and Reprobation; as also touching Christ's Death, and Man's Redemption by it; then concerning Man's Cor- ruption and Conversion ; lastly, concernin g the Persever- ance of the Saints. I shall have shortly the transaction of the Synod. The Jesuits have put out a jeering Libel against it, and these two Verses I remember in't: Do rdrecti Synodus ? nodus ; chorus integer ? ceger ; Coiwentus ? venlus ; Sessio stramen ? Amen. But I will confront this Distich with another I read in France of the Jesuits in the Town of Dole, towards Lorain ; they had a great House given them call'd Hare (arcum) and upon the River of Loire, Henry IV. gave them Lafleche, Sagittam in Latin, where they have two stately Convents, that is, Bow and Arrow ; whereupon one made these Verses : Arcum Dola dedit, dedit tilts alma sagittam Francia ; quis chordam, quam meruere, dabit ? Fair France the Arrow, Dole gave them the Bow ; Who shall the String, which they deserve, bestow ? No more now, but that with my dear Love to my Sister, I rest Your most affectionate Brother, J. H. Lond. t 16 Apr. 1622. V. To the Lord Viscount Colchester. MY GOOD LORD, I RECEIVED your Lordship's of the last Week, and according to your command I send here inclos'd the Venetian 150 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book L Venetian Gazette : for foreign Aviso's they write that Mans- felt hath been beaten out of Germany, and is come to Sedan, and 'tis thought the Duke of Bovillon will set him up again with a new Army : Marquis Spinola hath newly sat down before Berghen op zoom; Your Lordship knows well what consequence that Town is of, therefore it is likely this will be a hot Summer in the Netherlands. The French King is in open War against them of the Religion; he hath already clear'd the Loire, by taking Jerseau and Saumur, where Monsieur Du Plessis sent him the Keys, which are promis'd to be deliver'd him again, but I think ad Grcecas Calendas. He hath been also before St. John d'Angeli, where the young Cardinal of Guise died, being struck down by the puff of a Cannon-bullet, which put him in a burning fever, and made an end of him. The last Town that's taken was Clerac, which was put to 50,000 Crowns ransom ; many were put to the Sword, and divers Gentlemen drown'd as they thought to scape; this is the fifteenth cautionary Town the King hath taken : And now they say hemarcheth towards Montaulan, and so to Montpellier and Nismes, and then have at Rochel. My Lord Hays is by this time, 'tis thought, with the Army ; for Sir Edward Herbert is re- turn'd, having had some clashings and counterbuffs with the Favourite Luynes, wherein he comported himself gallantly. There is a fresh Report blown over, that Luynes is lately dead in the Army of the Plague, some say of the Purples, the next Cousen-german to it; which the Protestants give out to be the just Judgment of Heaven fallen upon him, because he incited his Master to these Wars against them. If he be not dead, let him die when he will, he will leave a fame behind him, to have been the greatest Favourite for the time that ever was in France, having from a simple Falconer come to be High Constable, and made himself and his younger Brother Grand Dukes and Peers; and his second Brother Cadenet Marshal ; and all three married to Princely Families. No more now, but that I most humbly kiss your Lord- ship's Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 151 ship's hands, and shall be always most ready and chearful to receive your Commandments, because I am Your Lord- ship's obliged Servitor, J. H. Zend, 12 Aug. 1623. VI. To my Father, from London. SIR, I WAS at a dead stand in the course of my Fortunes, when it pleas'd God to provide me lately an Employ- ment to Spain, whence I hope there may arise both Repute and Profit. Some of the Cape Merchants of the Turky Company, among whom the chiefest were Sir Robert Nap- per and Captain Leat, propos'd to me, that they had a great business in the Court of Spain in Agitation many years, nor was it now their business, but the King's, in whose name it is follow'd : They could have Gentlemen of good Quality that would undertake it, yet if I would take it upon me, they would employ no other, and assur'd me that the Employment should tend both to my benefit and credit. Now the business is this : There was a great Turky Ship call'd the Vineyard, sailing thro' the Straits towards Con- stantinople, but by distress of weather she was forc'd to put into a little Port call'd Milo in Sardinia; the Searchers came aboard of her, and finding her richly laden, for her cargazon of broad-cloth was worth the first penny near upon ,^30,000, they cavill'd at some small proportion of Lead and Tin which they had only for the use of the Ship; which the Searchers alledgM to be ropa de contrabando, pro- hibited Goods ; for by Article of Peace, nothing is to be carry'd to Turky that may arm or victual. The Viceroy of Sardinia hereupon seized upon the whole Ship, and all her Goods, landed the Master and Men in Spain, who coming to Sir Charles Cornwallis, the Ambassador at that Court, Sir Charles could do them little good at present ; therefore they came to England, and complain'd to the King and Council : His Majesty was so sensible hereof, that he sent a particular 152 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. particular Commission in his own Royal Name, to demand a restitution of the Ship and Goods, and Justice upon the Viceroy of Sardinia, who had so apparently broke the Peace, and wrong'd his Subjects. Sir Charles (with Sir Paul Pindar a-while) labour'd in the business, and commenced a Suit in Law, but he was call'd home before he could do anything to purpose. After him Sir John Digly (now Lord Digby] went Ambassador to Spain, and among other things he had that particular Commission from His Majesty invested in him, to prosecute the Suit in his own Royal Name: There- upon he sent a well-qualify'd Gentleman, Mr. Wals'mgham Gresly, to Sardinia, who unfortunately meeting with some Men of War in the passage, was carry'd prisoner to Algier. My Lord Digly being remanded home, left the business in Mr. Cottington's hands, then Agent, but resum'd it at his return ; yet it prov'd such a tedious intricate Suit, that he return'd again without finishing the work, in regard of the remoteness of the Island of Sardinia, whence the Witnesses and other Dispatches were to be fetch'd. The Lord Digly is going now Ambassador Extraordinary to the Court of Spain, upon the business of the Match, the restitution of the Palatinate, and other high Affairs of State; therefore he is desirous to transmit the King's Commission touching this particular business to any Gentleman that is capable to follow it, and promiseth to assist him with the utmost of his power; and i'faith he hath good reason to do so, in regard he hath now a good round share himself in it. About this business I am now preparing to go to Spain, in company of the Ambassador; and I shall kiss the King's hands as his Agent touching this particular Commission. I humbly intreat that your Blessing and Prayers may accompany me in this my new Employment, which I have undertaken upon very good terms, touching expences and reward : So, with my dear love to my brothers and sisters, with other kindred and friends in the Country, I rest Your dutiful Son, J. H. 8 Sept. 1622. VII. Sect, 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 153 VII. To Sir Tho. Savage, Knight and Baronet, at his House in Long-Melford. HONOURABLE SIR, IRECEIV'D your commands in a letter which you sent me by Sir John North, and I shall not fail to answer you in those particulars. It hath pleas'd God to dispose of rne once more for Spain, upon a business which I hope will make me good returns : there have two Ambassadors and a Royal Agent followed it hitherto, and I am the fourth that is employed in it : I defer to trouble you with the parti- culars of it, in regard I hope to have the happiness to kiss your hand at Tower-Hill before my departure, which will not be till my Lord Digly sets forward. He goes in a gallant splendid Equipage, and one of the King's Ships is to take him in at Plymouth, and transport him to the Corunna or St. Anderas. Since that sad disaster which befel Archbishop Allot, to kill the man by the glancing of an arrow as he was shooting at a Deer (which kind of death befel one of our Kings once in New Forest] there hath been a Commission awarded to debate whether upon this fact, whereby he hath shed human blood, he be not to be depriv'd of his Archbishoprick, and pronounced irregular: some were against him; but Bishop Andrews and Sir Henry Martin stood stiffly for him, that in regard it was no spontaneous act, but a mere contin- gency, and that there is no degree of men but is subject to misfortunes and casualties, they declared positively that he was not to fall from his dignity or function, but should still remain a Regular, and in statu quo prius. During this Debate, he petitioned the King that he might be permitted to retire to his Alms-house at Guilford where he was born, to pass the remainder of his life; but he is now come to be again rectus in curia, absolutely quitted, and restored to all things : But for the wife of him who was kill'd, it was no misfortune to her, for he hath endow'd herself, and her children 154 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. children with such an estate, that they say her husband could never have got. So T humbly kiss your hands, and rest Your most obliged Servitor, J. H. Lend., 9 Nov. 1622. VIII. To Capt. Nich. Leat, at his House in London. SIR, I AM safely come to the Court of Spain; and altho* by reason of that misfortune which befel Mr. Jlltham and me, of wounding the Serjeants in Lombard- Street, we stay'd three weeks behind my Lord Ambassador, yet we came hither time enough to attend him to Court at his first Audience. The English Nation is better look'd on now in Spain than ordinary, because of the hopes there are of a Match, which the Merchants and Commonalty much desire, tho' the Nobility and Gentry be not so forward for it : So that in this point the pulse of Spain beats quite contrary to that of England, where the People are averse to this Match, and the Nobility with most part of the Gentry inclinable. I have perus'd all the Papers I could get into my hands, touching the business of the Ship fineyard, and I find that they are higher than I in bulk, tho' closely press'd together : I have cast up what is awarded by all the sentences of view, and review, by the Council of State and War ; and I find the whole sum, as well principal as interest upon interest, all sorts of damages, and processal charges, come to above two hundred and fifty thousand Crowns. The Conde del Real, quondam Viceroy of Sardinia, who is adjudg'd to pay most part of this money, is here ; and he is Major-domo, Lord Steward to the Infanta Cardinal : If he hath where- with, I doubt not but to recover the money, for I hope to have come in a favourable conjuncture of time, and my Lord Ambassador, who is so highly esteem'd here, doth assure me of his best furtherance. So, praying I may prove as Sect, 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 155 as successful as I shall be faithful in this great business, I rest Yours to dispose of, J. H. Madrid, 28 Dec. 1622. IX. To Mr. Arthur Hopton,/rom Madrid. SIR, SINCE I was made happy with your Acquaintance, I have received sundry strong evidences of your Love and good Wishes unto me, which have ty'd me to you in no common obligation of thanks : I am in despair ever to cancel this bond, nor would I do it, but rather endear the engagement more and more. The Treaty of the Match 'twixt our Prince and the Lady Infanta is now strongly a-foot : she is a very comely Lady, rather of a Flemish complexion than Spanish, fair- hair'd, and carrieth a most pure mixture of red and white in her Face : She is full and big-lipp'd ; which is held a Beauty rather than a Blemish, or any Excess, in the Austrian Family; it being a thing incident to most of that Race; she goes now upon sixteen, and is of a tallness agree- able to those years. The King is also of such a complexion, and is under twenty; he hath two Brothers, Don Carlos and Don Hernando, who, tho j a Youth of twelve, yet he is Cardinal and Archbishop of Toledo ; which, in regard it hath the Chancellorship of Castile annexed to it, is the greatest spiritual Dignity in Christendom after the Papacy, for it is valued at 300,000 Crowns per annum. Don Carlos is of a differing complexion from all the rest, for he is black-hair'd and of a Spanish hue; he hath neither Office, Command, Dignity, nor Title, but is an individual Com- panion to the King; and what Clothes soever are provided for the King, he hath [the very same, and as often, from top to toe : he is the better belov'd of his People for his com- plexion ; for one shall hear the Spaniard sigh and lament, saying, O when shall we have a King again of our own Colour! I 156 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. I pray recommend me kindly to all at your House, and send me word when the young Gentlemen return from Italy. So with my most affectionate Respects to yourself, I rest Your true friend to serve you, J. H. 5 Jan. 1622. X. To Capt. Nic. Lent, from Madrid. SIR, "X/^OURS of the loth of this present I receiv'd by Mr. JL Simon Digly, with the inclos'd to your Son in Ali- cant, which is safely sent. Since my last to you, I had access to Olivares, the Favourite that rules all; I had also audience of the King, to whom I deliver'd two Memorials since, in His Majesty's Name of Great Britain, that a particular Junta of some of the Council of State and War might be appointed to determine the business. The last Memorial had so good success, that the Referees are nominated, whereof the chiefest is the Duke of Itifantado. Here it is not the stile to claw and compliment with the King, or idolize him by Sacred Sovereign, and Most Excellent Majesty ; but the Spaniard, when he petitions to his King, gives him no other Character but Sir, and so relating his business, at the end doth ask and demand Justice of him. When I have done with the Viceroy here, I shall hasten my dispatches for Sardinia. Since my last I went to liquidate the account more particularly, and I find that of the 250,000 Crowns, there are above forty thousand due to you ; which might serve for a good Alderman's Estate. Your Son in Alicant writes to me of another mischance that is befallen the Ship Amity about Majorca, whereof you were one of the Proprietaries ; I am very sorry to hear of it, and touching any dispatches that are to be had hence, I shall endeavour to procure you them according to in- structions. Your cousin Richard Altham remembers his kind respects to you, and sends you many Thanks for the pains you took in Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 157 in freeing us from that trouble which the Scuffle with the Serjeants brought upon us. So I rest Yours ready to serve you, J. H. $Jan. 1622. XI. To the Lord discount Colchester,yrom Madrid. RIGHT HONOURABLE, THE grand business of the Match goes so fairly on, that a special Junta is appointed to treat of it, the Names whereof I send you here enclosed : they have proceeded so far, that most of the Articles are agreed upon. Mr. George Gage is lately come hither from Rome, a polite and prudent Gentleman, who hath negotiated some things in that Court for the advance of the business, with the Cardinals Bandino, Ludovisio and la Susanna, who are the main Men there, to whom the drawing of the Dispensation is referr'd. The late taking of Ormus by the Persian from the Crown of Portugal keeps a great noise here, and the rather be- cause the Exploit was done by the assistance of the Englisk Ships that were then thereabouts. My Lord Digby went to Court, and gave a round satisfaction in this point ; for it was no voluntary but a constrain'd act in the English, who being in the Persian's Port, were suddenly embargu'd for the Service : and the Persian herein did no more than what is usual among Christian Princes themselves, and which is oftener put in practice by the King of Spam and his Viceroys than by any other, viz., to make an Embargue of any stranger's ship that rides within his Ports upon all occasions. It was fear'd this surprisal of Ormus, which was the greatest Mart in all the Orient for all sorts of Jewels, would have bred ill blood, and prejudiced the proceedings of the Match; but the Spaniard is a rational Man, and will be satisfy'd with Reason. Count Olivares is the main Man who sways all, and 'tis thought he is not so much affected to an Alliance with England as his Predecessor the Duke of Lerma was, who set it first a-foot twixt Prince Henry 158 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. Henry and this Queen of France : The Duke of Lerma was the greatest Privado, the greatest Favourite that ever was in Spain, since Don Alva.ro de Luna; he brought himself, the Duke of Uzeda his Son, and the Duke of Cea his Grandchild, to be all Grandees of Spain; which is the greatest Title that a Spanish Subject is capable of: they have a Privilege to stand cover'd before the King, and at their Election there's no other Ceremony but only these three words by the King, Colrese por Grande, Cover your- self for a Grandee ; and that's all. The Cardinal-Duke of Lerma lives at Valladolid, he officiates and sings Mass, and passes his old Age in Devotion and Exercises of Piety. It is a common, and indeed a commendable Custom among the Spaniards, when he hath passed his Grand Climacteric, and is grown decrepit, to make a voluntary resignation of Offices, be they never so great and profitable (tho 5 I cannot say Lerma did so), and sequestring and weaning themselves, as it were, from all mundan Negotiations and Incumbrances, to retire to some place of Devotion and spend the residue of their days in Meditation, and in preparing themselves for another World. Charles the Emperor shew'd them the way, who left the Empire to his Brother, and all the rest of his Dominions to his Son Philip II., and so taking with him his two Sisters, he retir'd into a Monastery, they into a Nunnery. This does not suit with the Genius of an Englishman, who loves not to pull off his Clothes till he goes to bed. I will conclude with some Verses I saw under a huge Rodomontade Picture of the Duke of Lerma, wherein he is painted like a Giant, bearing up the Monarchy of Spain, that of France, and the Popedom upon his Shoulders, with this Stanza : Sobre los ombres cTcste Atlante Yazen en aquestos dias Estas ires Monarquias. Upon the Shoulders of this Atlas lies The Popedom, and two mighty Monarchies. So Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 159 So I most humbly kiss your Lordship's hands, and rest ever most ready At your Lordship's Command, J. H. 3 Feb, 1622. XII. To my Father. SIR, A..L Affairs went on fairly here, 'specially that of the Match, when Master Endymion Porter brought lately my Lord of Bristol a Dispatch from England of a high nature, wherein the Earl is commanded to represent to this King, how much His Majesty of Great Britain since the beginning of these German Wars hath labour'd to merit well of this Crown, and of the whole House of Austria, by a long and lingring patience, grounded still upon assurances hence, that care should be had of his Honour, his Daugh- ter's Jointure, and Grand-children's Patrimony; yet how crosly all things had proceeded in the Treaty at Brussels, managed by Sir Rich. Weston, as also that in the Palatinate, by the Lord Chichester ; how in Treating-time the Town and Castle of Heidelberg were taken, Manheim besieged, and all Acts of Hostility used, notwithstanding the fair Pro- fessions made by this King, the Infanta at Brussels, and other his Ministers ; how merely out of respect to this King he had neglected all martial means, which probably might have preserv'd the Palatinate ; those thin Garrisons which he had sent thither, being rather for Honour's sake to keep a footing until a general accommodation, than that he rely'd any way upon their strength : And since that there are no other fruits of all this but reproach and scorn, and that those good Offices which he used towards the Emperor on the behalf of his Son-in-law, which he was so much en- couraged by Letters from hence should take effect, have not sorted to any other issue than to a plain Affront, and a high injuring of both their Majesties, tho' in a differing degree : The Earl is to tell him, That His Majesty of Great Britain hopes and desires, that out of a true apprehension of these wrongs 160 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. wrongs offer'd unto them both, he will, as his dear and loving Brother, faithfully promise and undertake upon his Honour, confirming the same under his Hand and Seal, either that Heidelberg shall be within seventy days render'd into his hands ; as also that there shall be within the said term of seventy days a Suspension of Arms in the Palatinate, and that a Treaty shall recommence upon such terms as he propounded in November last, which this King then held to be reasonable : And in case that this be not yielded to by the Emperor, that then this King join forces with His Majesty of England for the recovery of the Palatinate, which upon this trust hath been lost; or in case his Forces at this time be other- wise employed, that they cannot give His Majesty that Assistance he desires and deserves, that at least he will permit a free and friendly passage thro' his Territories, such Forces as His Majesty of Great Britain shall employ in Germany; Of all which, if the Earl of Bristol hath not from the King of Spain a direct Assurance under his Hand and Seal ten days after his Audience, that then he take his Leave, and return to England to His Maj sty's presence; also, to proceed in the negotiation of the Match, according to former instructions. This was the main substance of His Majesty's late Letter, yet there was a Postil added, that in case a rupture happen 'twixt the two Crowns, the Earl should not come instantly and abruptly away, but that he should send Advice first to England, and carry the Business so, that the World should not presently know of it. Notwithstanding all these Traverses, we are confident here that the Match will take, otherwise my Cake is Dow. There was a great difference in one of the Capitulations 'twixt the two Kings, how long the Children which should issue of this Marriage were to continue sub regimine Matris, under the tutele of the Mother. This King demanded four- teen years at first, then twelve; but now he is come to nine, which is newly condescended unto. I receiv'd yours of the first of September, in another from Sir James Crofts, wherein it Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 161 it was no small comfort to me to hear of your health. I am to go hence shortly for Sardinia, a dangerous Voyage, by reason of Algier Pirates. I humbly desire your prayers may accompany Your dutiful Son, J. H. Madrid, 23 Feb. 1622. XIII. To Sir James Crofts, Knight. SIR, YOURS of the ad of October came to safe hand with the inclos'd : You write that there came Dispatches lately from Rome, wherein the Pope seems to endeavour to insinuate himself into a direct Treaty with England, and to negotiate immediately with our King touching the Dispen- sation, which he not only labours to evade, but utterly dis- claims, it being by Article the task of this King to procure all Dispatches thence. I thank you for sending me this news. You shall understand there came lately an Express from Rome also to this Court, touching the business of the Match, which gave very good content ; but the Dispatch and new Instructions which Mr. Endymion Porter brought my Lord of Bristol lately from England touching the Prince Palatine, fills us with apprehensions of fear : Our Ambas- sadors here have had audience of this King already about those Propositions, and we hope that Master Porter will carry back such thing as will satisfy. Touching the two points in the Treaty wherein the two Kings differ' d most, viz., about the education of the Children, and the exemption of the Infantas ecclesiastic servants from secular Jurisdic- tion ; both these Points are clear'd ; for the Spaniard is come from fourteen years to ten, and for so long time the Infant Princes shall remain under the Mother's Government. And for the other Point, the ecclesiastical Superior shall first take notice of the offence that shall be committed by any spiritual person belonging to the Infanta's family, and according to the merit thereof, either deliver him by degradation to the secular Justice, or banish him the Kingdom, according to L the 162 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. the quality of the delict : and it is the same that is practis'd in this Kingdom, and other parts that adhere to Rome. The Conde de Monterre goes Viceroy to Naples, the Mar- quis de Montesclaros being put by, the gallanter Man of the two. I was told of a witty saying of his, when the Duke of Lerma had the vogue in this Court : for going one morning to speak with the Duke, and having danc'd attend- ance a long time, he peep'd thro' a slit in the hanging, and spy'd Don Rodrigo Calderon, a great Man (who was lately beheaded here for poisoning the late Queen-Dowager), de- livering the Duke a paper upon his knees ; whereat the Marquis smil'd, and said, Voto a tal aquel homlre sule mas a las rodillas, que yo no hago a los pies ; I swear that Man climbs higher upon his knees, than I can upon my feet. Indeed I have read it to be a true Court Rule, that descendendo ascen- dendum est in Aula, descending is the way to ascend at Court. There is a kind of humility and compliance that is far from any servile baseness or sordid flattery, and may be term'd discretion rather than adulation. I intend, God willing, to go for Sardinia this Spring ; I hope to have better luck than Master Walsingkam Gresley had, who some few years since, in his passage thither upon the same business that I have in agitation, met with some Turks Men of War, and so was carried slave to Algier. So, with my due respects to you, I rest Your faithful Servant, J. H. Madrid^ 12 March 1622. XIV. To Sir Francis Cottington, Secretary to His Highness the Prince of Wales, at St. James's. SIR, I BELIEVE it will not be unpleasing to you to hear of the procedure and success of that business wherein yourself hath been so long vers'd, I mean the great Suit against the quondam Viceroy of Sardinia, the Conde del Real. Count Gondomar's coming was a great Advantage unto me, who Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 163 who hath done me many favours; besides a confirmation of the two Sentences of View and Review, and of the execution against the Viceroy, I have procur'd a Royal Cedule which I caus'd to be printed, and whereof I send you here inclos'd a Copy, by which Cedule I have power to arrest his very Person ; and my Lawyer tells me there was never such a Cedule granted before. I have also by virtue of it priority of all other his Creditors; he hath made an imperfect overture of a Composition, and show'd me some trivial old-fashionM Jewels, but nothing equivalent to the debt. And now that I speak of Jewels, the late surprizal of Ormus by the Assistance of our Ships sinks deep in their stomachs here, and we were afraid it would have spoil'd all proceedings; but my Lord Digly, now Earl of Bristol (for Count Gondomar brought him o'er his Patent), hath calm'd all things at his last Audience. There were luminaries of joy lately here for the Victory that Don Gonzalez de Cordova got over Count Mansfelt in the Netherlands, with that Army which the D. of Bovillon had levied for him; but some say they have not much reason to rejoice, for tho' the Infantry suffered, yet Mansfelt got clear with all his Horse by a notable retreat ; and they say here it was the greatest piece of Service and Art he ever did ; it being a Maxim, That there is nothing so difficult in the Art of War as an honourable Retreat. Besides, the report of his coming to Breda caus'd Marquis Sp'mola to raise the Siege before Berghen } to burn his tents, and to pack away suddenly, for which he is much censur'd here. Capt. Leat and others have written to me of the favour- able report you pleas'd to make of my Endeavours here, for which I return you humble thanks : And altho' you have left behind you a multitude of Servants in this Court, yet if occasion were offer'd, none should be more forward to go on your Errand than Your humble and faithful Servitor, J. H. Madrid ', 15 Mar. 1622. XV. 164 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book L XV. To the Honourable Sir Tho. Savage, Kt. and Bar. HONOURABLE SIR, THE great business of the Match was tending to a period, the Articles reflecting both upon Church and State being capitulated, and interchangeably accorded on both sides; and there wanted nothing to consummate all Things, when, to the wonderment of the World, the Prince and the Marquis of Buckingham arriv'd at this Court on Friday last, upon the close of the Evening: They alighted at my Lord of Bristol's House, and the Marquis (Mr. Thomas Smith) came in first with a Portmanteau under his Arm ; then (Mr. John Smith) the Prince was sent for, who stay'd a while on t'other side of the Street in the dark. My Lord of Bristol, in a kind of Astonishment, brought him up to his Bed-chamber, where he presently call'd for Pen and Ink, and dispatch'd a Post that night to England, to acquaint His Majesty how in less than sixteen days he was come safely to the Court of Spain; that Post went lightly laden, for he carried but three Letters. The next day came Sir Francis Cottington and Mr. Porter, and dark rumours ran in every corner how some great Man was come from England; and some would not stick to say among the vulgar it was the King : but towards the evening on Saturday the Marquis went in a close Coach to Court, where he had private Audience of this King, who sent Olivares to accompany him back to the Prince, where he kneel'd and kiss'd his hands, and huggM his thighs, and deliver'd how unmeasurably glad his Catholick Majesty was of his coming, with other high Compliments, which Mr. Porter did interpret. About ten aclock that night the King himself came in a close Coach with intent to visit the Prince, who hearing of it, met him half-way ; and after salutations and divers embraces which pass'd in the first Interview, they parted late. I forgot to tell you that Count Gondomar being sworn Counsellor of State Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 165 State that morning, having been before but one of the Council of War, he came in great haste to visit the Prince, saying he had strange news to tell him, which was, that an Englishman was sworn Privy Counsellor of Spain, meaning himself, who he said was an Englishman in his heart. On Sunday following the King in the Afternoon came abroad to take the Air, with the Queen, his two Brothers, and the Infanta, who were all in one Coach ; but the Infanta sat in the Boot with a blue ribbon about her Arm, of purpose that the Prince might distinguish her: There were above twenty Coaches besides, of Grandees, Noblemen, and Ladies, that attended them. And now it was publickly known among the vulgar, that it was the Prince of Wales who was come; and the confluence of People before my Lord of Bristol's House was so great and greedy to see the Prince, that to clear the way, Sir Leivis Dives went out and took coach, and all the crowd of People went after him : so the Prince himself a little after took coach, wherein there were the Earl of Bristol, Sir Walter Ashton, and Count Gondomar; and so went to the Prado, a place hard by, of purpose to take the Air, where they stayed till the King pass'd by. As soon as the Infanta saw the Prince, her colour rose very high, which we hold to be an impression of Love and Affection; for the Face is oftentimes a true Index of the Heart. Upon Monday morning after, the King sent some of his prime Nobles, and other Gentlemen, to attend the Prince in quality of Officers, as one to be his Major-domo (his Steward), another to be Master of the Horse, and so to inferior Officers; so that there is a compleat Court now at my Lord of Bristol's House : but upon Sunday next the Prince is to remove to the King's Palace, where there is one of the chief Quarters of the House providing for him. By the next opportunity you shall hear more. In the interim I take my leave, and rest Your most humble and ready Servitor, J. H. Madrid, 27 Mar, 1623. XVI. i66 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. XVI. To Sir Eubule Theolall, Knight, at Gray's-Inn. SIR, I KNOW the eyes of all England are earnestly fix'd now upon Spain, her best Jewel being here; but his journey was like to be spoil'd in France, for if he had staid but a little longer at JSayonne, the last Town of that Kingdom hitherwards, he had been discover'd ; for Mons. Gramond, the Governor, had notice of him not long after he had taken Post. The People here do mightily magnify the Gallantry of the Journey, and cry out that he deserved to have the Infanta thrown into his Arms the first night he came ; he hath been entertain'd with all the magnificence that possibly could be devis'd. On Sunday last in the morning betimes he went to St. Hierom's Monastery, whence the Kings of Spain use to be fetch'd the day they are crown'd ; and thither the King came in person with his two Brothers, his eight Councils, and the flower of the Nobility; he rid upon the King's right hand thro' the heart of the Town under a great Canopy, and was brought so into his Lodgings in the King's Palace, and the King himself accompany'd him to his very Bedchamber. It was a very glorious sight to behold ; for the custom of the Spaniard is, tho* he go plain in his ordi- nary habit, yet upon some Festival or cause of Triumph there's none goes beyond him in gaudiness. We daily hope for the Pope's Breve or Dispensation to perfect the business, tho' there be dark whispers abroad that it is come already ; but that upon this unexpected coming of the Prince, it was sent back to Rome, and some new Clauses thrust in for their further advantage. Till this dispatch comes, matters are at a kind of stand ; yet His Highness makes account to be back in England about the latter end of May. God Almighty turn all to the best, and to what shall be most conducible to His Glory. So with my Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 167 my due Respects unto you, I rest Your much obliged Servitor, J. H. Madrid^ i April 1623. XVII. To Captain Leat. SIR, HAVING brought up the Law to the highest point against the Viceroy of Sardinia, and that in an extraordinary manner, as may appear unto you by that printed Cedule I sent you in my last, and finding an apparent disability in him to satisfy the debt, I thought upon a new design, and fram'd a Memorial to the King, and wrought good strong means to have it seconded, that in regard that predatory act of seizing upon the Ship Vineyard in Sardinia, with all her goods, was done by His Majesty's Viceroy, his Sovereign Minister of State, one that immediately represented his own Royal Person, and that the said Viceroy was in- solvent, I desir'd His Majesty would be pleas' d to grant a Warrant for the relief of both Parties, to lade so many thousand Sterils, or measures of Corn, out of Sardinia and Sicily custom-free. I had gone far in the business, when Sir Francis Cottington sent for me, and required me in the Prince's Name to proceed no further herein till he was departed : so his Highness's presence here hath turn'd rather to my disadvantage than otherwise. Among other Grandezas which the King of Spain conferr'd upon our Prince, one was the releasement of Prisoners, and that all Petitions of grace should come to him for the first month; but he hath been wonderfully sparing in receiving any, especially from any English, Irish, or Scot. Your Son Nicholas is come hither from Alicant about the Ship Amity, and I shall be ready to second him in getting satisfaction : so I rest Yours ready to serve you, J. H. Madrid, T,June 1623. XVIII. i68 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. XVIII. To Captain Tbo. Porter. NOBLE CAPTAIN, MY last to you was in Spanish, in answer to one of yours in the same Language ; and among that confluence of English Gallants who, upon the occasion of His Highness being here, are come to this Court, I fed my- self with hopes a long while to have seen you ; but I find now that those hopes were imp'd with false feathers. I know your heart is here, and your best affections ; therefore I wonder what keeps back your Person : but I conceive the reason to be, that you intend to come like yourself, to come Commander-in-chief of one of the Castles of the Crown, one of the Ships Royal : If you come to this Shore-side, I hope you will have time to come to the Court ; I have at any time a good Lodging for you, and my Landlady is none of the meanest, and her Husband hath many good parts : I heard her setting him forth one day, and giving this Character of him : Mi marido es luen musico, luen esgrimidor, luen escrivano, excellente arithmetico, salvo que no muUiplica ; My Husband is a good Musician, a good Fencer, a good Horseman, a good Penman, and an excellent Arith- metician, only he cannot multiply. For outward usage, there is all industry used to give the Prince and his Servants all possible contentment; and some of the King's own Ser- vants wait upon them at Table in the Palace, where, I am sorry to hear, some of them jeer at the Spanish fare, and use other slighting speeches and demeanor. There are many excellent Poems made here since the Prince's arrival, which are too long to couch in a Letter; yet I will venture to send you this one Stanza of Lope de Vegas : Carlos Estuardo Soy Que siendo Amor mi guia, Al cielo d'Espaiia voy For ver mi Estrella Maria. There Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 169 There are Comedians once a week come to the Palace, where, under a great Canopy, the Queen and the Infanta sit in the middle, our Prince and Don Carlos on the Queen's right hand, the King and the little Cardinal on the Infanta's left hand. I have seen the Prince have his Eyes immove- ably fix'd upon the Infanta half an hour together in a thoughtful speculative posture, which sure would needs be tedious, unless affection did sweeten it : it was no handsome comparison of Olivares, that he watch'd her as a cat doth a Mouse. Not long since the Prince, understanding that the Infanta was used to go some mornings to the Casa de Campo, a Summer-house the King hath on t'other side the River, to gather May-dew, he rose betimes and went thither, taking your Brother with him ; they were let into the House, and into the Garden, but the Infanta was in the Orchard : and there being a high partition-wall between, and the door doubly bolted, the Prince got on the top of the wall, and sprung down a great height, and so made towards her; but she spying him first of all the rest, gave a shriek, and ran back : the old Marquis that was then her Guardian came towards the Prince, and fell on his knees, conjuring His Highness to retire, in regard he hazarded his Head if he admitted any to her company ; so the door was open'd, and he came out under that wall over which he had got in. I have seen him watch a long hour together in a close Coach, in the open street, to see her as she went abroad : I cannot say that the Prince did ever talk with her privatly, yet publickly often, my Lord of Bristol being Interpreter; but the King always sat hard by to overhear all. Our Cousin Archy hath more privilege than any, for he often goes with his Fool's-coat where the Infanta is with her Menina's and Ladies of Honour, and keeps a-blowing and blustering among them, and flurts out what he lists. One day they were discoursing what a marvellous thing it was that the D. of Bavaria with less than 15,000 Men, after a long toilsome March, should dare to encounter the Palsgrave's Army, consisting of above 25,000, and to give them 170 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. them an utter discomfiture, and take Prague presently after: Whereunto Archy answer'd, that he would tell them a stranger thing than that: Was it not a strange thing, quoth he, that in the Year 88 there should come a Fleet of 140 Sail from Spain to invade England, and that ten of these could not go back to tell what became of the rest ? By the next opportunity I will send you the Cordouan Pockets and Gloves you writ for of Francisco Moreno's per- fuming. So may my dear Captain live long, and love his J.H. Madrid, lojuly 1623. XIX. To my Cousin, Tho. Guin, Esq., at his House at Trecastle. COUSIN, IRECEIV'D lately one of yours, which I cannot compare more properly than to a Posie of curious flowers, there was therein such variety of sweet strains and dainty expres- sions of Love : and tho' it bore an old date, for it was forty days before it came safe to hand, yet the flowers were still fresh, and not a whit faded, but did cast as strong and fragrant a scent as when your hands bound them up first together, only there was one flower that did not savour so well, which was the undeserved Character you please to give of my small abilities, which in regard you look upon me thro' the prospective of affection, appear greater to you than they are of themselves; yet, as small as they are, I would be glad to employ them all to serve you upon any occasion. Whereas you desire to know how matters pass here, you shall understand that we are rather in assurance, than hopes, that the Match will take effect, when one dispatch more is brought from Rome, which we greedily expect. The Spaniards generally desire it ; they are much taken with our Prince, with the bravery of his journey, and his discreet comportment since; and they confess there was never Princess courted with more gallantry. The Wits of the Court here have made divers Encomiums of him, and of his affection Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 171 affection to the L. Infanta. Among others, I send you a Latin Poem of one Marnierius, a Valencian, to which I add this ensuing Hexastic ; which, in regard of the difficulty of the Verse, consisting of all Ternaries (which is the hardest way of versifying), and of the exactness of the translation, I believe will give you content: fax grata est, gratum est vulnus, mihi grata catena esf, Me quibus astringit, ladit 6 urit Amor ; Sed flammam extingui, sanari vulnera, solvi Vtncla, etiam ut possem non ego posse velim : Minim equidem genus hoc morbi est, incendia 6 ictus Vinclaque, vinctus adhuc, lasus 6" us/us, amo- Grateful's to me the fire, the wound, the chain, By which Love burns, Love binds and giveth pain ; But for to quench this fire, these bonds to lose, These wounds to heal, I would not could I choose : Strange sickness, where the wounds, the bonds, the fire That burns, that bind, that hurt, I must desire. In your next, I pray, send me your opinion of these Verses, for I know you are a Critic in Poetry. Mr. Vaughan of the Golden-Grove and I were Comrades and Bedfellows here many months together : his Father, Sir John Vaughan, the Prince his Controller, is lately come to attend his Master. My Lord Carlisle, my Lord of Holland, my Lord of Rochfort, my Lord of Denbigh, and divers others are here ; so that we have a very flourishing Court, and I could wish you were here to make one of the number. So, my dear Cousin, I wish you all happiness, and our noble Prince a safe and successful return to England. Your most affectionate Cousin, J. H. Madrid, 13 Aug. 1623. XX. To my nolle Friend, Sir John North. SIR, THE long-look'd-for Dispensation is come from Rome, but I hear it is clogg'd with new Clauses ; and one is. 172 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. is, That the Pope, who allegeth that the only aim of the Apostolicall See in granting this Dispensation was the ad- vantage and ease of the Catholics in the King of Great Britain s Dominions, therefore he desired a valuable Caution for the performance of those Articles which were stipulated in their favour; this hath much puzzled the business, and Sir Francis Cottington comes now over about it : Besides, there is some distaste taken at the Duke of Buckingham here, and I heard this King should say he would treat no more with him, but with the Ambassadors, who, he saith, have a more plenary Commission, and understand the business better. As there is some darkness happen'd 'twixt the two Favourites, so matters stand not right 'twixt the Duke and the Earl of Bristol; but God forbid that a business of so high a consequence as this, which is likely to tend so much to the universal good of Christendom, to the restitution of the Palatinate and the composing those broils in Germany, should be ranversM by differences 'twixt a few private Sub- jects, though now public Ministers. Mr. Washington, the Prince his Page, is lately dead of a Calenture, and I was at his burial under a Fig-tree behind my Lord of Bristol's House. A little before his death one Ballard, an English Priest, went to tamper with him; and Sir Edmund Varney meeting him coming down the stairs, out of Washington s Chamber, they fell from words to blows, but they were parted. The business was like to gather very ill blood, and to come to a great height, had not Count Gondomar quash'd it, which I believe he could not have done, unless the times had been favourable ; for such is the reverence they bear to the Church here, and so holy a conceit they have of all Ecclesiastics, that the greatest Don in Spain will tremble to offer the meanest of them any outrage or affront. Count Gondomar hath also help'd to free some English that were in the Inquisition in Toledo and Sevill ; and I could allege many instances how ready and chearful he is to assist any Englishman whatsoever, not- withstanding the base affronts he hath often received of the London Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 173 London Buys, as he calls them. At his last return hither, I heard of a merry Saying of his to the Queen, who dis- coursing with him about the greatness of London, and whether it was as populous as Madrid ; Yes, Madame, and more populous when I came away, tho' I believe there's scarce a Man left there now but all Women and Children; for all the Men both in Court and City were ready booted and spurred to go away. And I am sorry to hear how other Nations do much tax the E?iglish of their incivility to public Ministers of State, and what Ballads and Pasqiiils, and Fopperies and Plays, were made against Gondomar for doing his Master's business. My Lord of Bristol coming from Ger- many to Brussels, notwithstanding that at his arrival thither the news was fresh that he had relieved Frankindale as he pass'd, yet he was not a whit the less welcome, but valued the more both by the Archdutchess her self and Spinola, with all the rest ; as also that they knew well that the said Earl had been the sole adviser of keeping Sir Robert Mansel abroad with that Fleet upon the Coast of Spain, till the Palsgrave should be restor'd. I pray, Sir, when you go to London-Wall, and Tower-Hill, be pleased to remember my humble Service, where you know it is due. So I am Your most faithful Servitor, J. H. Madrid, 15 Aiig. 1623. XXI. To the Right Honourable the Lord discount Colchester. MY VERY GOOD LORD, IRECEIV'D the Letter and Commands your Lordship pleased to send me by Mr. Walsingham Gresley ; and House of the West-Indies in Sevill, I cannot procure it for love or money, upon any terms; tho' I have done all pos- sible diligence therein : And some tell me it is dangerous, and no less than Treason in him that gives the copy of them to 174 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. to any, in regard 'tis counted the greatest Mystery of all the Spanish Government. That difficulty which happen'd in the business of the Match of giving caution to the Pope is now overcome : for whereas our King answer'd, That he could give no other caution than his Royal Word and his Son's, exemplify'd under the Great Seal of England, and confirmed by his Council of State, it being impossible to have it done by Parliament, in regard of the averseness the Common People have to the Alliance ; and whereas this gave no satisfaction to Rome, the King of Spain now offers himself for caution, for putting in execution what is stipulated in behalf of the Roman Catholics, thro'out His Majesty of Great Britain's Dominions. But he desires to consult his Ghostly Fathers, to know whether he may do it without wronging his Con- science : hereupon there hath been a Junta form'd of Bishops and Jesuits, who have been already a good while about it; and the Bishop of Segovia, who is, as it were, Lord-Trea- surer, having written a Treatise lately against the Match, was outed of his Office, banish'd the Court, and confin'd to his Diocese. The Duke of Buckingham hath been ill-indis- pos'd a good while, and lies sick at Court, where the Prince hath no public exercise of Devotion, but only Bedchamber Prayers; and some think that his Lodging in the King's House is like to prove a disadvantage to the main business : for whereas most sorts of People here hardly hold us to be Christians, if the Prince had a Palace of his own, and been permitted to have used a room for an open Chapel to exer- cise the Liturgy of the Church of England, it would have brought them to have a better opinion of us ; and to this end there were some of our best Church-plate and Vest- ments brought hither, but never us'd. The slow pace of this Junta troubles us a little, and to the Divines there are some Civilians admitted lately : and the quaere is this, Whether the King of Spain may bind himself by Oath in the behalf of the King of England, to perform such and such Articles that are agreed on in favour of the Roman Catholicks Sect, 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 175 Catholicks by virtue of this Match, whether the King may do this salvd conscientid. There was a great Show lately here of baiting of Bulls with Men, for the entertainment of the Prince; it is the chiefest of all Spanish Sports ; commonly there are Men kill'd at it, therefore there are Priests appointed to be there ready to confess them. It hath happen'd oftentimes that a Bull hath taken up two men upon his horns with their guts dangling about them ; the horsemen run with lances and swords, the foot with goads. As I am told, the Pope hath sent divers Bulls against this sport of Bulling, yet it will not be left, the Nation hath taken such an habitual delight in it. There was an ill-favourM accident like to have happen'd lately at the King's House, in that part where my Lord of Carlisle and my Lord Denbigh were lodg'd ; for my Lord Denbigh late at night taking a pipe of Tobacco in a Balcony, which hung over the King's Garden, he blew down the ashes, which falling upon some parch'd combustible matter, began to flame and spread : but Mr. Davis, my Lord of Carlisle's Barber, leap'd down a great height and quench'd it. So, with my continuance of my most humble Service, I rest ever ready At your Lordship's Command, J. H. Madrid, 16 Aug. 1623. XXII. To Sir James Crofts, from Madrid. SIR, THE Court of Spain affords now little news; for there is a Remora sticks to the business of the Match, till the Junta of Divines give up their Opinion : But from Turky there came a Letter this week, wherein there is the strangest and almost tragical news, that in my small reading no Story can parallel, or shew with more pregnancy the instability and tottering estate of human Greatness, and the sandy Foundation whereon the vast Ottoman Empire is rear'd: for Sultan Osman, the Grand Turk, a Man according to the humour 176 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. humour of that. Nation, warlike and fleshed in blood, and a violent hater of Christians, was in the flower of his years, in the heat and height of his courage, knock'd in the head by one of his own Slaves, and one of the meanest of them, with a Battle-axe, and the Murderer never after proceeded against or question'd. The ground of this Tragedy was the late ill success he had against the Pole, wherein he lost about 100,000 Horse for want of forage, and 80,000 Men for want of fighting; which he imputed to the cowardice of his Janizaries, who rather than bear the brunt of the Battell, were more willing to return home to their Wives and merchandizing ; which they are now permitted to do, contrary to their first Institution, which makes them more worldly, and less venturous. This disgraceful return from Poland stuck in Osmans stomach, and so he studied a way to be reveng'd of the Janizaries ; therefore by the Advice of his Grand Vis'ier (a stout gallant Man, who had been one of the chief Beglerlegs in the East), he intended to erect a new Soldiery in Asia about Damasco, of the Coords, a frontier People, and consequently hardy and inur'd to Arms. Of these he proposed to entertain 40,000 as a Lifeguard for his Person, tho' the main design was to suppress his lazy and lustful Janizaries, with Men of fresh new Spirits. To disguise this Plot, he pretended a Pilgrimage to Mecca, to visit Mahomet's Tomb, and reconcile himself to the Prophet, who he thought was angry with him, because of his late ill success in Poland; but this colour was not specious enough, in regard he might have perform'd this Pilgrimage with a smaller Train and Charge ; therefore it was propounded that the Emir of Sidon should be made to rise up in Arms, that so he might go with a greater Power and Treasure ; but this Plot was held disadvantageous to him, in regard his Janizaries must then have attended him : so he pretends and prepares only for the Pilgrimage, yet he makes ready as much Treasure as he could make, and to that end he melts his Plate, and furniture of Horses, with divers Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 177 divers Church-lamps: this fomented some jealousy in the Janizaries, with certain words which should drop from him, that he would find Soldiers shortly should whip them. Here- upon he had sent over to Asia's side his Pavilions, many of his Servants, with his Jewels and Treasure, resolving upon the Voyage ; notwithstanding that divers Petitions were deliver'd him from the Clergy, the Civil Magistrate, and the Soldiery, that he should desist from the Voyage, but all would not do : thereupon, on the point of his departure, the Janizaries and Spahies came in a tumultuary manner to his Seraglio, and in a high insolent language dissuaded him from the Pilgrimage, and demanded of him his ill Coun- sellors. The first he granted, but for the second, he said that it stood not with his Honour to have his nearest Servants torn from him so, without any legal proceeding ; but he assur'd them that they should appear in the Divan the next day, to answer for themselves : but this not satis- fying, they went away in a fury, and plunder'd the Grand Visier's Palace, with divers others. Osman hereupon was advised to go from his private Gardens that night to the Asian Shore, but his destiny kept him from it : so the next morning they came arm'd to the Court (but having made a Covenant not to violate the Imperial Throne) and cut in pieces the Grand Visier, with divers other great Officers; and not finding Osman, who had hid himself in a small lodge in one of his Gardens, they cry'd out, they must have a Musulman Emperor : therefore they broke into a Dungeon, and brought out Mustapha, Osman's Uncle, whom he had clapp'd there at the beginning of the Tumult, and who had been King before, but was deposed for his simplicity, being a kind of Santon, or holy Man, that is, 'twixt an Innocent and an Idiot ; this Mustapha they did reinthronize, and place in the Ottoman Empire. The next day they found out Osman, and brought him before Mustapha, who excused himself with Tears in his Eyes for his rash attempts, which wrought tenderness in some, but more scorn and fury in others; who fell upon M the 178 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. the Capi Aga, with other Officers, and cut them in pieces before his Eyes. Osman thence was carried to Prison, and as he was getting on horseback, a common Soldier took off his Turban, and clapp'd his upon Osman's Head, who in his passage begg'd a draught of Water at a Fountain. The next day, the new Visier went with an Executioner to strangle him, in regard there were two younger Brothers more of his to preserve the Ottoman's Race ; where, after they had rush'd in, he being newly awak'd, and staring upon them, and thinking to defend himself, a robust bois- terous Rogue knock' d him down, and so the rest fell upon him, and strangled him with much ado. Thus fell one of the greatest Potentates upon Earth, by the hands of a contemptible Slave, for there is not a free- born Subject in all that vast Empire: Thus fell he that entitles himself Most Puissant and Highest Monarch of the Turks, King above all Kings, a King that dwelleth upon the earthly Paradise, Son of Mahomet, Keeper of the Grave of the Christian God, Lord of the Tree of Life, and of the River Flisky, Prior of the Earthly Paradise, Conqueror of the Macedonians, the Seed of Great Alexander, Prince of the Kingdoms of Tartary, Mesopotamia, Media, and of the Martial Mammalucks, Anatolia, Bithynia, Asia, Armenia, Servia, Thracia, Morea, Valachia, Moldavia, and of all War- like Hungary, Sovereign Lord and Commander of all Greece, Persia, both the Aralias, the most noble Kingdom of Egypt, Tremisen, and African Empire of Tralesond, and the most glorious Constantinople, Lord of all the White and Black Seas, of the Holy City Mecca and Medina, shining with divine Glory; Commander of all things that are to be com- manded, and the strongest and mightiest Champion of the wide World ; a Warrior appointed by Heaven in the edge of the Sword, a Persecutor of his Enemies, a most perfect Jewel of the Blessed Tree, the Chiefest Keeper of the Crucify'd God, &c., with other such bombastical Titles. This Osman was a man of goodly constitution, an amiable aspect, and of excess of Courage, but sordidly covetous; which Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 179 which drove him to violate the Church, and to melt the Lamps thereof, which made the Mufti say, That this was a due judgment fallen upon him from Heaven for his Sacri- lege. He us'd also to make his Person too cheap, for he would go ordinarily in the night-time with two Men after him, like a Petty-constable, and peep into the Cauph-houses and Cabarets, and apprehend Soldiers there: And these two things, it seems, were the cause, that when he was so assaulted in the Seraglio, not one of his domestick Servants, whereof he had 3000, would lift up an arm to help him. Some few days before his death he had a strange dream, for he dreamed that he was mounted upon a great Camel, who would not go neither by fair nor foul means ; and light- ing off him, and thinking to strike him with his Scimiter, the body of the Beast vanish'd, leaving the head and the bridle only in his hands. When the Mufti and the Haggles could not interpret this dream, Mustapha his Uncle did it; for he said, the Camel signify' d his Empire, his mounting of him his excess in Government, his lighting down his depos- ing. Another kind of prophetic Speech dropt from the Grand Visier to Sir Tho. Roe, our Ambassador there, who having gone a little before this Tragedy to visit the said Visier, told him what whisperings and mutterings there were in every corner for this Asiatic Voyage, and what ill consequences might ensue from it : therefore it might well stand with his great wisdom to stay it; but if it held, he desir'd him to leave a charge with the Chimacham, his Deputy, that the English Nation in the Port should be free from outrages : whereunto the Grand Visier answer'd, Trouble not yourself about that, for I will not remove so far from Constantinople, but I will leave one of my Legs behind to serve you; which prov'd too true; for he was murder'd afterwards, and one of his Legs was hung up in the Hippodrome. This fresh Tragedy makes me give over wondering at any- thing that ever I heard or read, to shew the lubricity of mundan Greatness, as also the fury of the Vulgar, which, like 180 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book 7. like an impetuous Torrent, gathers strength by degrees as it meets with divers Dams, and being come to the height, cannot stop itself: for when this rage of the Soldiers began first, there was no design at all to violate or hurt the Emperor, but to take from him his ill Counsellors; but being once a-foot, it grew by insensible degrees to the utmost of outrages. The bringing out of Mustapha from the Dungeon where he was prisoner, to be Emperor of the Musulmans, put me in mind of what I read in Mr. Camden of our late Queen Elizabeth, how she was brought from the Scaffold to the English Throne. They who profess to be Criticks in Policy here, hope that this murdering of Osman may in time breed good blood, and prove advantageous to Christendom : for tho* this be the first Emperor of the Turks that was dispatch'd so, he is not like to be the last, now that the Soldiers have this Precedent : others think that if that design in Asia had taken, it had been very probable the Constantinopolitans had hois'd up another King, and so the Empire had been dis- membred, and by this division had lost strength, as the Roman Empire did, when it was broken into East and West. Excuse me that this my Letter is become such a Monster, I mean that it hath pass'd the size and ordinary proportion of a Letter; for the matter it treats of is monstrous; be- sides, it is a rule, that Historical Letters have more liberty to be long than others. In my next you shall hear how matters pass here; and in the meantime, and always, I rest Your Honour's most devoted Servitor, J. H. 17 Aug. 1623. XXIII. To the Eight Honourable Sir Tho. Savage, Kt. and Bar. HONOURABLE SIR, THE procedure of things in relation to the grand business of the Match was at a kind of stand, when the long winded Junta deliver' d their opinions, and fell at last upon this Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 181 this result, that his Catholick Majesty, for the satisfaction of St. Peter, might oblige himself in the behalf of England, for the performance of those Capitulations which related to the Roman Catholicks in that Kingdom ; and in case of non-performance, then to right himself by war; since that the matrimonial Articles were solemnly sworn to by the K. of Spain and His Highness, the two Favourites, our two Ambassadors, the Duke of Infajitado, and other Counsellors of State being present : Hereupon the 8th of September next is appointed to be the day of Desposorios, the day of Affiance, or the Betrothing-day. There was much gladness express' d here, and Luminaries of Joy were in every great Street thro'out the City : But there is an unlucky Accident hath interven'd, for the King gave the Prince a solemn visit since, and told him Pope Gregory was dead, who was so great a friend to the Match ; but in regard the business was not yet come to perfection, he could not proceed further in it till the former Dispensation were ratified by the new Pope Urban, which to procure he would make it his own task, and that all possible expedition should be us'd in't, and therefore desir'd his patience in the interim. The Prince answered, and press' d the necessity of his speedy return with divers reasons; he said there was a general kind of murmuring in England for his so long Absence, that the King his Father was old and sickly, that the Fleet of his Ships were already, he thought, at Sea to fetch him, the winter drew on, and withal, that the Articles of the Match were sign'd in England with this Proviso, That if he be not come back by such a month, they should be of no validity. The King reply'd, That since His Highness was resolv'd upon so sudden a departure, he would please to leave a Proxy behind to finish the Marriage, and he would take it for a favour if he would depute Him to personate him ; and ten days after the Ratification shall come from Rome the business shall be done, and afterwards he might send for his Wife when he pleas'd. The Prince rejoin'd, that among those multitudes of royal Favours which he had 182 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. had receiv'd from His Majesty, this transcended all the rest ; therefore he would most willingly leave a Proxy for His Majesty, and another for Don Carlos to this effect: So they parted for that Time without the least umbrage of discontent, nor do I hear of any engender'd since. The last month, 'tis true, the Junta of Divines dwelt so long upon the business, that there were whisperings that the Prince intended to go away disguis'd as he came ; and the Question being ask'd by a Person of Quality, there was a brave Answer made, That if Love brought him thither, it is not Fear shall drive him away.. There are preparations already afoot for his return, and the two Proxies are drawn and left in my Lord of Bristol's hands. Notwithstanding this ill-favour'd stop, yet we are all here confident the business will take effect : In which hopes I rest Your most humble and ready Servitor, J. H. Madrid^ 18 Aiig. 1623. XXIV. To Capt. Nich. Leat, at his House in London. SIR, THIS Letter comes to you by Mr. Richard Altham; of whose sudden departure hence I am very sorry, it being the late death of his Brother Sir James dltham. I have been at a stand in the business a good while, for His Highness's coming hither was no Advantage to me in the Earth. He hath done the Spaniards divers courtesies, but he hath been very sparing in doing the English any. It may be, perhaps, because it may be a diminution of honour to be beholden to any foreign Prince to do his own Subjects favours; but my business requires no favour; all I desire is Justice, which I have not obtain' d yet in reality. The Prince is preparing for his Journey; I shall to it again closely when he is gone, or make a shaft or a bolt of it. The Pope's death hath retarded the proceedings of the Match, but we are so far from despairing of it, that one may have wagers 30 to I it will take effect still. He that deals Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 183 deals with this Nation must have a great deal of phlegm ; and if this grand business of State, the Match, suffer such protractions and puttings off, you need not wonder that private Negotiations, as mine is, should be subject to the same inconveniences. There shall be no means left unat- tempted that my best industry can find out to put a period to it; and when His Highness is gone, I hope to find my Lord of Bristol more at leisure to continue his favour and furtherance, which hath been much already : So I rest Yours ready to serve you, J. H. Madrid, 19 Aug. 1623. XXV. To Sir James Crofts. SIR, THE Prince is now upon his Journey to the Sea-side, where my Lord of Rutland attends for him with a Royal Fleet: There are many here shrink in their shoulders, and are very sensible of his departure, and the Lady Infanta resents it more than any ; she hath caus'd a Mass to be sung every day ever since for his good Voyage : The Spaniards themselves confess there was never Princess so bravely woo'd. The King and his two Brothers accom- pany'd His Highness to the Escurial, some twenty miles off, and would have brought him to the Sea-side, but that the Queen is big, and hath not many days to go. When the King and he parted, there pass'd wonderful great Endear- ments and Embraces in divers postures between them a long Time ; and in that place there is a Pillar to be erected as a Monument to Posterity. There are some Grandees, and Count Gondomar with a great Train besides, gone with him to the Marine, to the Sea-side, which will be many days' journey, and must needs put the King of Spain to a mighty Expense, besides his seven months' Entertainment here. We hear that when he pass'd thro' Valladvlid, the D. of Lerma was retired thence for the Time by special command from the King, lest he might have discourse with the Prince, whom 184 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. whom he extremely desired to see; this sunk deep into the old Duke, insomuch that he said, that of all the Acts of Malice which Olivares had ever done him, he resented this more than any. He bears up yet under his Cardinal's Habit, which hath kept him from many a foul storm that might have fallen upon him else from the temporal Power. The Duke of Uzeda, his Son, finding himself decline in favour at Court, hath retir'd to the Country, and dy'd soon after of discontentment : during his sickness the Cardinal wrote this short weighty Letter unto him : Dizen me, que Mareys de necio ; por mi, mas temo mis afios que mis Ene- migos. Lerma. I shall not need to English it to you, who is so great a Master of the Language. Since I began this Letter we understand the Prince is safely embark'd, but not without some danger of being cast away, had not Sir Sackvil Trever taken him up ; I pray God send him a good Voyage, and us no ill news from England. My most humble Service at Tower-hill, so I am Your humble Servitor, J. H. Madrid, 21 Aug. 1623. XXVI. To my Brother, Dr. Howel. MY BROTHER, SINCE our Prince's departure hence the Lady Infanta studieth English apace, and one Mr. Wadsiuorth and Father Boniface, two Englishmen, are appointed her Teachers, and have Access to her every Day : We account her, as it were, our Princess now ; and as we give, so she takes that Title. Our Ambassadors, my Lord of Bristol and Sir Walter Ashton, will not stand now cover' d before her when they have Audience, because they hold her to be their Princess : She is preparing divers Suits of rich Clothes for His Highness of perfum'd Amber Leather, some em- broider'd with Pearl, some with Gold, some with Silver : Her Family is a settling apace, and most of her Ladies and Officers are known already. We want nothing now but one Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 185 one Dispatch more from Rome, and then the Marriage will be solemniz'd, and all Things consummated : Yet there is one Mr. Clerk (with the lame Arm) that came hither from the Sea-side as soon as the Prince was gone ; he is one of the D. of Buckingham's Creatures, yet he lies at the E. of Bristol's House, which we wonder at, considering the dark- ness that happen'd 'twixt the Duke and the Earl : We fear that this Clerk hath brought something that may puzzle the business. Besides, having occasion to make my Address lately to the Venetian Ambassador, who is interested in some part of that great Business for which I am here, he told me confidently it would be no Match, nor did he think it was ever intended. But I want faith to believe him yet, for I know St. Mark is no friend to it, nor France, nor any other Prince or State besides the King of Denmark, whose Grandmother was of the House of Austria, being Sister to Charles the Emperor. Touching the Business of the Pala- tinate, our Ambassadors were lately assur'd by Olivares and all the Counsellors here, and that in this King's Name, that he would procure His Majesty of Great Britain entire satis- faction herein ; and Olivares giving them the joy, intreated them to assure their King upon their honour, and upon their lives, of the reality hereof: For the Infanta herself (said he) hath stirr'd -in it, and makes it now her own busi- ness; for it was a firm Peace and Amity (which he con- fess'd could never be without the Accommodation of Things in Germany] as much as an Alliance, which his Catholick Majesty aim'd at. But we shall know shortly now what to trust to, we shall walk no more in mists, tho' some give out yet that our Prince shall embrace a Cloud for Juno at last. I pray present my Service to Sir John Franklin and Sir John Smith, with all at the Hill and Dale ; and when you send to Wales I pray convey the inclos'd to my Father. So, my dear Brother, I pray God bless us both, and bring us again joyfully together Your very loving Brother, J.H. Madrid, 12 Aug. 1623. XXVII. 186 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. XXVII. To my nolle Friend Sir John North, Knight. SIR, I RECEIVED lately one of yours, but it was of a very old date : We have our Eyes here now all fix'd upon Rome, greedily expecting the Ratification; and lately a strong rumour ran it was come, insomuch that Mr. Clerk, who was sent hither from the Prince, being a-shipboard (and now lies sick at my Lord of Bristol's House of a Calenture), hearing of it, he desir'd to speak with him, for he had something to deliver him from the Prince ; my Lord Am- bassador being come to him, Mr. Clerk deliver'd a Letter from the Prince, the contents whereof were, That whereas he had left certain Proxies in his hand to be deliver'd to the King of Spain after the Ratification was come, he desir'd and requir'd him not to do it till he should receive further order from England. My Lord of Bristol hereupon went to Sir Walter Aston, who was in joint Commission with him for concluding the Match ; and shewing him the Letter, what my Lord Aston said I know not, but my Lord of Bristol told him, That they had a Commission-Royal under the Broad Seal of England to conclude the Match ; he knew as well as he how earnest the King their Master hath been any time these ten years to have it done, how there could not be a better pawn for the surrendry of the Palatinate, than the Infanta in the Prince's Arms, who could never rest till she did the work, to merit the love of our Nation : he told him also how their own particular Fortunes depended upon it; besides, if he should delay one moment to deliver the Proxy after the Ratification was come, according to agreement, the Infanta would hold herself so blemish'd in her honour, that it might overthrow all things. Lastly, he told him, That they incurr'd the hazard of their heads, if they should suspend the executing His Majesty's Commision upon any order but from that Power which gave it, who was the King himself. Hereupon both the Ambassadors proceeded Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 187 proceeded still in preparing matters for the solemnizing of the Marriage ; the Earl of Bristol had caused above thirty rich Liveries to be made of watched Velvet, with silver Lace up to the very Capes of the Cloaks, the best sorts whereof were valued at ^80 a Livery : My Lord Aston had also provided new Liveries ; and a fortnight after the said politick Report was blown up, the Ratification came indeed complete and full ; so the Marriage-day was appointed, a Terras cover'd all over with Tapestry was raised from the King's Palace to the next Church, which might be about the same extent as from White-Hall to Westminster-Abbey; and the King intended to make his Sister a Wife, and his Daughter (whereof the Queen was delivered a little before) a Christian upon the same day; the Grandees and great Ladies had been invited to the Marriage, and order was sent to all the Port- Towns to discharge their great Ordnance, and sundry other things were prepar'd to honour the Solemnity : but when we were thus at the height of our hopes, a day or two before, there came Mr. Killegree, Gresley, Wood, and Davies, one upon the neck of another, with a new Commission to my Lord of Bristol immediately from His Majesty, counter- manding him to deliver the Proxy aforesaid, until a full and absolute satisfaction were had for the surrendry of the Palatinate under this King's Hand and Seal, in regard he desir'd his Son should be marry'd to Spain, and his Son-in- law re-marry'd to the Palatinate at one time. Hereupon all was dash'd in pieces, and that frame which was rearing so many years was ruin'd in a moment. This News struck a damp in the hearts of all People here, and they wish'd that the Postilions that brought it had all broke their necks in the way. My Lord of Bristol hereupon went to Court to acquaint the King with his new Commission, and so propos'd the restitution of the Palatinate: The King answer'd, 'Twas none of his to give ; 'tis true, he had a few Towns there, but he held them as Commissioner only for the Emperor, and he could not command an Emperor ; yet if His Majesty of i88 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. of Great Britain would put a Treaty a-foot, he would send his own Ambassador to join. In the Interim the Earl was commanded not to deliver the aforesaid Proxy of the Prince, for the Desposorios or Espousal, until Christmas (and herein it seems His Majesty with you was not well inform'd, for those Powers of Proxies expir'd before). The King here said further, That if his Uncle the Emperor, or the Duke of Bavaria, would not be conformable to reason, he would raise as great an Army for the Prince Palsgrave as he did under Spinola, when he first invaded the Palatinate ; and to secure this, he would engage his Contratation-house of the. West-Indies, with his Plate-Fleet, and give the most binding Instrument that could be under his Hand and Seal. But this gave no satisfaction ; therefore my Lord of Bristol, I believe, hath not long to stay here, for he is commanded to deliver no more Letters to the Infanta, nor demand any more audience, and that she should be no more stiled Prin- cess of England or Wales. The aforesaid Caution which this King ofier'd to my Lord of Bristol made me think of what I read of his Grandfather Philip II., who having been marry'd to our Q. Mary, and it being thought she was with child of him, and was accordingly pray'd for at Paul's Cross, tho' it prov'd afterwards but a tympany, K. Philip propos'd to our Parliament, that they would pass an Act that he might be Regent during his or her Minority that should be born, and would give good caution to surrender the Crown when he or she should come to age. The motion was hotly canvass'd in the House of Peers, and like to pass, when the Lord Paget rose up and said, I, lut who shall sue the King's Bond? So the business was dash'd. I have no more news to send you now, and I am sorry I have so much, unless it were better ; for we that have business to negotiate here are like to suffer much by this rupture: Welcome be the will of God, to whose benediction I commend you, and rest Your most humble Servitor, J. H. Madrid, 25 Aug. 1623. XXVIII. Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 189 XXVIII. To the Right Honouratle the Lord Clifford. MY GOOD LORD, THO' this Court cannot afford now such comfortable news in relation to England as I could wish, yet such as it is, you shall receive. My Lord of Bristol is preparing for England. I waited upon him lately when he went to take his leave at Court ; and the King washing his hands, took a ring from off his own finger, and put upon his, which was the greatest honour that ever he did any Ambassador, as they say here; he gave him also a Cupboard of Plate, valued at 20,000 Crowns : There were also large and high promises made him, that in case he feared to fall upon any rock in England, by reason of the Power of those who malign'd him, if he would stay in any of his Dominions, he would give him means and honour equal to the highest of his Enemies. The Earl did not only wave, but disdain'd these Propositions made to him by Olivares, and said he was so confident of the King his Master's Justice and high Judgment, and of his own innocency, that he conceiv'd no Power could be able to do him hurt. There hath occurr'd nothing lately in this Court worth the Advertisement : They speak much of the strange carriage of that boisterous Bishop of Halverstadt (for so they term him here), that having taken a place where there were two Monasteries of Nuns and Friars, he caus'd divers Feather-beds to be ripp'd, and all the feathers to be thrown in a great Hall whither the Nuns and Friars were thrust naked with their bodies oil'd and pitch'd, and to tumble among these feathers ; which makes them here presage him an ill death. So I most affectionately kiss your hands, and rest Your very humble Servitor, J. H. Madrid, 26 Aug. 1623. XXIX. 190 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. XXIX. To Sir John North. SIR, I HAVE many thanks to render you for the favour you lately did to a Kinsman of mine, Mr. Vauglian, and for divers others, which I defer till I return to that Court, and that I hope will not be long. Touching the procedure of matters here, you shall understand, that my Lord Aston had special audience lately of the King of Spain, and after- wards presented a Memorial, wherein there was a high com- plaint against the miscarriage of the two Spanish Ambas- sadors now in England, the Marquis of Inojosa and Don Carlos Coloma; the substance of it was, That the said Ambassadors, in a private audience His Majesty of Great Britain had given them, inform'd him of a pernicious Plot against his Person and Royal Authority, which was, That at the beginning of your now Parliament the Duke of Buckingham, with other his complices, often met and con- sulted in a clandestine way, how to break the Treaty both of Match and Palatinate; and in case His Majesty was unwilling thereunto, he should have a Country-house or two to retire unto for his recreation and health, in regard the Prince is now of years and judgment fit to govern. His Majesty so resented this, that the next day he sent them many thanks for the care they had of him, and desir'd them to perfect the work, and now that they had detected the Treason, to discover also the Traitors ; but they were shy in that point. The King sent again, desiring them to send the names of the Conspirators in a paper sealed up by one of their own Confidents, which he should receive with his own hands and no soul should see it else ; advising them withal, that they should not prefer this discovery before their own honours, to be accounted false Accusers : they reply'd, That they had done enough already by instancing in the Duke of Buckingham, and it might easily be guess'd who were his Confidents and Creatures. Hereupon His Majesty put those whom Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 191 whom he had any grounds to suspect to their Oaths : And afterwards sent my Lord Conway and Sir Francis Cotting- ton to tell the Ambassadors that he had left no means unessay'd to discover the Conspiration ; that he had found upon Oath such a clearness of ingenuity in the Duke of Buckingham, that satisfy'd him of his innocency : Therefore he had just cause to conceive that this information of theirs proceeded rather from malice, and some political ends, than from truth; and in regard they would not produce the Authors of so dangerous a Treason, they made themselves to be justly thought the Authors of it: And therefore, tho* he might by his own Royal Justice and the Law of Nations, punish this excess and insolence of theirs, and high wrong they had done to his best Servants, yea to the Prince his Son, for thro' the sides of the Duke they wounded him, in regard it was impossible that such a design should be at- tempted without his privity, yet he would not be his own Judge herein, but would refer them to the King their Master, whom he conceiv'd to be so just, that he doubted not but he would see him satisfy'd; and therefore he would send an Express to him thereabouts, to demand Justice and Repara- tion. This business is now in agitation, but we know not what will become of it. We are all here in a sad discon- solate condition, and the Merchants shake their heads up and down out of an apprehension of some fearful War to follow: So I most affectionately kiss your hands, and rest Your very humble and ready Servitor, J. H. Madrid, 26 Aug. 1623. XXX. To Sir Kenelme Digby, Knight. SIR, YOU have had knowledge (none better) of the progres- sion and growings of the Spanish Match from time to time ; I must acquaint you now with the Rupture and utter Dissolution of it, which was not long a doing: for it was done in one Audience that my Lord of Bristol had lately at 192 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book L at Court, whence it may be inferr'd, that 'tis far more easy to pull down than rear up ; for that Structure which was so many years a rearing was dash'd, as it were, in a trice : Dissolution goeth a faster pace than Composition. And it may be said, that the civil actions of men, 'specially great affairs of Monarchs (as this was) have much analogy, in degrees of progression, with the natural production of man. To make man, there are many acts must precede ; first a meeting and copulation of the Sexes, then Conception, which requires a well-disposed Womb to retain the prolifical Seed, by the constriction and occlusion of the orifice of the Matrix ; which Seed being first, and afterwards Cream, is by a gentle ebullition coagulated, and turn'd to a crudded lump, which the Womb by virtue of its natural heat pre- pares to be capable to receive form, and to be organiz'd : whereupon Nature falls a-working to delineate all the Members, beginning with those that are most noble ; as the Heart, the Brain, the Liver, whereof Galen would have the Liver, which is the shop and source of the blood, and Aris- totle the Heart, to be the first fram'd, in regard 'tis primum vivens & ultimum moriens. Nature continues in this labour, until a perfect shape be introduced; and this is call'd For- mation, which is the third act, and is a production of an organical Body out of the spermatick Substance, caus'd by the plastick virtue of the vital Spirits : and sometimes this act is finish'd thirty days after the conception, sometimes fifty, but most commonly in forty-two or forty-five, and is sooner done in the Male. This being done, the Embryo is animated with three Souls; the first with that of Plants called the vegetable Soul, then with a sensitive, which all brute Animals have, and lastly the rational Soul is infus'd ; and these three in Man are like Trigonus in Tetragono ; the two first are generated ex Traduce, from the seed of the Parents, but the last is by immediate infusion from God: and 'tis controverted 'twixt Philosophers and Divines when this infusion is made. This is the fourth act that goeth to make a Man, and is called Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 193 called Animation: and as the Naturalists allow Animation double the time that Formation had from the Conception, so they allow to the ripening of the Embryo in the Womb, and to the birth thereof, treble the time which Animation had ; which happeneth sometimes in nine, sometimes in ten months. This Grand business of the Spanish Match may be said to have had such degrees of progression ; first there was a meeting and coupling on both sides, for a. Junta in Spain, and some select Counsellors of State were appointed in England. After this Conjunction the business was con- ceiv'd, then it received form, then life (tho' the quickening was slow), but having had near upon ten years in lieu of ten months to be perfected, it was unfortunately strangled when it was ripe ready for birth ; and I would they had never been born that did it, for it is like to be out of my way j^ooo. And as the Embryo in the Womb is wrapp'd in three membranes or tunicles, so this great business, you know better than I, was involv'd in many difficulties, and died so entangled before it could break thro' them. There is a buzz here of a Match 'twixt England and France ; I pray God send it a speedier Formation and Ani- mation than this had, and that it may not prove an abortive. I send you herewith a Letter from the Paragon of the Spanish Court, Donna Anna Maria Manrique, the Duke of Marquedas's sister, who respects you in a high degree ; she told me this was the first Letter she ever writ to Man in her life, except the Duke her brother; she was much solicited to write to Mr. Thomas Gary, but she would not. I did also your Message to the Marquesa d'Inojosa, who put me to sit a good while with her upon Estrado, which was no simple favour : you are much in both these Ladies' books, and much spoken of by divers others in this Court. I could not recover your Diamond Hatband which the Picaroon snatch'd from you in the Coach, tho' I us'd all means pos- sible, as far as book, bell, and candle, in point of Excom- munication against the party in all the Churches of Madrid, by which means you know divers things are recover'd. So N I 194 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. I most affectionately kiss your hands, and rest Your most faithful Servitor, J. H. Post.- Yours of Mar. 2 came safe to hand. Madrid. XXXI. To my Cousin, Mr. J. Price (now Knight], at the Middle- Temple, from Madrid. /"^OUSIN, suffer my Letter to salute you first in this V_x Distich : A Thamesi Tagus quot leucis flumine disiat, Oscula tot manibus porto y Pricaee tuts. As many miles Thames lies from Tagus Strands, I bring so many kisses to thy hands. MY DEAR JACK, IN the large Register or Almanack of my Friends in England, you are one of the chiefest Red Letters, you are one of my Festival Rubriques : for whenever you fall upon my Mind, or my Mind falls upon you, I keep Holiday all the while; and this happens so often, that you leave me but a few Working-days thro'out the whole year, fewer far than this Country affords; for in their Kalendar above five months of the twelve are dedicated to some Saint or other, and kept Festival ; a religion that the London Apprentices would like well. I thank you for yours of the third current, and the ample Relations you give me of London Occurrences, but princi- pally for the powerful and sweet assurances you give me of your Love, both in Verse and Prose. All businesses here are off the hinges; for one late Audience of my Lord of Bristol pull'd down what was so many years a raising. And as Thomas Aquinas told an Artist of a costly curious Statue in Rome, that by some accident while he was a trimming it, fell down, and so broke to pieces, Opus triginta annorum destruxisti, Thou hast destroy'd the work of thirty years ; so it may be said, that a work near upon ten years is now suddenly Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. suddenly shatter'd to peices. I hope by God's Grace to be now speedily in England, and to re-enjoy your most dear Society : In the meantime may all happiness attend you. Ad Litteram. Ocius uf grandire gradus oratio, possis Prosa, tibi binos jungimus ecce pedes : That in thy journey thou may'st be more fleet, To thy dull Prose I add these Metric feet. Resp. Ad mare cum venio, quid agam ? Repl. ttim prapete penna Teferat, est lator nam levis ignis, Amor. But when I come to Sea, how shall I shift ? Let Love transport thee then, for Fire is swift. Your most affectionate Cousin, J. H. 30 Mar. 1624. XXXII. To the Lord Viscount Colchester, yrom Madrid. RIGHT HONOURABLE, YOUR Lordship's of the third current came to safe hand, and being now upon point of parting with this Court, I thought it worth the labour to send your Lordship a short Survey of the Monarchy of Spain; a bold undertaking, your Lordship will say, to comprehend within the narrow bounds of a Letter such a huge bulk ; but as in the boss of a small Diamond-ring one may discern the image of a mighty Mountain, so I will endeavour that your Lord- ship may behold the power of this great King in this Paper. Spain hath been always esteem'd a Country of ancient renown ; and as it is incident to all other, she hath had her vicissitudes and turns of Fortune : She hath been thrice o'ercome; by the Romans, by the Goths, and by the Moors: The middle Conquest continueth to this day; for this King and most of the Nobility profess themselves to have descended of the Goths : The Moors kept here about 700 years ; and it is a remarkable Story how they got in first, which was thus 196 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book /. thus upon good Record. There reign'd in Spain Don Rodrigo, who kept his Court then at Malaga; he employ'd the Conde Don Julian Ambassador to Barlary, who had a Daughter (a young beautiful Lady), that was Maid of Honour to the Queen : The King spying her one Day refreshing herself under an Arbor, fell enamour'd with her, and never left till he had deflowered her. She resenting much the dishonour, writ a Letter to her Father in Barlary under this Allegory, That there was a fair green dpple upon the Table, and the King's Poniard fell upon't and cleft it in two. Don Julian, apprehending the meaning, got Letters of revocation and came back to Spain, where he so comply'd with the King, that he became his Favourite : Among other Things he advis'd the King, That in regard he was now in Peace with all the World, he would dismiss his Gallies and Garrisons that were up and down the Sea-coasts, because it was a superfluous charge. This being done, and the Country left open to any to invade, he prevail'd with the King to have leave to go with his Lady to see their friends in Tarragona, which was 300 miles off. Having been there a while, his Lady made semblance to be sick, and so sent to petition the King that her Daughter Donna Cava (whom they had left at Court to satiate the King's lust) might come to comfort her a while : Cava came, and the Gate thro' which she went forth is call'd after her name to this day in Malaga : Don Julian having all his chief Kindred there, he sail'd over to Barlary, and afterwards brought over the King of Morocco, and others with an Army, who suddenly invaded Spain, lying armless and open, and so conquer'd it. Don Rodrigo died gallantly in the Field, but what became of Don Julian, who for a particular Revenge betray'd his own Country, no Story makes mention. A few years before this happen'd, Rodrigo came to Toledo, where under the great Church there was a Vault with huge Iron-doors, and none of his Predecessors durst open it, because there was an old Prophecy, That when that Vault was opened Spain should le conquer d. Rodrigo, slighting the Prophecy, caus'd Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 197 caus'd the doors to be broke open, hoping to find there some Treasure ; but when he enter'd, there was nothing found but the Pictures of Moors, of such Men that a little after fulfill'd the Prophecy. Yet this last Conquest of Spain was not perfect, for divers parts North-west kept still under Christian Kings, specially Biscay, which was never conquer'd, as Wales in Britany; and the Biscayners have much Analogy with the Welsh in divers Things : They retain to this day the original Language of Spain, they are the most mountainous People, and they are reputed the ancientest Gentry ; so that when any is to take the Order of Knighthood, there are no Inquisitors appointed to find whether he be clear of the blood of the Moors, as in other places. The King, when he comes upon the confines, pulls off one shoe before he can tread upon any Biscay Ground : And he hath good reason to esteem that Province, in regard of divers Advantages he hath by it; for he hath his best Timber to build Ships, his best Marines, and all his Iron thence. There were divers bloody Battels 'twixt the remnant of Ckjistians and the Moors, for 700 years together; and the Spaniards getting ground more and more, drave them at last to Granada, and thence also, in the time of Ferdinand and Isabella, quite over to Barbary : Their last King was Cfiico, who when he fled from Granada crying and weeping, the People upbraided him, That he might well weep like a Woman, who could not defend himself and them like a Man. This was that Ferdinand who obtain'd from Rome the Title of Catholick, tho' some Stories say, that many Ages before Ricaredus, the first Orthodox King of the Goths, was stil'd Catholicus in a Provincial Synod held at Toledo, which was continued by Alphonsus I., and then made hereditary by this Ferdinand. This absolute Conquest of the Moors happen'd about Henry VII.'s Time, when the foresaid Ferdinand and Isabella had by Alliance join'd Castile and dragon; which with the discovery of the West-Indies, which happen'd a little after, was the first foundation of that Greatness where- unto 198 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book L unto Spain is now mounted. Afterwards there was an Alliance with Burgundy and Austria; by the first House seventeen Provinces fell to Spain; by the second Charles V. came to be Emperor : And remarkable it is how the House of Austria came to that height from a mean Earl ; the Earl of Hapslurg in Germany, who having been one day a-hunt- ing, he overtook a Priest who had been with the Sacra- ment to visit a poor sick body ; the Priest being tir'd, the Earl lighted off his Horse, help'd up the Priest, and so waited upon him a-foot all the while, till he brought him to the Church : The Priest giving him his Benediction at his going away, told him, that for this great Act of humility and piety, His Grace should be one of the greatest that ever the world had; and ever since, which is some 240 years ago, the Empire hath continued in that house, which after- wards was call'd the House of Austria. In Philip II.'s Time the Spanish Monarchy came to its highest pitch, by the conquest of Portugal, whereby the East-Indies, sundry Islands in the Atlantick Sea, and divers places in Barbary, were added to the Crown of Spain. By these steps this Crown came to this Grandeur; and truly, give the Spaniard his due, he is a mighty Monarch ; he hath Dominions in all parts of the World (which none of the four Monarchies had), both in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America (which he hath solely to himself), tho' our Henry VII. had the first proffer made him: So the Sun shines all the four-and-twenty hours of the natural day upon some part or other of his Countries, for part of the Antipodes are subject to him. He hath eight Viceroys in Europe, two in the East-Indies, two in the West, two in Africk, and about thirty Provincial Sovereign Commanders more; yet, as I was told lately, in a Discourse 'twixt him and our Prince at his being here, when the Prince fell to magnify his spacious Dominions, the King answer'd, Sir, 'tis true, it hath pleased God to trust me with divers Nations and Countries, but of all these there are but two which yield me any clear revenues, viz., Spain and my West-Indies ; nor all Spain Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 199 Spain neither, but Castile only ; the rest do scarce quit cost, for all is drunk up 'twixl Governors and Garrisons : yet my advantage is to have the opportunity to propagate the Christian Religion, and to employ my Subjects. For the last, it must be granted that no Prince hath better means to breed brave Men, and more variety of Commands to heighten their Spirits with no petty but princely Employments. This King, besides, hath other means to oblige the Gentry to him, by such a huge number of Commendams, which he hath in his gift to bestow on whom he pleases of any of the three Orders of Knighthood ; which England and France want. Some Noblemen in Spain can spend ^50,000, some forty, some thirty, and divers ,^20,000 per ann. The Church here is exceeding rich, both in revenues, plate, and build- ings; one cannot go to the meanest Country Chapel but he will find Chalices, Lamps, and Candlesticks of Silver. There are some Bishopricks of ^30,000 per ann. and divers of ^Pio,ooo, and Toledo is ^100,000 yearly revenue. As the Church is rich, so it is mightily reverenc'd here, and very powerful ; which made Philip II. rather depend upon the Clergy than the secular Power. Therefore I do not see how Spain can be called a poor Country, considering the revenues aforesaid of Princes and Prelates ; nor is it so thin of People as the World makes it, and one reason may be that there are sixteen Universities in Spain, and in one of these there were 15,000 Students at one time when I was there, I mean Salamanca; and in this Village of Madrid (for the King of Spain cannot keep his constant Court in any City) there are ordinarily 600,000 Souls. 'Tis true, that the Colonizing of the Indies and the Wars of Flanders have much drain'd this Country of People ; since the expulsion of the Moors it is also grown thinner, and not so full of Corn ; for those Moors would grub up Wheat out of the very Tops of the craggy Hills ; yet they us'd another Grain for their Bread : So that the Spaniard had nought else to do but to go with his Ass to the Market, and buy Corn of the Moors. There liv'd here also in Times past a 2Oo FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. a great number of Jews, till they were expell'd by Fer- dinand; and, as I have read in an old Spanish Legend, the cause was this : The King had a young Prince to his Son, who was us'd to play with a Jewish Doctor that was about the Court, who had a ball of gold in a string hanging down his breast : The little Prince one day snatch' d away the said golden ball, and carried it to the next room ; the ball being hollow, open'd, and within there was painted our Saviour kissing a Jew's tail. Hereupon they were all suddenly dis- terr'd and exterminated ; yet I believe in Portugal there lurks yet good store of them. For the Soil of Spain, the fruitfulness of their Vallies recompences the sterility of their Hills; Corn is their greatest want, and want of Rain is the cause of that, which makes them have need of their Neighbours : Yet as much as Spain bears is passing good, and so is everything else for the quality ; nor hath any one a better horse under him, a better cloak on his back, a better sword by his side, better shoes on his feet, than the Spaniard: Nor doth any drink better wine, or eat better fruit than he, nor flesh for the quantity. Touching the People, the Spaniard looks as high, tho' not so big as a German ; his excess is in too much gravity, which some, who know him not well, hold to be pride; he cares not how little he labours, for poor Gascons and Morisco slaves do most of his work in field and vineyard : He can endure much in the war, yet he loves not to fight in the dark, but in open day, or upon a stage, that all the world might be witnesses of his valour; so that you shall seldom hear of Spaniards employ'd in Night-service, nor shall one hear of a Duel here in an Age. He hath one good quality, that he is wonderfully obedient to Government; for the proudest Don of Spam, when he is prancing upon his Ginnet in the street, if an Alguazil (a Sergeant) shew him his Vare, that is, a little white staff he carrieth as a badge of his Office, my Don will down presently off his horse, and yield himself his prisoner. He hath another commendable quality Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 201 quality, that when he giveth Alms he pulls off his Hat, and puts it in the beggar's hand with a great deal of humility. His gravity is much lessened since the late Proclamation came out against ruffs, and the King himself shew'd the first example ; they were come to that height of excess herein, that twenty shillings were us'd to be paid for starching of a ruff: And some, tho' perhaps he had never a shirt to his back, yet he would have a toting huge swell- ing ruff about his neck. He is sparing in his ordinary diet, but when he makes a feast he is free and bountiful. As to temporal Authority, specially Martial, so is he very obedient to the Church, and believes all with an implicit faith. He is a great servant of Ladies, nor can he be blam'd, for, as I said before, he comes of a Goatish race; yet he never brags of, nor blazes abroad his doings that way, but is ex- ceedingly careful of the repute of any Woman (a Civility that we much want in England}. He will speak high words of Don Philippo his King, but will not endure a stranger should do so: I have heard a Biscayner make a Rodomantado, that he was as good a Gentleman as Don Philippo himself, for Don Philippo was half a Spaniard, half a German, half an Italian, half a Frenchman, half I know not what, but he was a pure Biscayner without mixture. The Spaniard is not so smooth and oily in his Compliment as the Italian; and tho' he will make strong protestations, yet he will not swear out Compliments like the French and English: As I heard when my Lord of Carlisle was Ambassador in France, there came a great Monsieur to see him, and having a long time banded, and sworn Compliments one to another who should go first out at a door, at last my Lord of Carlisle said, 6 Monseigneur, ayez pitie de mon ame, O my Lord, have pity upon my soul. The Spaniard is generally given to gaming, and that in excess ; he will say his Prayers before, and if he win he will thank God for his good fortune after. Their common game at Cards (for they very seldom play at Dice) is Primera, at which the King never shews his game, but throws 2O2 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. throws his cards with their faces down on the table. He is merchant of all the Cards and Dice thro' all the King- dom ; he hath them made for a penny a pair, and he retails them for twelvepence; so that 'tis thought he hath ^30,000 a year by this trick at Cards. The Spaniard is very devout in his way, for I have seen him kneel in the very dirt when the Ave Mary bell rings ; and some, if they spy two straws or sticks lie cross-wise in the street, they will take them up and kiss them, and lay them down again. He walks as if he march'd, and seldom looks on the ground, as if he contemn'd it. I was told of a Spaniard, who having got a a fall by a stumble, and broke his nose, rose up, and in a disdainful manner said, Voto a tal eslo es caminar por la tierra; This it is to walk upon earth. The Labradors and Country Swains here are sturdy and Rational Men, nothing so simple or servile as the French Peasant who is born in chains. 'Tis true, the Spaniard is not so conversable as other Nations (unless he hath travell'd), else he is like Mars among the Planets, impatient of Conjunction: Nor is he so free in his gifts and rewards ; as the last Summer it happen'd that Count Gondomar, with Sir Francis Cottington, went to see a curious House of the Constable of Castile's, which had been newly built here; the Keeper of the House was very officious to shew him every room, with the Garden, Grottos, and Aqueducts, and presented him with some Fruit; Gondomar having been a long time in the House, coming out, put many Compliments of thanks upon the Man, and so was going away ; Sir Francis whisper'd him in the Ear, and ask'd him whether he would give the Man anything that took such pains: Oh, quoth Gondomar, well remember'd; Don Francisco, have you ever a double Pistole about you ? If you have, you may give it him, and then you pay him after the English manner ; I have paid him already after the Spanish. The Spaniard is much improv'd in Policy since he took footing in Italy, and there is no Nation agrees with him better. I will conclude this Character with a saying that he hath No Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 203 No ay hombre debaxo (Tel Sol, Como el Italiano y el Espanol. Whereunto a Frenchman answer'd Dizes la verdad, y tienes razon, El uno es puto, el otro ladron. English'd thus Beneath the Sun there's no such Man, As is the Spaniard and Italian. The Frenchman answers Thou tell'st the truth, and reason hast, The first's a Thief, a Buggerer the last. Touching their Women, Nature hath made a more visible distinction 'twixt the two Sexes here than elsewhere ; for the Men for the most part are swarthy and rough, but the Women are of a far finer mould ; they are commonly little : And whereas there is a Saying that makes a compleat Woman, let her be English to the neck, French to the waste, and Dutch below; I may add, for hands and feet let her be Spanish, for they have the least of any. They have another Saying, A Frenchwoman in a dance, a Dutchwoman in the kitchen, an Italian in a window, an England-woman at board, and the Spanish a-bed. When they are married, they have a privilege to wear high shoes, and to paint, which is generally practised here ; and the Queen useth it herself. They are coy enough, but not so froward as our English; for if a Lady go along the street (and all Women going here veil'd, and their habit so generally alike, one can hardly distinguish a Countess from a Cobler's Wife), if one should cast out an odd ill-sounding word, and ask her a favour, she will not take it ill, but put it off, and answer you with some witty retort. After thirty they are commonly past Child-bearing, and I have seen Women in England look as youthful at fifty as some here at twenty-five. Money will do miracles here in purchasing the favour of Ladies, or anything else ; tho' this be the Country of Money, for it furnisheth well near all the World besides, yea their very Enemies, as the 2O4 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. the Turk and Hollander ; insomuch that one may say, the Coin of Spain is as Catholic as her King. Yet tho' he be the greatest King of gold and silver Mines in the World (I think), yet the common current Coin here is Copper : And herein I believe the Hollander hath done him more mischief by counterfeiting his Copper Coins than by their Arms, bringing it in by strange surreptitious ways, as in hollow Sows of Tin and Lead, hollow Masts, in Pitch Buckets under water, and other ways. But I fear to be injurious to this great King, to speak of him in so narrow a compass; a great King indeed, tho' the French in a slighting way com- pare his Monarchy to a Beggar's Cloak made up of Patches : They are Patches indeed, but such as he hath not the like : The East-Indies is a Patch embroider'd with Pearls, Rubies, and Diamonds : Peru is a Patch embroider'd with massy Gold, Mexico with Silver, Naples and Milan are Patches of Cloth of Tissue; and if these Patches were in one piece, what would become of his Cloak embroider'd with Flower- de-luces ? So, desiring your Lordship to pardon this poor imperfect Paper, considering the high quality of the Subject, 1 rest Your Lordship's most humble Servitor, J. H. Afadrid, i Feb. 1623. XXXIII. To Mr. Walsingham Gresley,yVom Madrid. DON BALCHASAR, I THANK you for your Letter in my Lord's last Packet, wherein, among other passages, you write to me the circumstances of Marquis Spinola's raising his Leaguer, by flatting and firing his works before Berghen. He is much tax'd here, to have attempted it, and to have bury'd so much of the King's Treasure before that Town in such costly Trenches. A Gentleman came hither lately, who was at the Siege all the while, and he told me one strange Passage ; how Sir Ferdinando Gary, a huge corpulent Knight, was shot thro' his Body ; the Bullet entring at the Navel, and coming out Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 205 out at his Back, kill'd his Man behind him ; yet he lives still, and is like to recover. With this miraculous Accident, he told me also a merry one ; how a Captain that had a wooden Leg booted over, had it shatter'd to pieces by a Cannon-bullet : His Soldiers crying, A Surgeon, a Surgeon, for the Captain; No, no, said he, A Carpenter, a Carpenter will serve the turn. To this pleasant Tale I'll add another that happen' d lately in Alcala hard by, of a Dominican Fryar, who in a solemn Procession which was held there upon Ascension-day last, had his Stones dangling under his habit cut off instead of his Pocket by a Cut-purse. Before you return hither, which I understand will be speedily, I pray bestow a visit on our Friends in Bishops- gate-street. So I am Your faithful Servitor, J. H. 3 Feb. 1623. XXXIV. To Sir Robert Napier, Kt., at his House in Bishopsgate- street. SIR, THE late breach of the Match hath broke the neck of all businesses here, and mine suffers as much as any : I had Access lately to Olivares, once or twice ; I had Audience also of the King, to whom I presented a Memorial that intimated Letters of Mart, unless satisfaction were had from his Viceroy, the Conde del Real. The King gave me a gracious Answer, but Olivares a churlish one, viz., That when the Spaniards had justice in England, we should have justice here. So that notwithstanding I have brought it to the highest point and pitch of perfection in Law that could be, and procur'd some dispatches, the like whereof were never granted in this Court before, yet I am in despair now to do any good. I hope to be shortly in England, by God's grace, to give you and the rest of the Proprietaries a punctual Account of all things : And you may easily conceive how sorry I am that matters succeeded not according to your expectation 206 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. expectation, and my endeavours: But I hope you are none of those that measure things by the Event. The Earl of Bristol, Count Gondomar, and my Lord Ambassador Aston did not only do courtesies, but they did co-operate with me in it, and contribute their utmost endeavours. So I rest Yours to serve you, J. H. Madrid, 18 Feb. 1623. XXXV. To Mr. A. S., in Alicant. MUCH endear'd Sir, Fire, you know, is the common Emblem of Love ; but without any disparagement to so noble a Passion, methinks it might be compar'd also to Tinder, and Letters are the properest matter whereof to make this Tinder : Letters again are fittest to kindle, and re-accend this Tinder ; they may serve both for Flint, Steel, and Match. This Letter of mine comes therefore of set pur- pose to strike some sparkles into yours, that it may glow and burn, and receive ignition, and not lie dead, as it hath done a great while. I make my Pen to serve for an in- strument to stir the Cinders wherewith your old Love to me hath been cover' d a long time; therefore I pray let no Couvrez-feu-Bt\\ have power hereafter to rake up, and choke with the Ashes of Oblivion, that clear Flame wherewith our Affections did use to sparkle so long by correspondence of Letters, and other Offices of Love. I think I shall sojourn yet in this Court these three months ; for I will not give over this great business while there is the least breath of hope remaining. I know you have choice matters of Intelligence sometimes from thence; therefore I pray impart some unto us, and you shall not fail to know how matters pass here weekly. So, with my Besamanos to Francisco Imperial, I rest Yours most affectionately to serve you, J. H. Madrid, 3 Mar. 1623. XXXVI. Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 207 XXXVI. To the Honourable Sir T. S., at Tower-hill. SIR, I WAS yesterday at the Escurial to see the Monastery of St. Laurence, the eighth wonder of the World ; and truly, considering the Site of the place, the State of the thing, and the Symmetry of the structure, with divers other rari- ties, it may be call'd so ; for what I have seen in Italy and other places are but baubles to it. It is built amongst a company of craggy barren hills, which makes the Air the hungrier and wholsomer : It is all built of Free-stone and Marble, and that with such solidity and moderate height, that surely Philip II.'s chief design was to make a sacrifice of it to Eternity, and to contest with the Meteors, and Time itself. It cost eight Millions, it was twenty-four years a building, and the Founder himself saw it finish'd, and en- joy'd it twelve years after, and carry'd his Bones himself thither to be buried. The reason that mov'd King Philip to waste so much Treasure, was a vow he had made at the battell of St. Quint i7i, where he was forc'd to batter a Monastery of St. Laurence Friers, and if he had the Victory, he would erect such a Monastery to St. Laure?ice, that the World had not the like; therefore the form of it is like a Gridiron, the handle is a huge Royal Palace, and the body a vast Monastery or Assembly of quadrangular Cloysters ; for there are as many as there be months in the year. There be a hundred Monks, and every one hath his man and his mule, and a multitude of Officers. Besides, there are three Libraries there full of the choicest Books for all Sciences. It is beyond expression what Grots, Gardens, Walks, and Aqueducts there are there, and what curious Fountains in the upper Cloysters, for there be two stages of Cloysters : In fine, there is nothing that's vulgar there. To take a view of every Room in the House, one must make account to go ten miles; there is a Vault call'd the Pantheon under the highest 208 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. highest Altar, which is all pav'd, wall'd, and arch'd with Marble; there be a number of huge silver Candlesticks, taller than I am ; Lamps three yards' compass, and divers Chalices and Crosses of massy Gold : There is one Quire made all of burnish'd Brass, Pictures and Statues like Giants, and a world of glorious things, that purely ravish'd me. By this mighty Monument, it may be inferred, that Philip II., tho' he was a little man, yet had he vast gigantick thoughts in him, to leave such a huge Pile for posterity to gaze upon, and admire his memory. No more now, but that I rest Your humble Servitor, J. H. Madrid, g Mar. 1623. XXXVII. To the Lord discount Co\,from Madrid. MY LORD, YOU writ to me not long since, to send you an Account of the Duke of Ossuna's death, a little man, but of great fame and fortunes, and much cried up, and known up and down the World. He was revok'd from being Viceroy of Naples (the best employment the K. of Spain hath for a Subject) upon some disgust : And being come to this Court, when he was brought to give an Account of his Government, being troubled with the Gout, he carry'd his sword in his hand instead of a staff; the King misliking of the manner of his posture, turn'd his back to him, and so went away : Thereupon he was overheard to mutter, Esto es para servir muchachos ; This it is to serve boys. This coming to the King's ear, he was apprehended and com- mitted prisoner to a Monastery not far off, where he con- tinued some years, until his beard came to his girdle ; then growing very ill, he was permitted to come to his house in this Town, being carry'd in a bed upon men's shoulders, and so died some years ago. There were divers Accusations against him ; amongst the rest, I remember these, That he had kept the Marquis de Campolataro's wife, sending her husband Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 209 husband out of the way upon employment: That he had got a bastard of a Turkish woman, and suffered the child to be brought up in the Mahometan religion : That being one day at High-Mass, when the Host was elevated, he drew out of his pocket a piece of Gold, and held it up, in- timating that that was his God : That he had invited some of the prime Courtesans of Naples to a Feast, and after dinner made a Banquet for them in his Garden, where he commanded them to strip themselves stark naked, and go up and down, while he shot Sugar-plums at them out of a Trunk, which they were to take up from off their high Chapins ; and such like extravagancies. One (among divers others) witty passage was told me of him, which was, that when he was Viceroy of Sicily, there died a great rich Duke, who left but one Son, whom, with his whole estate, he bequeathM to the Tutele of the Jesuits; and the words of the Will were, When he is pass'd his minority (Darete al miojigliuolo quel que voi volete), you shall give my Son what you will. It seems the Jesuits took to themselves two parts of three of the estate, and gave the rest to the heir. The young Duke complaining hereof to the Duke of Ossuna, then Viceroy, he commanded the Jesuits to appear before him : He ask'd them how much of the Estate they would have; they answer'd, two parts of three, which they had almost employed already to build Monasteries and an Hospital, to erect particular Altars, and Masses, to sing Dirges, and Refrigeriums for the Soul of the deceased Duke. Hereupon the Duke of Ossuna caus'd the Will to be produc'd, and found therein the words afore recited, When lie is pass'd his minority, you shall give my Son of my Estate what you will. Then he told the Jesuits, You must, by vertue and tenor of these words, give what you will to the Son, which by your own confession is two parts of three. And so he determin'd the business. Thus have I in part satisfied your Lordship's desire, which I shall do more amply when I shall be made happy to attend you in Person, which I hope will be ere it be o long 2io FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book L long. In the interim, I take my leave of you from Spain, and rest Your Lordship's most ready and humble Servitor, J. H. Madrid, 13 Mar. 1623. XXXVIII. To Simon Digby, Esq. SIR, I THANK you for the several sorts of Cyphers you sent me to write by, which were very choice ones, and curious. Crytology, or epistolizing in a clandestine way, is very ancient : I read in A. Gellius, that C. Ccesar in his Letters to Caius Oppius and Ballus Cornelius, who were two of his greatest Confidents in managing his private Affairs, did write in Cyphers by a various transportation of the Alphabet; whereof Proclus Grammaticus, de occulta litera- rum significatione Epistolarum C. Ccesaris, writes a curious Commentary. But methinks that certain kind of Hiero- glyphics, the celestial Signs, the seven Planets, and other Constellations, might make a curious kind of Cypher, as I will more particularly demonstrate to you in a Scheme, when I shall be happy with your Conversation. So I rest Your assured Servitor, J. H. Madrid, 15 Mar. 1623. XXXIX. To Sir James Crofts, from Bilboa. SIR, BEING safely come to the Marine, in convoy of His Majesty's Jewels, and being to sojourn here some days, the conveniency of this Gentleman (who knows, and much honoureth you), he being to ride Post thro' France, invited me to send you this. We were but five Horsemen in all our seven days' jour- ney, from Madrid hither, and the charge Mr. Miches had is valued Sect. 3. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 211 valued at 400,000 Crowns; but 'tis such safe travelling in Spain, that one may carry Gold in the palm of his hand, the Government is so good. When we had gain'd Biscay Ground, we pass'd one day thro' a Forest; and lighting off our Mules to take a little Repast under a Tree, we took down our Alforjas, and some bottles of wine (and you know 'tis ordinary here to ride with one's victuals about him), but as we were eating, we spy'd two huge Wolves, who stared upon us a while, but had the good manners to go away. It put me in mind of a pleasant Tale I heard Sir Tho. Fair- fax relate of a Soldier in Ireland, who having got his Pass- port to go for England, as he pass'd thro' the Wood with his Knapsack upon his back, being weary, he sat down under a Tree, where he open'd his Knapsack, and fell to some victuals he had ; but on a sudden he was surpriz'd with two or three Wolves, who coming towards him, he threw them scraps of bread and cheese, till all was gone ; then the Wolves making a nearer Approach to him, he knew not what shift to make, but by taking a pair of Bag-pipes which he had, and as soon as he began to play upon them the Wolves ran all away as if they had been scar'd out of their wits ; Whereupon the Soldier said, A pox take you all, if I had known you had lov'd Musick so well, you should have had it before dinner. If there be a Lodging void at the three Halbards-heads, I pray be pleas'd to cause it to be reserv'd for me. So I rest Your humble Servitor, J.H. 6 Sept. 1624. SECTION SECTION IV. I. To my Father, from London. SIR, I AM newly return'd from Spain. I came over in convoy of the Prince's Jewels, for which one of the Ships- Royal with the Catch were sent under the command of Captain Love: We landed at Plymouth, whence I came by Post to Theobalds in less than two nights and a day, to bring His Majesty news of their safe Arrival. The Prince had newly got a fall off a Horse, and kept his Chamber. The Jewels were valued at above j^ioo ; ooo. Some of them a little before the Prince's departure had been presented to the Infanta, but she waving to receive them, yet with a civil Compliment, they were left in the hands of one of the Secretaries of State for her use upon the Wedding-day ; and it was no unworthy thing in the Spaniard to deliver them back, notwithstanding that the Treaties both of Match and Palatinate had been dissolv'd a pretty while before by Act of Parliament, that a War was threaten'd, and Ambas- sadors revok'd. There were Jewels also among them to be presented to the King and Queen of Spain, to most of the Ladies of Honour, and the Grandees. There was a great Table-Diamond for Olivares of eighteen Carrats weight ; but the richest of all was to the Infanta herself, which was a chain of great Orient Pearl, to the number of 276, weigh- ing nine Ounces. The Spaniards, notwithstanding they are the Masters of the Staple of Jewels, stood astonish' d at the beauty of these, and confess' d themselves to be put down. Touching the Employment upon which I went to Spain, I had my charges born all the while, and that was all ; had it taken effect, I had made a good business of it : But 'tis no wonder Sect. 4. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 213 wonder (nor can it be, I hope, any disrepute to me) that I could not bring to pass what three Ambassadors could not do before me. I am now casting about for another Fortune, and some hopes I have of Employment about the D. of Buckingham. He sways more than ever ; for whereas he was before a Favourite to the King, he is now a Favourite to Parliament, People, and City, for breaking the Match with Spain. Touching his own Interest, he had reason to do it, for the Spaniards love him not: But whether the public Interest of the State will suffer in it or no, I dare not determine ; for my part, I hold the Spanish Match to be better than their Powder, and their Wares better than their Wars ; and I shall be ever of that mind, That no Country is able to do England less hurt, and more good than Spain, considering the large Trafic and Treasure that is to be got thereby. I shall continue to give you Account of my Courses when opportunity serves, and to dispose of matters so, that I may attend you this Summer in the country. So, desiring still your Blessing and Pravers, I rest Your dutiful Son, J.H. 10 Dec. 1624. II. To R. Brown, Esq., from London. DEAR SIR, THERE is no Seed so fruitful as that of Love : I do not mean that gross carnal Love which propagates the World, but that which preserves it ; to wit, Seeds of Friend- ship, which hath little commerce with the Body, but is a thing divine and spiritual. There cannot be a more preg- nant proof hereof than those Seeds of Love, which I have long since cast into your Breast, which have thriven so well, and in that exuberance, that they have been more fruitful to me than that Field in Sicily call'd Le trecente cariche, The Field of 300 Loads, so call'd because it returns the Sower 300 for one yearly; so plentiful hath your Love been to me. But among other sweet Fruits it hath born, those 214 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. those precious Letters which you have sent me from time to time, both at home and abroad, are not of the least value: I did always hug and highly esteem them, and you in them, for they yielded me both Profit and Pleasure. That Seed which you have also sown in me hath fructify'd something, but it hath not been able to make you such rich returns, or afford so plentiful a crop ; yet I dare say this crop, how thin soever, was pure and free from tares, from cockle or darnel, from flattery or falsehood, and what it shall produce hereafter shall be so; nor shall any injury of the Heavens, as Tempest, or Thunder and Lightning (I mean no cross or affliction whatsoever), be able to blast and smut it, or hinder it to grow up and fructify still. This is the third time God Almighty hath been pleas'd to bring me back to the sweet bosom of my dear Country from beyond the Seas ; I have been already comforted with the sight of many of my choice Friends, but I miss you ex- tremely: Therefore I pray make haste, for London streets, which you and I have trod together so often, will prove tedious to me else. Among other things, Black-Friars will entertain you with a Play spick and span new, and the Cockpit with another j nor, I believe, after so long Absence, will it be an unpleasing object for you to see Your J.H. 20 Jan. 1624. III. To the Lord Viscount Colchester. RIGHT HONOURABLE, MY last to your Lordship was in Italian, with the Venetian Gazetta inclos'd. Count Mansfelt is upon point of parting, having obtain' d, it seems, the sum of his desires : He was lodg'd all the while in the same Quarter of St. James's which was appointed for the Infanta : He supp'd yesternight with the Council of War, and he hath a grant of 12,000 Men English and Scots, whom he will have ready in the Body of an Army against the next Spring ; and Sect. 4. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 215 and they say that England, France, Venice, and Savoy do contribute for the maintenance thereof <^6o,ooo a month. There can be no conjecture, much less any judgment, made yet of his design ; most think it will be for relieving Breda, which is straitly begirt by Spinola, who gives out, that he hath her already as a bird in a cage, and will have her, maugre all the opposition in Christendom; yet there is fresh news come over, that Prince Maurice hath got on the back of him, and hath beleaguer'd him, as he hath done the Town, which I want faith to believe yet, in regard of the huge cir- cuit of Spinola s Works, for his circumvallations are cry'd up to be near upon twenty miles. But while the Spaniard is spending Millions here for getting small Towns, the Hollander gets Kingdoms of him elsewhere ; he hath invaded and taken lately from the Portugal part of Brazil, a rich Country for Sugars, Cottons, Balsams, Dying-wood, and divers Commodities besides. The Treaty of Marriage 'twixt our Prince and the youngest Daughter of France goes on apace, and my Lords of Carlisle and Holland are in Paris about it ; we shall see now what difference there is 'twixt the French and Spanish pace. The two Spanish Ambassadors have been gone hence long since; they say they are both in prison, one in Burgos in Spain, the other in Flanders, for the scandalous informa- tion they made here against the D. of Buckingham; about which, the day before their departure hence, they desir'd to have one private Audience more, but His Majesty deny'd them. I believe they will not continue long in disgrace, for matters grow daily worse and worse 'twixt us and Spain : For divers Letters of Mart are granted our Merchants, and Letters of Mart are commonly the forerunners of a War. Yet they say Gondomar will be on his way hither again about the Palatinate ; for the K. of Denmark appears now in his Niece's quarrel, and arms apace. No more now, but that I kiss your Lordship's hands, and rest Your most humble and ready Servitor, J. H. London, 5 Feb. 1624. IV. 216 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. IV. To my Cousin, Mr. Rowland Gwin. COUSIN, I WAS lately sorry, and I was lately glad, that I heard you were ill, that I heard you are well. Your affec- tionate Cousin, J. H. V. To Thomas Jones, Esq. TOM, IF you are in health 'tis well ; we are here all so ; and we should be better had we your company : Therefore I pray leave the smutty Air of Lo?idon, and come hither to breathe sweeter, where you may pluck a Rose, and drink a Cillibub. Your faithful Friend, J. H. Kentis, i June 1625. VI. To D. C. THE bearer hereof hath no other Errand but to know how you do in the Country, and this Paper is his cre- dential Letter ; Therefore I pray hasten his dispatch, and, if you please, send him back, like the Man in the Moon, with a basket of your Fruit on his back. Your true Friend, J. H. Lond., 10 Aug. 1625. VII. To my Father, from London. SIR, IRECEIV'D yours of the third of February, by the hands of my Cousin Thomas Gwin of Trecastle. It was my fortune to be on Sunday fortnight at Theo- balds, where his late Majesty K. James departed this life, and went to his last rest upon the day of rest, presently after Sermon was done. A little before break of day he sent for the Prince, who rose out of his Bed, and came in his Night- gown. Sect. 4. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 217 gown. The King seem'd to have some earnest thing to say to him, and so endeavour'd to raise himself upon his Pillow ; but his Spirits were so spent, that he had not strength to make his words audible. He died of a Fever which began with an Ague, and some Scotch Doctors mutter at a Plaister the Countess of Buckingham applied at the outside of his Stomach : 'Tis thought the last breach of the Match with Spain which for many years he had so vehemently desir'd, took too deep an impression in him j and that he was forc'd to rush into a War now in his declining Age, having liv'd in a continual uninterrupted Peace his whole life, except some collateral Aids he had sent his Son-in-law. As soon as he expir'd the Privy Council sat, and in less than a quarter of an hour King Charles was proclaim'd at Theobalds Court-gate, by Sir Edw . Zouch Knight Marshal, Mr. Secretary Conway dictating to him, That whereas it had pleas'd God to take to his mercy our most gracious Sovereign K. James of famous memory, We proclaim Prince Charles, his rightful and indu- litalle Heir } to lie King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, &c. The Knight Marshal mistook, saying his right- ful and dulitalle Heir, but he was rectify'd by the Secretary. This being done, I took my Horse instantly, and came to London first except one, who was come a little before me, insomuch that I found the Gates shut. His now Majesty took Coach, and theD. of Buckingham with him, and came to St. James's ; in the evening he was proclaim'd at Whitehall-gate in Cheapside, and other places in a sad shower of Rain : And the Weather was suitable to the condition wherein he finds the Kingdom, which is cloudy : for he is left engag'd in a War with a potent Prince, the People by long desuetude unapt for Arms, the Fleet-Royal in quarter repair, himself without a Queen, his Sister without a Country, the Crown pitifully laden with Debts, and the Purse of the State lightly bal- lasted, tho' it never had better opportunity to be rich than it had these last twenty years. But God Almighty, I hope, will make him emerge, and pull this Island out of all the plunges, and preserve us from worser times. The 218 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. The Plague is begun in White-chapel, and, as they say, in the same house, on the same day of the month, with the same number that dy'd twenty-two years since, when Q,. Elizabeth departed. There are great Preparations for the Funeral, and there is a design to buy all the Cloth for Mourning white, and then to put it to the Dyers in gross, which is like to save the Crown a good deal of Money; the Drapers murmur ex- tremely at the Lord Cranfield for it. I am not settled yet in any stable Condition, but I lie wind-bound at the Cape of good Hope, expecting some gentle gale to launch out into any Employment. So, with my Love to all my Brothers and Sisters at the Bryn, and near Brecknock, I humbly crave a continuance of your Prayers and Blessing to Your dutiful Son, J. H. ii Dec. 1625. VIII. To Dr. Prichard. SIR, SINCE I was beholden to you for your many Favours in Oxford I have not heard from you (ne gry quidem) ; I pray let the wonted Correspondence be now reviv'd, and receive new vigour between us. My Lord Chancellor Bacon is lately dead of a long languishing weakness ; he died so poor that he scarce left money to bury him, which, tho' he had a great Wit, did argue no great Wisdom; it being one of the essential Properties of a wise Man, to provide for the main chance. I have read, that it had been the fortunes of all Poets commonly to die beggars; but for an Orator, a Lawyer, and Philosopher, as he was, to die so, 'tis rare. It seems the same fate befel him that attended Demosthenes, Seneca, and Cicero (all great Men), of whom, the two first fell by Cor- ruption. The fairest Diamond may have a flaw in it, but I believe he died poor out of a contempt of the Pelf of Fortune, as also out of an excess of Generosity, which appear'd Sect. 4. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 219 appear'd, as in divers other passages, so once when the King had sent him a Stag, he sent up for the Under-keeper, and having drunk the King's health to him in a great Silver-gilt bowl, he gave it him for his Fee. He wrote a pitiful letter to K. James, not long before his death, and concludes, Help me, dear Sovereign Lord and Master, and pity me so far, that I, who have been born to a Bag, be not now in my Age forc'd in effect to bear a Wallet-, nor that I, who desire to live to study, may be driven to study to live. Which words, in my opinion, argu'd a little Abjection of Spirit, as his former Letter to the Prince did of Profaneness ; wherein he hop'd, that as the Father was his Creator, the Son will be his Redeemer. I write not this to derogate from the noble worth of the Lord Viscount Verulam, who was a rare Man; a Man Reconditce scientice, & ad salutem literarum natus, and I think the eloquentest that was born in this Isle. They say he shall be the last Lord Chancellor, as Sir Edward Coke was the last Lord Chief Justice of England; for ever since they have been term'd Lord Chief Justices of the King's- lench : So hereafter they shall be only Keepers of the Great Seal, which, for Title and Office, are deposable ; but they say the Lord Chancellor's Title is indelible. I was lately at Gray's-Inn with Sir Eulule, and he desir'd me to remember him to you, as I do also salute Meum Prichardum ex imis praecordiis, Vale /ces ; I writ to him lately, that his Lordship would please to come to his own House here in Martin's Lane, where there is a greater Accommodation for the recovery of his health, Dr. Mayern being on the one side, and the King's Apothecary on the other: But I fear there be some Mountebanks that carry him away, and I hear he intends to remove to Wickham to one Atkinson, a mere Quacksalver, that was once Dr. Lopez his Man. The little Knight that useth to draw up his Breeches with a shooing-horn, I mean Sir Posthumus Hobby, flew high at him this Parliament, and would have inserted his Name in the Scrowl of Recusants, that's shortly to be presented to the King; but I produced a Certificate from Lindford under the Minister's hand, that he receiv'd the Communion at Easter last, and so got his Name out : Besides, the Deputy Lieutenants of Buckinghamshire would have chargM Biggin- Farm with a Light-horse, but Sir Will. Alford and others join'd with me to get off. Sir Tho. Wentworth and Mr. Wansford are grown great Courtiers lately, and come from Westminster-Hall to White- Hall : (Sir Jo. Savill their Countryman having shewn them the way with his white Staff.} The Lord Weston tamper'd with the one, and my Lord Cottington took pains with the other, to bring them about from their violence against the Prerogative : And I am told the first of them is promis'd my Lord's Place at York, in case his sickness continue. We are like to have Peace with Spain and France : And for Germany, they say the Swedes are like to strike into her, to try whether they may have better fortune than the Danes. My Lady Scroop (my Lord's Mother) hath lain sick a good 270 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. good while, and is very weak. So I rest Madam, your humble and dutiful Servitor, J. H. Westm., 5 Aug. 1629. XX. To Dr. H. W. SIR, IT is a Rule in Friendship, When distrust enters in at the Fore-gate, Love goes out at the Postern : It is as true a Rule, that 17 airopia TT}? eTrtcrr^/AT/? op%^, Dubitation is the be- ginning of all Knowledge - I confess this is true in the first Election and Co-optation of a Friend, to come to the true knowledge of him by Queries and Doubts ; but when there's a perfect Contract made, confirm'd by experience, and a long tract of time, distrust then is mere poison to Friend- ship : Therefore if it be as I am told, I am unfit to be your Friend, but Your Servant, J. H. Westm., 20 Oct. 1629. XXI. To Dr. H. W. SIR, / "~P*HEY say in Italy, that Deeds are Men, and Words are -L but Women : I have had your Word often to give me a Visit ; I pray turn your female Promises to masculine Performances, else I shall think you have lost your being ; for you know 'tis a Rule in Law, Idem est non esse & non apparere. Your faithful Servitor, J. H. Westm., 25 Sept. 1629. To Mr. B. Chaworth : On my Valentine, Mrs. Francis Metcalf (now Lady Robinson), at York. A Sonnet. f^OULD I charm the Queen of Love, ^ To lend a quill of her white Dove ; Or Sect. 5. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 271 Or one of Cupid's pointed Wings Dipt in the fair Castalian springs ; Then would I write the all-divine Perfections of my Valentine. As Amongst all flowers the Rose excels, As Amber Amongst the fragranf st smells, As Amongst all minerals the Gold, As Marble 'mongst the finest mould, As Diamonds Amongst jewels bright, As Cynthia Amongst the lesser lights, So Amongst the Northern Beauties shine, So far excels my Valentine. In Rome and Naples / did view Faces of Celestial hue ; Venetian Dames I have seen many, (/ only saw them, touched not any) Of Spanish Beauties, Dutch and French, / have beheld the Quintessence : Yet saw I none that could out-shine, Or parallel my Valentine. TK Italians they are coy and quaint, But they grosly daub and paint ; The Spanish kind, and apt to please, But satf ring of the same disease : Of Dutch and French some few are comely, The French are light, the Dutch are homely. Let Tagus, Po, the Loire and Rhine Then veil unto my Valentine. Here may be seen pure white and red, Not by feign d Art, but Nature wed, No simpring smiles, no mimic face, Affected gesture, or fore" d grace, A fair smooth front, free from least wrinkle, Her eyes (on me} like stars do twinkle ; Thus all Perfections do combine To beautify my Valentine. XXII. 272 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. XXII. To Mr. Tho. M. NOBLE Tow, You desir'd me lately to compose some lines upon your Mistress's black Eyes, her becoming Frowns, and upon her Mask. Tho' the least request of yours be a command unto me, the execution of it a con- tentment, yet I was hardly drawn to such a task at this time, in regard that many businesses puzzle my Pericranium. Allena negotia centum per caput & circa saliunt latus. Yet lest your Clorinda might expect such a thing, and that you might incur the hazard of her smiles (for you say her frowns are favours), and that she may take off her Mask to you the next time you go to court her, I send you the inclos'd Verses Sonnet-wise, which haply may please her better, in regard I hear she hath some Skill in Musick. Upon Hack Eyes, and becoming Frowns. A Sonnet. f)LA CK Eyes, in your dark Orbs doth lie -*-' My ill or happy destiny. Jf -with clear looks you me behold, You give me Mines and Mounts of Gold ; Jf you dart forth disdainful rays, To your own dye you turn my days. Black Eyes, in your dark Orbs by changes dwell, My Bane or Bliss, my Paradise or Hell. That Lamp which all the Stars doth blind, Yields to your lustre in some kind, Thd ye do wear to make you bright No other dress but that of night, He glitters only in the day, You in the dark your beams display. Black Eyes, in your two Orbs by changes dwell, My Bane or Bliss, my Paradise or HelL The Sect. 5. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 273 The cunning Thief that lurks for prize. At some dark corner watching lies ; So that heart-robbing God doth stand Jn your black lobbies, shaft in hand, To rifle me of what I hold More precious far than Indian Gold. Black Eyes, in your dark Orbs by changes dwell, My Bane or Bliss, my Paradise or Hell. O powerful Necromantick eyes, Who in your circles strictly pries, Will find that Cupid with his dart In you doth practise the black art, And by tK enchantment Tm possest, Tries his conclusions in my breast. Black Eyes, in your dark Orbs by changes dwell, My Bane or Bliss, my Paradise or Hell. Look on me, thd in frowning wise, Some kind of frowns become black eyes. As pointed Diamonds being set, Cast greater lustre out of jet : Those Pieces we esteemed most rare, Which in night-shadows postured are : Darkness in Churches congregates the sight, Devotion strays in glaring light. Black Eyes, in your dark Orbs by changes dwell, My Bane or Bliss, my Paradise or HelL Touching her Mask, I will not be long about it. Upon Clorindcfs Mask. have I seen the Sun in his full pride, CPercast with sullen clouds, and lose his light ; So have I seen the brightest Stars denfd To shew their lustre in some gloomy night , So Angels pictures have I seen vetfd o'er, That more devoutly men should them adore ; So with a Mask saw I Clorinda hide Her face more bright than was the Lemnian Bride. s Whether 274 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. Whether I have hit upon your fancy, or fitted your Mistress, I know not ; I pray let me hear what success they have. So, wishing you your heart's desire, and if you have her, a happy confarr cation, I rest in Verse and Prose Yours, J. H. Westm.) 29 of Mar. 1629. XXIII. To the Rt. Hon. my Lady Scroop, Countess o/'Sunderland, at Langar. MADAM, I AM newly return'd from Hunsdon, from giving the rites of burial to my Lord's Mother; she made my Lord sole Executor of all. I have all her plate and household- stuff in my custody, and unless I had gone as I did much had been embezel'd. I have sent herewith the copy of a Letter the King writ to my Lord upon the resignation of his place, which is fitting to be preserv'd for posterity among the Records of Bolton- Castle. His Majesty ex- presseth therein that he was never better serv'd, nor with more exactness of fidelity and justice by any, therefore he intends to set a special mark of his favour upon him, when his health will serve him to come to Court : My Lord Carleton deliver'd it me, and told me he never remember'd that the King writ a more gracious Letter. I have lately bought in fee-farm Wanless Park, of the King's Commis- sioners, for my Lord ; I got it for ^600, doubling the old Rent, and the next day I was offer'd ^"500 for the Bargain ; there were divers that put in for't, and my Lord of Anglesey thought himself sure of it, but I found means to frustrate them all. I also compounded with Her Majesty's Commis- sioners for respite of Homage for Rabbi-Castle ; there was jgizo demanded, but I came off for 40^. My Lord Went- worth is made Lord Deputy of Ireland, and carries a mighty stroke at Court; there have been some clashings 'twixt him and Sect 5. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 275 and my Lord of Pembroke lately with others at Court, and divers in the North ; and some, as Sir David Fowler with others, have been crush'd. He pleas'd to give me the disposing of the next Attorney's place in York, and John Lister being lately dead, I went to make use of the Favour, and was oflfer'd ^300 for it ; but some got 'twixt me and home, so that I was forc'd to go away contented with 100 Pieces Mr. Ratdiff deliver'd me in his Chamber at Grays-Inn, and so to part with the legal Instrument I had, which I did rather than contest. The Dutchess your Niece is well ; I did what your Lady- ship commanded me at York-house. So I rest, Madam Your Ladyship's ready and faithful Servitor, J. H. Westm., i July 1629. XXIV. To D. C., Esq., at his House in Essex. MY D. D., I THANK you for your last Society in London, but I am sorry to have found Jack T. in that pickle, and that he had so far transgressed the Fannian Law, which allows a chirping Cup to satiate, not to surfeit, to mirth, not to madness; and upon some extraordinary occasion of ren- counters, to give Nature a Jlllip, but not a knock, as Jack did. I am afraid he hath taken such a habit of it, that nothing but death will mend him ; and I find that he is posting thither apace by this course. I have read of a King of Navarre (Charles le Mauvais) who perish'd in strong waters; and of a Duke of Clarence that was drown' d in a Butt of Malmsey : But Jack T. I fear will die in a Butt of Canary. Howsoever commend me to him, and desire him to have a care of the main chance. So I rest Yours, J. H. York, sfafy 1629. XXV. 276 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. XXV. To Sir Thomas Lake, Knight.* SIR, I HAVE shew'd Sir Kenelm Digly both our Translations of Martial's Vitam qucefaciunt leatiorem, <^c., and to tell you true, he adjudged yours the better; so I shall pay the wager in the place appointed, and try whether I can recover myself at Gioco d'amore, which the Italian saith is a Play to cozen the Devil. If your pulse beat accordingly, I will wait upon you on the River towards the evening, for a Jloundring fit to get some fish for our supper : So I rest Your true Servitor, J. H. Zfuly 1629. XXVI. To Mr. Ben. Johnson. C'ATHER Ben, you desir'd me lately to procure you Dr. Davies's Welsh Grammar, to add to those many you have ; I have lighted upon one at last, and I am glad I have it in so seasonable a time that it may serve for a New- year's-gift, in which quality I send it you : And because 'twas not you, but your Muse, that desir'd it of me, for your Letter runs on feet, I thought it a good correspondence with you to accompany it with what follows. Upon Dr. Davies's British Grammar. ' r / " WAS a tough task, believe it, thus to tame * A wild and wealthy Language, and to frame Grammatic toils to curb her, so that she Now speaks by Rules, and sings by Prosody : Such is the strength of Art rough things to shape, And of rude Commons rich Inclosiires make. Doubtless much oil and labour went to couch Into methodic Rides the rugged Dutch ; The Rabbies pass my reach, but judge I can Something of Clenard and Quintilian. Italian Sect. 5. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 277 Italian, And for those modern Dames, I find they three Spanish, Are only lops cut from the Latian Tree ; French, And easy 'twas to square them into parts, The Tree itself so blossoming with arts. I have been shown for Irish and Bascuence Imperfect Rules coucJCd in an Accidence : But I find none of these can take the start Qf Davies, or that prove more Men of Art, Who in exacter method and short way, The Idioms of a Language do display. This is the Tongue which Bards sung in of old, And Druids their dark Knowledge did unfold ; Merlin in this his Prophecies did vent Which thro' the world of fame bear such extent: Arthur. This spoke that Son of Mars, and Briton bold, Who first 'mongst Christian Worthies is enroled, This Brennus, who to his desire and glut, The Mistress of the World did prostitute. This Arviragus, and brave Catarac Sole-free, when all the World was on Rome's rack. This Lucius, who on Angels' Wings did soar To Rome, and would wear Diadem no more ; And thousand Heroes more, which should I tell, This New-year scarce would serve me : So farewell. Your Son and Servitor, J. H. Cal. Apr. 1629. XXVII. To the Right Hon. the Earl of Bristol, at Sherburn-Castle. MY LORD, I ATTEND ED my Lord Cottington before he went on his journey towards Spain, and put him in mind of the old business against the Viceroy of Sardinia, to see whether any good can be done, and to learn whether the Conde or his Son be solvent: He is to land at Lisbon; one of the King's Ships attends him, and some Merchant-men take the advantage of this Convoy. The 278 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. The News that keeps greatest noise now is, that the Emperor hath made a favourable Peace with the Dane; for Tilly had cross'd the Elve, and enter' d deep into Holstein- landy and in all probability might have carry'd all before him : yet that King had honourable Terms given him, and a Peace is concluded, tho' without the privity of England. But I believe the King of Denmark far'd the better, because he is Grandchild to Charles the Emperor's Sister. Now it seems another Spirit is like to fall upon the Emperor; for they write that Gustavus King of Swethland is struck into Germany, and hath taken Meclenlurgh : the ground of his quarrel, as I hear, is, that the Emperor would not acknow- ledge, much less give audience to his Ambassador; he also gives out to come for the assistance of his Allies, the Dukes of Pomerland and Meclenlurgh ; nor do I hear that bespeaks anything yet of the Prince Palsgrave's business. Don Carlos Coloma is expected here from Flanders, about the same time that my Lord Cotlington shall be arriv'd at the Court of Spain. God send us an honourable Peace : for, as the Spaniard says, Nunca vi tan mala paz, que nefuesse mejor, que la mejor guerra. Your Lordship's most humble and ready Servant, J. H. London, 20 May 1629. XXVIIT. To my Cousin, I. P., at Mr. Conrad us. COUSIN, A LETTER of yours was lately delivered me; I made a shift to read the superscription, but within I wonder'd what Language it might be in which it was written; at first I thought 'twas Helreiv, or some other Dialect, and so went from the liver to the heart, from the right hand to the left to read it, but could make nothing of it : then I thought it might be the Chinese Language, and went to read the words perpendicular ; and the lines were so crooked and distorted, that no coherence could be made. Greek I perceived it was not, nor Latin or English; so I gave it for mere Sect. 5. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 279 mere Gibberish, and your Characters to be rather Hiero- glyphicks than Letters. The best is, you keep your lines at a good distance, like those in Chancery-Bills, who, as the Clerk said, were made so wide of purpose, because the Clients should have room enough to walk between them without justling one another; yet this wideness had been excusable, if your lines had been straight, but they were full of odd kind of Undulations and Windings. If you can write no otherwise, one may read your thoughts as soon as your characters. It is some excuse for you that you are but a young beginner: I pray let it appear in your next what a proficient you are, otherwise some blame may light on me that placed you there. Let me receive no more Gibberish or Hieroglyphicks from you, but legible Letters, that I may acquaint your Friends accordingly of your good pro- ceedings. So I rest Your very loving Cousin, J. H. Westm., 20 Sept. 1629. XXIX. To the Lord Viscount Wentworth, Lord President of York. MY LORD, MY last was of the first current, since which I received one from your Lordship, and your commands there- in, which I shall ever entertain with a great deal of cheer- fulness. The greatest news from Abroad is, that the French King with his Cardinal are come again on this side the Hills, having done his business in Italy and Savoy, and reserv'd still Pignerol in his hands, which will serve him as a key to enter Italy at pleasure. Upon the highest Moun- tain 'mongst the Alps, he left this ostentous Inscription upon a great Marble Pillar: A la memoire eternelle de Louis Treiziesme, Roy de France 6 de Navarre, Tres-Augus/e, tres- Victorieux, tres-Heureux, Conquerant, tres-juste : Lequel 280 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book /. Lequel apres avoir vaincu toutes les Nations de ^Europe, // a encore triumph^ les Elements Du del 6 de la Terre, Ayant passe deux fois ces Monts au mois de Mars avec son Armee Victorieuse, pour remettre les Princes ^'Italic en leurs Estats, Defendre 6 proteger ses Alliez. To the eternal Memory of Lewis XIII. King of France and Navarre, most gracious, most victorious, most happy, most just, a Conqueror; who having o'ercome all Nations of Europe, he hath also triumph'd over the Elements of Heaven and Earth, having twice pass'd o'er these Hills in the month of March with his victorious Army, to restore the Princes of Italy to their Estates, and to defend and protect his Allies. So I take my leave for the present, and rest Your Lordship's most humble and ready Servitor, J. H. Westm., 5 Aug. 1629. XXX. To Sir Kenelm Digby, Knight. SIR, GIVE me leave to congratulate your happy return from the Levant, and the great honour you have acquir'd by your gallant comportment in Algier, in re-escating so many English Slaves ; by bearing up so bravely against the Venetian Fleet in the Bay of Scanderoon, and making the Pantaloni to know themselves and You better. I do not remember to have read or heard that those huge Galleasses of St. Mark were beaten afore. I give you the joy also, that you have born up against the Venetian Ambassador here, and vindicated yourself of those foul scandals he had cast upon you in your Absence. Whereas you desire me to join with my Lord Cottingham and others, to make, Affidavit touching Bartholomew Spmola, whether he be Vezino de Madrid, viz., Free Denison of Spain ; I am ready to serve you Sect. 5. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 281 you herein, or to do any other office that may right you, and tend to the making of your Prize good. Yet I am very sorry that our Aleppo Merchants suffer'd so much. I shall be shortly in London, and I will make the greater speed, because I may serve you. So I humbly kiss my noble Lady's hand, and rest Your thrice assured Servitor, J. H. Westm.) 25 Nov. 1629. XXXI. To the Rt. Hon. Sir Peter Wicht, Ambassador at Constantinople. SIR, MASTER Simon Digby deliver'd me one from your Lordship of the first of June; and I was extremely glad to have it, for I had receiv'd nothing from your Lord- ship a twelvemonth before. Mr. Controuler Sir Tho. Edmonds is lately return'd from France, having renew'd the Peace which was made up to his hands before by the Venetian Ambassadors, who had much laboured in it, and had concluded all things beyond the Alps, when the K. of France was at Susa to relieve Casal. The Monsieur that was to fetch him from St. Dennis to Paris put a kind of jeering Compliment upon him, viz., that his Excellency should not think it strange that he had so few French Gentlemen to attend in this Service to accompany him to the Court, in regard there were so many kill'd at the Isle of Rhee. The Marquis of Chateauneuf is here from France : And it was an odd Speech also from him, reflecting upon Mr. Controuler, that the King of Great Britain used to send for his Ambassadors from abroad to pluck Capons at home. Mr. Burlemach is to go shortly to Paris, to recover the other moiety of Her Majesty's Portion ; whereof they say my Lord of Holland is to have a good share. The Lord Treasurer Weston is he who hath the greatest vogue now at Court, but many great ones have clash' d with him : He is 282 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. is so potent, that I hear his eldest Son is to marry one of the Blood-royal of Scotland, the Duke of Lenox's Sister, and that with His Majesty's consent. Bishop Laud of London is also powerful in his way, for he sits at the Helm of the Church, and doth more than any of the two Arch-Bishops, or all the rest of his two and twenty Brethren besides. In your next I should be glad your Lordship would do me the favour, as to write how the Grand Signior is like to speed before Bagdat, in this his Persian expedition. No more now, but that I always rest Your Lordship's ready and most faithful Servitor, J. H. Westm., i Jan. 1629. XXXII. To my Father. SIR, SIR Tho. Wentworlh hath been a good while Lord Pre- sident of York, and since is sworn Privy Counsellor, and made Baron and Viscount ; the Duke of Buckingham himself flew not so high in so short a revolution of time : He was made Viscount with a great deal of high ceremony upon a Sunday in the Afternoon at White-kail. My Lord Powis (who affects him not so much) being told that the Heralds had fetch'd his Pedigree from the Blood-royal, viz., from John of Gaunt, said, Dammy if ever he come to le King of England, / will turn Rebel. When I went first to give him joy, he pleas'd to give me the disposing of the next Attorney's place that falls void in York, which is valued at ,^300. I have no reason to leave my Lord of Sunderland, for I hope he will be noble unto me. The perquisites of my place, taking the King's fee away, came far short of what he promis'd me at my first coming to him, in regard of his non-residence at York ; therefore I hope he will con- sider it some other way. This languishing sickness still hangs on him, and I fear will make an end of him. There's none can tell what to make of it, but he voided lately a small Sect. 5. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 283 small Worm at Wickham : But I fear there's an impos- thume growing in him, for he told me a passage, how many years ago my Lord Willoughly, and he, with so many of their servants' (de gayete de cceur), play'd a match at foot- ball against such a number of Countrymen, where my Lord of Sunderland being busy about the ball, got a bruise in the breast ; which put him in a swoon for the present, but did not trouble him till three Months after, when being at Bever- Castle (his brother-in-law's house) a qualm took him on a sudden, which made him retire to his Bed-chamber. My Lord of Rutland following him, put a Pipe full of To- bacco in his mouth ; he being not accustom'd to Tobacco, taking the smoak downwards, fell a casting and vomiting up divers little imposthumated bladders of congeal' d blood ; which sav'd his life then, and brought him to have a better conceit of Tobacco ever after : And I fear there is some of that clodded blood still in his body. Because Mr. Hawes of Cheapside is lately dead, I have remov'd my brother Griffith to the Hen and Chickens in Paternoster-Row to Mr. Taylor's, as genteel a shop as any in the City; but I gave a piece of plate of twenty nobles price to his Wife. I wish the Yorkshire horse may be fit for your turn ; he was accounted the best saddle Gelding about York, when I bought him of Capt. Phillips the Muster-master : And when he carry' d me first to London, there was twenty pounds offer'd for him by my Lady Carlile. No more now, but desiring a continuance of your blessing and prayers, I rest Your dutiful Son, J. H. Lond.) 3 Dec. 1630. XXXIII. To the Lord Cottington, Ambassador Extraordinary for His Majesty of Great Britain in the Court of Spain. MY LORD, I RECEIVED your Lordship's lately by Harry Davies the Correo Santo, and I return my humble thanks, that 284 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book /. that you were pleas'd to be mindful (among so many high negotiations) of the old business touching the Vice-roy of Sardinia. I have acquainted my Lord of Bristol accord- ingly ; our eyes here look very greedily after your Lord- ship, and the success of your Embassy; and we are glad to hear the business is brought to so good a pass, and that the Capitulations are so honourable (the high effects of your wisdom). For news, the Sweds do notable feats in Germany; and we hope they cutting the Emperor and Bavarian so much work to do, and the good offices we are to expect from Spain upon this redintegration of peace, will be an Advan- tage to the Prince Palatine, and facilitate matters for re- storing him to his Country. There is little news at our Court, but that there fell an ill- favour'd quarrel 'twixt Sir Kenelm Digby, and Mr. Goring, Mr. Jermin, and others at St. James's, lately, about Mrs. Baker the Maid of Honour; and Duels were like to grow of it, but that the business was taken up by the Lord Trea- surer, my Lord of Dorset, and others appointed by the King. My Lord Sunderland is still ill dispos'd; he will'd me to remember his hearty service to your Lordship, and so did Sir Arthur Ingram, and my Lady ; they all wish you a happy and honourable return, as doth Your Lordship's most humble and ready Servitor, J. H. Lond., i Mar. 1630. XXXIV. To my Lord Viscount Rocksavage. MY LORD, SOME say, The Italian loves no favour, but what's future ; tho' I have convers'd much with that Nation, yet I am nothing infected with their humour in this point: For I love favours pass'd as well ; the remembrance of them joys my very heart, and makes it melt within me: When my thoughts reflect upon your Lordship, I have many of these fits of joy within me, by the pleasing speculation of so many most Sect. 5. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 285 most noble favours and respects which I shall daily study to improve and merit. My Lord Your Lordship's most humble and ready Servitor, J. H. Westm.) 22 Mar. 1630. XXXV. To the Earl of Bristol. MY LORD, I DOUBT not but your Lordship hath had intelligence from time to time what firm invasions the King of Sweds hath made into Germany, and by what degrees he hath mounted to this height, having but 6000 foot, and 500 horse, when he entered first to Meclenlurg, and taking that Town while Commissioners stood treating on both sides in his Tent; how thereby his Army much increas'd, and so rush'd further into the heart of the Country ; but passing near Magdenfairg, being diffident of his own strength, he suffered Tilly to take that great Town with so much effusion of blood, because they would receive no quarter. Your Lordship hath also heard of the battel of Leipsick, where Tilly, notwithstanding the Victory he had got o'er the D. of Saxony a few days before, receiv'd an utter discomfiture; upon which Victory the King sent Sir Tho. Roe a present of 36 J 2ooo, and in his letter calls him his strenuum consultorem, he being one of the first who had advis'd him to this German War, after he had made Peace 'twixt him and the Polander. I presume also, your Lordship heard how he met Tilly again near Auspurg, and made him go upon a wooden Leg, whereof he died ; and after soundly plunder'd the Bavarian, and made him flee from his own house at Munchen, and rifled his very Closets. Now your Lordship shall understand, that the said King is at Mentz, and keeps a Court there like an Emperor, there being above twelve Ambassadors with him. The K. of France sent a great Marquis for his Ambassador, to put him in mind of his Articles, and to tell him that His Christian Majesty 286 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book L Majesty wondered he would cross the Rhine without his privity, and wonder'd more that he would invade the Church-Lands, meaning the Archbishop of Mentz, who had put himself under the protection of France. The Swede an- swer'd, that he had not broke the least tittle of the Articles agreed on ; and touching the said Archbishop, he had not stood neutral as was promised, therefore he had justly set on his skirts. The Ambassador reply'd, in case of breach of Articles, his Master had 80,000 men to pierce. Germany when he pleas'd. The King answer'd, that he had but 20,000, and those should be sooner at the Walls of Paris, than his 80,000 should be on the frontiers of Germany. If this new Conqueror goes on with this violence, I believe it will cast the Policy of all Christendom into another mould, and beget new Maxims of State, for none can foretell where his monstrous progress will terminate. Sir Henry Vane is still in Germany observing his motions, and they write that they do not agree well ; as I heard the King should tell him that he spoke nothing but Spanish to him. Sir Robert Anstruther is also at Vienna, being gone thither from the Diet at Ratislon. I hear the Infante Cardinal is design'd to come Governor of the Netherlands, and passeth by way of Italy, and so thro' Germany : His brother Don Carlos is lately dead. So I humbly take my leave, and rest, my Lord Your Lord- ship's most humble and ready Servitor, J. H. Westm., 23 Apr. 1630. XXXVI. To my nolle Lady, the Lady Cor. MADAM, YOU spoke to me for a Cook who had seen the world Abroad, and I think the Bearer hereof will fit your Ladyship's turn. He can marinate fish, make gellies ; he is excellent for a piquant sauce, and the Haugou ; besides, Madam, he is passing good for an Ollia : He will tell your Ladyship Sect. 5. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 287 Ladyship, that the reverend Matron the Olla podrida hath intellectuals and senses ; Mutton, Beef, and Bacon, are to her as the Will, Understanding, and Memory, are to the Soul : Cabbage, Turnips, Artichocks, Potatoes, and Dates, are her five Senses, and Pepper the Common-sense ; she must have Marrow to keep Life in her, and some Birds to make her light ; by all means she must go adorn'd with chains of Sausages. He is also good at larding of Meat after the Mode of France. Madam, you may make proof of him, and if your Ladyship find him too saucy or wasteful, you may return him whence you had him. So I rest, Madam Your Ladyship's humble Servitor, J. H. Westm., 2 Jun. 1630. XXXVII. ! To Mr. E. D. SIR, YOU write to me, that T. B. intends to give Money for such a place ; if he doth, I fear it will be verify'd in him, that A Fool and his money is soon parted; for I know he will be never able to execute it. I heard of a late Secretary of State, that could not read the next morning his own hand-writing ; and I have read of Caligula's Horse, that was made Consul : Therefore I pray tell him from me (for I wish him well), that if he thinks he is fit for that Office, he looks upon himself thro' a false Glass : A trotting Horse is fit for a Coach, but not for a Lady's Saddle; and an Ambler is proper for a Lady's Saddle, but not for a Coach. If Tom undertakes this place, he will be as an Ambler in a Coach, or a Trotter under a Lady's Saddle. When I come to Town, I will put him upon a far fitter and more feasable business for him ; and so commend me to him, for I am his and Your true Friend, J. H. Westm., $Jun. 1630. XXXVIII. 288 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. XXXVIII. To my Father. SIR, * I "HERE are two Ambassadors Extraordinary to go -L Abroad shortly, the Earl of Leicester and the Lord Weston; this latter goes to France, Savoy, Venice, and so returns by Florence, a pleasant Journey, for he carrieth Presents with him from King and Queen : The Earl of Leicester is to go to the King of Denmark, and other Princes of Germany; the main of the Embassy is to condole the late death of the Lady Sophia, Queen Dowager of Denmark, our King's Grandmother: She was the Duke of Meclen- lurgh's Daughter, and her Husband Christian III. dying young, her Portion, which was ,^40,000, was restor'd her : and living a Widow forty-four Years after, she grew to be so great a huswife, setting three or four hundred People at work, that she died worth near two millions of Dollars, so that she was reputed the richest Queen of Christendom. By the Constitutions of Denmark this Estate is divisible among her Children, whereof she had five, the K. of Denmark, the Dutchess of Saxony, the Dutchess of Brunswick, Q. Anne, and the Dutchess of Holstein; the King being male, is to have two shares ; our King and the Lady Elizabeth are to have that which should have belongM to Q. Anne. So he is to return by the Hague. It pleased my Lord of Leicester to send for me to Baynards-Ca.st\e, and proffer me to go Secretary in this Ambassage, assuring me that the Journey shall tend to my Profit and Credit : So that I have accepted of it, for I hear very nobly of my Lord., so that I hope to make a boon voyage of it. I desire, as hitherto, your Prayers and Blessing may accompany me: So, with my love to my Brothers and Sisters, I rest Your dutiful Son, J.H. Lond., 5 May 1632. XXXIX. Sect. 5. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 289 XXXIX. To Mr. Alderman Moulson, Governor of the Merchant- Adventurers. SIR, r I ^HE Earl of Leicester is to eo shortly Ambassador Ex- *" JL traordinary to the King of Denmark, and he is to pass by Hamburgh : I understand by Mr. Skinner that the Staple hath some grievances to be redress'd. If this Am- bassage may be an Advantage to the Company, I will solicit my Lord that he may do you all the favour that may stand with his honour ; so I shall expect your instructions accordingly, and rest Yours ready to serve you, J. H. Westm., i June 1632. XL. To Mr. Alderman Clethero, Governor of the Eastland Company. SIR, I AM inform'd of some complaints that your Company hath against the K. of Denmark's Officers in the Sound. The E. of Leicester is nominated by His Majesty to go Ambassador Extraordinary to that King and other Princes of Germany : If this Embassy may be advantageous to you, you may send me your directions, and I will attend my Lord accordingly, to do you any favour that may stand with his honour, and conduce to your benefit, and redress of grievances. So I take my leave, and rest Yours ready to do you Service, J. H. Westm.) i of June 1632. XLI. To the Rt. Hon. the Earl of Leicester, at Pettworth. MY LORD, SIR John Pennington is appointed to carry your Lordship and your Company to Germany, and he intends to T take 290 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. take you up at Margets. I have been with Mr. Bourlamach, and receiv'd a Bill of Exchange from him for 10,000 Dollars payable in Hamburgh. I have also receiv'd <^2ooo of Sir Paul Pindar for your Lordship's use, and he did me the favour to pay it me all in old Gold. Your Allowance hath begun since the 25th of July last at a^8 per diem, and is to continue so till your Lordship return to His Majesty. I understand by some Merchants to-day upon the Exchange, that the King of Denmark is at Luckstadt, and stays there all this Summer; if it be so, 'twill save half the Voyage of going to Copenhagen^ for in lieu of the Sound, we need go no further than the River of Elve. So I rest Your Lord- ship's most humble and faithful Servitor, J. H. Westm., 13 Aug. 1632. XLII. To the Rt. Hon. the Lord Mohun. MY LORD, THO' any Command from your Lordship be welcome to me at all times, yet that which you lately enjoin' d me in yours of the I2th of August, that I should inform your Lordship of what I know touching the Inquisition, is now a little unseasonable, because I have much to do to prepare myself for this Employment to Germany; therefore I cannot satisfy you in that fulness as I could do otherwise. The very Name of the Inquisition is terrible all Christendom over, and the King of Spain himself, with the chiefest of his Grandees, tremble at it. It was founded first by the Catholic King Ferdinand (our Henry VIII.'s Father-in-law), for he having got Granada, and subdued all the Moors, who had firm footing in that Kingdom about seven hundred years, yet he suffer'd them to live peaceably a while in point of Con- science; but afterwards he sent a solemn Mandamus to the Jaco&m-Fryars to endeavour the Conversion of them, by preaching and all other means. They finding that their pains did little good (and that those whom they had con- verted Sect. 5. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 291 verted turn'd Apostates) obtain'd power to make a research, which afterwards was call'd Inquisition, and it was ratify'd by Pope Sixtus, that if they would not conform themselves by fair means, they should be forc'd to it. The Jacolins being found too severe herein, and for other Abuses besides, this Inquisition was taken from them, and put into the hands of the most sufficient Ecclesiasticks. So a Council was establish'd, and Officers appointed accordingly : Whosoever was found pendulous and brangling in his Religion, was brought by a Sergeant, call'd Familiar, before the said Council of Inquisition; his Accuser or Delator stands be- hind a piece of Tapestry, to see whether he be the Party, and if he be, then they put divers subtill and entrapping Interrogatories to him j and whether he confess anything or no, he is sent to prison. When the said Familiar goes to any House, tho' it be in the dead of the night (and that's the time commonly they use to come, or in the dawn of the day), all doors, and trunks, and chests fly open to him ; and the first thing he doth, he seizeth the Party's breeches, searcheth his pockets, and taketh his keys, and so rum- mageth all his closets and trunks: And a Public Notary, whom he carrieth with him, takes an Inventory of every- thing, which is sequestred and depositated in the hands of some of his next neighbours. The Party being hurry'd away in a close Coach, and clapt in prison, he is there eight days before he makes his Appearance, and then they present to him the Cross, and the Missal-Book to swear upon; if he refuseth to swear, he convicteth himself, and tho' he swear, yet he is remanded to prison : This Oath com- monly is presented before any Accusation be produc'd ; his Gaoler is strictly commanded to pry into his actions, his deportment, words and countenance, and to set spies upon him ; and whosoever of his fellow-prisoners, or others, can produce anything against him, he hath a reward for it. At last, after divers appearances, examinations, and scrutinies, the information against him is read, but the witnesses' names are conceal'd ; then he is appointed a Proctor and an Advo- cate, 292 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. cate, but he must not confer or advise with them privately, but in the face of the Court: The King's Attorney is a party in't, and the Accusers commonly the sole Witnesses. Being to name his own Lawyers, oftentimes others are dis- cover'd, and fall into troubles ; while he is thus in prison, he is so abhorr'd, and abandon'd of all the world, that none will, at least none dare visit him. Tho' one clear himself, yet he cannot be freed till an Act of Faith pass; which is done seldom, but very solemnly. There are few who have fallen into the gripes of the Inquisition, do scape the Rack, or the San-lenito, which is a strait yellow Coat without Sleeves, having the pourtrait of the Devil painted up and down in black ; and upon their heads they carry a Mitre of Paper, with a man frying in the flames of hell upon't; they gag their mouths, and tie a great cord about their necks. The Judges meet in some uncouth dark dungeon, and the Executioner stands by, clad in a close dark garment, his head and face cover' d with a Chaperon, out of which there are but two holes to look thro', and a huge Link burning in his hand. When the Ecclesiastic Inquisitors have pro- nounc'd the Anathema against him, they transmit him to the secular Judges to receive the sentence of death, for Church- men must not have their hands imbru'd in blood: The King can mitigate any punishment under death, nor is a Nobleman subject to the Rack. I pray be pleas'd to pardon this rambling imperfect rela- tion, and take in good part my Conformity to your Com- mands : I am Your Lordship's most ready and faithful Servitor, J. H. Westm., 30 Aug. 1632. SECTION SECTION VI. I. To P. W., Esq.; at the Signet Office, from the English House in Hamburgh. WE are safely come to Germany. Sir John Penington took us aboard in one of His Majesty's Ships at Margets ; and the Wind stood so fair that we were at the Mouth of the Elve upon Monday following. It pleased my Lord I should land first with two Footmen, to make haste to Glukstad, to learn where the K. of Denmark was; and he was at Renslurgh, some two days' journey off, at a Rich- sadgk, an Assembly that corresponds to our Parliament. My Lord the next day landed at Glukstad, where I had provided an Accommodation for him, tho' he intended to have gone for Hamburgh; but I was bold to tell him, that in regard there were some umbrages, and not only so, but open and actual differences 'twixt the King and that Town, it might be ill taken if he went thither first, before he had attended the King. So I left my Lord at Glukstad, and being come hither to take up 8000 rix dollars upon Mr. Burlamach's Bills, and fetch' d Mr. Jlvery our Agent here, I return to-morrow to attend my Lord again. I find that matters are much off the hinges 'twixt the King of Denmark and this Town. The King of Sweden is advancing apace to find out Wal- lestein and Wallestein him ; and in all Appearance they will be shortly engag'd. No more now, for I am interpell'd by many businesses ; when you write, deliver your Letters to Mr. Railton, who will see them safely convey'd ; for a little before my de- parture I brought him acquainted with my Lord, that he might 294 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. might negotiate some things at Court. So, with my ser- vice and love to all at Westminster, I rest Your faithful Servitor, J. H. Hamburgh, 23 Oct. 1632. II. To my Lard discount S.,from Hamburgh. SINCE I was last in Town, my Lord of Leicester hath attended the K. of Denmark at Renslurgh in Hol- steinland; he was brought thither from Glukstad, in dif- ferent good equipage, both for Coaches and Waggons, but he stay'd some days at Renslurgh for Audience : We made a comely gallant show in that kind, when we went to Court, for we were near upon a hundred all of one piece in mourning. It pleas'd my Lord to make me the Orator, and so I made a long Latin Speech, alta voce, to the King in Latin, of the occasion of this Embassy, and tending to the praise of the deceased Queen : And I had better luck than Secretary Naunton had some thirty years since, with Roger Earl of Rutland : For at the beginning of his Speech, when he had pronounc'd Serenissime Rex, he was dash'd out of countenance, and so gravelPd that he could go no further. I made another to Christian V., his eldest Son, King elect of Denmark; for tho' that Crown be purely elective, yet for these three last Kings, they wrought so with the people, that they got their eldest Sons chosen, and declar'd before their death, and to assume the Title of Kings elect. At the same Audience, I made another Speech to Pr. Frederick, Archbishop of Breme, the King's third Son : and he hath but one more (besides his natural issue), which is Prince Ulric, now in the Wars with the Duke of Sax; and they say there is an Alliance contracted already 'twixt Christian V. and the Duke of Sax his daughter. This cere- mony being perform'd, my Lord desir'd to find his own diet, and then he fell to divers businesses, which is not fitting for me to forestall, or impart to your Lordship now : So Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 295 So we stayed there near upon a month. The King feasted my Lord once, and it lasted from eleven of the clock till towards the evening; during which time the King began thirty-five healths ; the first to the Emperor, the second to his Nephew of England; and so went over all the Kings and Queens of Christendom, but he never remember'd the Prince Palsgrave's health, or his Niece's, all the while. The King was taken away at last in his chair, but my Lord of Leicester bore up stoutly all the while ; so that when there came two of the King's Guard to take him by the Arms, as he was going down the stairs, my Lord shook them off, and went alone. The next morning I went to Court for some dispatches, but the King was gone a hunting at break of day ; but going to some other of his Officers, their servants told me without any Appearance of Shame, that their Masters were drunk over night, and so it would be late before they would rise. A few days after we went to Gothorp-Castle in Sleswick- land, to the Duke of Holstein's Court, where, at my Lord's first Audience, I made another Latin Speech to the Duke, touching his Grandmother's death : Our entertainment there was brave, tho' a little fulsome. My Lord was lodg'd in the Duke's Castle, and parted with Presents, which is more than the K. of Denmark did. Thence we went to Husem in Ditzmarsh, to the Dutchess of Holstein's Court (our Q. Anne's youngest Sister), where we had also very full entertainment. I made a Speech to her also, about her Mother s death, and when I nam'd the Lady Sophia the tears came down her cheeks. Thence we came back to Renslurgh, and so to this Town of Hamburgh, where my Lord intends to repose some days after an abrupt odd journey we had thro' Hoist einland ; but I believe it will not be long, in regard Sir John Pennington stays for him upon the River. We expect Sir Robert Anstruther to come from Vienna hither, to take the Advantage of the King's Ship. We understand that the Imperial and Swedish Armies have 296 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. have made near Approaches one to the other, and that some skirmishes and blows have been already 'twixt them, which are the forerunners of a battle. So, my good Lord, I rest Your most humble and faithful Servitor, J. H. Hamburgh, 9 Oct. 1632. IIT. To the Rt. Hon. the Earl R.,from Hamburgh. MY LORD, 'HT^HO' your Lordship must needs think, that in the em- JL ployment I am in (which requires a whole man) my spirits must be distracted by multiplicity of businesses ; yet because I would not recede from my old method, and first principles of travel, when I came to any great City, to couch in writing what's most observable, I sequester'd myself from other Affairs, to send your Lordship what followeth touch- ing this great Hans-Town. The Hans, or Hansiatick Ligue, is very ancient; some would derive the word from Hand, because they of the Society plight their faith by that Action: Others derive it from Hansa, which in the Gothick Tongue is Counsel : Others would have it come from Han der see, which signi- fies near or upon the Sea; and this passeth for the best Etymology, because their Towns are all seated so, or upon some navigable River near the Sea, The extent of the old Hans was from the Nerve in Livonia to the Rhine, and contain'd sixty-two great mercantile Towns, which were divided into four Precincts : The chiefest of the first Precinct was Luleck, where the Archives of their ancient Records, and their prime Chancery, is still, and this Town is within that Verge : Cullen is chief of the second Precinct, Brunswic of the third, and Dantzic of the fourth. The Kings of Poland and Sweden have sued to be their Protector, but they refus'd them because they were not Princes of the Empire ; they put off also the K. of Denmark with a Com- pliment, nor would they admit the K. of Spain when he was Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 297 was most potent in the Netherlands, though afterwards, when 'twas too late, they desir'd the help of the Ragged- Staff"; nor of the Duke of Anjou, notwithstanding that the World thought he should have marry'd our Queen, who o * * interceded for him ; and so 'twas probable that thereby they might recover their privileges in England: So that I do not find they ever had any Protector but the great Master of Prussia; and their want of a Protector did do them some prejudice in that famous difference they had with our Queen. The old Hans had extraordinary Immunities given them by our Henry III. because they assisted him in his Wars with so many Ships ; and, as they pretend, the King was not only to pay them for the service of the said Ships, but for the Vessels themselves, if they miscarry'd : Now it hap- pen'd that at their return to Germany, from serving Henry III., there was a great Fleet of them cast away ; for which, according to Covenant, they demanded reparation. Our King in lieu of Money, among other Acts of Grace, gave them a Privilege to pay but I per Cent., which continued till Queen Mary's Reign ; and she by the Advice of King Philip her Husband, as 'twas conceiv'd, enhanc'd the one to 20 per Cent. The Hans not only complain'd, but clam- our'd loudly for breach of their ancient Privileges, con- firm'd to them time out of mind by thirteen successive Kings of England, which they pretended to have purchased with their Money. K. Philip undertook to accommodate the business ; but Q. Mary dying a little after, and he retiring, there could be nothing done. Complaint being made to Q. Elizabeth, she answer'd, That as she would not innovate any- thing, so she would maintain them still in the same condition she found them : Hereupon their Navigation and Traffic ceased a while. Wherefore the English try'd what they could do themselves, and they throve so well that they took the whole Trade into their own hands, and so divided themselves (tho' they be now but one) to Staplers, and Merchant-Ad- venturers, the one residing constant in one place, where they kept 298 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. kept their Magazine of Wool, the other stirring, and ad- venturing to divers places abroad with Cloth and other Manufactures ; which made the Hans endeavour to draw upon them all the malignancy they could from all Nations. Moreover, the Hans-Towns being a Body-politic incorpo- rated in the Empire, complain'd hereof to the Emperor, who sent over Persons of great Quality to mediate an Accommo- dation, but they could effect nothing. Then the Queen caused a Proclamation to be publish'd, That the Easterlings, or Merchants of the Hans, should be treated and used as all other Strangers were within her Dominions, without any mark of difference, in point of Commerce. This nettled them more ; thereupon they bent their forces more eagerly, and in a Diet at Ratisbon they procur'd, that the English Merchants who had associated themselves into Fraternities in Embden and other places, should be declar'd Monopolists; and so there was a Comitial- Edict publish'd against them, that they should be exterminated, and banish'd out of all parts of the Empire ; And this was done by the Activity of one Suder- man, a great Civilian. There was there for the Queen Gilpin as nimble a Man as Suderman, and he had the Chancellor of Embden to second and countenance him ; but they could not stop the said Edict, wherein the Society of English Mer- chant-Adventurers was pronounc'd to be a Monopoly: Yet Gilpin play'd his game so well, that he wrought under- hand, that the said Imperial-Ban should not be publish'd till after the dissolution of the Diet, and that in the interim the Emperor should send Ambassadors to England, to adver- tise the Queen of such a Ban against her Merchants. But this wrought so little impression upon the Queen, that the said Ban grew rather ridiculous than formidable ; for the Town of Embden harbour'd our Merchants notwithstanding, and afterwards Stode ; but they not being able to protect them so well from the Imperial-Ban, they settled in this Town of Hamburgh. After this the Queen commanded another Proclamation to be divulg'd, That the Easterlings, or Hansiatic Merchants should be allow'd to trade in Eng- land Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 299 land upon the same Conditions and Payment of Duties as her own Subjects, provided that the English Merchants might have interchangeable Privilege, to reside and trade peaceably in Stode or Hamburgh, or any where else, within the precinct of the Hans. This incens'd them more: there- upon they resolv'd to cut off Stode and Hamlurgh from being Members of the Hans, or of the Empire : But they sus- pended this Design till they saw what success the great Spanish Fleet should have, which was then preparing in the year 88: For they had not long before had recourse to the K. of Spain, and made him their own, and he had done them some material good offices: Wherefore to this day the Spanish Council is taxed of improvidence and impru- dence, that there was no use made of the Hans-Towns in that Expedition. The Queen finding that they of the Hans would not be contented with that equality she had offer'd 'twixt them and her own Subjects, put out a Proclamation, that they should carry neither Corn, Victuals, Arms, Timber, Masts, Cables, Minerals, nor any other Materials or Men, to Spain or Portugal. And after the Queen growing more redoubtable and famous by the overthrow of the Fleet of Eighty-eight, the Easterlmgs fell to despair of doing any good. Add hereunto, another disaster that befell them, the taking of sixty Sails of their Ships about the mouth of Tagus in Portu- gal, by the Queen's Ships that were laden with Ropas de contralando, viz., Goods prohibited by her former Procla- mation into the Dominions of Spain : And as these Ships were upon point of being discharg'd, she had intelligence of a great Assembly at Luleck, which had met of purpose to consult of means to be revenged of her ; thereupon she stay'd and seiz'd upon the said sixty Ships, only two were freed to bring news what became of the rest. Hereupon the Pole sent an Ambassador to her, who spake in a high tone, but he was answered in a higher. Ever since our Merchants have beaten a peaceful and free uninterrupted Trade into this Town and elsewhere, within and 300 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Bookl. and without the Sound, with their Manufactures of Wool, and found the way also to the White-Sea, to Archangel and Mosco : Insomuch that the Premises being well consider'd, it was a happy thing for England, that that clashing fell out 'twixt her and the Hans ; for it may be said to have been the chief ground of that Shipping and Merchandizing which she is now come to, and wherewith she hath flourish' d ever since. But one thing is observable, that as that Imperial or Comitial Ban, pronounc'd in the Diet at Ratislon against our Merchants and Manufactures of Wool, incited them more to Industry; so our Proclamation upon Alderman Cockein's Project of transporting no white Cloths but dy'd, and in their full Manufacture, did cause both Dutch and German to turn necessity to a virtue, and made them far more ingenious to find ways not only to dye, but to make Cloth, which hath much impaired our Markets ever since; for there hath not been the third part of our Cloth sold since, either here or in Holland. My Lord, I pray be pleased to dispense with the prolixity of this Discourse, for I could not wind it up closer, nor on a lesser bottom : I shall be careful to bring with me those Furrs I had instructions for. So I rest Your Lordship's most humble Servitor, J. H. Hamburgh, 20 Oct. 1632. IV. To Capt. J. Smith, at the Hague. CAPTAIN, HAVING so wishful an opportunity as this noble Gentleman Mr. James Crofts, who comes with a Packet for the Lady Elizabeth from my Lord of Leicester, I could not but send you this friendly Salute. We are like to make a speedier return than we expected from this Embassy ; for we found the K. of Denmark in Holstein, which shorten'd our Voyage from going to the Sound: The King was in an advantageous posture to give Audience, for there was a Parliament then at Rhenslurgh } where all the Younkers Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 301 Younkers met. Among other things, I put myself to mark the carriage of the Hoist ein Gentlemen, as they were going in and out at the Parliament-House ; and observing well their Physiognomies, their Complexions and Gate, I thought verily I was in England, for they resemble the English more than either Welsh or Scot (tho' cohabiting upon the same Island) or any other People that ever I saw yet : Which makes me verily believe, that the English Nation came first from this lower Circuit of Saxony ; and there's one thing that strengthneth me in this belief, that there is an ancient Town hard by call'd Lunden, and an Island call'd Dingles; whence it may well be that our Country came from Britannia to be Anglia. This Town of Hamburgh from a Society of Brewers is come to a huge wealthy place, and her new Town is almost as big as the old j there is a shrewd jar 'twixt her and her Protector, the King of Denmark. My Lord of Leicester hath done some good offices to accommodate matters : She chomps extremely, that there should be such a Bit put lately in her mouth, as the Fort of Luckstadit, which commands her River of Elve, and makes her pay what toll he pleases. The King begins to fill his Chests apace, which were so emptied in his late Marches to Germany: He hath set a new Toll upon all Ships that pass to this Town ; and in the Sound also there be some extraordinary duties imposed, where- at all Nations begin to murmur, specially the Hollanders, who say, that the old primitive Toll of the Sound was but a Rose-noble for every Ship, but by a new Sophistry it is now interpreted for every Sail that should pass thro' ; inso- much that the Hollander, tho' he be a Low- Countryman, begins to speak High-Dutch in this point, a rough Lan- guage you know : Which made the Italian tell a German Gentleman once, that when God Almighty thrust Adam out of Paradise, he spake Dutch; but the German retorted wittily, Then, Sir, if God spake Dutch when Adam was ejected, Eve spake Italian when Adam was seduced. I 3O2 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book /. I could be larger, but for a sudden Avocation to Busi- ness; so I most affectionately send my kind respects to you, desiring when I am render'd to London, I may hear from you : So I am Your faithful Friend to serve you, J. H. Hamburgh, 22 Oct. 1632. V. To the Rt. Hon. the Earl of Br. MY LORD, I AM newly return'd from Germany, whence there came lately two Ambassadors Extraordinary in one of the Ships Royal, the Earl of Leicester and Sir Robert Anstruther : The latter came from Vienna, and I know little of his nego- tiations ; but for my Lord of Leicester, I believe there was never so much business dispatch'd in so short a compass of time, by any Ambassador, as your Lordship, who is best able to judge, will find by this short relation. When my Lord was come to the K. of Denmark'?, Court, which was then at Rhenslergh, a good way within Holstein, the first thing he did was to condole the late Q,. Dowager's death (our King's Grandmother), which was done in such an equi- page, that the Danes confess'd, there was never Queen of Denmark so mourn'd for. This ceremony being pass'd, my Lord fell to business; and the first thing which he pro- pounded was, that for preventing the further effusion of Christian blood in Germany, and for the facilitating a way to restore peace to all Christendom, His Majesty of Denmark would join with his Nephew of Great Britain, to send a solemn Embassy to the Emperor, and the K. of Sweden (the end of whose proceedings were doubtful), to mediate an Accommodation, and to appear for him who will be found most conformable to reason. To this, that King answered in writing (for that was the way of proceeding) that the Emperor and the Swede were come to that height and heat of war, and to such a violence, that it is no time yet to speak to them of peace ; but when the fury is a little pass'd Sect, 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 303 pass'd, and the times more proper, he would take it for an Honour to join with his Nephew, and contribute the best means he could to bring about so good a Work. Then there was computation made, what was due to the King of Great Britain, and the Lady Elizabeth, out of their Grandmother's estate, which was valued at near upon two millions of Dollars ; and your Lordship must think it was a hard task to liquidate such an account. This being done, my Lord desirM that part which was due to His Majesty (our King) and the Lady his Sister, which appear'd to amount to eightscore thousand pounds sterling. That King answer'd, that he confess'd there was so much money due, but his Mother's estate was yet in the hands of Com- missioners ; and neither he nor any of his Sisters had re- ceiv'd their portions yet; and that his Nephew of England, and his Niece of Holland, should receive theirs with the first; but he did intimate besides, that there were some consider- able Accounts 'twixt him and the Crown of England, for ready moneys he had lent his brother K. James, and for the ^30,000 a month, that was by Covenant promis'd him for the support of his late Army in Germany. Then my Lord propounded, that His Majesty of Great Britain's Subjects were not well us'd by his Officers in the Sound: For tho' there was but a transitory passage into the Baltic-Sea, and that they neither bought nor sold anything upon the place, yet they were forc'd to stay there many days to take up money at high interest, to pay divers Tolls for their Mer- chandise, before they expos'd them to vent: Therefore it was desir'd, that for the future, what English Merchant soever should pass thro' the Sound, it should be sufficient for him to register an Invoice of his Cargazon in the Custom-house Book, and give his Bond to pay all duties at his return, when he had made his Market. To this my Lord had a fair Answer, and so procur'd a public Instru- ment under that King's Hand and Seal, and sign'd by his Counsellors, whom he had brought over, wherein the Proposition was granted ; which no Ambassador could obtain 304 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. obtain before. Then 'twas alledg'd, that the English Merchant-Adventurers who trade into Hamburgh, have a new Toll lately impos'd upon them at Luckstad, which was desir'd to be taken off. To this also, there was the like Instrument given, that the said Toll should be levied no more. Lastly, my Lord (in regard he was to pass by the Hague) desir'd that hereditary part, which belong'd to the Lady Elizabeth out of her Grandmother's Estate, because His Majesty knew well what Crosses and Afflictions she had pass'd, and what a numerous Issue she had to maintain ; and my Lord of Leicester would engage his Honour, and all the Estate he hath in the World, that this should no way prejudice the Accounts he is to make with His Majesty of Great Britain. The K. of Denmark highly extoll'd the Nobleness of this motion ; but he protested, that he had been so drain'd in the late Wars, that his Chests are yet very empty. Hereupon my Lord was feasted, and so departed. He went then to the Duke of Holstein to Sleswick, where he found him at his Castle of Gothorp ; and truly I did not think to have found such a magnificent Building in these bleak parts. There also my Lord did condole the death of the late Queen, that Duke's Grandmother, and he received very princely entertainment. Then he went to Husem, where the like ceremony of Condolement was perform'd at the Dutchess of Holstein' s Court, His Majesty's (our King's) Aunt. Then he came to Hamburgh; where that Instrument which my Lord had procur'd, for remitting of the new Toll at Gluckstadt, was deliver'd the Company of our Merchants- Adventurers ; and some other good offices done for that Town, as matters stood 'twixt them and the King of Denmark. Then we came to Stode, where Lesly was Governor, who carry'd his foot in a Scarf for a wound he had receiv'd at Buckstoho, and he kept that place for the King of Sweden : And some business of consequence was done there also. So Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 305 So we came to Broomslottle, where we stay'd for a Wind some days : And in the midway of our voyage we met with a Holland Ship, who told us, the K. of Sweden was slain ; and so we return'd to London in less than three months. And if this was not business enough for such a compass of time, I leave your Lordship to judge. So, craving your Lordship's pardon for this lame Account, I rest Your Lordship's most humble and ready Servitor, J.H. Lond., i Oct. 1632. VI. To my Brother, Dr. Howell, at his House in Horsley. MY GOOD BROTHER, I AM safely return'd from Germany, thanks be to God ; and the news which we heard at Sea by a Dutch Skipper, about the midst of our Voyage from Hamlurgh, it seems, proves too true, which was of the fall of the K. of Sweden. One Jerlire, who says that he was in the very Action, brought the first news to this Town, and every corner rings of it; yet such is the extravagancy of some, that they will lay wagers he is not yet dead, and the Exchange is full of such People. He was slain at Lutzen field battle, having made the Imperial Army give ground the day before ; and being in pursuance of it, the next morning in a sudden Fog that fell, the Cavalry on both sides being engag'd, he was kill'd in the midst of the Troops, and none knows who kill'd him, whether one of his own men, or the enemy; but finding himself mortally hurt, he told Saxen Waymar, Cousin, I pray look to the Troops, for I think I have enough. His body was not only rescued, but his Forces had the better of the day ; Papenheim being kill'd before him, whom he esteem'd the greatest Captain of all his enemies ; for he was us'd to say, that he had three men to deal withal, a Pultron, a Jesuit, and a Soldier : By the two first, he meant Walstem and the Duke of Bavaria ; by the last, Papenheim. u Questionless 3o6 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. Questionless this Gustavus (whose Anagram is Augustus) was a great Captain, and a gallant man ; and had he surviv'd that last victory, he would have put the Emperor to such a plunge, that some think he would hardly have been able to have made head against him to any purpose again. Yet his own Allies confess, that none knew the bottom of his designs. He was not much affected to the English ; witness the ill usage Marquis Hamilton had with his 6000 men, whereof there return'd not 600 ; the rest died of hunger and sickness, having never seen the face of an enemy : Witness also his harshness to our Ambassadors, and the rigid terms he would have tied the Prince Palsgrave to. So, with my most affectionate respects to Mr. Mouschamp, and kind commends to Mr. Bridger, I rest Your loving Brother, J. H. Wfstm., Dec. 1632. VII. To the R. R. Dr. Field, Lord Bishop of St. Davids. MY LORD, YOUR late Letter affected me with two contrary pas- sions, with gladness and sorrow : The beginning of it dilated my spirits with apprehensions of joy, that you are so well recovered of your late sickness, which I heartily congratulate ; but the conclusion of your Lordship's Letter contracted my spirits, and plung'd them in a deep sense of just sorrow, while you please to write me news of my dear Father's death. Permulsit initium } percussit Jinis. Truly, my Lord, it is the heaviest news that ever was sent me : But when I recollect myself, and consider the fairness and maturity of his Age, and that it was rather a gentle dis- solution than a death ; when I contemplate that infinite advantage he hath got by this change and transmigration, it much lightens the weight of my grief: For if ever human soul enter'd Heaven, surely he is there; such was his con- stant piety to God, his rare indulgence to his Children, his charity Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 307 charity to his Neighbours, and his candor in reconciling differences ; such was the gentleness of his disposition, his unwearied course in actions of virtue, that I wish my soul no other felicity, when she hath shaken off these rags of Flesh, than to ascend to his, and co-enjoy the same bliss. Excuse me, my Lord, that I take my leave at this time so abruptly of you ; when this sorrow is a little digested, you shall hear further from me, for I am Your Lordship's most true and humble Servitor, J. H. Westm.) i of May 1632. VIII. To the Earl of Leicester, at Penshurst. MY LORD, I HAVE deliver'd Mr. Secretary Coke an Account of the whole Legation, as your Lordship order'd me, which contain'd near upon twenty sheets; I attended him also with the Note of your Extraordinaries, wherein I find him something difficult and dilatory yet. The Governor of the Eastland Company, Mr. Alderman Clethero, will attend your Lordship at your return to Court, to acknowledge your favour to them. I have deliver'd him a Copy of the transactions of things that concern'd their Company at Rhenslerg. The news we heard at Sea of the K. of Sweden's death is confirm'd more and more; and by the computation I have been a little curious to make, I find that he was kill'd the same day your Lordship set out of Hamburgh. But there is other news come since of the death of the Prince Palatine, who, as they write, being return'd from visiting the Duke De deux Fonts to Mentz, was struck there with the Contagion ; yet by special ways of cure, the malignity was expell'd, and great hopes of recovery, when the news came of the death of the K. of Sweden, which made such impressions upon him, that he died few days after, having overcome all difficulties, concluding with the 308 FAMILIAR LETTERS. Book I. the Swedes, and the Governor of Frankindall, and being ready to enter into a re-possession of this Country : A sad destiny! The Swedes bear up still, being fomented and supported by the French, who will not suffer them to leave Germany yet. A Gentleman that came lately from Italy told me that there is no great joy in Rome for the death of the K. of Sweden. The Spaniards up and down will not stick to call this Pope Lutherano, and that he had intelligence with the Swedes. 'Tis true that he hath not been so forward to assist the Emperor in this quarrel, and that in open Consis- tory, when there was such a Contrasto ' twixt the Cardinals for a supply from St. Peter, he declar'd that he was well satis- fy'd that this War in Germany was no War of Religion : Which made him dismiss the Imperial Ambassadors with'this short Answer, that the Emperor had drawn these mischiefs upon himself; for at that time when he saw the Swedes upon the Frontiers of Germany, if he had employ'd those Men and Moneys which he consum'd to trouble the Peace of Italy in making War against the Duke of Mantua, against them he had not had now so potent an Enemy. So I take my leave for this time, being Your Lordship's most humble and obedient Servitor, J. H. Westm., sJune 1632. IX. To Mr. E. D. SIR, I THANK you a thousand times for the noble Entertain- ment you gave me at Bury, and the pains you took in shewing me the Antiquities of that Place. In requital, I can tell you of a strange thing I saw lately here, and I believe 'tis true : As I pass'd by St. Dunstan's in Fleet-street the last Saturday, I stepp'd into a Lapidary or Stone-cutter's shop, to treat with the Master for a Stone to be put upon my Father's Tomb ; and casting my eyes up and down, I spied Sect. 6. FAMILIAR LETTERS. 309 spied a huge Marble with a large Inscription upon't, which was thus, to my best remembrance : Here lies John Oxenham, a goodly young Man, in whose Chamber, as he was struggling with the pangs of death, a Bird with a white breast was seen fluttering about his bed, and so vanished. Here lies also Mary Oxenham, the Sister of the said John, who died the next day, and the same apparition was seen in the Room. Then another Sister is spoke of. Then, Here lies hard by James Oxenham, the Son of the said John, who died a Child in his Cradle a little after; and such a Bird was seen fluttering about his head, a little before he expired, which vanished afteru