by the next shipping besides she entreats you to send her a pot of the best mithridate and so much of treacle All your frends here are well and joviall T. T. drank your health yesternight and wish'd you could send him a handsome Venetiaâ—… Courâ—…isan inclos'd in a letter he would willingly be at the charge of the postage which he thinks would not be much for such a light commodity Farewell my dear Tom have a care of your courses and continue to love him who is Westmin 15 Ian. 1635. Yours to the altar J. H. XVIII To Mr. T. Jackson at Madrid SIR THough a great sea severs â—…s now yet 't is not all the water of the Ocean can drowne the remembrance of you in me but that it floats and flows daily in my brain I must confess for 't is impossible the mind of man should fix it self alwaies upon one object it hath somtimes its ebbs in me but 't is to rise up again with greater force At the writing heerof 't was floud 't was spring-tide which sweld so high that the thoughts of you overwhelm'd all others within me they ingross'd all my intellectualls for the time You write to me fearfull news â—…ouching the revolt of the Catalan from Castillia of the tragicall murthering of the Viceroy and the burning of his House Those mountaneers are mad Lads I fear the sparkles of this fire will fly further either to Portugall or to Sicilia and Italy all which Countries I observ'd the Spaniard holds as one would do a Woolf by the â—…ar fearing they should run aâ—…ay ever and anon from him The newes here is that Lambeth House beares all the sway at White-Hall and the Lord Deputy Kings it notably in Ireland som that love them best could wish them a little more moderation I pray buy Suarez works for me of the last edition Mr. William Pawley to whom I desire my most hearty commends may be presented will see it safely sent by way of Bilâ—…ao your frends here are all well as is thanks be to God Holborn 3 Mar. 1638. Your true friend to serve you J. H. XXIX To Sir Edward Sa. Knight Sir Edward I Had a shrewd disease hung lately upon mâ—… proceeding as the Physicians told me from this long reclused life and close restraint which had much wasted my spirits and brought me low when the Crisis was past I began to grow doubtfull that I had but a short time to breath in this elementary world my feaver still encreasing and finding my soule weary of this muddy mansion and me thought more weary of this prison of flesh than this flesh was of this prison of the Fleet. Therfore after som gentle slumbers and unusuall dreames about the dawnings of the day I had a lucid intervall and so I fell a thinking how to put my little house in order and to make my last will Heerupon my thoughts ran upon Grunnius sophista's last Testament who having nothing else to dispose of but his body he bequeathed all the parts therof in Legacies as his skin to the Tanners his bones to the Dice makers his guts to the Musitians his fingers to the Scriveners his toung to his fellow sophisters which were the Lawyers of those times and so forth as he thus dissected his body so I thought to divide my mind into legacies having as you know little of the outward pelf and gifts of fortune to dispose of for never any was less beholden to that blind baggage In the highest degree of Theoricall contemplation I made an entire sacrifice of my soul to her maker who by infusing created her and by creating infused her to actuate this small bulk of flâ—…sh with an unshakeâ—… confidence of the redemption of both in my Saviour and consequently of the salvation of the one and resurrection of the other my thoughts then reflected upon divers of my noble frends and I â—…ell to proportion unto them what Legacies I held most proper I thought to bequeath unto my Lord of Cherbery and Sir K. Digâ—…y that little Philosophy and knowledg I have in the Mathematicks My historicall observations and criticall researches I made into antiquity I thought to bequeath unto Dr. Vsher Lord Primate of Ireland My observations abroad and inspection into forrein States I thought to leave to my Lord G. D. My poetry such as it is to Mistress A. K. who I know is a great minion of the Muses School languages I thought to bequeath unto my dear mother the Vniversity of Oxford My Spanish to Sir Lewis Dives and Master Endimion Porter for though they are great masters of that language yet it may stead them somthing when they read la picara Iustina My Italian to the worthy company of Turky and Levantine Merchants from divers of whom I have received many noble favours My French to my most honoured lady the Lady Cor and it may help her somthing to understand Rablais The little smattering I have in the Dutch British and my English I did not esteem worth the bequeathing My love I had bequeathed to be dufâ—…'d among all my dear frends specially those that have stuck unto me this my long affliction My best naturall â—…ffections betwixt the Lord B of Br. my brother Howell my three dear Sisters to be transferr'd by them to my cousins their children This little sackfull of bones I thought to bequeath to Westminster Abbey to be interred in the cloyster within the Southside of the Garden close to the wall wher I would have desired Sir H. F. my dear Frend to have inlayed a small peece of black marble and caus'd this motto to have bin insculp'd upon it Huc usque peregrinus heic domi or this which I would have left to his choice Huc usque Erraticus beie fixus and instead of strewing my grave with flowers I would have desired him to have grafted theron som little Tree of what sort he pleas'd that might have taken root downward to my dust because I have bin alwaies naturally affected to woods and groves and those kind of vegetables insomuch that if ther wer any such thing as a Pythagorean Metempsuchosis I think my soul would transmigrat into som Tree when she bids this body farewell By these extravagancies and od Chimera's of my brain you may well perceive that I was notwell but distemper'd specially in my intellectualls according to the Spanish proverb siempre desvarios 〈◊〉 la calentura fevers have alwaies their fits of dotage Among those to whom I had bequeath'd my dearest love you wer one to whom I had intended a large proportion and that love which I would have left you then in legacy I send you now in this letter for it hath pleased God to reprieve me for a longer time to creep upon this earth and to see better daies I hope when this black dismall cloud is dispell'd but com foul or fair weather I shall be as formerly Fleet 26 Mar. 1643. Your most constant faithfull Servitor J.
Sophisters were the first Lawyers that ever were I shall be upon incertain removes hence untill I come to Roüeâ—… in France and there I mean to cast Anchor a good while I shall expect your Letters there with impatience I pray present my Service to Sir Iames 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. of May 1619. X. To Sir James Crofts from the Hague SIR THe same observance that a Father may challenge of his child the like you may claim of me in regard of the extraordinary care you have bin pleas'd to have alwayes since I had the happines to know you of the cours of my Fortunes I am now newly come to the Hague the Court of the six and almost seven confederated Provinces the Counsell of State with the Prince of Orange makes his firm Residence here unlesse 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 warines and not without a mixture of fear I do not mean a pusillanimous but politic fear he is the most constant in the quotidian cours and carriage of his life of any that J have ever heard or read of for whosoever knows the customs of the Prince of Orange may tell what he is a doing here evry hour of the day though he be in Constantinople In the morning he awaketh about six in Sommer and seven in Winter the first thing he doth he sends one of his Grooms or Pages to see how the wind sits and he wears or leaves off his Wascot 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 privat or public Letters to write or any other dispatches to make he doth 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 carefull ride the great Horse He is very accessible to any that hath busines with him and sheweth a winning kind of familiarity for he will shake hands with the meanest Boor of the Countrey 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 useth to sit down at it after dinner he stayes in the Room a good while and then any one may accost him and tell his tale then he reâ—…res to his Chamber where he answers all Petitions that were delivered him in the Morning and towards the Evening if he goes not to Counsell which is seldome he goes either to make some visits or to take the Air abroad and according to this constant method he passeth his life Ther are great stirs like to arise twixt the Bohemians and their elected King the Emperour and they are com already to that height that they consult of deposing him and to chuse some Protestant Prince to be their King som talk of the Duke of Saxony others of the Palsgrave J beleeve 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 Amsterdum a large Ortelius in French to send you but from 〈◊〉 I will not fail to serve you So wishing you all happines and health and that the Sun may make many progresses more through the Zodiac before those comely Gray hairs of yours go to the Grave I rest Iune the 3. 1619. Your very humble Servant J. H. XI To Captain Francis Bacon at the Glassehouse 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 â—… am now in Zealand being newly come to this Town of Middlâ—… borough which is much crest-faln since the Staple of English Cloâ—… was removed hence aâ—… is Flishing also her next Neighbor since thâ—… departure of the English Garrison A good intelligent Gentleman told me the manner how Flishing and the Bâ—…ill our two Cautionary Towns here were redeem'd which was thus The ninâ—… hundred and odd Souldiers at Flishing and the Rammakins haâ—… by being many weeks without their pay they borrow'd diverâ—… sums of Money of the States of this Town who finding no hopeâ—… of supply from England advice was sent to the States-Generall 〈◊〉 the Hague they consulting with Sir Ralph Winwood our Ambassador who was a favourable Instrument unto them in this busines 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 satisfaction there to make his addresse to the King himself which Caroon did His Majestie being much incens'd that his Subjects and Souldiers should starve for want of their pay in a Forren Countrey sent for the Lord Treasurer who drawing his Majestie aside and telling how empty his Exchequer was His Majestie 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 Majestie persisted in the same Resolution in regard that at his former audience he perceived him to be a little transported His Majesty answered That he knew the States of Holland to be his good frends and confederats both 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 desir'd 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 expencefull progresse he made to Scotland the Summer following When that Money was lent by Queen Elizabeth it was Articled that Interest should be payed upon Interest and besides that for evry Gentleman who should lose his life in the States Service they should make good five pounds to the Crown of England All this His Majestie remitted and onely took the principall and this was done in requitall of that Princely Entertainment and great Presents which my Lady Elizabeth had received in divers of their Towns as she pass'd to Heydelberg The Bearer hereof is Sigr Antoniâ—… Miotti who was Master of a Crystall-Glasse 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 Glasse-Work in Christendom Therefore according to my Instructions I send him over and hope to â—…ave done Sir Robert good service thereby So with my kinde respects unto you and my most humble Service where you know â—…is due
extoll Tyber beyond the Main both Towns behold R 〈…〉 men thou 'lt say Venice the Gods did mould Sanzâ—â—â—â—â—â— had given him by Saint Mark a hundred 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 evry one of these Verses which amounts to about 300 pounds It would be long before the 〈◊〉 of London would do the like Witneâ—… that â—…old reward or rather those cold drops of Wâ—… which were cast upon my Countreyman Sir Hugh Middletoâ—… for beinging Ware River through her Streets the most serviceable and 〈◊〉 sorâ—…est benefit that ever she received The parcell of Italian Books that you writ for you shall receive 〈◊〉 Master Leat if it please God to send the Ship to safe Port and I take it as a favour that you imploy me in any thing that mâ—…y â—…nduce to your contentment because I am your serious Servitor J. H. Ven 12. Aug. 1621. XXXVII To Cap. Thomas Porter from Venice My dear Captain AS I was going a Shipboard in Alicant a Letter of yours in Spanish came to hand I discovered two things in it first what a master you are of that Language then how mindfull you are of your frend for the first I dare not correspond with you yet for the second I shall never com short of you for I am as mindfull of you as possibly you can be of me and som hours my Puls doth not beat more often then my memory runs on you which is often enough in conscience for the Physitians hold that in evry well dispos'd body ther be above 4000 Pulsations evry hour and some Pulses have bin known to beat above 30000 times an hour in acute Feavours I understand you are bound with a gallant Fleet for the Mediterranean if you com to Alicant I pray commend me to Francisco Marco my Land-lord he is a merry drole and good company One night when I was ther he sent his Boy with a Borracho of Leather under his Cloak for Wine the Boy coming back about ten a clock and passing by the Guard one ask'd him whither he carried any Weapons about him for none must wear any Weapons there after ten at night No quoth the Boy being pleasant I have but a little Dagger the Watch came and search'd him and finding the Barracho full of good Wine drunk it all up saying Sirrah You know no man must carry any Weapons so late but because we know whose Servant you are ther 's the Scabbard of your Dagger again and so threw him the empty Borracho but another passage pleas'd me better of Don Beltran de Rosa who being to marry a rich Labradors a Yeomans daughter hard by which was much importun'd by her parents to the match because their Family should be thereby ennobled he being a Cavalier of Saint Iago the young Maid having understood that Don Beltran had bin in Naples and had that disease about him answered wittily En verdad pro adobar mi la sangre no quiero danar mi la carne Truely Sir To better my blood I will not hurt my flesh I doubt I shall not be in England before you set out to Sea if not I take my leave of you in this Paper and wish you a prosperous voyage and an honourable return It is the hearty Prayers of Ven 21. Aug. 1621. Your J. H. XXXVIII To Sir William Saint John Knight from Venice SIR HAving seen Antâ—…nors Tomb in Padoiia and the Amphitheater of Flaminius in Verona with other brave Towns in Lombardy I am now coâ—… to Rome and Rome they say is evry mans Countrey she is call'd Communis Patria for evry one that is within the compasse of the Latin Church finds himself here as it were at hom and in his Mothers house in regard of interest in Religion which is the cause that for one Native ther be five strangers that sojourn in this City and without any distinction or mark of strangenes they com to preferments and offices both in Church and State according to merrit which is more valued and sought after here then any where But whereas I expected to have found Rome elevated upon seven Hills I met her rather spreading upon a Flat having humbled her self since she was made a Christian and descended from those Hills to Campus Martius with Trasteren and the Suburbs of Saint Peter she hath yet in compasse about fourteen miles which is far short of that vast circuit she had in Claudius his time for Vopiscuâ—… writes she was then of fifty miles circumference and she had five hundred thousand free Citizens in a famous cense that was made which allowing but six to evry Family in Women Children and Servants came to three Millions of souls but she is now a Wildernes in comparison of that number The Pope is grown to be a great Temporall Prince of late yeers for the state of the Church extends above 300. miles in length and 200 miles in breadth it contains Ferrara Bologna Romagnia the Marquisat of Ancona umbria Sabina Perugia with a part of Toscany the Patrimony Rome her self and Latium In these ther are above fifty Bishopricks the Pope hath also the Dutchy of Spoleto and the exarchat of Ravenna he hath the Town of Beneventa in the Kingdom of Naples and the County of Venisse call'd Avignon in France he hath title also good enough to Naples it self but rather then offend his Champion the King of Spain he is contented with a white Mule and Purse of Pistols about the neck which he receives evry yeer for a heriot or homage or what you will call it he pretends also to be Lord Paramount of Sicily â—…rbin Parâ—…a and Masserâ—… of Norway Ireland and England since King Iohn did prostrat our Crown at Pandelfo his Legat's Feet The State of the Apostolie See here in Italy lieth twixt two Seas the Adriatiâ—… and the Tyrrhâ—… and it runs through the midst of Italy which makes the Pope powerfull to do good or harm and more capable then any other to be an Umpire or an Enemy His authority being mixt twixt Temporall and Spirituall disperseth it self into so many members that a young man may grow old here before he can well understand the form of Government The Consistory of Cardinals meet but once a week and once a week they solemnly wait all upon the Pope I am told ther are now in all Christendom but sixty eight Cardinals wherof ther are six Cardinall Bishops fifty one Cardinall Priests and eleven Cardinall Deacons The Cardinall Bishops attend and sit neer the Pope when he celebrats any Festivall The Cardinall Priests assist him at Masse and the Cardinall Deacons attire him A Cardinall is made by a short Breve or Writ from the Pope in these words Creamus te Socium Regibus superiorem ducibus fratrem â—…ostrum We creat thee a Companion to Kings Superior to Dukes and our Brother If a Cardinall Bishop should be questioned for any offence ther must be twenty four Witnesses produc'd against him The Bishop of Oâ—…ia hath most priviledg of any other
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
Your dutifull Son J. H. London Decem. 11. 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 vigor between us My Lord Chancellor Bacon is lately dead of a long languishing weaknes he died so poor so that he scarce left money to bury him which though he had a great Wit did argue no great Wisdom it being one of the essentiall properties of a Wiseman to provide for the main chance I have read that it hath bin the fortunes of all Poets commonly to die Beggars but for an Orator a Lawyer and Philosopher as he was to die so 'c is rare It seems the same fate befell him that attended Demosthenes Seneca and Cicero all great men of whom the two first fell by corruption the falrest Diamond may have a flaw in it but I beleeve he died poor out of a contempt of the pelf of Fortune as also out of an exeess of generosity which appear'd as in divers other passages so once when the King had sent him a Stag he sent up for the Underkeeper and having drunk the Kings health unto him in a great Silver Guilt-Bowl he gave it him for his fee. He writ a pittifull Letter to King Iames not long before his death and concludes Help me dear Soverain Lord and Master and pity me so far that I who have bin born to a Bag be not now in my age forc'd in effect to bear a Wallet nor I that desire to live to study may be driven to study to live Which words in my opinion argued a little abjection of spirit as his former Letter to the Prince did of prophanes wherin be hoped that as the Father was his Creater the Son will be his Redeemer I write not this to derogat from the noble worth of the Lord Viscount Verulam who was a rare man a man Reconditae scientiae ad salutem literarum natus and I think the eloquentst that was born in this Isle They say he shall be the last Lord Chancelor as Sir Edward Coke was the last Lord Chief Iustice of England for ever since they have bin term'd Lord Chief Iustices of the Kings Bench so hereafter ther shall be onely Ketpers of the Great Seal which for Title and Office are deposable but they say the Lord Chancelors Title is indelible I was lately at Grayes-Inne with Sir Eubule and he desir'd me to remember him unto you as I do also salute Meum Prichardum ex imis praecordiis Vale 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 London Ian. 6. 1625 Yours most affectionately while I. H. IX To my welbeloved Consin Mr. T. V. Cousin YOu have a great work in hand for you write unto me that you are upon a treaty of mariage a great work indeed and a work of such consequence that it may make you or marr you it may make the whole remainder of your life uncouth or comfortable to you for of all civill actions that are incident to man ther 's not any that tends more to his infelicity or happines therfore it concerns you not to be over-hasty herein not to take the Ball before the Bound you must be cautious how you thrust your neck into such a yoke whence you will never have power to withdraw it again for the toung useth to tie so hard a knot that the teeth can never untie no not Alexanders Sword can cut asunder among us Christians If you are resolv'd to marry Choose wher you love and resolve to love your choice let love rather than lucre be your guide in this election though a concurrence of both be good yet for my part I had rather the latter should be wanting than the first the one is the Pilot the other but the Ballast of the Ship which should carry us to the Harbour of a happy life If you are bent to wed I wish you another gets wife then Socrates had who when she had scoulded him out of doors as he was going through the Portall threw a Chamber pot of stale Urine upon his head wherat the Philosopher having bin silent all the while smilingly said I thought ofter so much Thunder we should have Rain And as I wish you may not light upon such a Xantippe as the wisest men have had ill luck in this kind as I could instance in two of our most eminent Lawyers C. B. so I pray that God may deliver you from a Wife of such a generation that Strowd our Cook here at Westminster said his Wife was of who when out of a mislike of the Preacher he had on a Sunday in the Afternoon gon out of the Church to a Tavern and returning towards the Evening pretty well heated with Canary to look to his Roast and his Wife falling to read him a lowd lesson in so furious a manner as if she would have basted him insteed of the Mutton and amongst other revilings telling him often Thut the devill the devill would fetch him at last he broke out of a long silence and told her I prethee good Wife hold thy self content for I know the devill will do me no hurt for I have married his Kinswoman If you light upon such a Wife a Wife that hath more bene then flesh I wish you may have the same measure of patience that Socrates and Strowd had to suffer the Gray-Mare somtimes to be the better Horse I remember a French Proverb La Maison est miserable Meschante Où la Poule plus haut que le Coc chante That House doth every day more wretched grow Wher the Hen lowder than the Cock doth crow Yet we have another English Proverb almost counter to this That it is better to marry a Shrew then a Sheep for though silence be the dumb Orator of beuty and the best ornament of a Woman yet a Phlegmatic dull wife is fulsom and fastidious Excuse me Cousin that I Jest with you in so serious a busines I know you need no counsell of mine herein you are discreet enough of your self nor I presume do you want advice of Parents which by all means must go along with you So wishing you all conjugall joy and a happy confarreation I rest London Feb. 5. 1625. Your affectionat Cousin J. H. X. To my Noble Lord the Lord Clifford from London My Lord THe Duke of Buckingham is lately return'd from Holland having renewed the peace with the States and Articled with them for a continuation of som Navall forces for an expedition against Spain as also having taken up som moneys upon privat jewells not any of the Crowns and lastly having comforted the Lady Elizabeth for the decease of his late Majesty her Father and of Prince Frederic her eldest Son whole disasterous manner of death amongst the rest of her sad afflictions is not the least For passing over Haerlam Mere a huge Inland Lough in company of his
1500 that very week and two out of White-Hall it self Ther is high clashing again 'twixt my Lord Duke and the Earl of Bristoll they recriminat one another of divers things the Earl accuseth him amongst other matters of certain Letters from Rome of putting His Majesty upon that hazardous jorney of Spain and of som miscarriages at his being in that Court Ther be Articles also against the Lord Conway which I send your Lordship here inclosed I am for Oxford the next week and thence for Wales to fetch my good old Fathers blessing at my return if it shall please God to reprieve me in these dangerous times of Contagion I shall continue my wonted service to your Lordship if it may be done with safety So I rest Lond. 15 of Mar. 1626. Your Lordships most humble Servitor J. H. XXI To the honble the Lord Viscount C. My Lord SIr Iohn North delivered me one lately from your Lordship and I send my humble thanks for the Venison you intend me I acquainted your Lordship as opportunity serv'd with the nimble pace the French Match went on by the successfull negotiation of the Earls of Carlile and Holland who outwent the Monsieurs themselves in Courtship how in less than nine Moons this great busines was propos'd pursued and perfected wheras the Sun had leasure enough to finish his annuall progres from one end of the Zodiac to the other so many years before that of Spain could com to any shape of perfection This may serve to shew the difference 'twixt the two Nations the Leaden-heeld pace of the one and the Quick-silver'd motions of the other It shews also how the French is more generous in his proceedings and not so full of scruples reservations and jealousies as the Spaniard but deales more frankly and with a greater confidence and gallantry The Lord Duke of Buckingham is now in Paris accompanied with the Earl of Montgomerie and hee went in a very splendid equipage The Venetian and Hollander with other States that are no friends to Spain did som good offices to advance this Alliance and the new Pope propounded much towards it But Richelieu the new Favorit of France was the Cardinall instrument in it This Pope Urban grows very active not onely in things present but ripping up of old matters for which ther is a select Committee appointed to examin accounts and errors pass'd not only in the time of his immediat Predecessor but others And one told me of a merry Pasquill lately in Rome that wheras ther are two great Statues one of Peter the other of Paul opposit one to the other upon a Bridge one had clapt a pair of Spurs upon Saint Peters Heels and Saint Paul asking him whither hee was bound he answered I apprehend som danger to staie now in Rome because of this new Commission for I fear they will question me for denying my Master Truly brother Peter I shall not staie long after you for I have as much cause to doubt that they will question me for persecuting the Christians before I was converted So I take my leave and rest London 3 May. 1626. Your Lordships most humble Servitor J. H. XXII To my Brother Master Hugh Penry SIR I Thank you for your late Letter and the severall good tydings you sent me from Wales In requitall I can send you gallant news for we have now a most Noble new Queen of England who in true beuty is beyond the Long-Woo'd Infanta for she was of a fading Flaxen-Hair Big Lipp'd and somwhat heavy Ey'd but this Daughter of France this youngest Branch of Bourbon being but in her cradle when the great Henry her Father was put out of the World is of a more lovely and lasting complexion a dark brown shee hath eyes that sparkle like Stars and for her Physiognomy she may be said to be a mirror of perfection She had a rough passage in her transfretation to Dover Castle and in Canterbury the King Bedded first with her ther were a goodly train of choice Ladies attended her coming upon the Bowling-green on Barram-Down upon the way who divided themselves into two rows and they appear'd like so many Constellations but me thought that the Countrey Ladies out-shin'd the Courtiers She brought over with her two hundred thousand Crowns in Gold and Silver as halt her portion and the other Moitie is to be payed at the yeers end Her first suit of servants by Article are to be French and as they die English are to succeed shee is also allowed twenty eight Ecclesiastics of any Order except Iesuits a Bishop for her Almoner and to have privat exercise of her Religion for her and her servants I pray convey the inclosed to my Father by the next conveniency and present my dear love to my Sister I hope to see you at Dyvinnock about Michaâ—…mas for I intend to wait upon my Father and will take my Mother in the way I mean Oxford in the interim I rest London 16 May 1626. Your most affectionat Brother J H. XXIII To my Unkle Sir Sackvill Trever from Oxford SIR â—… Am sorry I must write unto you the sad tydings of the dissolution of the Parliament here which was don suddenly Sir Iohn Eâ—…liot was in the heat of a high speech against the Duke of Buchingâ—…m when the Usher of the Black-Rod knock'd at the door and signified the Kings pleasure which strook a kind of consternation in all the House My Lord Keeper Williams hath parted with the Broad-Seal because as som say he went about to cut down the Scale by which he rose for som it seems did ill offices 'twixt the Duke and him Sir Thomas Coventry hath it now I pray God he be tender of the Kings conscience wherof he is Keeper rather than of the Seal I am bound to morrow upon a journey towards the Mountains to see som Friends in Wales and to bring back my Fathers blessing for better assurance of Lodging wher I pass in regard of the Plague I have a Post Warrant as far as Saint Davids which is far enough you 'l say for the King hath no ground further on this Island If the sicknes rage in such extremity at London the Term will be held at Reding All your friends here are well but many look blank because of this sudden rupture of the Parliament God Almighty turn all to the best and stay the fury of this contagion and preserve us from â—…urther judgements so I rest Oxford 6 Aug. 1626. Your most affectionate Nephew J. H. XXIV To my Father from London SIR I Was now the fourth time at a dead stand in the cours of my fortunes for though I was recommended to the Duke and receiv'd many Noble respects from him yet I was told by som who are neerest him that som body hath don me ill offices by whispering in his ear that I was two much Digbified and so they told me positively that I must never expect any imployment about him of any
trust while I was in this suspence Mr. Secretary Câ—…way sent for me and propos'd unto me that the King had occasion to send a Gentleman to Italy in nature of a moving Agent and though he might have choice of persons of good quality that would willingly undertake this employment yet understanding of my breeding he made the first proffer to me and that I should go as the Kings Servant and have allowance accordingly I humbly thank'd him for the good opinion he pleas'd to conceive of me being a stranger to him and desir'd som time to consider of the proposition and of the nature of the imployment so he granted me four daies to think upon 't and two of them are pass'd already If I may have a support accordingly I intend by Gods grace desiring your consent and blessing to go along to apply my self to this cours but before I part with England I intend to send you further notice The sicknes is miraculously decreas'd in this City and Suburbs for from two and fiftie hundred which was the greatest number that died in one week and that was som fourty daies since they are now fallen to three hundred It was the violent'st â—…t of contagion that ever was for the time in this Island and such as no story can parallell but the Ebb of it was more swift than the Tide My brother is well and so are all your friends here for I do not know any of your acquaintance that 's dead of this furious infection Sir Iohn Walter ask'd me lately how you did and wish'd me to remember him to you So with my love to all my Brothers and Sisters and the rest of my friends which made so much of me lately in the Countrey I rest London 7 Aug. 1626. Your dutifull Son J. H. XXV To the right honble the Lord Conway Principall Secretary of State to his Majesty at Hampton Court Right honble SInce I last attended your Lopp here I summond my thoughts to Counsell and canvas'd to and fro within my self the busines you pleas'd to impart unto me for going upon the Kings Service to Italy I considered therin many particulars First the weight of the imployment what maturity of judgement discretion and parts are requir'd in him that will personat such a man next the difficulties of it for one must send somtimes light out of darknes and like the Bee suck Honey out of bad as out of good Flowers thirdly the danger which the undertaker must convers withall and which may fall upon him by interception of Letters or other cross casualties lastly the great expence it will require being not to remain Sedentary in one place as other Agents but to be often in itinerary motion Touching the first I refer my self to your Honours favourable opinion and the Character which my Lord S. and others shall give of me for the second I hope to overcom it for the third I weigh it not so that I may merit of my King and Countrey for the last I crave leave to deal plainly with your Lopp that I am a Cadet and have no other patrimony or support but my breeding therfore I must breath by the imployment And my Lord I shall not be able to perform what shall be expected at my hands under one hundred pounds a quarter and to have bills of credit accordingly Upon these terms my Lord I shall apply my self to this Service and by Gods blessing hope to answer all expectations So referring the premisses to your Noble consideration I rest London Sept. 8. 1626. My Lord Your very humble and ready Servitor J. H XXVI To my Brother after Dr. Howell now Bishop of Bristoll My brother NExt to my Father 't is fitting you should have cognisance of my affairs and fortunes You heard how I was in agitation for an employment in Italy but my Lord Conway demurr'd upon the salary I propounded I have now wav'd this cours yet I came off fairly with my Lord for I have a stable home emploiment proffer'd me by my Lord Scroop Lord President of the North who sent for me lately to Worcester House though I never saw him before and there the bargain was quickly made that I should go down with him to York for Secretary and his Lordship hath promis'd me fairly I will see you at your House in Horsley before I go and leave the particular circumstances of this busines till then The French that came over with Her Majesty for their petulancy and som misdemeanors and imposing som odd penancy's upon the Queen are all casheer'd this week about a matter of sixscore wherof the Bishop of Mende was one who had stood to be Steward of Her Majesties Courts which Office my Lord of Holland hath It was a thing suddenly don for about one of the clock as they were at dinner my Lord Conway and Sir Thomas Edmonds came with an Order from the King that they must instantly away to Somerset House for there were Barges and Coaches staying for them and there they should have all their Wages paied them to a peny and so they must be content to quit the Kingdom This sudden undream'd of Order struck an astonishment into them all both men and women and running to complain to the Queen His Majesty had taken her before into his Bed-chamber and lock'd the doors upon them untill he had told her how matters stood the Queen fell into a violent passion broke the Glass-Windows and tore her Hair but she was calm'd afterwards Just such a destiny happen'd in France som years since to the Queens Spanish Servants there who were all dismiss'd in like manner for som miscarriages the like was don in Spain to the French therfore 't is no new thing They are all now on their way to Dover but I fear this will breed ill bloud 'twixt us and France and may break out into an ill-favour'd quarrell Master Mountague is preparing to go to Paris as a Messenger of Honour to prepossess the King and Counsell there with the truth of things So with my very kind respects to my Sister I rest Lond. 15 Mar. 1626. Your loving brother J. H. XXVII To the Right honble the Lord S. My Lord I Am bound shortly for York wher I am hopefull of a profitable imployment Ther is fearfull news com from Germany that since Sir Charls Morgan went thither with 6â—…00 men for the assistance of the King of Denmark the King hath receiv'd an utter overthrow by Tilly he had receiv'd a fall off a Horse from a Wall five yards high a little before yet it did him little hurt Tilly pursueth his Victory strongly and is got ore the Elve to Holsteinland insomuch that they write from Hamburgh that Denmark is in danger to be utterly lost The Danes and Germanes seem to lay som fault upon our King the King upon the Parliament that would not supply him with Subsidies to assist his Uncle and the Prince Palsgrave both which was promis'd upon the
My Lord I Have deliverd Mr. Secretary Coke an account of the whole legation as your Lordship inordred me which contain'd neer upon twenty sheets I attended him also with the Note of your extraordinaries wherin I find him somthing 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 favor unto them I have delivered him a Copy of the transactions of things that concern'd their Company at Rhensberg The news we heard at Sea of the King of Swedens 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 ther is other news com since of the death of the Prince Palatin who as they write being return'd from visiting the Duke De deux Ponts to Mentz was struck there with the Contagion yet by speciall ways of cure the malignity was expelld and great hopes of recovery when the news came of the death of the King of Sweden which made such impressions in him that he dyed few dayes after having overcom all difficulties by concluding with the Swede and the Governor of Frankindall and being ready to enter into a repossession of his Countrey A sad destiny The Swedes bear up still being somented and supported by the French who will not suffer them to leave Germany yet A Gentleman that came lately from Italy told me that ther is no great joy in Rome for the death of the King of Sweden The Spaniards up and down will not stick to call this Pope Lutherano and that he had intelligence with the Swede T is true that he hath not been so forward to assist the Emperor in this quarrell and that in open Consistory when ther was such a contrasto 'twixt the Cardinalls for a supply from Saint Peter he declard That he was well satisfied that this war in Germany was no war of Religion which made him dismiss the Imperiall 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 Frontires of Germany if he had imployed those men and moneys which he consum'd to trouble the peace of Italy in making war against the Duke of Mantova against them he had not had now so potent an enemy So I take my leave for this time being Westm. 3 Iune 1632. Your Lordships most humble and obedient Servitor J. H. IX To Mr. E. D. SIR I Thank you a thousand times for the Noble entertainment you gave me at Berry and the pains you took in shewing me the Antiquities of that place In requitall I can tell you of a strange thing I saw lately here and I beleeve 't is true As I pass'd by St. Dunstans in Fleet street the last Saturday I stepp'd into a Lapidary or Stone-cutters shop to treat with the Master for a stone to be put upon my Fathers Tomb and casting my eyes up and down I might spie 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 strugling with the pangs of death a Bird with a white brest was seen fluttering about his Bed and so vanish'd 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 expir'd which vanish'd afterwards At the bottom of the Stone ther is Here lies Elizabeth Oxenham the Mother of the said John who died sixteen years since when such a Bird with a white brest was seen about hex Bed before her death To all these ther be divers Witnesses both Squires and Ladies whose names are engraven upon the Stone This Stone is to be sent to a Town hard by Exeter wher this happen'd Were you here I could raise a choice Discours with you hereupon So hoping to see you the next Term to requite som of your favors I rest Westmin 3 Iuly 1632. Your true frend to serve you J. H. X. To W. B. Esq. SIR THe upbraiding of a courtesie is as bad in the Giver as ingratitude in the Receiver though which you think I am loath to believe be faulty in the first I shall never offend in the second while VVestmin 24. Octob. 1632. J. Howell XI To Sir Arthur Ingram at York SIR OUr greatest news here now is that we have a new Attorney Generall which is news indeed considering the humor of the man how hee hath been always ready to entertain any cause wherby he might clash with the Prerogative but now as Judg Richardson told him his head is full of Proclamations and Divices how to bring money into the Exchequer Hee hath lately found out amongst the old Records of the Tower som precedents for raising a tax cald Ship-money in all the Port Towns when the Kingdom is in danger Whether we are in danger or no at present 't were presumption in me to judg that belongs to his Majesty and his Privy Counsell who have their choice Instruments abroad for Intelligence yet one with half an eye may see wee cannot be secure while such huge Fleets of men of War both Spanish French Dutch and Dunkâ—…rkers som of them laden with Ammunition Men Arms and Armies do daily â—…ail on our Seas and confront the Kings Chambers while we have only three or four Ships abroad to guard our Coasts and Kingdom and to preserve the fairest Flower of the Crown the Dominion of the Narrow-Seas which I hear the French Cardinall begins to question and the Hollander lately would not vail to one of his Majesties ships that brought over the Duke of Lenox and my Lord Weston from Bullen and indeed we are jeer'd abroad that we send no more ships to guard our Seas Touching my Lord Ambassador Weston he had a brave journey of it though it câ—…st dear for 't is thought 't will stand his Majesty in 25000 pounds which makes som Criticks of the times to censure the Lord Tresurer That now the King wanting money so much hee should send his son abroad to spend him such a sum only for delivering of Presents and Complements but I believe they are deceiv'd for ther were matters of State also in the Ambassie The Lord Weston passing by Paris intercepted and open'd a Packet of my Lord of Hollands wherin ther were some Letters of Her Majesties this my Lord of Holland takes in that scorn that he defied him since his comming and demanded the combat of him for which he is confin'd to his House at Kensinton So with my humble service to my Noble Lady I rest Westmin
that envy her self must pronounce that return of his for the â—…quitting of his fiduciary pledges to be a most noble act and waâ—…ing that of King Alphonso's Moor I may more properly compare it to the act of that famous Roman Commander Regulus as I take 〈◊〉 who to keep his promise and faith return'd to his enemies â—…her he had been prisoner though he knew he went to an ineviâ—…able death But well did that faithles cunning Knight who betrayâ—…d Sir Walter Rawleigh in his intended escape being com ashore fall to that contemptible end as to dye a poor distracted Beggar in the 〈◊〉 of Lyndey having for a bag of money falsified his Faith confirm'd by the tye of the holy Sacrament as you write as also before the yeer came about to be found clipping the same coin in the Kings own house at White-hall which he had receiv'd as a reward for his perfidiousnes for which being condemned to be hang'd hee was driven to sell himself to his shirt to purchase his pardon of two Knights And now Sir let that glorious and gallant Cavalier Sir Walter Rawleigh who lived long enough for his own honor though not for his Countrey as it was said of a Roman Consull rest quietly in his grave and his vertues live in his posterity as I find they do strongly and very eminently in you I have heard his enemies confess that he was one of the weightiest and wisest men that this Island ever bred Mr. Nath. Carpenter a learned and judicious Author was not in the wrong when he gave this discreet Character of him who hath not known or read of that Prodigy of wit and fortune Sir Walter Rawleigh a man infortunat in nothing els but in the greaâ—… of his wit and advancement whose eminent worth was such both in domestic Policy forren Expeditions and Discoveries in Arts and Literature both practic and contemplative that it might seem at once to conqâ—… boâ—… example and imitation Now Sir hoping to be rectified in your judgment touching my opinion of that illustrious Knight your father give me leave to kiss your hands very affectionatly for the respectfull mention you please to make of my brother once your neighbor he suffers good soul as well as I though in a differing manner I also much value that favourable censure you give of those rambling Letters of mine which indeed are nought els than a Legend of the cumbersom lifâ—… and various fortunes of a Cadet but wheras you please to say that the world of learned men is much beholden to me for them and that son of them are freighted with many excellent and qaaint passages delivered in a masculine and solid stile adorn'd with much eloquence aâ—… stuck with the choicest flowers pick'd from the Muses garden wheras you also please to write that you admire my great Travells my strenâ—…ous endeavours at all times and in all places to accumulate knowledg â—…y active laying hold upon all occasions and on every handle that migâ—… with reputation advantage either my wit or fortune These high gallant strains of expressions I confess transcend my merit and are a garment too gawdy for me to put on yet I will lay it up among by best Reliques wherof I have divers sent me of thâ—… kind And wheras in publishing these Epistles at this time you please to say That I have don like Hezekiah when he shewedhis Treasures to the Babylonians that I have discovered my riches to theevâ—… who will bind me fast aud share my goods To this I answer that iâ—… those innocent Letters for I know none of them but is such fall among such theevs they will have no great prize to carry away it will be but pettylarceny I am already God wot bound fast enough having been a long time coopt up between these Walls bereâ—…t of all my means of subsistence and employment nor do I know wherfore I am heer unless it be for my sins For I bear as upright â—… heart to my King and Countrey I am as conformable and well affected to the government of this land specially to the high Court of Parliament as any one whatsoever that breaths air under this Meridian I will except none And for my Religion I defie any creature 'twixt heaven and earth that will say I am not a true English Protestant I have from time to time employ'd divers of my best frends to get my liberty at leastwise leave to go abroad upon Bail for I do not expect as you please also to beleeve in your Letter to be delivered hence as Saint Peter was by miracle but nothing will yet prevail To conclude I do acknowledg in the highest way of recognition the free and noble proffer you please to make me of your endeavors to pull me out of this dolefull Sepulcher wherin you say I am entomb'd alive I am no less oblig'd to you for the opinion I find you have of my weak abilities which you please to wish heartily may be no longer eclypsed I am not in despair but a day will shine that may afford me opportunity to improve this good opinion of yours which I value at a very high rate and let the world know how much I am Fleet 5 May 1645. Sir Your reall and ready Servitor J. H. LXIIII. To Mr. T. V. at Brussells My dear Tom VVHo would have thought poor England had been brought to this pass could it ever have entred into the imagination of man that the Scheme and whole frame of so ancient and well-molded a government should bee so suddenly struck off the hinges quite put out of joynt and tumbled into such a horrid Confusion who would have held it possible that to fly from Babylon we should fall into such a Babel that to avoid superstition some peeple should bee brought to belch out such horrid prophanenes as to call the Temples of God the Tabernacles of Sathan The Lords Supper a Two-penny Ordinary to make the Communion Table a Manger and the Font a Trough to water their Horses in to term the white decent Robe of the Presbyter the Whores Smock the Pipes through which nothing came but Anthems and holy Hymns the Devills Bag-pipes the Liturgy of the Church though extracted most of it out of the Sacred Text call'd by som another kind of Alchoran by others raw Porredge by som a peece forg'd in Hell Who would have thought to have seen in England the Churches shut and the Shops open upon Christmas day Could any soul have imagined that this Isle would have produc'd such Monsters as to rejoyce at the Turks good successes against Christians and wish hee were in the midst of Rome Who would have dream't ten yeers since when Arch-bishop Lawd did ride in state through London streets accompanying my Lord of London to bee sworn Lord high Tresurer of England that the Mitre should have now com to such a scorn to such a Nationall kind of hatred as to put the whole Island in a combustion which