be had from Italy and the chief Materials from Spain France and other Forren Countries there is need â—…f an Agent abroad for this use and better then I have offered their service in this kind so that I believe I shall have Employment in all these Countreys before I return Had I continued still Steward of the Glasse-house in Broadstreet 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 sutable to my yeers and that will I hope prove more advantagious 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 addresse to you for I have no other Rendevous to flee unto but it shall not be unlesse in case of great indigence Touching the News of the Time Sir George Villiers the new Favorit tapers up apace and grows strong at Court His Predecessor the Earl of Somerset hath got a Lease of ninety 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 extraordinary an 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 flyes could not break thorow but lay entangled in the Cobweb amongst others Mistris Turner the first Inventress of yellow-Starch was executed in a Cobweb Lawn Ruff of that color at Tyburn and with her I believe that yellow-Starch which so much disfigured our-Nation and rendered them so ridiculous anâ—… fantastic will receive its Funerall Sir Gervas Elwayes Lieutenanâ—… of the Tower was made a notable Example of Justice and Terrâ—… to all Officers of Trust for being accessory and that in a passiâ—… way only to the murder yet he was hanged on Tower-hill anâ—… the Caveat is very remarkable which he gave upon the Gallowâ—… That people should be very cautious how they make Vows 〈◊〉 heaven for the breach of them seldome passe without a Judgement whereof he was a most ruthfull Example for being in thâ—… Low-Countreys and much given to Gaming he once made a solemn Vow which he brake afterwards that if he played abovâ—… such a sum he might be hanged My Lord William of Pembrook diâ—… a most noble Act like himself for the King having given hiâ—… all Sir Gervas Elway's estate which came to above 1000 pound 〈◊〉 he freely bestowed it on the widow and her children The later end of this week I am to go a Ship-board and first 〈◊〉 the Low-Countreys I humbly pray your Blessing may accompany me in these my Travels by Land and Sea with a conâ—…uance of your prayers which will be as so many good Gales to â—…ow me to safe Port for I have been taught That the Parents Beâ—…udictions contribute very much and have a kind of prophetic vertue â—…o make the childe prosperous In this opinion I shall ever rest Broad-street in London this 1. of March 1618. Your dutifull Son J. H. III. To Dr. Francis Mansell since Principall of Jesus Colledge in Oxford SIR BEing to take leave of England and to lanch out into the world abroad to Breath forren air a while I thought it very â—…andsom and an act well becoming me to take my leave also of â—…ou and of my dearly honoured Mother Oxford Otherwise both â—…f you might have just grounds to exhibite a Bill of Complaint or rather a Protest against me and cry me up you for a forgetfull friend she for an ingratefull Son if not some spurious Issue To â—…revent this I salute you both together you with the best of my â—…ost candid affections her with my most dutifull observance â—…nd thankfulnesse for the milk she pleased to give me in that Exuberance had I taken it in that measure she offered it me while â—… slept in her lap yet that little I have sucked I carry with me â—…ow abroad and hope that this cours of life will help to concoct 〈◊〉 to a greater advantage having opportunity by the nature of â—…y employment to study men as well as Books The small time I â—…upervis'd the Glasse-house I got amongst those Venetians some â—…atterings of the Italian Toung which besides the little I have â—…ou know of School-languages is all the Preparatives I have made â—…or travell I am to go this week down to Gravesend and so â—…mbarque for Holland I have got a Warrant from the Lords of â—…he Councell to travell for three years any where Rome and S. Omer excepted I pray let me retain some room though never so little in your thoughts during the time of this our separation and let our souls meet sometimes by intercours 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 raâ—…e So with apprecation 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 this 〈◊〉 of March 1618. IV. To Sir James Crofts Knight at S. Osith SIR I Could not shake hands with England without kissing 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 News that keeps greatest noise here now is the return of Sir Walter Raleigh from his myne 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 myne is proved a meer Chymerâ—… an imaginary aiâ—…y myne and indeed his Majestie had never any other conceipt of it But what will not one in Captivity as Sir Walter was promise to regain his Freedom who would not promise not onely mynes but mountains of Gold for Liberty t is 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 carried him thither is like to prove a fatall Destiny to him and to some of the rest of those gallant Adventurers which contributed 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 generall conceipt the world had of the wisedom 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 Phisick to make him look sickly that he may be the more pitied and permitted to lie in his own
Fresh-water is brought unto them by Boats besides they have Cesterns to receive the Rain-water which they much use So that my Laundresse bringing my Linnen to me one day and I commending the Whitenesse of them she answered That they must needs be White and Fair for they were washed in Aqua Coelestis meaning Skie-water T were cheap living here were it not for the monstrous Accises which are impos'd upon all sorts of Commodities both for Belly and Back for the Retailer payes the States almost the one Moity as much as he payed for the Commodity at first nor doth any murmur at it because it goes not to any Favourit or private Purse but to preserve them from the Spaniard their common Enemy as they term him so that the saying is truely verified here Desend me and spend me With this Accise principally they maintain all their Armies by Sea and Land with their Garrisons at home and abroad both here and in the Indies and defray all other public charges besides I shall hence shortly for France and in my way take most of the prime Towns of Holland and Zealand specially Leyden the University where I shall sojourn some days So humbly craving a continuance of your Blessing and Prayers I rest May the 1. 1619. Your dutiful Sâ—… J. H. VIII To Dr. Tho. Prichard at Jesus Colledg in Oxford from Leyden SIR IT is the Royall Prerogative of Love not to be confined to that small Locall compasse which circumscribes the Body but to make his Sallies and Progresses abroad to find out and enjoy his desired object under what Region soever Nor is it the vast Gulph of Neptun or any distance of place or difference of Clime can bar him of this priviledge I never found the experiment hereof so sensibly nor felt the comfort of it so much as since I shook hands with England For though you be in Oxford and I at Leyden albeit you be upon an Island and I now upon the Continent though the lowest part of Europ yet those swift Postillions 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 fantasie enjoyes you often in my sleep when all my sences are lock'd up and my soul wanders up and down the World sometimes through pleasant Fields and Gardens sometimes through odd uncouth places over Mountains and broken confused Buildings As my love to you doth thus exercise his power so I desire yours to me may not be idle but rows'd up sometimes to find me out and summon me to attend you in Iesus Colledge I am now here in Leyden the onely Academy besides Franiker of all the United Provinces Here are Nations of all sorts but the Germans swarrâ—… more then any To compare their University to yours were to cast New-Inne in counterscale with Christ-Church Colledge or the Alms Houses on Tower Hill to Suttons Hospitall Here are no Colledges at all God-wot but one for the Dutch nor scarce the face of an University onely there are generall Schools where the Sciences are read by severall Professors but all the Students are Oppidanes A small time and lesse learning will suffice to make one a Graduate nor are those Formalities of Habits and other Decencies here as with you much lesse those Exhibitions and Support for Schollers with other encouragements in so much that the Oxonians and Cantabrigians Bona si suae 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 coelum tenuâ—… iâ—…genia The Athenians had a thick Air and thin Wits so I may say of these Lugdunensianâ—… They have a grosse Ayr but thin subtile Wits some of them Witnesse else Hernsius Grotins Arminius and Bandius 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 Baudî dedecoras nostram Academiam tu Arminî nostram Religionem Thou Baudius disgracest our University and thou Arminius our Religion The Heaven here hath alwayes some Clowd in his countenance and from this grossenesse and spissitude of Air proceeds the slow Nature of the Inhabitants yet this slownesse is recompenc'd with another benefit it makes them patient and constant as in all other actions so in their Studies and Speculations though they use Crassos transire Dies lucemque palustrem I pray impart my Love liberally amongst my Friends in Oxford and when you can make truce with your more serious Meditations bestow a thought drawn into a few Lines upon Leyden May the 30. 1619. Your J. H. IX To Mr. Richard Altham at his Chamber in Grayes-Inne Dear Sir THough 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 boundlesse as that of the imagination and where the imagination rangeth the memory is still busie to usher in and present the desired object it fixeth upon it is love that sets them both on work and may be said to be the highest sphear whence they receive their motion Thus you appear unto me often in these Forren Travels and that you may beleeve me the better I send you these Lines as my Ambassadors and Ambassadors must not lie to inform you accordingly and to salute you I desire to know how you like Ployden I heard it often said That ther is no study requires patience and constancy more then the Common-Law for it is a good while before one comes to any known perfection in it and consequently to any gainfull practise This I think made Iack Chaundleâ—… 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 Crabbednesse and intricacy could not deter you but that you waded through the very midst of them and arriv'd to so excellent a perfection I believe it is not in the power of Ployden to Dastardize or Cowe your Spirits untill you have overcom him at least wise 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 Logitian makes alwayes a good Lawyer and hereby one may give a strong conjecture of the aptnesse or ineptitude of ones capacity to that study and profession and you know as well as I that Logitians who went under the name of
a good while the interest of a Friend in me but you have me now in a streighter tie for I am your brother by your sate mariage which hath turnd friendship into an alliance you have in your arms one of my dearest sisters who I hope nay I know will make a good wife I heartily congratulate this mariage and pray that a blessing may descend upon it from that place where all mariages are made which is from Heaven the Fountain of all felicitie to this prayer I think it no prophaness 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 verified in you both Foelices ter amplius Quos irrupta tenet copula nec malis Divulsus querimoniis Suprema citius solvet amor die Thus English'd That Couple's more than trebly blest Which nuptiall bonds do so combine That no distast can them untwine Till the last day send both to rest So dear brother I much rejoyce for this alliance and wish you may encrease and multiply to your hearts content May the 20 1622. Your affectionat brother J. H. XVII To my brother Doctor Howell from Brussels SIR I Had yours in Latin at Roterdam whence I corresponded with you in the same Language I heard though not from you since I came from Brussells that our sister Anne is lately maried to Mr Hugh Penry I am heartily glad of it and wish the rest of our fisters were so well bestowd 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 Oâ—…conomist Here is news that Mansfelâ—… hath receiv'd a foyl lately in Germany and that the Duke of Brunswick alias Bishop of Halverstadt hath lost one of his arms This maks them vapor here extremely and the last week I heard of a play the Jesuits of Antwerp made in derogation or rather derision of the proceedings of the Prince Palsgrave where amongst divers other passages they feignd a Post to com puffing upon the stage and being askd what news he answerd how the Palsgrave was like to have shortly a huge formidable Army for the King of Denmark was to send him a hundred thousand the Hollanders a hundred thousand and the King of great Britaine a hundred thousand but being asked thousands of what he replied the first would send 100000. red Herings the second 100000. Cheeses and the last 100000. Ambassadors alluding to Sir Richard Weston and Sir Edward Conway my Lord Carlile Sir Arthur Chichester and lastly the Lord Digby who have bin all imploy'd in quality of Ambassadors in lesse than two years since the beginning of these German broils touching the last having bin with the Emperor and the Duke of Bavaria and carried himself with such high wisdom in his negotiations with the one and stoutnes with the other and having preserv'd Count Mansfielâ—…s troups from disbanding by pawning his own argentry and Jewells he pass'd this way where they say the Archduke did esteem him more than any Ambassador that ever was in this Court and the report is yet very fresh of his high abilities Wee 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 I pray remember me also to all at the Hill and the Dale specially to that most vertuous Gentleman Sir Iohn Franklin So my dear brother I pray God continue and improve his blessings to us both and bring us again together with comfort Iune 10. 1622. Your brother J. H. XVIII To Dr. The Prichard at Worcester House SIR FRiendship is that great chain of human societie and intercours of letters is one of the chiefest links of that chain you know this as well as I therfore I pray let our friendship let our love that national ty of British love that vertuous ty of Academiâ—… love be still strengthned as heretofore and receive daily more and more vigor I am now in Paris and ther 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 punctuall in this kind of payment I am heartily glad to hear that you are becom a domestic member to that most noble Family of the Worcesters and I hold it to be a very good foundation for future preferment I wish you may be as happy in them as I know they will be happy in you Fâ—…ance is now barren of news only there was a shrewd brush lately twixt the young King and his Mother who having the Duke of Espernon and others for her Champions met him in open field about pont de Ce but she went away with the worst such was the rare dutifulnes of the King that he forgave her upon his knees and pardon'd all her complices And now ther is an universall Peace in this Countrey which t is thought will not last long for ther is a war intended against them of the reformd Religion for this King though he be slow in speech yet is he active in spirit and loves motion I am here camrade to a gallant young Gentleman my old acquaintance who is full of excellent parts which he hath acquir'd by a choice breeding the Baron his Father gave him both in the University and the Inns of Court so that for the time I envy no mans happines So with my hearty commends and 〈◊〉 â—…ndear'd love unto you I rest 〈◊〉 3. Aug. â—…622 Yours whiles Jam. Howell XIX To the honble Sir Tho. Savage after Lord Savage at his House upon Tower-Hill honble SIR THose many undeserved favors for which I stand oblig'd to your self and my noble Lady since the time I had the happines to com first under your roof and the command you pleas'd to lay upon me at my departure thence call upon me at this time to give you account how matters passe in France That which for the present affords most plenty of news is Rochell which the King threatneth to block up this Spring with an army by sea under the comand of the D. of Nevers and by a land army under his own conduct 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 tolerat but for holding an Assembly against his Declarations They answer that their Assembly is grounded upon his Majesties royal Warrant given at the dissolution of the last Assembly at Lodun wher he solemnly gave his word to permit them to re-assemble when they would six months asâ—…er if the breaches of their liberty and grievances which they then propounded wer not redressed and they say this being unperform'd it stands not with the sacred Person of a
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 Gondamar doth strongly negotiat a Match 'twixt our Prince and the Infanta of Spain but at his first audience ther happen'd an ill favor'd accident I pray God it prove no ill augury for my Lord of Arundell being sent to accompany him to White Hall upon a Sunday in the afternoon as they were going over the Tarrasse it broke under them but onely one was hurt in the arm Gondamar said that he had not car'd to have dyed in so good company he saith ther is no other way to regain the Palatinate but by this match and to settle an eternall Peace in Christendom The Marquis of Buckingham continueth still in fulnes of grace and favor the Countess his Mothes sways also much at Court she brought Sir Henry Montague from delivering law on the K. 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 years end though his puâ—… had bled deeply for it above 20000 l. which made a Lord of this Land to ask him at his return from Court whether he did not find that wood was extreme dear at New-market for there he receiv'd the white staff Ther is now a notable stirring man in the place my Lord Cranfield who from walking about the Exchange is com to sit chief Judge in the Chequer Chamber and to have one of the highest places at the Counsell Table He is maried to one of the Tribe of Fortune a kinswoman of the Marquis of Buckingham Thus ther is rising and falling at Court and aâ—… in our naturall pace one foot cannot be up till the other be down so is it in the affairs of the world commonly one man riseth at the fall of the other I have no more to write at this time but that with tender of my duy to you I desire a continuance of your blessing and prayers Lond. March 22. 1622. Your dutifull Son J. H. II. To the Honble M. John Savage now Earl Rivers at Florence SIR MY love is not so short but it can reach as far as Florence to find you out and further too if occasion requir'd nor are those affections I have to serve you so dull but they can clammer ore the Alps and Apennin to wait upon you as they have adventur'd to do now in this paper I am sorry I was not in London 〈◊〉 kiss your hands before you set to Sea and much more sorry that I had not the happines 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 sweetnes of Travell 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 cours and yours I understand will be three years in the mean time you must not suffer any melting tendernes of thoughts or longing desires to distract or interrupt you in that fair road you are in to vertue and to beautifie within that comly Edifice which nature hath built without you 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 therfore you must be carefull 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 Theater of Vertue But though Italy give milk to Vertue with one dug she often suffers Vice to suck at the other therfore you must take heed you mistake not the dug for ther is an ill favourd saying that Inglese Italionato è Diavolo incarnato An Englishman Italianat is a Devill incarnat I fear no such thing of you I have had such pregnant proofs of your ingenuity and noble inclinationâ—… to vertue and honor 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 first speak a good word for you when you go to Rome you may haply see the ruines of two Temples one dedicated to Vertue the other to Honor and ther was no way to enter into the last but through the first Noble Sir I wish your good very seriously and if you please to call to memory and examin the circumstance of things and my carriage towards you since I had the happines to be known first to your Honorable Family I know you will conclude that I love and honor 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 Ligorn amongst other things he intends to send you a whole Brawn in collers I pray be pleasd to remember my affectionat service to Mr. Tho. Savage and my kind respects to Mr. Bold for English news I know this packet coms fraighted to you therfore I forbear at this time to send any Farewell noble Heir of Honor and command always Lond. March 24. 1622. Your true Servitor J. H. III. To Sir James Crofts Knight at Saint Osith in Essex SIR I had yours upon tuesday last and wheras you are desirous to know the proceedings of the Parliament I am sorry I must write to you that matters begin to grow boysterous The King retir'd not long since to New market not very well pleasd 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 calld them his Ambassadors and in the large answer which he hath sent to the Speaker he saith that he must apply unto them a speech of Queen Elizabeths to an Ambassador of Poland Legatum expectavimus Heralaum 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 which would not marry his Son without the advice of his Parliament but afterwards that King grew so despicable abroad that no Forren State would treat with him about any thing without his Parliament Sundry other high passages ther were as a caveat he gave them not to touch the honor of the King of Spain with whom he was so far ingag'd in a matrimoniall 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 Iustice and that Sir Edward Coke though these words were not
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 Ther was a great Turky ship call'd the Vineyard sailing through the Streights towards Constantinople 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 peny neer upon 30000 l. they cavell'd at some small proportion of lead and tin which they had only for the use of the ship which the Searchers alleged to be ropa de contrabando prohibited goods for by Article of Peace nothing is to be carried to Turky that may arm or vittle The Vice-Roy of Sardinia hereupon seizd upon the whole ship and all her goods landed the Master and men in Spain who coming to Sir Charls Corawalles then Ambassador at the Courâ—… Sir Charles could do them little good at present therfore they came to England and complaind to the King and Counsell his Majesty was so sensible hereof that he sent a particular Commission in his own royall Name to demand a restitution of the ship and goods and justice upon the Vice-Roy of Sardinia who had so apparently broke the Peace and wrongd his Subjects Sir Charles with Sir Paul Piâ—…dar a while labourd in the business and commenc'd a sute in Law but he was calld home before he could do any thing to purpose After him Sir Iohn Digby now Lord Digby went Ambassador to Spain and amongst other things he had that particular Commission from his Majesty invested in him to prosecut the sute in his own royall Name Therupon he sent a well qualified Gentleman Mr Walsingham Gâ—…sley to Sardinia who unfortunately meeting with som men of War in the passage was carried prisoner to Algier My Lord Digby being remanded home left the business in Mr Cotingtons hands then Agent but reassum'd it at his return yet it prov'd such a tedious intricate sute 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 fetchd The Lord Digby is going now Ambassador extraordinary to the Court of Spain upon the business of the match the restitution oâ—… the Palatinate and other high affairs of State therfore he is desirous to transmit the Kings Commission to ching this particular business to any gentleman that is capable to follow it and promiseth to assist him with the utmost of his power and he saith he hath good reason to do so in regard he hath now a good round share himself in it About this busines I am now preparing to go to Spain in company of the Ambassador and I shall kiss the Kings 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 reward So with my dear love to my brothers and sisters with other kindred and friends in the countrey I rest London 8 Sept. 1623. Your dutifull Son J. H. VII To Sir Tho Savage Knight and Baronet at his house in Long-Melford honble SIR I Receivd your commands in a Letter which you sent me by Sir Iohn North and I shall not fail to serve you in those particulars It hath pleased God to dispose of me once more for Spain upon a business which I hope will make me good returns ther have two Ambassadors and a royall Agent follow'd it hitherto and I am the fourth that is employed in it I defer to trouble you with the particulars 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 Digby sets forward He goes in a gallant splendid Equipage and one of the Kings ships is to take him in at Plymouth and transport him to the Corunnia or Saint Andeâ—…as Since that sad disaster which befell Archbishop Abbot to kill the man by the glancing of an arrow as he was shooting at a Deer which kind of death befell one of our Kings once in new Forrest ther hath bin a Commission awarded to debate whether upon this fact wherby he hath shed human bloud he be not to be depriv'd of his Archbishoprick and pronounc'd irregular som were against him but Bishop Andrews and Sir Henry Martin stood stifly for him that in regard it was no spontaneous act but a meer contingencie and that ther is no degree of men but is subject to misfortunes and casualties they declar'd positively that he was not to fall from his dignity or function but should still remain a regular and in statu quo prius during this debate he petitioned the King that he might be permitted to retire to his Almes-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 restor'd to all things But for the wife of him which was killd it was no misfortune to her for he hath endowed herself and her children with such an Estate that they say her Husband could never have got So I humbly kisse your hands and rest London 9 Nov. 1622. Your most obliged Serviâ—… J. H. VIII To Captain Nich Leat from Madrid at his house in London SIR I Am safely com to the Court of Spain and although by reason of that misfortune which befell Mr Altham and me of wounding the Sergeants in Lombardstreet we staied 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 lookd on now in Spain than ordinary because of the hopes ther are of a match which the Merchant and comunalty much desire though the Nobility and Gentry be not so forward for it so that in this point the puls of Spâ—… beats quite contrary to that of England where the people are â—…vers to this match and the Nobility with most part of the Gentry inclinable I have perusd all the papers I could get into my hands touching the business of the ship Vineyard and I find that they are higher than I in bulk though closely prest together I have cast up what iâ—… awarded by all the sentences of view and review by the Counsell of State War and I find the whole sum as wel principall as interest upon interest all sorts of damages and processall charges com to above two hundred and fifty thousand Crowns The Conde del Real quondam Viceroy of Sardinia who is adjudged to pay most part of this money is here and he is Mayordomo Lord steward to the Infante Cardinall if he hath wherwith I donbt not but to recover the money for I hope
to send you this We were but five horsemen in all our seven daies journey from Madrid hither and the charge Mr. Wiches had is valued at four hundred thousand Crowns but 't is 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 through a Forrest and lighting off our Mules to take a little repast under a tree wee tooke down our Alforjas and som bottles of wine and you know 't is ordinary here to ride with ones victualls about him but as we were eating we spied two huge Woolfs who star'd upon us a while but had the good manners to go a way It put me in minde of a pleasant tale I heard Sir Thomas Fairâ—…ax relate of a Soldier in Ireland who having got his Passeport to go for England as he pass'd through a Wood with his Knapsac upon his back being weary he sate down under a Tree wher he opened his Knapsack and fell to som Victualls he had but upon a sudden he was surpriz'd with two or three Woolfs who comming towards him he threw them scraps of Bread and Cheese till all was don then the Woolfs making a neerer approach unto 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 bin scar'd out of their wiâ—…s wherupon the Soldier said A pox take you all if I had known you had lov'd music so well you should have had it before dinner If ther 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 Bilbo Sept. 6. 1624. Your humble Servitor J. H. Familiar Letters SECTION IV. I. To my Father from London SIR I Am newly returnd from Spain I came over in Convoy of the Prince his jewells for which one of the Ships Royall with the Catch were sent under the Command of Captain Love We landed at Plimouth whence I came by Post to Theobalds in less then two nights and a day to bring his Majesty news of their safe arrivall The Prince had newly got a fall off a Horse and kept his Chamber the jewells were valued at above a hundred thousand pounds som of them a little before the Prince his departure had bin presented to the Infanta but she waving to receive them yet with a civill complement 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 Palatinat had bin dissolv'd a pretty while before by Act of Parliament that a war was threatned and Ambassadors revok'd Ther were jewells also amongst them to be presented to the King and Queen of Spain to most of the Ladies of Honour and the Grandees Ther was a great Table Diamond for Olivares of eighteen Carrats Weight but the richest of all was to the Infanta her self which was a Chain of great Orient Perl to the number of 276. weighing nine Ounces The Spaniards notwithstanding they are the Masters of the Staple of jewells stood astonish'd at the beuty 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 busines of it but 't is no wonder nor can it be I hope any disrepute unto me that I could not bring to pass what three Ambassadors could not do before me I am now casting about for another Fortun and som hopes I have of employment about the Duke of Buckingham he sways more than ever for wheras he was before a Favorit to the King hee is now a Favorit 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 Countrey 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 Countrey So desiring still your Blessing and Prayers I rest London Decemb 10 1624. Your dutifull Son J. H. II. To R. Brown Esq. Dear Sir THer is no seed so fruitfull as that of Love I do not mean that gross carnall Love which propagats the World but that which preserves it to wit Seeds of Friendship which hath little commerce with the Body but is a thing Divine anâ—… Spirituall Ther cannot be a more pregnant proof hereof then those Seeds of Love which I have long since cast into your Brest which have thriven so well and in that exuberance that they have been more fruitfull unto mee then that field in Sicily call'd Le trecente caricheâ—… The field of three hundred Loads so call'd because it returns the Sower three hundred for one yearly So plentifull hath your love been unto me but amongst other sweet fruits it hath born 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 hugg and highly esteem them and you in them for they yeelded me both profit and pleasure That Seed which you have also sown in me hath â—…ructified somthing but it hath not been able to make you such rich returns nor afford so plentifull a Crop yet I dare sayâ—… this Crop how thin soever was pure and free from Tares from Cockle or Darnell from flattery or fashood and what it shall produce hereafter shall be so nor shall any injury of the Heavens as Tempests or Thunder and Lightning I mean no cross or affliction whatsoever be able to blast and smutt it or hinder it to grow up and fructifie still This is the third time God Almighty hath been pleas'd to bring me back to the sweet bosom of my dear Countrey from beyond the Seas I have been already comforted with the sight of many of my choice friends but I miss you extremely therfore I pray make haste for London streets which you and I have trod together so often will prove tedious to me els Amongst other things Black-Friers will entertain you with a Play Spick and span new and the Cock-pit with another nor I beleeve after so long absence will it be an unpleasing object for you to see London Ian. 20 1624. Your J. H. III. To the Lord Vicount
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 ther were so many killd at the Isle of â—…hee The Marquis of Chasteau neuf is here from France and it was an odd speech also from him reflecting upon Mr. Controuler that the King of great Britain us'd to send for his Ambassadors from abroad to pluck Capons at home Mr. Buâ—…lemach is to go shortly to Paris to recover the other moity of her Majesties portion wherof 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 so potent that I hear his eldest Son is to marry one of the bloud Royall of Scotland the Duke of Lenox Sister and that with his Majesties consent Bishop Laâ—…d of London is also powerfull in his way for hee 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 favor as to write how the grand Signor is like to speed before Bagdaâ—… in this his Persian expedition No more now but that I always rest Westmin 1 Ian. 1629. Your Lordships ready and most faithfull Servitor J. H. XXXIV To my Father SIR SIr Tho. Wentworth hath been a good while Lord President of York and since is sworn Privy Counsellor and made Baron and Vicount the Duke of Buckingham himself flew not so high in so short a revolution of time Hee was made Vicount with a great deale of high ceremony upon a Sunday in the afternoon at VVhite-Hall My Lord Powis who affects him not much being told that the Heralds had fetch'd his Pedigree from the bloud Royall viz. from Iohn of Gaunt said Dammy if ever he com to be King of England I will turn Rebell 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 three hundred pounds I have no reason to leave my Lord of Sunderland for I hope hee will bee noble unto me the perquisits of my place taking the Kings see away caâ—… far short of what he promis'd me at my first comming to him in regard of his non-residence at York therfore I hope he will consider it som other way This languishing sicknes still hangs on him and I fear will make an end of him Ther 's none can tell what to make of it but he voided lately a strange Worm at VVickham but I fear ther 's an impostume growing in him for he told me a passage how many years ago my Lord VVilloughby and he with so many of their servants de gayete de câ—…ur played a match at foot-ball against such a number of Countrey men where my Lord of Sunderland being busie about the ball got a bruise in the brest which put him in a swond for the present but did not trouble him till three months after when being at Bever Castle his brother-in-laws house a quaume took him on a sudden which made him retire to his bed-chamber my Lord of Rutland following him put a Pipe full of Tobacco in his mouth and he being not accustomed to Tobacco taking the smoak downwards fell a casting and vomiting up divers little impostumated bladders of congeal'd bloud which sav'd his life then and brought him to have a better conceit of Tobacco ever after and I fear ther is som of that clodded bloud still in his body Because Mr. Hawes of Cheâ—…p-side is lately dead I have remov'd my brother Griffith to the Hen and Chickens in Pater Noster Row â—…o Mr. Taylors as gentile a shop as any in the City but I gave a peece 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 Captain Phillips the Mustar-master and when he carried me first to London there was twenty pounds offered for him by my Lady Carlile No more now but desiring a continuance of your blessing and prayers I rest Lond. 3 Decem. 1630. Your dutifull Son J. H. XXXV To the Lord Cottington Ambassador Extraordinary for his Majesty of great Britain in the Court of Spaine My Lord I Receiv'd your Lordships lately by Harry Davies the Correo Santo and I return my humble thanks that you were pleas'd to be mindfull amongst so many high negotiations of the old busines touching the Viceroy of Sardinia I have acquainted my Lord of Bristoll accordingly Our eyes here look very greedily after your Lordship and the success of your Embassie and we are glad to hear the busines is brought to so good a pass and that the capitulations are so honorable the high effects of your wisdom For News The Sweds do notable featâ—… Germany and we hope they cutting the Emperour 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 advantage to the Prince Palatin and facilitat matters for restoring him to his Country Ther is little news at our Court but that ther fell an ill-favoured quarrell 'twixt Sir Kenelm Digby and Mr. Goring Mr. Iermin and others at St. Iames lately about Mrs Baker the Maid of honor and Duells were like to grow of it but that the busines was taken up by the Lord Treasurer my Lord of Dorset and others appointed by the King My Lord of 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 honorable return as doth Lond. 1 March 1630. Your Lopps most humble and ready Servitor J. H. XXXVI To my Lo Vicount Rocksavage My Lord SOm say the Italian loves no favor but what 's future though I have convers'd much with that Nation yet I am nothing infected with their humor in this point for I love favors pass'd as well the remembrance of them joyes 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 noble favors and respects which I shall daily study to improve and merit My Lord Your Lopps most humble and ready Servitor J. H. Westmin 22 Mar. 1630. XXXVII To the Earl of Bristol My Lord I Doubt not but your â—…ordship hath had intelligence from time time what firm invasions the King of Sweds hath made into Germany and by what degrees he hath mounted to this height having but six thousand foot and five hundred horse when he entred first to Meclenburg and taken that Town while Commissioners stood treating on both sides