archbishop was less prudent in recommending -to the king, George Villiers, afterwards the celebrated duke of Buckingham; but of this he lived to repent, and to leave
In the following year he was preferred to the see of
Canterbury, and confirmed April 9, and on the 23d of
June he was sworn of his majesty’s most honourable privycouncil. At this time he was in the highest favour both
with prince and people, and appears to have taken an
active part in all the great transactions in church and state.
Although not thought excessively fond of power, or desirous of carrying his prerogative, as primate of England,
to an extraordinary height, yet he was resolute in maintaining the rights of the high commission court, and would
not submit to lord Coke’s prohibitions. In the case of
Vorstius, his conduct was more singular. Vorstius had
been appointed to a professorship hi the university of
Leyden, and was a noted Arminian. King James, by our
archbishop’s advice, remonstrated with the States on this
appointment; and the consequence was that Vorstius was
banished by the synod of Dort, as will appear more at
length in his life. This condact on the part of the archbishop alarmed those who were favourers of Arminianism,
and who dreaded Calvinism from its supposed influence on
the security of the church; but their fears as far as he was
concerned appear to have been groundless, his attachment
to the church of England remaining firm and uniform. He
had soon, however, another opportunity of testifying his
dislike of the Arminian doctrines. The zeal which the
king had shewn for removing, first Arminius, and then
Vorstius, had given their favourers in Holland so much
uneasiness, that the celebrated Grotius, the great champion of their cause, was sent over to England to endeavour
to mitigate the King’s displeasure, and, if possible, to give
him a better opinion of the Remonstrants, as they then
began to be called. On this occasion the archbishop
wrote an account of Grotius and his negociation in a
letter to sir Ralph Winwood, in which he treats Grotius
with very little ceremony. For this he has met with an
advocate in archdeacon Blackburn, who, in his Confessional, observes in his behalf, that “his disaffection to
Grotius was owing to the endeavours and proposals of the
latter, towards a coalition of the Protestants and Papists,
which every wise and consistent Protestant, in every period
lince the Reformation, as well as Abbot, has considered as
a snare, and treated accordingly.
”
Another affair which occurred in 1613, created no little
perplexity to our archbishop, while it afforded him an opportunity of evincing a decidedness of character not common at that period. This was the case of divorce between
lady Frances Howard, daughter to the earl of Suffolk, and
Robert, earl of Essex, her husband, which has always been
considered as one of the greatest blemishes of king James’s
reign. The part Abbot took in this matter displayed his
unshaken and incorruptible integrity; and he afterwards
published his reasons for opposing the divorce, as a measure
tending to encourage public licentiousness. If this conduct
displeased the king, he does not appear to have withdrawn
his favour from the archbishop, as in 1615 he promoted his
brother, Robert, to the see of Salisbury. The archbishop
was less prudent in recommending -to the king, George
Villiers, afterwards the celebrated duke of Buckingham;
but of this he lived to repent, and to leave a satisfactory
vindication.
of the coronation of Charles I. whose favour, however, he did not long enjoy. His avowed enemy, the duke of Buckingham, soon found an opportunity to make him feel the
In 1619 he executed a design which he had long formed,
of founding an hospital at Guildford, where, on the 5th of
April, he was present when sir Nicholas Kempe laid the
first stone. The archbishop endowed it with lands to the
value of three hundred pounds per annum: one hundred
of which was to be employed in setting the poor to work,
and the remainder for the maintenance of a master, twelve
brothers, and eight sisters, who were to have blue clothes,
and gowns of the same colour, and half-a-crown a week
each. Oct. 29, being the anniversary of the archbishop’s
birth, is commemorated at Guildford; and the archbishop
of Canterbury for the time being is visitor of the hospital.
Towards the end of this year, the Elector Palatine accepted of the crown of Bohemia, which occasioned great
disputes in king James’s councils. Some were desirous
that his majesty should not interfere in this matter, foreseeing that it would produce a war in Germany; others were
of opinion, that natural affection to his son and daughter,
and a just concern for the Protestant interest, ought to engage him to support the new election. The latter was the
archbishop’s sentiment; and not being able at that time to
attend the privy council, he wrote his mind with great
boldness and freedom to the secretary of state. The
archbishop, now in a declining state of health, used in the
summer to go to Hampshire for the sake of recreation;
and, being invited by lord Zouch to hunt in his park at
Branzill, he met there with the greatest misfortune that
ever befel him; for he accidentally killed that nobleman’s
keeper, by an arrow from a cross-bow, which he shot afc
one of the deer. This accidentthrew him into a deep melancholy; and he ever afterwards kept a monthly fast on
Tuesday, the day on which this fatal mischance happened.
He also settled an annuity of 20l. on the widow. There
were several persons who took advantage of this misfortune,
to lessen him in the king’s favour; but his majesty said,
“An angel might have miscarried in this sort.
” But his
enemies representing, that, having incurred an irregularity,
he was thereby incapacitated for performing the offices of a
primate, the king directed a commission to ten persons, to
inquire into this matter. The points referred to their decision were, 1. Whether the archbishop was irregular by
the fact of involuntary homiciue 2. Whether that act
might tend to scandal in a churchman 3. How his grace
should be restored, in case the commissioners should find
him irregular All agreed, that it could not be otherwise
done, than by restitution from the king; but they varied
in the manner. The bishop of Winchester, the lord chief
justice, and Dr. Steward, thought it should be done by the
king, and by him alone. The lord keeper, and the bishops
of London/ Rochester, Exeter, and St. David’s, were for
a commission from the king directed to some bishops.
Judge Doddridge and sir Henry Martin were desirous it
should be done both ways, by way of caution. The king
accordingly passed a pardon and dispensation; by which he
acquitted the atchbishop of all irregularity, scandal, or infamation, and declared him capable of all the authority of
a primate. From that time an increase of infirmities prevented his assistance at the council. But when, in the
last illness of James I. his attendance was required, he
was attentive to the charge till the 27th of March 1625, the
day on which the king expired. Though very infirm, and
afflicted with the gout, he assisted at the ceremony of the
coronation of Charles I. whose favour, however, he did not
long enjoy. His avowed enemy, the duke of Buckingham,
soon found an opportunity to make him feel the weight of
his displeasure. Dr. Sibthorp had in the Lent assizes 1627
preached before the judges a sermon at Northampton, to
justify a loan which the king had demanded. This sermon,
calculated to reconcile the people to an obnoxious measure,
was transmitted to the archbishop with the king’s direction
to license it; which he refused, and gave his reasons for
it : and it was not licensed by the bishop of London, until
after the passages deemed exceptionable had been erased.
On July 5, lord Conway, who was then secretary of state,
made him a visit; and intimated to him, that the king expected he should withdraw to Canterbury. The archbishop
declined this proposal, because he had then a law-suit with
that city; and desired that he might rather have leave to
retire to his house at Ford, five miles beyond Canterbury.
His request was granted; and, on Oct. 9 following, the
king gave a commission to the bishops of London, Durham,
Rochester, Oxford, and Bath and Wells, to execute the
archiepiscopal authority; the cause assigned being, that
the archbishop could not at that time in his own person attend those services which were otherwise proper for his
cognizance and direction. The archbishop did not remain
long in this situation; for, a parliament being absolutely
necessary, he was recalled about Ciuistmas, and restored
to his authority and jurisdiction. On his arrival at court
he was received by the archbishop of York and the earl of
Dorset, who conducted him to the king, and his regular
attendance was from that time required. He sat in the
succeeding parliament, and continued afterwards in the full
exercise of his office. On the 24th of August 1628, the
archbishop consecrated to the see of Chichester Dr. Richard
Montague, who had before been active in supporting the
pretence of irregularity which had been alleged against
him. Laud, bishop of London, one of his former enemies,
also assisted at the consecration. When the petition of
right was discussed in parhament, the archbishop dehvercd
the opinion of the House of Lords at a conference with the
House of Commons, offering some propositions from the
former, and received the thanks of sir Dudley Digges.
Dr. Manwaring, having preached before the House of Commons two sermons, which he afterwards published, and in
which he maintained the king’s authority in raising subsidies without the consent of parliament, was brought before the bar of the House of Lords, by impeachment of the
Commons. Upon this occasion the archbishop, with the
king’s consent, gave the doctor a severe admonition, in
which he avowed his abhorrence of the principles maintained in the two discourses. The interest of bishop Laud
being now very considerable at court, he drew up instructions, which, having the king’s name, were transmitted to
the archbishop, under the title of “His majesty’s instructions to the most reverend father in God, George, lord
archbishop of Canterbury, containing certain orders to be
observed and put in execution by the several bishops in his
province.
” His grace communicated them to his suffragan bishops; but, to prove that he still intended to exercise his authority in his own diocese, he restored Mr. Palmer and Mr. Unday to their lectureships, after the dean
and archdeacon of Canterbury had suspended them. In
other respects he endeavoured to soften their rigour, as they
were contrived to enforce the particular notions of a prevailing party in the church, which the archbishop thought
too hard for those who made the fundamentals of religion
their study, and were not so zealous for forms. His conduct in this and other respects made his presence unwelcome at court; so that, upon the birth of the prince of
Wales, afterwards Charles H. Laud had the honour to
baptize him, as dean of the chapel. It appears, ho.vever,
from almost the last public act of his life, that Abbot was
not so regardless of the ceremonial parts of religious duty
in the church of England as his enemies have represented
him; for he issued an order, dated the 3d of July 1633,
requiring the parishioners of Crayford in Kent to receive
the sacrament on their knees, at the steps ascending to the
communion table. On the 5th of August, in the same
year, he died at Croydon, worn out with cares and infirmities, at the age of 71, and was according to his own direction buried in the chapel of Our Lady, within the church
dedicated to the Holy Trinity at Guildford. A stately monument was erected over the grave, with the effigies of the
archbishop in his robes. He shewed himself, in most circumstances of his life, a man of great moderation to all
parties; and was desirous that the clergy should attract
the esteem of the laity by the sanctity of their manners,
rather than claim it as due to their function. His notions
and principles, however, not suiting the humour of some
writers, have drawn upon him many severe reflections.
Heylin asserts, “That marks of his benefactions we find
none in places of his breeding and preferment;” an aspersion which is totally groundless. Dr. Wellwood has done
more justice to the merit and abilities of our prelate:
“Archbishop Abbot,” says he, “was a person of wonderful
temper and moderation; and in all his conduct shewed an
unwillingness to stretch the act of uniformity beyond what
was absolutely necessary for the peace of the church, or
the prerogative of the crown, any farther than conduced
to the good of the state. Being not well turned for a
court, though otherwise of considerable learning and genteel education, he either could not, or would not, stoop to
the humour of the times; and now and then, by an unseasonable stiffness, gave occasion to his enemies to represent him as not well inclined to the prerogative, or too
much addicted to a popular interest; and therefore not fit
to be employed in matters of government.”
all who wish not to see the fatal counsels and oppression of those times revived in this nation. The duke of Buckingham was his enemy, because the archbishop would not
Others of the contemporary historians, besides Heylin, have given unfavourable characters of the archbishop; but their accounts disagree. Lord Clarendon likewise bears hard on his religious principles and general character. “He had,” says his lordship, “been master of one of the poorest colleges in Oxford, and had learning sufficient for that province.” The Editor of the Biog. Britannica has here supplied the name (Balliol), a blunder which lord Clarendon was not likely to have made, as our archbishop was master of University College, and his brother Robert, master of Balliol. It is rather singular, however, that his lordship should undervalue the “learning sufficient for that province.” He also notices, as extraordinary, that he was promoted to the bishoprick of Lichfield and Coventry “before he had been parson, vicar, or curate of any parish church in England, or dean or prebendary of any cathedral church in England; and was in truth totally ignorant of the true constitution of the church of England, and the state and interest of the clergy.” Here again his lordship seems to have forgot, that he was dean of Winchester before he was bishop of Lichfield, and that the chief cause of uis promotion was the service he rendered to his majesty by procuring the establishment of episcopacy in Scotland. Upon the whole of his character as drawn by lord Clarendon, the late right hon. Arthur Onslow, speaker of the House of Commons, offers the following remarks: “That worthy prelate did surely deserve a better representation to posterity. He was a very wise and prudent man, knew well the temper and disposition of the kingdom with respect to the ceremonies and power of the church, and did therefore use a moderation in the point of ecclesiastical discipline, which if it had been followed by his successor, the ruin that soon after fell on the church might very likely have been prevented. His being without any credit at court from the latter end of king James’s reign will bring no dishonour on his memory, if it be considered that his disgrace arose from his dislike of, and opposition to, the imprudent and corrupt measures of the court at that time, and from an honest zeal for the laws and liberties of his country, which seemed then to be in no small danger, and it was a part truly becoming the high station he then bore. His advice upon the affair of the Palatinate and the Spanish match shewed his knowledge of the true interest of England, and how much it was at his heart; and his behaviour and sufferings in the next reign, about the loan and Sibthorp’s sermon, as thoy were the reasons of his disgrace at that time, so ought they to render his memory valuable to all who wish not to see the fatal counsels and oppression of those times revived in this nation. The duke of Buckingham was his enemy, because the archbishop would not be his creature; and the church perhaps might have been thought to have been better governed, if he had stooped to the duke, and given in to the wantonnesses of his power: but he knew the dignity of his character, and loved his country too well to submit to such a meanness, though very few of his brethren had the courage or honesty to join with him in this, and, if the archbishop himseif is to be credited, his successor’s rise was by the practice of those arts this good man could not bend to. As to his learning, we need no better testimony of it than his promotion by king James, who had too much affectation that way to prefer any one to such a station who had not borne the reputation of a scholar; but there are other proofs of his sufficiency in this, even for the high place he held in the church. If he had some narrow notions in divinity, they were rather the faults of the age he had his education in, than his; and the same imputation may be laid on the best and most learned of the Reformers. His warmth against Popery became the office of a Protestant bishop; though even towards Papists there is a remarkable instance of his mildness and charity, which shewed that his zeal against their persons went no farther than the safety of the state required. His parts seem to have been strong and masterly, his preaching grave and eloquent, and his style equal to any of that time. He was eminent for piety and a care for the poor; and his hospitality fully answered the injunction king James laid on him, which was, to carry his house nobly, and live like an archbishop. He had no thoughts of heaping up riches; what he did save was laid out by him in the erecting and endowing of an handsome Hospital for decayed tradesmen and the widows of such, in the town of Guildford, in the county of Surrey, where he was born and had his first education; and here I cannot omit taking notice that the body of statutes drawn by himself for the government of that house, is one of the most judicious works of that kind I ever saw, and under which for near one hundred years that hospital has maintained the best credit of any that I know in England. He was void of all pomp and ostentation, and thought the nearer the church and churchmen came to the simplicity of the first Christians, the better would the true ends of religion be served; and that the purity of the heart was to be preferred to, and ought rather to be the care of a spiritual governor, than the devotion of the hands only. If under this notion some niceties in discipline were given up to goodness of life, and when the peace of the church as well as of the kingdom was preserved by it, 'twas surely no ill piece of prudence, nor is his memory therefore deserving of those slanders it has undergone upon that account. It is easy to see that much of this treatment has been owing to a belief in the admirers and followers of archbishop Laud, that the reputation of the latter was increased by depreciating that of the former. They were indeed men of very different frames, and the parts they took in the affairs both of church and state as disagreeing. In the church, moderation and the ways of peace guided the behaviour of the first, rigour and severity that of the last. In the state they severally carried the like principles and temper. The one made the liberty of the people and the laws of the land the measure of his actions; when the other, to speak softly of it, had the power of the prince and the exalting the prerogative only, for the foundation of his. They were indeed both of them men of courage and resolution; but it was sedate and temperate in Abbot, passionate and unruly in Laud. It is not however to be denied that many rare and excellent virtues were possessed by the latter; but it must be owned too, he seems rather made for the hierarchy of another church and to be the minister of an arbitrary prince, and the other to have had the qualifications of a Protestant bishop and the guardian of a free state .”
urer of the navy; and on the 4th of February 1672, his majesty in council was pleased to appoint the duke of Buckingham, the earl of Anglesey, the lord Holies, the lord
Soon after the restoration, Mr. Annesley was created
earl of Anglesey; in the preamble of the patent notice is
taken of the signal services rendered by him in the king’s
restoration. He had always a considerable share in the
king’s favour, and was heard with great attention both at
council and in the house of lords. In 1667 he was made
treasurer of the navy; and on the 4th of February 1672,
his majesty in council was pleased to appoint the duke of
Buckingham, the earl of Anglesey, the lord Holies, the
lord Ashley Cooper, and Mr. secretary Trevor, to be a
committee to peruse and revise all the papers and writings
concerning the settlement of Ireland, from the first to the
last; and to make an abstract thereof in writing. Accordingly, on the 12th of June 1672, they made their
report at large, which was the foundation of a commission,
dated the 1st of August 1672, to prince Rupert, the dukes
of Buckingham and Lauderdale, earl of Anglesey, lords
Ashley and Holies, sir John Trevor, and sir Thomas,
Chicheley, to inspect the, settlements of Ireland, and all
proceedings thereunto. In 1673, the earl of Anglesey
had the office of lord privy seal conferred upon him. In
October 1680, his lordship was charged by one Dangerfield in an information delivered upon oath, at the bar of
the house of commons, with endeavouring to stifle evidence concerning the popish plot, and to promote the
belief of a presbyterian one. The uneasiness he received
from tiiis attack, did not hinder him from speaking his
opinion freely of those matters in the house of lords, particularly in regard to the Irish plot. In 1680, the earl of
Castlehaven wrote Memoirs concerning the affairs of Ireland, wherein he was at some pains to represent the general rebellion in livland in the lightest colours possible,
as if it had been at first far from being universal, and at
last rendered so by the measures pursued by such as ought
to have suppressed the insurrection. The earl of Anglesey
having received these memoirs from their author, thought
fit to write some animadversions upon them, in a letter to
the earl of Castlehaven, wherein he delivered his opinion,
freely in respect to the duke of Ormond and his management in Ireland. The duke expostulated with the lord
privy seal on the subject, by letter, to which the earl replied. In 1682, the earl drew up a very particular remonstrance, and presented it to king Charles II. It was very
warm and loyal, yet it was far from being well received.
This memorial was entitled, The account of Arthur earl of
Anglesey, lord privy seal to your most excellent majesty,
of the true state of your majesty’s government and kingdoms, April 27, 1682. In one part whereof he says, “the
fatal cause of all our mischiefs, present or apprehended,
and which may raise a fire, which may burn and consume
xis to the very foundations, is the unhappy perversion of
the duke of York (the next heir to the crown) in one point
of religion; which naturally raises jealousy of the power,
designs, and practices, of the old enemies of our religion
and liberties, and undermines and emasculates the courage
and constancy even of those and their posterity, who have
been as faithful to, and suffered as much for the crown,
as any the most pleased or contented in our impending
miseries can pretend to have done.
” He concludes with
these words: “Though your majesty is in your own person,
above the reach of the law, and sovereign of all your
people, yet the law is your master and instructor how to
govern; and that your subjects assure themselves you will
never attempt the enervating that law by which you are
king, and which you have not only by frequent declarations, but by a solemn oath upon your throne, been
obliged, in a most glorious presence of your people, to
the maintenance of; and that therefore you will look upon
any that shall propose or advise to the contrary, as unfit
persons to be near you; and on those who shall persuade
you it is lawful, as sordid flatterers, and the worst and
most dangerous enemies you and your kingdoms have.
What I set before your majesty, I have written freely,
and like a sworn faithful counsellor; perhaps not like a wise
man, with regard to myself, as they stand: but I have
discharged my duty, and will account it a reward, if your
majesty vouchsafe to read what I durst not but write, and
which I beseech God to give a blessing to.
”
athematical knowledge, as well as of giving many proofs of it. On this account when George Villiers, duke of Buckingham, succeeded the earl of Nottingham as high admiral,
, a patron of learning, was the second son of William Aylesbury by his wife Anne, daughter of John Poole, esq. and was born in London in 1576. He was educated at Westminster school, and, in 1598, became a student of Christ church, Oxford where he distinguished himself by his assiduous application to his studies, especially the mathematics. In June 1605, he took his degree of M. A. After he quitted the university, he was employed as secretary to Charles earl of Nottingham, then lord high admiral of England, in which post he had an opportunity of improving his mathematical knowledge, as well as of giving many proofs of it. On this account when George Villiers, duke of Buckingham, succeeded the earl of Nottingham as high admiral, Mr. Aylesbury not onlv kept his employment, but was also, by the favour of that‘powerful duke, created a baronet, April 19, 1627, having been before made master of requests, and master of the mint. These lucrative employments furnished him with the means of expressing his regard for learned men. He not only made all men of science welcome at his table, and afforded them all the countenance he could but likewise gave to such of them as were in narrow circumstances, regular pensions out of his own fortune, and entertained them at his house in Windsor-park, where he usually spent the summer. Walter Warner, who, at his request, wrote a treatise on coins and coinage, and the famous Mr. Thomas Harriot, were among the persons to whom he extended his patronage, and Harriot left him (in conjunction with Robert Sidney and viscount Lisle) all his writings and all the Mss. he had collected. Mr. Thomas Allen of Oxford, likewise, whom he had recommended to the duke of Buckingham, confided his manuscripts to sir Thomas, who is said to have been one of the most acute and candid critics ef his time. By this means he accumulated a valuable library of scarce books and Mss. which were either lost at home during the civil wars, or sold abroad to relieve his distresses; for in 1642 his adherence to the king, occasioned his being turned out of his places, and plundered of his estates. This he bore with some fortitude, but the murder of his sovereign gave him a distaste of his country, and retiring with his family to Flanders, he lived for some time at Brussels, and afterwards at Breda, where in 1657 he died. He left a son William, who, at the request of Charles I. undertook to translate D’Avila’s History of the Civil Wars of France, which appeared in 1647 but in the second edition, published in 1678, the merit of the whole translation is given to sir Charles Cotterel, except a few passages in the first four books. The calamities of his country affected this gentleman too, and in 1657, when Cromwell fitted out a fleet to go on an expedition to the West Indies, and to carry a supply to the island of Jamaica, Mr. Aylesbury, from pure necessity, engaged himself as secretary to the governor, and died on the island soon after. His surviving sister, the countess of Clarendon, became heiress of what could be recovered of the family estate.
falling in the king’s estimation, and his place was supplied by Mr. George Villiers, afterwards the duke of Buckingham. The rise of this favourite was rapid and surprizing
In the mean time, Somerset was falling in the king’s estimation, and his place was supplied by Mr. George Villiers, afterwards the duke of Buckingham. The rise of this favourite was rapid and surprizing and sir Francis Bacon is said to have conceived a good opinion of him, became his friend, and certainly gave him very salutary advice. His promotion was followed % by the trial of the earl and countess of Somerset, for being accessary to the murder of sir Thomas Overbury. In this affair, sir Francis appears to have acted an impartial part in the discharge of his duty as attorney-general. The king who appeared deeply interested in bringing these offenders to justice, was as eager afterwards to grant them a pardon but sir Francis interfered in neither case farther than the duties of his office required.
t, and afterwards earl, of Dorset, who wrote the poetical preface, and the legend of Henry Stafford, duke of Buckingham, and recommended the completion of the whole to
, according to Wood, was born
in the west of England, and spent several years at Oxford
in the study of logic and philosophy there he supposes
him to have been the same William Baldwin, who supplicated the congregation of regents for a master’s degree in
1532, but it does not appear by the register that it was
granted. He afterwards became a schoolmaster and a
minister, and was one of those scholars who followed printing, in order to promote the reformation. In this character, we find him employed by Edward Whitchurch, probably as the corrector of the press, though he modestly
styles himself “seruaunt with Edwarde Whitchurche.
”
This, however, seems to have been his employment at
first, and chiefly: yet he afterwards appears to have qualified himself for a compositor. As an author, Bale and
Pits ascribe some comedies to him, which were probably
mysteries or moralities now unknown, but he compiled
“A treatise of moral Philosophy,
” which was printed by
Edw. Whitchurch, in The Canticles or Balades of Solomon, phraselyke declared in English metres,
” printed by himself, The Funeralles of king Edward VI.
” in
verse, printed in 1560, 4to. But he is perhaps best known
now by the share he had in the publication of “The Mirror of Magistrates,
” originally projected by Thomas Sackville, first lord Buckhurst, and afterwards earl, of Dorset,
who wrote the poetical preface, and the legend of Henry
Stafford, duke of Buckingham, and recommended the
completion of the whole to our William Baldwin and
George Ferrers. The time of his death is not specified,
but he appears to have lived some years after the accession
of queen Elizabeth.
his imprisonment by law. The earl of Orrery, fche earl of Manchester, the earl of Arlington, and the duke of Buckingham, mentioned the affair to the king, who was pleased
Mr. Baxter came to London a little before the depositioa
of Richard Cromwell, and preached before the parliament
the day preceding that on which they voted the king’s return. He preached likewise before the lord mayor at St.
Paul’s a thanksgiving sermon for general Monk’s success.
Upon the king’s restoration he was appointed one of his
chaplains in ordinary, preached once before him, liad frequent access to his majesty, and was always treated by him
with peculiar respect. He assisted at the conference at
the Savoy, as one of the commissioners, and drew up a
reformed Liturgy, which Dr. Johnson pronounced “one
of the finest compositions of the ritual kind he had ever
seen.
” He was offered the bishopric of Hereford by the
lord chancellor Clarendon, which he refused, and gave
his lordship his reasons for not accepting of it, in a letter;
he required no favour but that of being permitted to continue minister at Kidderminster, but could not obtain it.
Being thus disappointed, he preached occasionally about
the city of London, having a licence from bishop Sheldon,
upon his subscribing a promise not to preach any thing
against the doctrine or ceremonies of the church. May 15,
1662, he preached his farewell sermon at Blackfriars, and
afterwards retired to Acton in Middlesex. In 1665, during
the plague, he went to Richard Hampden’s, esq. in Buckinghamshire; and when it ceased, returned to Acton. He
continued here as long as the act against conventicles was
in force, and, when that was expired, had so many auditors
that he wanted room: but, while thus employed, by a.
warrant signed by two justices, he was committed for six
months to New Prison gaol; having, however, procured an
habeas corpus, he was discharged, and removed to Totteridge near Barnet. In this affair, he experienced the sincerity of many of his best friends. As he was going to
prison, he called upon serjcant Fountain for his advice,
who, after perusing the mittimus, said, that he might be
discharged from his imprisonment by law. The earl of
Orrery, fche earl of Manchester, the earl of Arlington, and
the duke of Buckingham, mentioned the affair to the king,
who was pleased to send sir John Baber to him, to let him
know, that though his majesty was not willing to relax the
law, yet he would not be offended, if by any application
to the courts in Westminster-hall he could procure his
liberty; upon this an habeas corpus was demanded at the
bar of the common pleas, and granted. The judges were
clear in their opinion, that die mittimus was insufficient,
and thereupon discharged him. This exasperate;! the justices who committed him; and therefore they made a
new mittimus in order to hn.ve sent him to the connty-gnol
of Newgi-te, which he avoided by keeping out of the way.
After the indulgence in 1672, he returned to London, and
preached on week-days at Pinner’s hall, at a meeting in.
Fetter-lane, and in St. James’s market house and the times
appearing more favourable about two years after, he built
a meeting-house in Oxenden-street, where he had preached
but once, when a resolution was formed to take him by surprise, and send him to the county gaol, on the Oxford act;
which misfortune he escaped, but the person who happened
to preach for him was sent to the Gate-house, where he
was confined three months. After having been three years
kept out of his meeting-house, he took another in Swallow-street, but was likewise prevented from preaching there,
a guard having been placed for many Sundays to hinder
his entrance. Upon the death of Mr. Wadsworth, he
preached to his congregation in South wark.
ir but fifteen weeks old: after which Margaret married sir Henry Stafford, knight, second son to the duke of Buckingham, by whom she had no issue. Soon after the death
, the foundress of Christ’s and St. John’s colleges in Cambridge, was the only daughter and heir of John Beaufort, duke of Somerset (grandson of John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster), and of Margaret Beauchamp his wife. She was born at Bletshoe in Bedfordshire) in 1441. About the fifteenth year of her age, being a rich heiress, the great duke of Suffolk, minister to Henry the Vlth. solicited her in marriage for his son; while the king wooed her for his half-brother Edmund, then earl of Richmond. On so nice a point the good young lady advised with an elder gentlewoman; who, thinking it too great a decision to take upon herself, recommended her to St. Nicholas, the patron of virgins. She followed her instructions, and poured forth her supplications and prayers with such effect, that one morning, whether sleeping or waking she could not tell, there appeared unto her somebody in the habit of a bishop, and desired she would accept of Edmund for her husband. Whereupon she married Edmund earl of Richmond; and by him had an only son, who was afterwards king Henry the VI 1th. Edmund died, Nov. 3, 1456, leaving Henry his son and heir but fifteen weeks old: after which Margaret married sir Henry Stafford, knight, second son to the duke of Buckingham, by whom she had no issue. Soon after the death of sir Henry Stafford, which happened about 1482, she was married again to Thomas lord Stanley, who was created earl of Derby, Oct. 27, 1485, which was the first year of her son’s reign; and this noble lord died also before her in 1504.
lowing, was made knight of the garter. On the 22d of the same month he was sent to Utrecht, with the duke of Buckingham and lord Hallifax, as ambassadors extraordinary
In March 14, 1664, he was advanced to the degree of a
baron, by the title of Lord Arlington of Arlington in Middlesex, and in 1670, was one of the cabinet council, distinguished by the title of the Cabal, and one of those
ministers, who advised the shutting up of the exchequer.
April 22, 1672, he was created viscount Thetford and
earl of Arlington and on the 15th of June following, was
made knight of the garter. On the 22d of the same month
he was sent to Utrecht, with the duke of Buckingham and
lord Hallifax, as ambassadors extraordinary and plenipotentiaries, to meet jointly with such as should be appointed by the king of France, and with the deputies from
the States-General, but this negociation had no great effect. In April 1673, he was appointed one of the three
plenipotentiaries from the court of Great Britain to Cologne, in order to mediate a peace between the emperor
and king of France. In January following, the house of
commons resolving to attack him, as well as the dukes of
Lauderdale and Buckingham, who were likewise members
of the Cabal, the last endeavoured to clear himself by casting all the odium upon the earl of Arlington; who being
admitted to make his defence in that house, answered some
parts of the duke of Buckingham’s speech, but was so far
from giving them satisfaction with regard to his own conduct, that they immediately drew up articles of impeachment against him, in which he was charged to have been a
constant and vehement promoter of popery and popish
councils; to have been guilty of many undue practices in
order to promote his own greatness; to have embezzled
and wasted the treasure of the nation; and to have falsely
and traiterously bet ayed the important trust reposed in
him, as a counsellor and principal secretary of state. Upon this he appeared before the house of commons, and
spoke much more than was expected; excusing himself,
though without blaming the king. This had so good an
effect, that though he, as secretary of state, was more exposed than any other, by the many warrants and orders
which he had signed; yet he was acqu.tted by a small majority. But the care, which he took to preserve himself,
and his success in it, lost him his high favour; with the
king, as the duke of York was greatly offended with him;
for which reason he quitted his post, and was made lord
chamberlain on the lith of September 1671-, with this
public reason assigned, that it was in recompence of his
long and faithful service, and particularly for having performed the office of principal secretary of state for the
space of twelve years to his majesty’s great satisfaction.
But finding, that his interest began sensibly to decline,
while that of the earl of Danby increased, who succeeded
lord CiiHord in the office of lord high treasurer, which had
ever been the height of lord Arlington’s ambition, he conceived an implacable hatred against that earl, and used his
utmost effort* to supplant him, though in vain. For, upon
his return from his unsuccessful journey to Holland in
1674-5, his credit was so much sunk, that several persons
at court took the liberty to mimic his person and behaviour,
as had been formerly done against lord chancellor Clarendon; and it became a common jest for some courtier to
put a black patch upon his nose, and strut about with a
white staff in his hand, in order to divert the king. One
reason of his majesty’s disgust to him is thought to have
been the earl’s late inclining towards the popular opinions,
and especially his apparent zealous proceedings against
the papists, while the court knew him to be of their religion in his heart, [n confirmation of this a remarkable
story is told; that col. Richard Talbot, afterwards earl of
Tyrconnel, having been some time absent from the court,
upon his return found lord Arlington’s credit extremely
low; and seeing him one day acted by a person with a
patch and a staff, he took occasion to expostulate this matter with the king, with whom he was very familiar, remonstrating, how very hard it was, that poor Harry Ben net
should be thus used, after he had so long and faithfully
served his majesty, and followed him every where in his
exile. The king hereupon began to complain too, declaring what cause he had to be dissatisfied with his conduct, “who had of late behaved himself after a strange
manner; for, not content to come to prayers, as others
did, he must be constant at sacraments too.
” “Why,
”
said colonel Taibot interrupting, “does not your majestydo the same thing?
” “God’s fish,
” replied the king with
some warmth, “I hope there is a difference between Harry
Bennet and me.
” However, in
pension about ten years, till, being charged with fixing an imputation of a scandalous nature on the duke of Buckingham, he was thrown into prison, where he died August
, generally known by the appellation
of colonel Blood, was a disbanded officer of Oliver Cromwell’s army, famous for his daring crimes and his good fortune. He was first distinguished by engaging in a conspiracy to surprise the castle of Dublin, which was defeated
by the vigilance of the duke of Ormond; and some of his
accomplices were executed. Escaping to England, he meditated revenge against Ormond and actually seized him
one night in his coach in St. James’s-street, where he might
have finished his purpose if he had not studied refinements
in his vengeance. He bound him on horseback behind one
of his associates, resolving to- hang him at Tyburn, with a
paper pinned to his breast but when they got into the
fields, the duke, in his efforts for liberty, threw himself
and the assassin, to whom he was fastened, to the ground
and while they were struggling in the mire, he was rescued
by his servants; but the authors of this attempt were not
then discovered. A little after, in 1671, Blood formed a
design of carrying off the crown and regalia from the tower;
a design, to which he was prompted, as well by the surprising boldness of the enterprize, as by the views of profit. He was very near succeeding. He had bound and
wounded Edwards, the keeper of the jewel-office, and had
got out of the tower with his prey but was overtaken and
seized, with some of his associates. One of them was
known to have been concerned in the attempt upon Ormond and Blood was immediately concluded to be the
ringleader. When questioned, he frankly avowed the enterprize but refused to discover his accomplices. “The
fear of death (he said) should never induce him either to
deny a guilt or betray a friend.
” All these extraordinary
circumstances made him the general subject of conversation and the king was moved with an idle curiosity to see
and speak with a person so noted for his courage and
his crimes. Blood might now esteem himself secure of
pardon and he wanted not address to improve the opportunity. He told Charles, that he had been engaged with
others, in a design to kill him with a carabine above Battersea, where his majesty often went to bathe that the cause
of this resolution was the severity exercised over the consciences of the godly, in restraining the liberty of their religious assemblies: that when he had taken his stand among
the reeds, full of these bloody resolutions, he found his
heart checked with an awe of majesty; and he not only relented himself, but diverted his associates from their purpose: that he had long ago brought himself to an entire indifference about life, which he now gave for lost; yet he
could not forbear warning the king of the danger which
might attend his execution; that his associates had bound
themselves, by the strictest oaths, to revenge the death of
any of their confederacy; and that no precaution nor power
could secure any one from the effects of their desperate resolutions. Whether these considerations excited fear or
admiration in the king, they confirmed his resolution of
granting a pardon to Blood and what is yet more extraordinary? Charles carried his kindness so far as to grant him
an estate of 500l. a-year. He also showed him great countenance and while old Edwards, who had been wounded,
in defending the crown and regalia, was neglected, this
man, who deserved only to be stared at and detested as a
monster, became a kind of favourite. Blood enjoyed his
pension about ten years, till, being charged with fixing an
imputation of a scandalous nature on the duke of Buckingham, he was thrown into prison, where he died August
24, 1680.
antiquary, in the beginning of the seventeenth century, was a retainer to the great George Villiers, duke of Buckingham, under whom he probably enjoyed some office. He
, an ingenious
writer and antiquary, in the beginning of the seventeenth
century, was a retainer to the great George Villiers, duke
of Buckingham, under whom he probably enjoyed some
office. He was a Roman catholic; and distinguished Himself by the following curious writings; l.“The Life of
king Henry II.
” intended to be inserted in Speed’s Chronicle; but the author being too partial to Thomas Becket,
another life was written by Dr. Barcham. 2. “The Elements of Armories,
” Lond. Prosopopoeia Basilica,
” a ms. in the Cottonian library. 4.
An English translation of Lucius Florus’s Roman History.
5. “Nero Cæsar, or Monarchic depraved. An historicall
worke, dedicated with leave to the duke of Buckingham,
lord-admiral,
” Lond. Vindiciae Britannicae, or London righted
by rescues and recoveries of antiquities of Britain in general, and of London in particular, against unwarrantable
prejudices, and historical antiquations amongst the learned;
for the more honour, and perpetual just uses of the noble
island and the city.
” It consists of seven chapters. In
the first, he treats “of London before the Britann rebells
sackt and fired it in hatred and defiance of Nero.
” In the
second he shows, that “London was more great and famous in Nero’s days, than that it should be within the
description, which Julius Cæsar makes of a barbarous Britann town in his days.
” In the third, he proves, “that
the credit of Julius Cæsar’s writings may subsist, and yet
London retain the opinion of utmost antiquity.
” In the
fourth, “the same fundamental assertion is upholden with
other, and with all sorts of arguments or reasons.
” The
fifth bears this title, “The natural face of the seat of
London (exactly described in this section) most sufficiently
proved, that it was most antiently inhabited, always presupposing reasonable men in Britain.
” The sixth contains
“a copious and serious disquisition about the old book of
Brute, and of the authority thereof, especially so far forth
as concerns the present cause of the honour and antiquity
of London, fundamentally necessary in general to our national history.
” The last chapter is entitled, <; Special, as
well historical, as other illustrations, for the use of the
coins in my Nero Cæsar, concerning London in and before
that time.“This ms. (for it never was printed) was in the
possession of Hugh Howard, esq and afterwards sold among
Thomas Rawiinson’s to Endymion Porter. Mr. Bolton was
also author of
” Hypercritica, or a rule of judgement for
writing or reading our histories. Delivered in four supercensorian addresses by occasion of a censorian epistle,
prefixed by sir Henry Savile, knt. to his edition of some
of our oldest historians in Latin, dedicated to the late
queen Elizabeth. That according thereunto, a complete
body of our affairs, a Corpus Rerum Anglicarum may at
last, and from among our ourselves, come happily forth in
either of the tongues. A felicity wanting to our nation,
now when even the name thereof is as it were at an end.“It was published by Dr. Hall, at the end of
” Triveti Annales,“Oxford, 1722, 8vo. Bolton likewise intended to
compose a
” General History of England, or an entire and
complete body of English affairs;“and there is in the
Cottonian collection, the outline of a book entitled
” Agon
Heroicus, or concerning Arms and Armories," a copy of
which is in the Biog. Britannica. The time and place of
his death are unknown.
d. On the 31st of October, in the same year, an amiable relation, and a most promising youth, Edmund duke of Buckingham, died at Rome, upon which melancholy event, lord
In October 1733, lord Orrery returned to England, and
having now no attachment to London, he disposed of his
house in Downing-street, Westminster, as likewise of his
seat at Britwell, near Windsor, and retired to his seat at
Marston, in Somersetshire. As this place had been much
neglected by his ancestors, and was little more than a shell
of a large old house, he amused himself in building offices,
in fitting out and furnishing apartments, and laying out
gardens and other plantations. Study and retirement
being his principal pleasures, he took care to supply the
loss he had sustained from his father’s will, by furnishing
his library anew with the best authors. In the summer of
1734, probably in his way to France, where he sometimes
went, he visited the tomb of his ancestors, Roger Boyle,
esq, and Joan his wife, in Preston church, near Feversham.
This monument, when the title of earl of Cork devolved
upon him, he intended to have repaired, if his life had been
prolonged. In the middle of the year 1735, we find him
again in Ireland. On the 31st of October, in the same
year, an amiable relation, and a most promising youth,
Edmund duke of Buckingham, died at Rome, upon which
melancholy event, lord Orrery paid a just tribute to the
memory of the young nobleman, in an elegiac poem. It
was printed in 1736, and is one of the most pleasing specimens which our author has afforded of his poetical abilities. In the winter of 1735-6, the duke of Dorset being
then lord lieutenant of Ireland, the eail of Orrery neglected no opportunity of endeavouring to render his administration easy. If Dr. Swift is to be credited, Ireland
was about that time in a wretched condition. As a proof
of it, the dean asserted in a letter to Mr. Pope, that lord
Orrery had 3000l. a year in the neighbourhood of Cork,
and that more than three years rent was unpaid. In
April 1737, his lordship, who was then at Cork, earnestly
pressed Dr. Swift to accompany him to England; but the
doctor, who never saw Marston, did not accept the invitation. Lord Orrery took over with him to Mr. Pope all
the letters of that great poet to Swift, which the dean had
preserved or could find, which were not more in number
than twenty-five. About this time, our noble author,
that his sons might be educated under his own eye, and
also have the benefit of attending Westminster-school,
took a small house in Duke-street, Westminster. On the
30th of June, 1738, the earl of Orrery, after having been
six years a widower, married, in Ireland, Mrs. Margaret
Hamilton, only daughter and heiress of John Hamilton,
esq. of Caledon, in the county of Tyrone, grand-daughter
of Dr. Dopping, bishop of Meath, and niece of Dr. Dopping, bishop of Ossory. Swift, in a letter to Miss Hamilton, on her intended nuptials, after pretending a prior
claim, as she had made so many advances to him, and
confessed “herself to be nobody’s goddess but his,
” archly
waves it, and politely “permits lord Orrery to make himself the happiest man in the world; as I know not,
”
he adds, “any lady in this kingdom of so good sense or
so many accomplishments.
” He gives a great character
of her, likewise, in his last printed letter to Mr. Pope.
In this lady, the earl of Orrery, with gratitude to Heaven,
acknowledged that the loss of his former countess was repaired. In 1739 he published a new edition, 2 vols. 8vo,
of the dramatic works of his great-grandfather. Though
these volumes cannot be particularly valuable, they are
now become exceedingly scarce. In 1741 he published
separately, in folio, “The first Ode of the first book of
Horace imitated, and inscribed to the earl of Chesterfield;
”
and “Pyrrha, an imitation of the fifth Ode of the first
book of Horace.
” In the preface to the last, lord Orrery
characterises Dacier’s and Sanadon’s translations, and
makes some observations on Horace, which shew that he
entered with taste and spirit into the peculiar excellencies
of that poet. In 1742 he published in one volume, folio,
the “State Letters
” of his great-grandfather, the first
earl; to which were prefixed Morrice’s memoirs of that
eminent statesman. On the 25th of August, 1743, his lordship was presented by the university of Oxford to the
honorary degree of D. C. L.; and he was, likewise, F.R. S.
Lord Boyle, in 1746, being settled at Oxford, and Mr.
Boyle in the college at Westminster, their father quitted
London, and fixed his residence at Caledon, in Ireland.
During one of his occasional visits to England, after the
publication of the second volume of the Biographia Britannica, he thanked Dr. Campbell, “in the name of all the
Boyles, for the honour he had done to them, and to his
own judgment, by placing the family in such a light as to
give a spirit of emulation to those who were hereafter to
inherit the title.
” Lord Orrery resided in Ireland, with
very little intermission, from 1746 to 1750; happy in that
domestic tranquillity, that studious retirement and inactivity, from which, as he himself expressed it, he was
scarcely ever drawn, but with the utmost reluctance.
“Whenever,
” as he observed in a private letter, “we step
out of domestic life in search of felicity, we come back
again disappointed, tired, and chagrined. One day passed
under our own roof, with our friends and our family, is
worth a thousand in any other place. The noise and
bustle, or, as they are foolishly called, the diversions of
life, are despicable and tasteless, when once we have experienced the real delight of a fire-side.
” These sentiments, which do so much honour to the rectitude of his
lordship’s understanding, and the goodness of his heart,
reflect, at the same time, a just reproach on the absurd and
criminal dissipation that prevails for the most part among
persons of rank and fortune. During the earl of Orrery’s
residence in Ireland, he employed his leisure in laying out
gardens and plantations at Caledon, and in improving and
adorning its fine situation. On his return to Marston, he
continued his alterations and improvements in the house
and gardens at that place, many of the plans for which
were designed by lord Boyle, who had a taste for architecture. In the mean while, the amusement of our noble
author’s winter evenings was his translation of “The Letters of Pliny the Younger, with observations on each letter,
and an Essay on Pliny’s life, addressed to Charles lord
Boyle.
” The essay is dated Leicester-fields, January 27,
1750-1; and, together with the translation, was published
at London, in the following April, in 2 vols. 4to. This
work met with so good a reception from the public, that
three editions of it in octavo have since been printed. In
the summer of the same year, lord Orrery addressed
to his second son Hamilton a series of letters, containing
“Remarks on the Life and Writings of Dr. Swift, dean of
St. Patrick’s, Dublin.
” This work gave rise to many strictures and censures on his lordship for having professed
himself Swift’s friend while he was exposing his weaknesses. Subsequent inquiries into Swift’s character have
proved that the portrait he drew was not unfaithful. To
this, however, we shall have occasion to recur in our account of Swift.
of sir Henry, and was put in trust for her dowry, on her marriage to Thomas, earl of Derby. When the duke of Buckingham had concerted with Morton, bishop of Ely (then
, was second son of sir Richard
Bray, one of the privy council to king Henry VI. who lies
buried in the north aile of Worcester cathedral, in which
county sir Reginald was born. One of this family (which were lords of Braie, or Bray, in Normandy) came with
William the Conqueror into England, where they flourished
in the counties of Northampton and Warwick; but Edmond, the father of sir Richard, is styled of Eton Bray, in
the county of Bedford, which county they had represented
in parliament in 18 Ed. I. and 6 Ed. II. In 1 Rich. III.
this Reginald had a general pardon granted to him, probably on account of his having taken part with Henry VI.
to whose cause he had a personal as well as hereditary
attachment being receiver- general to sir Henry Stafford,
who married Margaret, countess of Richmond, mother to
the earl of Richmond, afterward king Henry VII. and
continued in her service after the death of sir Henry, and
was put in trust for her dowry, on her marriage to Thomas,
earl of Derby. When the duke of Buckingham had concerted with Morton, bishop of Ely (then his prisoner at Brecknock in Wales), the marriage of the earl of Richmond with the princess Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Edward I V. and the earl’s advancement to the throne, the
bishop recommended sir Reginald for the transaction of
the affair with the countess, telling the duke he had an old
friend with her, a man sober, secret, and well-witted,
called Reginald Bray, whose prudent policy he had known
to have compassed matters of great importance; and accordingly wrote to him in Lancashire, where he then was
with the countess, to come to Brecknock with all speed. He
readily obeyed the summons, entered heartily into the
design, and was very active in carrying it on; and soon
engaged sir Giles Daubeney (afterwards lord Daubeney),
sir John Ciieney, Richard GuiUbrd, esq. and many other
gentlemen of note, to take part with Henry. After the
success at Bosworth, he gradually rose into great favour
with the king, who eminently distinguished and liberally
rewarded his services. His attachment to that prince was
sincere and uriremitted; and such were his ptudence and
abilities, that he never forfeited the confidence he had
acquired, during an attendance of seventeen years on the
most suspicious monarch of his time. He was made a
knight banneret, probably at the battle of Bosworth; a
knight of the bath at the king’s coronation, and afterwards
a kni“ht of the garter. In the first year of the kind’s reign
he had a grant of the constableship of the castle of Oakham in Rutlandshire, and was appointed joint chie‘ justice,
with the lord Fitzwalter, of all the forests south of Trent,
and chosen of the privy council. After this he was appointed high-treasurer, chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster, and nigh steward of the university of Oxford. At
the queen’s coronation, the ducliess of Norfolk, &c. sat at
one side-table at the other, lady Ferrars, v>f Chartley,
lady Bray, &c. At the christening of prince Arthur, sir
Reginald bore a rich salt of gold which was given by the
earl of Derby. He was amongst the knights bannerets
when Henry, the king’s second son, was created duke of
York in 1494. In the 7th year of the king, he by indenture covenanted to serve him in his wars beyond sea a
whole year, with twelve men, himself accompted, each
having his custrell and page, twenty-four demy lances,
seventy-seven archers on horseback, two hundred and
thirty-one archers, and bil’.es on foot twenty-four. In the
10th year he had a grant for life of the Isle of Wight,
castle of Carisbrook, and the manors of Swainston, Brixton,
Thorley, and Welow, in that isle, at th^ rent of 308l. 6s. 8rf.
Camden mentions the grant of the Isle of Wight at the
rent of 300 marks. In June 1497 he was at the battle of
Blackheath, when the lord Audley, having joined the
Cornish rebels, was taken prisoner; on whose execution
and attainder, his manor of Shire Vachery and Crap ley in
Surry, with a large estate there, was given to sir Reginald.
He received many other marks of the king’s bounty and
favour, and died 5th August 1503, possessed of a very
great estate; notwithstanding which, and his activity as
a minister, under a monarch whose love of, money was the
cause of great and just complaints amongst the people,
historians call him the father of his country, a sage and
grave person, a fervent lover of jusuce, and one who
would often admonish the king when he did any thing contrary to justice or equity. That he should do this, and
the king still continue his favour, is an ample proof of the
sense which his sovereign entertained of his services and
abilities. He appears to have taken great delight in architecture, and to have had no small skill in it, as he had
a principal concern and direction in building Henry Vllth’s
chapel in Westminster-abbey, and in the finishing and
bringing to perfection the chapel of St. George at Windsor, to which he was a liberal benefactor in his life-time,
and for the completion of which he made farther provision
by his will. His arms, crest, and device (R. B.) are exhibited on the cieling of the chapel at Windsor in many
places; and in the middle of the south aile is a spacious
chapel erected by him, and still called by his name, in
which also, by his own particular direction, he was interred, though his executors neglected to erect a tomb for
him, as he desired. Perhaps they thought his merit would
be the most lasting monument. It is supposed that he
is buried under the stone which covers Dr. Waterland;
for, on opening the vault for that gentleman, who died in
1740, a leaden coffin, of ancient form and make, was
found, which by other appearances also was judged to be
that of sir Reginald, and was, by order of the dean, immediately arcned over with great decency. He was of
great devotion, according to the piety of the times, and a
bountiful friend, in his life-time, to many churches. In
one of the letters of the dean and chapter of Westminster, John, abbot of Newminster in Northumberland, addresses him as founder of the monastery of Pipwell (in Northamptonshire); but this must be on account of some
donations, as that house was founded by William Boutevileyr in 1143. In 1494, being then high steward of Oxford, he gave 40 marks to repair the church of St. Mary’s,
in a window of which were the figures of him and his wife
kneeling, their coats of arms on their backs, remaining in
1584. The dean and chapter of Lincoln, in recompence
for his services to them, receive him and my lady his wife
to be brother and sister of their chapter, and to be partakers of all suffrages, prayers, masses, fastings, almsdeeds, and other good deeds, whatever they be, done in
the said church, both in their lives and after their deceases. The prior of the cathedral church of Durham
receives him in like manner. In a south window of the
priory church of Great Malvern in Worcestershire, were
the portraits of Henry VII. Elizabeth his queen, prince
Arthur, sir Reginald Bray, John Savage, and Thomas
LoveJ), esquires, with their coats of arms on their armour,
and the following words underneath:
” Orate pro bono
statu nobilissimi et excellentissimi Regis Henrici Septimi
et Elizabeths Reginse, ac Domini Arthuri Principis filii
eorundem, nee not) praedilectissimae consortis suoe, ac suorum trium militum." The portraits of the king and sir
Reginald remained in 1774, and are engraved in Mr.
Strutt’s View of the Arms and Habits of the English, vol. II,
plate 60. The others have been broken and destroyed.
He had no issue, and his elder brother John having only
one daughter, married to sir William Sandes, afterwards
lord Sandes of the Vine, he left the bulk of his fortune to
Edmund, eldest son of his younger brother John (for he had two brothers of that name). This Edmund was summoned to parliament in 1530, as baron of Eaton Bray;
but his son John lord Bray dying without issue in 1557,
the estate was divided amongst six daughters of Edmund.
Sir Reginald left very considerable estates to Edward and
Reginald, younger brothers of Edmund. From Edward
the manor of Shire Vachery and Cranley, above mentioned,
has descended to the rev. George Bray, who was owner in
1778. Reginald settled at Barrington in Gloucestershire,
where the male line of that branch became extinct about
sixty years ago.
“Description of Leicestershire,” was published in folio, 1622. He tells his patron, George Villiers, duke of Buckingham, that “he has undertaken to remove an eclipse
, author of the “History of Leicestershire,
” and eldest son of Ralph Burton, esq. of
Lindley in Leicestershire, was born August 24, 1575, educated
at the school of Nuneaton in Warwickshire, and while
there distinguished himself by no common taste and skill in
Latin poetry. He was admitted of Brazen-nose college,
Oxford, 1591, and of the Inner Temple May 20, 1593,
B. A. June 22, 1594, and was afterwards a barrister and
reporter in the court of common pleas. But “his natural
genius,
” says Wood, “leading him to the studies of heraldry, genealogies, and antiquities, he became excellent
in those obscure and intricate matters; and, look upon him
as a gentleman, was accounted by all that knew him to be
the best of-his time for those studies, as may appear by his
description of Leicestershire.
” The author himself says, he
began his History of Leicestershire in 1597, not many ): ears
after his coming into the Inner Temple. In 1602 he corrected Saxton’s map of that county, with the addition of
eighty towns. His weak constitution riot permitting him
to follow his business, he retired into the country; and his
great work, the “Description of Leicestershire,
” was published in folio, he has undertaken to remove an eclipse from the sun without art or astronomical
dimension, to give light to the county of Leicester, whose
beauty has long been shadowed and obscured;
” and in his
preface declares himself one of those who hold that “gloria
totius res est vanissima mundi;
” and that he was unfit and
unfurnished for so great a business: “unfit,
” to use his
own words, “for that myself was bound for another study,
which is jealous, and will admit no partner; for that all
time and parts of time, that could possibly be employed
therein, were not sufficient to be dispensed thereon, by
reason of the difficulty of getting, and multiplicity of kinds
of learning therein. Yet if a partner might be assigned or
admitted thereto, there is no study or learning so fit or
necessary for a lawyer, as the study of antiquities.
” He
was assisted in this undertaking by his kinsmen John Beaumont of Gracedieu, esq. and Augustus Vincent, rougecroix; but the church notes were taken by himself. He
drew up the corollary of Leland’s life, prefixed to the
“Collectanea,
” with his favourite device, the sun recovering from an eclipse, and motto “Rilucera,
” dated Faledi
Antiquitates de Dadling-ton, manerio com. Leic, sive exemplificatio scriptorum,
cartarum veterum, inquisitionum, rotulorum curiarum, recordorum, et evidentium probantium antiquitates dicti
manerii de Dadlingtori, et hsereditatem de Burton in dicto
manerio de Dadlington, quoe mine sunt penes me Will'mum
Burton de Lindley com. Leic. modernum dominum dicti
manerii de Dadlington. Lahore et studio mei Will 1 mi
Burton de Lindley, apprenticii legum Angliae, et socii
Interioris Templi Londini; nuper habitatitis apud Falde
com. Staff, nunc apud Lindley, 25 Aug. 1625, set, 50.
”
He died at Falde, after suffering much in the civil wars
April 6, 1645, and was buried in the parish church thereto
belonging, called Hanbury. He left several notes, collections of arms and monuments, genealogies, and other
matters of antiquity, which he had gathered from divers
churches and gentlemen’s houses. Derby collections are
mentioned in Gascoigne’s notes, p. 53, probably by himself. In Osborne’s Catalogue, 1757, was “Vincent on
Brooke,
” with ms notes by William Burton, probably not
more than those on Cornwall, which Dr. Rawlinson had.
He was one of sir Robert Cotton’s particular friends, and
had the honour to instruct sir William Dugdale. He was
acquainted with Somner; and Michael Drayton, esq. was
his near countryman and acquaintance, being descended
from the Draytons of Drayton, or Fenny Drayton, near
Lindley. He married, 1607, Jane, daughter of Humphry
Adderley, of Wedington, Warwickshire; by whom he had
one son, Cassibelan, born 1609, heir of his virtues as well
as his other fortunes, who, having a poetical turn, translated Martial into English, which was published 1658. He
consumed the best part of his paternal estate, and died
Feb. 28, 1681, having some years before given most, if
not all, his father’s collections to Mr. Walter Chetwynd, to
be used by him in writing the antiquities of Staffordshire.
Several printed copies of Burton’s Leicestershire, with ms
notes by different persons, are existing in various collections *. “The reputation of Burton’s book,
” as Mr.
Gough justly observes, “arises from its being written early,
and preceded only by Lambarde’s Kent 1576, Carew’s Cornwall 1602, and Norden’s Surveys; and it is in comparison
only of these, and not of Dugdale’s more copious work,
that we are to understand the praises so freely bestowed
on it, and because nobody has treated the subject more remotely and accurately; for Dugdale, says Burton, as well
as Lambarde and Carevv, performed briefly. The present
volume, though a folio of above 300 pages, if the unnecessary digressions were struck out, and the pedigrees reduced
into less compass, would shrink into a small work. The
typographical errors, especially in the Latin, are so numerous, and the style, according to the manner of that time,
so loose, that the meaning is often doubtful. The description is in alphabetical order, and consists chiefly of pedigrees and moot-cases.
” The author, sensible of its defect,
greatly enlarged and enriched it with the addition of Roman, Saxon, and other antiquities, as appears from his letter
to sir Robert Cotton, dated Lindley, June 9, 1627, still extant among Cotton’s correspondences, in his library, Jul.
C. iii. This book, thus augmented, was, with other Mss.
by the same author, in the possession of Mr. Walter Chetwynd, of Ingestry, in Staffordshire, whom Camden in
Staffordshire calls “venerandae antiquitatis cultor maximus;
” and afterwards came to, or was borrowed by, Mr.
Charles King, tutor to Mr. Chetwynd, in whose hands
Brokesby mentions it, and says Mr. Chetwynd made considerable additions to it. He died in 1693. Lord Chetwynd
lent it to sir Thomas Cave, in whose hands Mr. Ashby saw
it in 1763 f. It is continued to 1642. It is not necessary to
say more of a work now so totally eclipsed, and rendered
useless, by the more elaborate, accurate, and satisfactory
“History of Leicestershire
” lately published by Mr.
Nichols, to which we may refer for many curious particu* These are particularized in the History of Hinckley, p. 131. A new edition
of the Description of Leicestershire was absurdly printed in 1777, without the
least improvement.
lars of Burton’s life, and especially an account by himself
in the form of a diary.
withstanding the purity of his conduct, he was deprived of his government by the machinations of the duke of Buckingham, in 1669; but in the same year he was elected
During his short residence in this country, he corresponded with the Irish for the purpose of inducing them to
engage in the royal cause; and having engaged lord Inchiquin to receive him in Munster, he landed at Cork,
after escaping the imminent danger of shipwreck, in 1648,
and on his arrival, adopted measures which were not a little
assisted by the abhorrence which the king’s death excited
through the country; and in consequence of this favourable
impression, the lord lieutenant caused Charles II. to be immediately proclaimed. But Owen O'Neile, instigated by
the pope’s nuncio, and supported by the old Irish, raised
obstacles in his way, which he determined to overcome by
the bold enterprise of attacking the city of Dublin, then
held for the Parliament by governor Jones. This enterprise, however, failed, with very considerable loss on the
part of the marquis; and soon after Cromwell arrived in
Ireland, and having stormed Drogheda, surrendered it to
military execution, thus striking tenor into the Irish, so
that they becoming dissatisfied with the lord lieutenant,
and insisting on his leaving the kingdom, he embarked for
France, in 1650, and joined the exiled family. In order to
retrieve his affairs, the marchioness went over to Ireland, and having in some measure succeeded in exempting
her own estate from forfeiture, she remained in the country, and never saw her husband till after the restoration.
In the mean while the marquis was employed in various
Commissions in behalf of the king; and he rendered
essential service to his cause by rescuing the duke of Gloucester out of the hands of the queen-mother, and preventing her severe treatment from inducing him to embrace the
Catholic religion. He was also instrumental in detaching
the Irish Catholic regiments from the service of France,
one of which he was appointed to command, and in obtaining the surrender of the town of St. Ghilan, near
Brussels, to the Spaniards. In a secret embassy to England for the purpose of inquiring into the actual state of
the royal party, he had some narrow escapes from the spies
of Cromwell; and at length, when Charles II. was restored
to the throne of his ancestors, the Marquis accompanied
him, and not only recovered his large estates in the county
of Tipperary, but was raised to the dignity of duke of
Ormond, and officiated as lord high steward of England at
the king’s coronation. In 1662, he was again appointed
lord lieutenant, and had considerable success in reducing
the country to a state of tranquillity; and he promoted
various very important and lasting -improvements, particularly with respect to the growth of flax and manufacture
of linen. His attachment to earl Clarendon, however, involved him in the odium which pursued that great man;
and notwithstanding the purity of his conduct, he was
deprived of his government by the machinations of the
duke of Buckingham, in 1669; but in the same year he
was elected to the office of chancellor of the university of
Oxford. In 1670 a desperate design was formed ' against
him by colonel Blood, whom he had imprisoned in Ireland
on account of his having engaged in a plot for the surprisal
of D.ublin castle. Blood, being at this time in London,
determined to seize his person, in his return from an entertainment given in the city to the Prince of Orange; and
in the prosecution of his purpose, his accomplices dragged
the duke out of his coach, and placed him behind one of
them who was on horseback, in order to convey him to
Tyburn, and execute him on the pubiic gallows; or, as
others say, to take him out of the kingdom, and compel
him to sign certain papers relating to a forfeited estate of
Blood. The duke by his struggles threw both the man and
himself from the horse, and by seasonable assistance he
was released from the custody of these assassins. This
daring act of violence excited the king’s resentment; but
Blood, for certain reasons, having been taken into favour,
hi* Majesty requested the duke to forgive the insult. To
which message he replied, “that if the king could forgive
Blood for attempting to steal his crown, he might easily
forgive him for an attempt on his life; and that he would
obey his Majesty’s pleasure without inquiring into his reasons.
” For seven years the duke was neither in favour
with the court nor employed by it; but at length, in 1677,
he was surprised by a message announcing the king’s intention to visit him. The object of this visit was to disclose his Majesty’s resolution of appointing him to the
lord lieutenancy of Ireland; and this resolution had been
adopted by the influence of the duke of York, who had
reason to imagine, that the “cabal,
” or court party, proposed to introduce the duke of Monmouth into this high
station in the room of the earl of Essex, who had been removed. In order to counteract this plan, the duke of York
recommended his grace of Ormond to the king, as the most
likely person to engage general confidence, and to unite
discordant parties in both countries. On this the duke consented, and upon his arrival adopted vigorous measures for
disarming the papists and maintaining public tranquillity;
and though he did not escape calumny, the king determined to support him against all attempts for removing him,
and declared with an oath, *' that while the duke of Ormond lived, he should never be put out of that government." He opposed the duke only in the measure of calling a parliament in Ireland for settling affairs, to which
the king would not give his consent. In 1682, when he
came over to England to acquaint the king with the state
of his government, he was advanced to the dignity of an
English dukedom; but, notwithstanding this mark of royal
favour, he had given such offence by his importunity with
respect to an Irish parliament, that immediately on his
return he was apprised of an intention to remove him.
Upon the accession of James, the duke caused him to be
proclaimed, and soon after resigned his office and came
over to England.; Although the duke’s principles did
not suit the projects of the new reign, he was treated
with respect by the king, and received from him the
honour of a visit whilst he was confined to his chamber with the gout. He died at Kingston ^hall, in Dorsetshire, July 21, 1688, in the seventy-eighth year of
his age, and was buried in Westminster-abbey.
ineas; but of this temporary bounty we find no proof. Wood relates that he was secretary to Villiers duke of Buckingham, when he was chancellor of Cambridge: this is
, a poet of a very singular cast, was
born at Strensham in Worcestershire, and baptized Feb.
8, 1612. His father’s condition is variously represented.
Wood mentions him as competently wealthy; but the
author of the short account of Butler, prefixed to Hudibras,
who, Dr. Johnson erroneously says, was Mr. Longueville,
asserts he was an honest farmer with some small estates
who made a shift to educate his son at the grammar-school
of Worcester, under Mr. Henry Bright, from whose care
he removed for a short time to Cambridge; but, for want
of money, was never made a member of any college. Wood
leaves us rather doubtful whether he went to Cambridge of
Oxford; but at last makes him pass six or seven years at
Cambridge, without knowing in what hall or college: yet
it can hardly be imagined that he lived so long in either
university, but as belonging to one house or another; and
it is still less likely that he could have so long inhabited a
place of learning with so little distinction as to leave his
residence uncertain. Dr. Nash has discovered that his
father was owner of a house and a little land, worth about
eight pounds, a year, still called Butler’s tenement. Wood
had his information from his brother, whose narrative placed
him at Cambridge, in opposition to that of his neighbours,
which sent him to Oxford. The brother’s seems the best
authority, till, by confessing his inability to tell his hall
or college, he gives reason to suspect that he was resolved
to bestow on him an academical education, but durst not
name a college, for fear of detection. Having, however,
discovered an early inclination for learning, his father
placed him at the free-school of Worcester; whence he
was sent, according to the above report, for some time to
Cambridge. He afterwards returned to his native country,
and became clerk to one Mr. Jefferys of Earl’s Croomb, an
eminent justice of the peace for that county, with whom
he lived some years in an easy and reputable station. Here
he found sufficient leisure to apply himself to whatsoever
learning his inclinations led him; which was chiefly history and poetry; adding to these, for his diversion, music
and painting. He was afterwards recommended to that
great encourager of learning, Elizabeth countess of Kent;
in whose house he had not only the opportunity of consulting all kinds of books, but of conversing with Mr. Seldeo,
who often employed him to write letters beyond sea, and
translate for him. He lived some time also with sir Samuel
Luke, a gentleman of an ancient family in Bedfordshire,
and a famous commander under Oliver Cromwell. Whilst
he resided in this gentleman’s family, it is generally supposed that he planned, if he did not write, the celebrated
Hudibras; under which character it is thought he intended
to ridicule that knight. After the restoration of Charles II.
he was made secretary to Richard earl of Carbury, lord
president of the principality of Wales, who appointed him.
steward of Ludlow-castle, when the Court was revived there.
In this part of his life, he married Mrs. Herbert, a gentlewoman of a good family; and lived, says Wbod^ upon her
fortune, having studied the common law, but never practised it. A fortune she had, says his biographer, but it
was lost by bad securities. In 1663 was published the first
part, containing three cantos, of the poem of “Hudibras,
”
which, as Prior relates, was made known at court by the
taste and influence of the earl of Dorset, and when known,
it was necessarily admired: the king quoted, the courtiers
studied, and the whole party of the royalists applauded it.
Every eye watched for the golden shower which was to fall
upon the author, who certainly was not without his share
in the general expectation. In 1664 the second part appeared; the curiosity of the nation was rekindled, and the
writer was again praised and elated. But praise was his
whole reward. Clarendon, says Wood, gave him reason
to hope for “places and employments of value and credit;”
but no such advantages did he ever obtain. It is reported,
that the king once gave him 300 guineas; but of this temporary bounty we find no proof. Wood relates that he was
secretary to Villiers duke of Buckingham, when he was
chancellor of Cambridge: this is doubted by the other
writer, who yet allows the duke to have been his frequent
benefactor. That both these accounts are false there is
reason to suspect, from a story told by Pack, in his account
of the life ef Wycherley, and from some verses which Mr.
Thyer has published in the author’s Remains. “Mr. Wycherley,” says Pack, “had always laid hold of any opportunity which offered of representing to the duke of Buckingham how well Mr. Butler had deserved of the royal
family, by writing his inimitable Hudibras; and that it
was a reproach to the court, that a person of his loyalty
and wit should suffer in obscurity, and under the wants he
did. The duke always seemed to hearken to him with
attention enough; and, after some time, undertook to recommend his pretensions to his majesty. Mr. Wycherley,
in Jiopes to keep him steady to his word, obtained of his
grace to name a day, when he might introduce that modest and unfortunate poet to his new patron. At last an
appointment was made, and the place of meeting was
agreed to be the Roebuck. Mr. Butler and his friend attended accordingly: the duke joined them; but, as the
devil would have it, the door of the room where they sat
was open, and his grace, who had seated himself near it,
observing a pimp of his acquaintance (the creature too was a knight) trip by with a brace of ladies, immediately quitted his engagement, to follow another kind of business, at
which he was more ready than in doing good offices to
men of desert; though no one was better qualified than
he, both in regard to his fortune and understanding, to
protect them; and, from that time to the day of his death,
poor Butler never found the least effect of his promise!”
Such is the story. The verses are written with a degree
of acrimony, such as neglect and disappointment might
naturally excite; and such as it would be hard to imagine
Butler capable of expressing against a man who had any
claim to his gratitude. Notwithstanding this discouragement and neglect, he still prosecuted his design; and in.
1678 published the third part, which still leaves the poem
imperfect and abrupt. How much more he originally intended, or with what events the action was to be concluded,
it is vain to conjecture. Nor can it be thought strange
that he should stop here, however unexpectedly. To write
without reward is sufficiently unpleasing. He had now arrived at an age when he might think it proper to be in
jest no longer, and perhaps his health might now begin to
fail. He died Sept. 25, 1680; and Mr. Longueville, having unsuccessfully solicited a subscription for his internment in Westminster abbey, buried him at his own cost
in the chureb-yard of Covent Garden. Dr. Simon Patrick
read the service. About sixty years afterwards, Mr. Barber, a printer, lord mayor of London, bestowed on him a
monument in Westminster abbey.
ood, and in Feb. 1619 he was appointed to be one of the principal secretaries of state. Thinking the duke of Buckingham had been the chief instrument of his preferment,
, descended from the ancient and noble house of Calvert, in the earldom of Flanders, and afterwards created lord Baltimore, was born at Kipling in Yorkshire, about 1582. In 1593 he became a commoner of Trinity college, Oxford, and in Feb. 1597 he took the degree of B. A. At his return from his travels he was made secretary to Robert Cecil, one of the principal secretaries of state to James I. who continued him in his service when he was raised to the office of lord high -treasurer. On Aug. 30, 1605, when king James was entertained by the university of Oxford, he was created M. A. with several noblemen and gentlemen. Afterwards he was made one of the clerks of the privy council, and in 1617 received the honour of knighthood, and in Feb. 1619 he was appointed to be one of the principal secretaries of state. Thinking the duke of Buckingham had been the chief instrument of his preferment, he presented him with a jewel of great value; but the duke returned it, acknowledging he had no hand in his advancement, for that his majesty alone had made choice of him on account of his great abilities. In May 1620 the king granted him a yearly pension of 1000l. out of the customs. After having held the seals about five years, he resigned them in 1624, frankly owning to the king, that he was become a Roman catholic. The king, nevertheless, continued him a privy counsellor all his reign; and in Feb. 1625 created him (by the name of sir George Calvert of Danbywiske in Yorkshire, knight) baron of Baltimore in the county of Longford in Ireland. He was at that time a representative in parliament for the university of Oxford.
gdom to the general satisfaction of the people. After his return, he, in 1678, with Halifax, and the duke of Buckingham, had the chief political influence among the lords;
, eldest son and heir of the preceding, became his successor, and notwithstanding the sufferings of his father, his estate was under sequestration; but
at the restoration, he was, by Charles II. advanced to the
title and dignity of viscount Maiden, and earl of Essex,
on April 20, 1661. He also was constituted lord lieutenant and custos rotulorum of the county of Hertford, on
July 7, 1660; and lord lieutenant of the county of Wilts,
during the minority of the duke of Somerset, on April 2,
1668. In the year 1670, he was sent ambassador to Christian V. king of Denmark, whence he returned with high,
favour for having vindicated the honour of the British flag:
and upon testimonies of his courage, prudence, and
abilities, was sworn of the privy- council in 1672, and
made lord-lieutenant of the kingdom of Ireland which
high office he exercised in that kingdom to the general
satisfaction of the people. After his return, he, in 1678,
with Halifax, and the duke of Buckingham, had the chief
political influence among the lords; yet, when they moved
an address to the king to send the duke of York from
court, the majority was against them. In 1679, he was
appointed first and chief commissioner of the treasury:
and his majesty choosing a new council, he ordered sir
William Temple to propose it to the lord chancellor Finch,
the earl of Sunderland, and the earl of Essex, but to one
after another; on which, when he communicated it to the
earl of Essex, he said, “It would leave the parliament
and nation in the dispositions to the king, that he found at
his coming in.
” Accordingly he was sworn of that privycouncil on April 21, 1679, being then first lord commissioner of the treasury; and his majesty valued himself on
it so, that the next day he communicated it by a speech
to the parliament, which was agreeable to both houses:
but not concurring with the duke of York in his measures,
his majesty, on November 19 following, declared in council, that he had given leave to the earl of Essex to resign
his place of first commissioner of the treasury; yet intended that he should continue of his privy-council. Nevertheless, soon after, being a great opposer of the court
measures, and on Jan. 25, 1680-1, delivering a petition
against the parliament’s sitting at Oxford, he was accused,
with the lord Russel, of the fanatic plot, and sent prisoner to the Tower in the beginning of July, 1683. Bishop Burnet says, that a party of horse was sent to bring
him up from his seat in Hertfordshire, where he had been
for some time, and seemed so little apprehensive of danger, that his lady did not imagine he had any concern
on his mind. He' was offered to be conveyed away, but
he would not stir: his tenderness for lord Russel was the
cause of this, thinking his disappearing might incline the
jury to believe the evidence the more. Soon after his
commitment, he was found with his throat cut, on July
13, 1683. The cause of this is variously represented,
some imputing it to himself in a fit of despondency, and
some to the contrivance of his enemies. From the evidence examined in the Biog. Britannica, a decision seems
difficult. See “Bp. Burnet’s late History charged with
great partiality,
” by Mr. Braddon,
nd on his arrival found all ministerial power and favour centered in sir George Villiers, afterwards duke of Buckingham. Soon after, on the recommendation of sir Ralph
, Lord Dorchester, an
eminent statesman in the beginning of the seventeenth
century, the eldest surviving son of Anthony Carleton, esq.
of Baldwin Briglitweli, near Watlington,Oxon. was born at his
father’s seat, March 10, 1573. He was educated at Westminster school, and at Oxford, where he became a student
of Christ church about 1591, and distinguished as a young
man of parts. From hence, after taking a bachelor’s degree in 15L<5, he set out on his travels, and on his return
to Oxford, was created master of arts in July loOO. In
the same year we find him appointed secretary to sir Thomas Parry, our ambassador in France and in 1603 he served
in the same capacity in the house of Henry earl of Northumberland. He probably became afterwards a courtier,
as he speaks in one of his letters of holding the place of
gentleman usher. In the first parliament of James I. he
represented the borough of St. Mawes in Cornwall, and
was considered as an active member and an able speaker.
In April 1605, he accompanied lord Norris intoSpain, but
in the latter end of that year was summoned to England,
and on his arrival imprisoned, as being implicated in the
gunpowder treason but his innocence being proved, he
was honourably discharged. In 1607 he married a niece
of sir Maurice Carey, with whom he resided some time in
Chancery- lane, and afterwards in Little St. Bartholomew’s,
near West Smitlitield. At this period he appears to have
been unprovided for, as in one of his letters he complains
of an “army of difficulties, a dear year, a plaguy town, a
growing w if e and a poor purse.
” After being disappointed,
from political reasons, in two prospects, that of going to
Ireland, and that of going to Brussels, in an official capacity, he was nominated to the embassy at Venice, and
before setting out, in Sept. 1610, received the honour of
knighthood. The functions of this appointment he discharged with great ability, and soon proved that he was
qualified for diplomatic affairs. In 1615, he returned to
England, sir Henry Wotton being appointed in his room,
and on his arrival found all ministerial power and favour
centered in sir George Villiers, afterwards duke of Buckingham. Soon after, on the recommendation of sir Ralph
Win wood, one of the secretaries of state, he was employed
in what was then one of the most important embassiesin
the gift of the crown, that to the States General of Holland
and in this he continued from 1616 to 1628, and was the
last English minister who had the honour of sitting in the
council of state for the United Provinces, a privilege which
queen Elizabeth had wisely obtained, when she undertook
the protection of these provinces, and which was annexed
to the possession of the cautionary towns.
ievelt, sir Dudley took the part of prince Maurice. His situation here, owing to the politics of the duke of Buckingham and other events, which belong to the history
On his arrival in Holland, he was soon involved in the disputes which then raged between the Arminians and Galvinists; and as the French supported the pensionary Banievelt, sir Dudley took the part of prince Maurice. His situation here, owing to the politics of the duke of Buckingham and other events, which belong to the history of the times, was one of peculiar delicacy and difficulty; yet he appears to have conducted himself as ambassador from England, with great wisdom, firmness, and prudence. Thinking that such services merited some reward, and as every thing of that kind depended on the duke of Buckingham, sir Dudley addressed his grace on the subject in a strain of servility and adulation, which might diminish our respect for his character, if we were to forget the relative state of the parties. We do not find, however, that his application was at this time successful.
Hastings in Sussex, endeavoured to mitigate the violence of the commons in their impeachment of the duke of Buckingham; but his arguments, although not well suited to
In December 1625, soon after his return to England, he was appointed vice chamberlain of his majesty’s household, and at the same time was joined with earl Holland in an embassy to France, respecting the restitution of the ships, which had been lent to Louis XIII. and were employed against the Rochellers; to obtain a peace for the French protestants agreeably to former edicts, and to obtain the French accession to the treaty of the Hague. Although all these objects were not attained in the fullest intention, yet the ambassadors were thought entitled to commendation for their firm and prudent management of the various conferences. On their return in March 1625-6, they found the parliament sitting, and the nation inflamed to the highest degree at the mismanagement of public affairs. At this crisis, sir Dudley Carleton, who represented Hastings in Sussex, endeavoured to mitigate the violence of the commons in their impeachment of the duke of Buckingham; but his arguments, although not well suited to the humour of the time, were acceptable at court, and immediately after he was called up to the house of peers by the style and title of Baron Carleton of Imbercourt in the county of Surrey: and his next employment was more fully adapted to his talents. This was an embassy-extraordinary to France to justify the sending away of the queen of England’s French servants, which he managed with his usual skill.
vice chamberlain, and was employed in foreign affairs of the most secret nature, as assistant to the duke of Buckingham. When that minister set out for Portsmouth to
In March 1626-7, he was ordered to resume his character of ambassador in Holland, where our interest, from various causes, was on the decline, and required all his address and knowledge to revive it. He had many conversations with the states on the existing differences, his conduct in all which received the approbation of his’royal master, but he had not the same influence with the States as on former occasions; and returned in May or June 1628, leaving as his deputy, Mr. Dudley Carleton, his nephew, who had discharged that trust before during his absence, with diligence and capacity. Soon after his arrival in England, king Charles bestowed an additional mark of his approbation, by creating him viscount Dorchester; and in the mean time he continued to attend the court in his office of vice chamberlain, and was employed in foreign affairs of the most secret nature, as assistant to the duke of Buckingham. When that minister set out for Portsmouth to take the command of the fleet and army, which was preparing for the relief of Rochelle, lord Dorchester accompanied him, and was entrusted by Contarini, the Venetian Ambassador here, to manage the first overtures of an accommodation with France, which was interrupted by the murder of the duke of Buckingham. King Charles, then declared he would, for the future, be his own first minister, and leave the executive part of the administration to every man within the compass of his province. The first question.of importance which came before the council was, whether the parliament should sit on the day appointed, the 20th of October. Some were of opinion, that it would be the most probable method of restoring a happy union between the king and his people; but his majesty declared his pleasure for a further prorogation till the 20th of January, 1628-9, which lord Dorchester says he thought the wisest course.
Various Letters in the “Cabala, or Scrinia sacra,” London, 1663, fol. 4. Various Letters to George, duke of Buckingham, in “Cabala, or Mysteries of State,” London, 1654,
With regard to the general abilities and character of
lord Dorchester, it appears from alt his political remains,
that he was a judicious, faithful, and diligent minister, and
better qualified for his department than any who were his
immediate predecessors or successors in the same office.
King Charles himself, who was a good judge of his servants’ abilities, used to say, as sir P. Warwick relates in
his Memoirs, “that he had two secretaries of state, the
lords Dorchester and Falkland; one of whom was a dull
man in comparison of the other, and yet pleased him the
best for he always brought him his own thoughts in his
own woreds: the latter cloathed them in so fine a dress, that
he did not always know them again.
” Allowing for some
defects of stiffness and circumlocution, which are common
to all the writings of that time, lord Dorchester’s dispatches
are drawn up in that plain, perspicuous, and unaffected
stile which was fittest for business. Domestic concerns
were no part of his province, but entirely managed by the
lord treasurer Weston and archbishop Laud. He held the
pen singly in foreign affairs, and was regretted by those
who were used to receive the instructions of government
from a secretary of state, upon whom they could depend
that he would make a just report of their services, and that
he would not mislead or misrepresent the ministers with
whom he corresponded. That he died much lamented by
the public in general, and with the reputation of an honest
and well-deserving statesman, is declared by sir Thomas
Roe, in a manuscript letter to a friend in Holland. The
earl of Clarendon’s assertion, that lord Dorchester was
unacquainted with the government, laws, and customs of
his own country, and the nature of the people, is disputed
by Dr. Birch, in his “Review of the Negociations,
” who
considers it as absolutely incompatible with the experience
which he must have acquired in the house of commons.
But, not to mention that the noble historian, who had no
prejudice against his lordship, could not well be deceived
in the fact, it is, we think, confirmed by the figure he
made in the parliament of 1626, and by his acquiescence
in all the obnoxious measures of Buckingham, Weston,
and Laud. The following articles are attributed to his
pen, by Anthony Wood and lord Orford: 1. “Balance
pour peser en toute equite & droicture la Harangue fait
vagueres en L'Assemblee des illustres & puissans Seignoures
Messeigneurs les Estats generaux des Provinces Unies du
Pais has, &c.
” Harangue fait au Counseile
de Mess, les Estats generaux des Provinces Unies, touchant le Discord & le Troubles de PEglise & la Police,
causes par la Doctrine d'Arminius,
” 6 Oct. 1617, printed
with the former. 3. Various Letters in the “Cabala, or
Scrinia sacra,
” London, Cabala, or Mysteries of
State,
” London, Ger. Jo. Vossii
& clarorum Virorum ad.eum Epistoiae,
” London, Sir Ralph Winwood’s Memorials,
” published at
London, in folio, Howard’s Collection.
” 9. Memoirs
for Dispatches of political Affairs relating to Holland and
England, arm. 1618; with several Propositions made to the
States. Manuscript. 10. Particular Observations of the
military Affairs in the Palatinate, and the Low Countries,
annis 1621, 1622. Manuscript. 11. Letters relating to
State Affairs, written to the king and viscount Rochester,
from Venice, ann. 1613. Manuscript. The manuscript
pieces here mentioned, are probably no more than parts of
the collections preserved in the Paper office. The letters
from and to sir Dudley Carleton, during his embassy in
Holland, from January 1615-16, to December 1620, properly selected, and as occasion required, abridged, or only
noted, were published by the late earl of Hardwicke, in
1757, in one vol. 4to, with an historical preface. The second edition of the same work, with large additions to the
historical preface, appeared in 1775, and has been twice
reprinted since. These letters, if some allowances be made
for party violences and prejudices, contain more clear,
accurate, and interesting accounts of that remarkable period of Dutch history to which they relate, than are anj
where extant. There are, likewise, discussed in the
course of them, many points of great importance, at that
time, to the English commerce. Lord Hardwicke’s excellent preface has furnished the materials of the present
sketch.
ull to his purpose. By this order, which had been issued upon occasion of Curll’s publication of the duke of Buckingham’s writings, it was declared that whoever should
It is highly probable that the success and popularity of
Kapin’s History gave considerable disgust to Mr. Carte,
and other gentlemen of the same principles, and suggested
the scheme of a new undertaking. It is evident, from
some letters written about this time to Dr. Z. Grey by
our author, that he laid a great stress upon that part of his
Life of the duke of Ormonde which vindicated Charles I.
in his transactions with the earl of Glamorgan, and which
brought a charge of forgery against that nobleman, but in
this it has since been proved he was mistaken. Some booksellers of Dublin having formed a design of printing in Ireland a piratical edition of the “History of the duke of
Ormonde,
” Mr. Carte recollected an order of the house of
lords, made in 1721, which was full to his purpose. By
this order, which had been issued upon occasion of Curll’s
publication of the duke of Buckingham’s writings, it was
declared that whoever should presume to print any account
of the life, the letters, or other works of any deceased
peer, without the consent of his heirs or executors, should
be punished as guilty of a breach of privilege of that house.
An attested copy of the order was carried by our historian
to the earl of Arran, and his lordship sent it to his agent
in Dublin, to serve upon the booksellers concerned in the
pirated impression, and to discharge them in his name from
proceeding in the design. But as this was a remedy only
in Mr. Carte’s case, and arising from the particular naiure
of his work, he was very solicitous that a new act of parliament should be passed, to secure the property of authors in their writings, and. drew up a paper recommending
such an act. Lord Cornbury, at the instance of the university of Oxford, had procured the draught of a bill to
be prepared, which was approved by the speaker of the
house of commons but we do not find that any farther
measures were pursued in the affair. In April 1738, Mr.
Carte published on a separate sheet, “A general account
of the necessary materials for a history of England, of the
society and subscriptions proposed for defraying the expences of it, and the method in which he intended to proceed in carrying on the work.
” In the following October
he had obtained subscriptions, or the promise of subscriptions, to the amount of 600l. a year. Not long after, he
was at Cambridge, collecting materials for his history, from
the university and other libraries. Whilst he was thus
employed, his head quarters were at Madingly, the seat
of sir John Hinde Cotton, bart. whose large collection of
old pamphlets and journals, published during the civil war
between 1639 and 1660, he methodized, and procured to
be bound in a great number of volumes now in the library
there. March 8, 1744, a cause in chancery was determined in his favour against his brother Samuel and his
sister Sarah, with regard to a doubt concerning their father’s will. Not many weeks after, our author fell under
the suspicions of administration, and was taken into custody, together with a Mr. Garth, at a time when the
habeas-corpus act was suspended, in consequence of some
apprehended designs in favour of the pretender. It is certain that nothing material was discovered against him, for
he was soon discharged out of custody, May 9, 1744- *. This
event did not detract from his popularity, or prevent his
receiving such encouragement in his historical design, as
never before or since has been afforded, or expected in
any literary undertaking. On July 18, the court of common-council of the city of London agreed to subscribe 5()l.
a year for seven years to Mr, Carte, towards defraying the
expence of his writing the history of England. In the
next month was printed, in an 8vo pamphlet, “A collection of the several papers that had been published by him
relative to his rgreat work.
” Oct. 18, the company of
goldsmiths voted 2 5l. a year for seven years, towards de* Whilst under examination, the walking in a heavy shower, he wa
g Charles I. ascended the throne. This circumstance recommending him to the notice and esteem of the duke of Buckingham, he was appointed, in 1626, joint governor of
, a loyalist in the time of
Charles f. of uncommon firmness and bravery, the descendant of an ancient family, originally from Normandy,
but afterwards settled at Guernsey and Jersey, was born
at Jersey in 1599, his father Ilelier Carteret, esq. being
at that time deputy governor of the island. He entered
early into the sea service, and had acquired the character
of an experienced officer, when king Charles I. ascended
the throne. This circumstance recommending him to the
notice and esteem of the duke of Buckingham, he was
appointed, in 1626, joint governor of Jersey, with Henry,
afterwards lord Jermyn and, in 1C '6 9, he obtained a grant
of the office and place of comptroller of all his Majesty’s
ships. At the commencement of the civil war, when the
parliament resolved to send out the earl of Warwick as
admiral of the fleet, they also resolved, that captain Carteret should be vice-ad miral. But he, thinking that he
ought not to accept the command without knowing the
royal pleasure, addressed himself to the king for direction,
who ordered him to decline the employment; and captain,
Batten, surveyor-general, was substituted in his place.
His Majesty was probably mistaken in this advice; for, if
captain Carteret had accepted of the charge, he might
probably have prevented the greater part of the fleet from
engaging in the cause of the parliament. Captain Carteret, however, likewise quitted the post of comptroller, and
retired, with his family, to the island of Jersey, the inhabitants of which were confirmed by him in their adherence
to the king; and desirous of more active service, he transported himself into Cornwall, with the purpose of raising a
troop of horse. When he arrived in that country, finding
there was a great want of powder, he went into France to
procure that and other necessary supplies; and was so successful, that, through the remainder of the war, the Cornish army was never destitute of ammunition. This was so
important and seasonable a service, that the king acknowledged it by particular approbation; and by conferring
upon him, at Oxford, the honour of knighthood, which
was speedily followed by his being advanced, on the 9th
of May 1645, to the dignity, of a baronet. Returning the
same year into Jersey, he found that several of the inhabitants had been induced to embrace the cause of the parliament, on which account he threw some of them into
confinement. This was so alarming and offensive to the
members at Westminster, that an order was made, that if,
for the future, he should put to death any of the island
whom he should take prisoners, for every one so slain,
three of the king’s men should be hung up. From the
words here used, it seems implied that sir George Carteret
had actually executed some one or more of the people of
Jersey who had appeared for the Parliament; a step highly
injudicious, whence, in all the subsequent propositions for
peace with the king, sir George was excepted from pardon.
When the prince of Wales, and many persons of distinction with him, came into Jersey in 1646, and brought with
them very little for their subsistence, they were all chear
fully entertained, and at a large expence, by sir George
Carteret who, being sensible how much it behoved him
to take care for supplies, equipped about half a score small
frigates and privateers, which soon struck a terror through
the whole channel, and made a number of captures. Upon
the prince’s leaving the island, at the positive command of
the queen, several of the council chose to stay with sir
George; au<=! the chancellor of the exchequer (afterwards earl of Clarendon) resided with him above two years.
After the death of the king, sir George Carteret, though
the republican party was completely triumphant, and
though Charles II. was at the Hague in a very destitute condition, immediately proclaimed him at Jersey, with all
his titles. Some months afterwards his Majesty determined
to pay a second visit to the island of Jersey, and arrived
in the latter end of September 1649, accompanied by his
brother the duke of York, with several of the nobility.
Here they were supplied by sir George with all necessaries.
The king, when prince of Wales, had procured his father’s
leave for making sir George Carteret his vice-chamberlain,
and he now appointed him treasurer of his navy; which however, at this time, chiefly consisted of the privateers that sir
George hue! provided, and of the men of war with prince Rupert. Charles II. staid in the island till the latter end of March
1650, when he embarked for Holland, in order to be more
commodiously situated for treating with the Scots, who had
invited him into that kingdom. This defiance of sir George
Carteret in harbouring the king, and taking many of their
trading vessels, enraged the republicans so much, that they
determined to exert every nerve for the reduction of Jersey.
A formidable armament being prepared, it put to sea in
October 1651, under the command of admiral Blake, and
major-general Holmes, to the last of whom the charge of
the forces for the descent was committed. In this crisis,
sir George Carteret prevented the landing of the republican army as long as possible; and when that was effected,
and the remaining forts of the island were taken, he retired
into Elizabeth castle, resolving to hold it out to the last extremity. The king being safely arrived in France, after the,
fatal battle of Worcester, sir George informed him of the
state of the garrison, but the king not being able to assist
him, he advised sir George Carteret, rather to accept of a
reasonable composition, than, by too obstinate a defence,
to bring himself and the loyal gentlemen who were with
him into danger of being made prisoners of war. Sir
George was ambitious that Elizabeth castle should be the
last of the king’s garrisons (as was in fact the case) which
should yield to the prevailing powers. He determined,
therefore, to conceal his majesty’s permission to treat, that
the knowledge of it might not renew the cry for a surrender. But, at length, provisions growing scarce, the
number of defenders lessening daily by death and desertion, and there being no possibility of supplies or recruits,
Elizabeth castle was surrendered in the? latter end of December, and sir George went first to St. Maloes, and
afterwards travelled through several parts of Europe. To
facilitate his reception at the different courts and places he
might be disposed to visit, he obtained from his royal
master a very honourable and remarkable certificate of recommendation. In 1657, sir George had given such offence
to Oliver Cromwell, by some hostile design or attempt
against the English vessels trading to the French ports,
that, by the Protector’s interest with cardinal Mazarine, he
was committed prisoner to the Bastile from which he was,
after some time, released by the intercession of his friends,
upon condition of his quitting France. In 1659, however,
we find him at Rheims, from whence, he repaired to the
king at Brussels, and followed him to Breda. Upon his
majesty’s being restored to his kingdoms, sir George Carteret rode, with him in his triumphant entry into the city of
London, on the 2<nh of May 1660, and next day he was
declared vice-chamberlain of the hoiishold, an-d sworn of
the privy council. He was also constituted treasurer of
the navy; and at the coronation of the king, he had the
honour of being almoner for the day. In the first parliament called by Charles II. in May, 1661, sir George Carteret
was elected representative for the corporation of Portsmouth; and it appears, that he was au active member of
the house. When the duke of York, 1673, resigned the
office of high admiral of England, sir George was constituted one of the commissioners of the admiralty; and“in
1676, he was appointed one of the lords of the committee
of trade. He was also vice-treasurer of Ireland, and
treasurer of the military forces there. At length, in consequence of his merit and services, the king determined
to raise him to the dignity of a peerage; but before the
design could be accomplished, he departed this life, on the
14th of January, 1679, being nearly eighty years of age.
On the 11th of February following, a royal warrant was
issued, in which it is recited,
” That whereas sir George
Carteret died before his patent for his barony was sued out,
liis Majesty authorizes Elizabeth, his widow, and her
youngest children, James Carteret, Caroline, wife of sir
Thomas S<:ot, kut. and Louisa, wife of sir Robert Atkins,
knt. to enjoy their precedency and pre-eminency, as if the
said sir George Carterei hail actually been created a baron."
Sir George’s rldest son, by his jady Elizabeth, who was his
cousin-gr nnan, being the daughter of sir PhiUp Carteret,
was ijained Philip after his grandfather. This gentleman
eminently distinguished himself in the civil wars, and was
khighted by Charles II on his arrival in Jersey. After the
king’s restoration, sir Philip Carteret married Jemima,
daughter of Edward Montague, the first earl of Sandwich,
and perished with that illustrious nobleman, in the great
sea-fight with the Dutch, in Solbay, on the 28th of May,
1672. Sir Philip determined, whilst many others left the
ship, to share the fate of his father-in-law. His eldest son
George was the first lord Carteret, and father to the subject
of the following article.
ed in the “Cabala.” In the Harl. ms. 1581, there are four original letters from lord Falkland to the duke of Buckingham.
, afterwards created viscount Falkland,
and descended from the family of the Gary’s, of Cockington, in Devonshire, was the son of sir Edward Gary, of
Betkhamsted and Aldenham, in the county of Hertford,
knight, master of the Jewel-office to queen Elizabeth and
king James I. by Catherine his wife, daughter of sir Henry
Knevet, knight, and widow of Henry lord Paget. He was
born at Aldenham; and, when about sixteen years of age,
was sent to Exeter-college in Oxford, where it does not
appear he took any degree: but when he quitted the university, he left behind a celebrated name. Soon after, he
was introduced to court; and in 1608, made one of the
knights of the bath at the creation of Henry prince of
Wales. In 1617, he was sworn in comptroller of his majesty’s houshold, and one of his privy-council: and on
the 10th of November, 1620, was created viscount of Falkland, in the county of Fife, in Scotland. King James I.
knowing his great abilities and experience, constituted
him lord deputy of Ireland; into which high office he was
sworn, September 18, 1622; and continued in it till 1629.
During his administration, he kept a strict hand over. the
Roman catholics in that kingdom; who sent frequent complaints to the court of England against him, and though
he proceeded very honourably and justly, yet by the clamour of the Irish, and the prevailing power of his Popish
enemies, he was removed in disgrace; but his innocence
being afterwards vindicated, this affront was in some measure atoned for by the subsequent t'avour of the king. At
his return to England, he lived in honour and esteem, till
1633; when having the misfortune to break one of his
legs, on a stand in TheobaldVpark, he died in September and was buried at Aldenham. He married Elizabeth,
sole daughter andheir of sir Laurence Tanfield, chief
baron of the exchequer, with whom he had the manor of
Great Tew, Burford, and other estates in Oxfordshire.
He is said to have written many things, which never were
published, except, 1. “The History of the most unfortunate prince, king Edward II.
” found among his papers,
and printed in 1680, fol. and 8vo, with a preface of sir
James Harrington; at a time, says Wood, “when the
press was open for all books that could make any thing
against the then government.
” 2. “A Letter to James I.
”
and an “Epitaph on Elizabeth countess of Huntingdon,
”
which is in Wilford’s Memorials. The letter to the king
was in behalf of his son, the subject of the following article; who, for challenging sir Francis Willoughby, had
been thrown into the Meet. It was printed in the “Cabala.
” In the Harl. ms. 1581, there are four original
letters from lord Falkland to the duke of Buckingham.
early into difficulties; and there is some reason to believe that he was not much liked by the great duke of Buckingham, who perhaps was apprehensive of the large share
, baron Ogle, viscount Mansfield, earl, marquis, and duke of Newcastle, one of the most accomplished persons, as well as one of the most able generals and most distinguished patriots of the age, was son of sir Charles Cavendish, youngest son of sir William Cavendish, and younger brother of the first earl of Devonshire, by Catherine, daughter of Cuthbert lord Ogle. He was born in 1592, and discovering great capacity in his infancy, his father had him educated with such success, that he early acquired a large stock of solid learning, to which he added the graces of politeness. This soon made him be taken notice of at the court of James I. where he was quickly distinguished by the king’s favour; and in 1610, was made knight of the bath, at the creation of Henry prince of Wales. In 1617, his father died, by which he came to the possession of a very large estate and having a great interest at court, he was by letters- patent, dated November 3, 1620, raised to the dignity of a peer of the realm, by the style and title of baron Ogle and viscount Mansfield; and having no less credit with Charles I. than with his father king James, was in* the third year of the reign of that prince advanced to the higher title of earl of Newcastle upon Tyne, and at the same time he was created baron Cavendish of Bolesover. Our genealogists and antiquaries give us but a very obscure account of these honours, or at least, of the barony of Ogle, to which, in the inscription upon his own and his grandmother the countess of Shrewsbury’s tomb, he is said to have succeeded in right of his mother. His attendance on the court, though it procured him honour, brought him very early into difficulties; and there is some reason to believe that he was not much liked by the great duke of Buckingham, who perhaps was apprehensive of the large share he had in his master’s favour. However, he did not suffer, even by that powerful favourite’s displeasure, but remained in full credit with his master; which was notwithstanding so far from being beneficial to him, that the services expected from him, and his constant waiting upon the king, plunged him very deeply in debt, though he had a large estate, of which we find him complaining heavily in his letters to his firm and steady friend the lord viscount Wentworth, afterwards earl of Strafford. But th&e difficulties never in the least discouraged him from doing his duty, or from testifying his zeal and loyalty, when the king’s service required it. In 1638, when it was thought requisite to take the prince of Wales, afterwards Charles II. from the nursery, the king made choice of the earl of Newcastle, as the person in his kingdom most fit to have the tuition of his heir-apparent and accordingly declared him governor to the prince. In the spring of 1639, the first troubles in Scotland broke out, which induced the king to assemble an army in the north; soon after which, he went down thither to put himself at the head of it; and in his way, was most splendidly entertained by the earl of Newcastle, at his noble seat at Welbeck, as he had been some years before when he went into that kingdom to be crowned; which though in itself a very trivial matter, yet such was the magnificence of this noble peer, that from the circumstances attending them, both these entertainments have found a place in general histories. But this was not the only manner in which he expressed his warm affection for his master. Such expeditions require great expences, and the king’s treasury was but indifferently provided, for the supply of which, the earl contributed ten thousand pounds, and also raised a troop of horse, consisting of about two hundred knights and gentlemen, who served at their own charge; and this was honoured with the title of the Prince’s troop. These services, however, rather heightened than lessened that envy borne to him by some great persons about the court, and the choice that had been made of his lordship for the tuition of the prince, which was at first so universally approved, began now to be called in question by those who meant very soon to call every thing in question. On this the earl desired to resign his office, which he did; and in June 1640, it was given to the marquis of Hertford. As his lordship took this step from the knowledge he had of the ill-will borne him by the chief persons amongst the disaffected, so he thought he could not take a better method to avoid the effects of their resentment, than to retire into the country; which accordingly. he did, and remained there quietly till he received his majesty’s orders to visit Hull; and though these came at twelve o'clock at night, his lordship went immediately thither, though forty miles distant, and entered the place with only two or three servants, early the next morning. He cffered his majesty to have secured for him that important fortress, and all the magazines that were there: but instead of receiving such a command as he expected, his majesty sent him instructions to obey whatever directions were sent him by the parliament; upon the heels of which, came their order for him to attend the service of the house; which he accordingly did, when a design was formed to have attacked him, but his general character was so good, that this scheme did not succeed. He now again retired into the country, but soon after, upon the king’s coming to York, his lordship was sent for thither; and in June 1642, his majesty gave him directions to take upon him the care of the town of Newcastle, and the command of the four adjacent counties of Northumberland, Cumberland, Westmoreland, and Durham. These orders were easily issued, but they were not so easily to be carried into execution; for at this time, the king had not either money, forces, or ammunition; and yet there never was more apparent necessity, for at that juncture his majesty had not a single port open in his dominions; and if either the order had been delayed a few days, or had been^ sent to any other person, the design had certainly miscarried. But, as soon as he received his majesty’s commands, he repaired immediately to the place, and by his own interest there secured it: he raised also a troop of one hundred and twenty horse, and a good regiment; of foot, which secured him from any sudden attempts. Soon after, the queen, who was retired out of the kingdom, sent a supply of arms and ammunition, which being designed for the troops under the king’s command, the earl took care they should be speedily and safely conducted to his majesty under the escdVt of his only troop, which his majesty kept, to the great prejudice of his own affairs in the nor x th. The parliament, in the mean time, had not forgotten the earl’s behaviour towards them, but as a mark of their resentment excepted him by name; which was so far from discouraging, that it put his lordship upon a more decided part: and having well considered his own influence in those parts, he offered to raise an army in the north for his majesty’s service. On this the king gave him a commission, constituting him general of all the forces raised north of Trent; and likewise general and commander in chief of such as might be raised in the counties of Lincoln, Nottingham, Lancaster, Chester, Leicester, Rutland, Cambridge, Huntingdon, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex; with power to confer the honour of knighthood, coin money, and to print and set forth such declarations as should seem, to him expedient; of all which extensive powers, though freely conferred, and without reserve, his lordship made a very sparing use. But with respect to the more material point of raising men, his lordship prosecuted it with such diligence, that in less than three months he had an army of eight thousand horse, foot, and dragoons, with which be marched directly into Yorkshire; and his forces having defeated the enemy at Fierce-bridge, his lordship advanced to York, where sir Thomas Glen ham, the governor, presented him with the keys, and the earl of Cumberland and many of the nobility resorted thither to compliment and to assist his lordship. He did not long remain there; but, having placed a good garrison in the city, marched on towards Tadcaster, where the parliament forces were very advantageously posted. The design which the earl had formed, not only for reducing that 'place, hut for making the troops that were there prisoners, tailed, through the want of diligence in some of his officers; hut notwithstanding this, his lordship attacked the place so vigorously, that the enemy thought fit to retire, and leave him in possession of the hest part of Yorkshire. This advantage he improved to the utmost, hy estahiishing garrisons in proper places, particularly at Newark upon Trent, by which the greatest part of Nottinghamshire, and some part of Lincolnshire, were kept in obedience. In the beginning of 1643, his lordship gave orders for a great convoy of ammunition to be removed from Newcastle to York, under the escort of a body of horse, commanded by lieutenantgeneral King, a Scotch officer, whom his majesty had lately created lord Ethyn. The parliament forces attempted to intercept this convoy at Y arum-bridge, but were beaten on the 1st of February with a great loss. Soon after this, her majesty landing at Burlington, the earl drew his forces that way to cover her journey to York, where she safely arrived on the 7th of March, and having pressing occasions for money, his lordship presented her with three thousand pounds, and furnished an escort of fifteen hundred men, under the command of lord Percy, to conduct a supply of arms and ammunition to the king at Oxford, where he kept them for his own service. Not long after, sir Hugh Cholmondley and captain Brown Bushel were prevailed upon to return to their duty, and give up the important port and castle of Scarborough. This was followed by the routing Ferdinando lord Fairfax on Seacroft, or as some call it Bramham-moor, by lord George Goring, then general of the horse under the earl, when about eight hundred of the enemy were taken prisoners; and this again made way for another victory gained on Tankersly-moor. In the month of April, the earl marched to reduce Rotherham, which he took by storm, and soon after Sheffield; but in the mean time, lord Goring and sir Francis Mackworth were surprised, on the 2 1st of May, at Wakefield, where the former and most of his men were made prisoners, which was a great prejudice to the service. In the same month her majesty went from York to Pomfret under the escort of the earPs forces; and from thence she continued Jier journey tp Oxford, with a body of seven thousand horse, foot, and dragoons, detached for that service by the earl; and those forces, likewise, the king kept about him. In the month of June the earl reduced Howly-house by storm; and on the 30th gained a complete victory over Ferdinando lord Fairfax, though much superior to him in numbers, on Adderton- heath, near Bradford, where the enemy had seven hundred men killed, and three thousand taken prisoners; and on the 2d of July following Bradford surrendered. The earl advanced next into Lincolnshire, where he took Gainsborough and Lincoln; but was then recalled by the pressing solicitations of the gentlemen of Yorkshire into that country, wherq Beverley surrendered to him on the 28th of August, and in the next month, his lordship was prevailed on to besiege Hull, the only place of consequence then held for the parliament in those parts. Notwithstanding these important successes obtained by an army raised, and in a great measure kept up by his lordship’s personal influence and expence, there have not been wanting censures upon his conduct; of which, however, his majesty had so just a sense, that by letters-patent dated the 27th of October, he advanced him to the dignity of marquis of Newcastle; and in the preamble of his patent all his services are mentioned with suitable encomiums. That winter the earl marched into Derbyshire, and from thence to his own house at Welbeck in Nottinghamshire, where he received the news of the Scots intending to enter England, which brought him back into Yorkshire, from whence he sent sir Thomas Glenham to Newcastle, and himself for some time successfully opposed the Scots in the bishopric of Durham: but, the forces he left behind under the command of lord Bellasis at Selby being routed, the marquis found himself obliged to retire, in order, if possible, to preserve York; and this he did with so much military prudence, that he arrived there safely in the month of April 1644, and retaining his infantry and artillery in that city, sent his horse to quarter in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, and Leicestershire, for the sake of subsistence. The city was very soon blocked up by three armies, who quickly commenced a regular siege, and were once very near taking the place by storm; and at last, having lain before it three months, brought the garrison into great distress for want of provision; and if the marquis had not very early had recourse to a short allowance, had infallibly reduced it by famine. For though sir Charles Lucas, who commanded the marquis’s horse, importuned the king for relief, yet it was the latter end of June before his majesty could send a sufficient body, under the command of prince Rupert, to join sir Charles Lucas, and attempt the forcing the enemy to raise the siege; which, however, upon their approach, they did, remaining on the west side of the Owse with all their forces, while the king’s army advanced on the east side of the same river. By this quick and vigorous march, prince Rupert had done his business; but, as is very well observed by a most judicious historian of these times, he would needs overdo it; and not content with the honour of raising the siege of York by a confederate army much superior to his own, he was bent upon having the honour to beat that army also; and this brought on the fatal battle of Hessom, or, as it is more generally called, Marston-moor, which was fought July 2, 1644, against the consent of the marquis of Newcastle, who, seeing the king’s affairs totally undone thereby, made the best of his way to Scarborough, and from thence, with a few of the principal officers of his army, took shipping for Hamburgh. After staying about six months at Hamburgh, he went by sea to Amsterdam, and from thence made a journey to Paris, where he continued for some time; and where, notwithstanuing the vast estate he had when the civil war broke out, his circumstances were now so bad, that himself and his young wife were reduced to the pawning their cloaths for a dinner. He removed afterwards to Antwerp, that he might be nearer his own country; and there, though under very great difficulties, he resided for several years; while the parliament in the mean time levied prodigious sums upon his estate, insomuch that the computation of what he lost by the disorders of those times, though none of the particulars "can be disproved, amount in the whole to a sum that is almost incredible. It has been computed at 733,579l. All these hardships and misfortunes never broke his spirit in the least, which his biographer somewhat fondly says was chiefly owing to his great foresight; for as he plainly perceived after the battle of Marston-moor, that the affairs of Charles I. were irrecoverably undone, so he discerned through the thickest clouds of Charles lid’s adversity, that he would be infallibly restored: and as he had predicted Hie civil war to the father before it began, so he gave the strongest assurance to the son of his being called home, by addressing to him a treatise upon Government and the Interests of Great Britain with respect to the other powers of Europe; which he wrote at a time when the hopes of those about his majesty scarcely rose so high as the marquis’s expectations. During this long exile of eighteen years, in which he suffered so many and so oreat hardships, this worthy nobleman wanted not some consolations that were particularly such to one of his high and generous spirit. He was, notwithstanding his low and distressed circumstances, treated with the highest respect, and with the most extraordinary marks of distinction, by the persons entrusted with the government of the countries where he resided. He received the high compliment of having the keys of the cities he passed through in the Spanish dominions offered him: he was visited by don John of Austria, and by several princes of Germany. But what comforted him most was the company very frequently of his royal master, who, in the midst of his sufferings, bestowed upon him the most noble order of the garter. On his return to England at the restoration, he was received with all the respect due to his unshaken fidelity and important services was constituted chief justice in Eyre of the counties north of Trent, and, by letters- patent dated the 16th of March 1664, was advanced to the dignity of earl of Ogle, and duke of Newcastle. He spent the remainder of his life, for the most part, in a country retirement, and in reading and writing, in which he took singular pleasure. He also employed a great part of his time in repairing the injuries which his fortune had received, and at length departed this life December 25, 1676, in the eighty-fourth year of his age. His grace was twice married, but had issue only by his first lady. His body lies interred, with that of his duchess, under a most noble monument at the entrance into Westminster-abbey, with an inscription suitable to his merits. His titles descended to his son Henry, earl of Ogle, who was the last heir male of this family, and died July 26, 1691, in whom the title of Newcastle, in the line of Cavendish, became extinguished, but his daughters married into some of the noblest families of this kingdom.
a very fine marble monument was erected to his memory in Westminster-abbey at the expence of Edmund, duke of Buckingham. The long Latin epitaph, the production of bishop
, an eminent man-midwife,
was grandson to Dr. Peter Chamberlen, who, with his
fathers and uncles, were physicians to the kings James I.
Charles I. and II. James II. William, and queen Anne.
He was born in 1664, and educated at Trinity college,
Cambridge, where he took his master’s degree in 1683,
and that of M. D. in 1690. He has a Latin poem in the
“Hymenæus Cantabrigiensis,
” on the marriage of prince
George of Denmark with the princess Anne, 1683. He, his
father, and brothers, invented among them an obstetric
forceps, with which they were enabled to deliver women with
safety in cases where, before this discovery, the child was
usually lost. In 1672 he went to Paris, but happening to
be unsuccessful in a case there, he thought it adviseable to
remove to Holland, where he is said to have succeeded
better. Here he imparted his secret to two eminent practitioners, and received a considerable reward. On his
return to London he had great practice, and realized a handsome fortune. In 1683 he published his translation of
“Mauriceau’s Midwifery,
” a work in great request, and
republished as late as 1755. Mauriceau mentions him
often in some of his works, but always with the littleness
of jealousy. Chamberlen’s forceps, improved by Smellie
and some other practitioners, continues in use, and gives
the inventor an honourable rank among the improvers of
art. In 1723 we find him attending bishop Atterbury in
the Tower, in lieu of Dr. Freind, who was himself a prisoner. He died at his house in Covent-garden, June 17,
1728; and a very fine marble monument was erected to his
memory in Westminster-abbey at the expence of Edmund,
duke of Buckingham. The long Latin epitaph, the production of bishop Atterbury, records, besides his skill, his
benevolence, liberality, and many other amiable personal
characteristics. Dr. Chamberlen was thrice married; and
his widow, the daughter of sir Willoughby Aston, bart.
was afterwards married to sir Thomas Crew, of Utkinton,
in Cheshire, knight, who also left her a widow, but she
died suddenly, April 6, 1734, and that year Dr. Chamberlen’s library was sold by Fletcher Gyles.
was one of the first who felt the effects of the power of the rising favourite, Villiers, afterwards duke of Buckingham. The author of the notes on Wilson’s “Life of
Roger Coke gives us a different account of the occasion
of the chief justice’s being in disgrace; and informs us,
that he was one of the first who felt the effects of the
power of the rising favourite, Villiers, afterwards duke of
Buckingham. The author of the notes on Wilson’s “Life
of James,
” published in the second volume of Kennet’s
“Complete History of England,
” tells us “that sir Edward lost the king’s favour, and some time after his place,
for letting fall some words upon one of the trials, importing his suspicion that Overbury had been poisoned to prevent the discovery of another crime of -the same nature,
committed upon one of the highest rank, whom he termed
a sweet prince; which was taken to be meant of prince
Henry.
” Whatever were the causes of his disgrace, Which
it is probable were many, he was brought upon his knees
before the council at Whitehall, June J 6 16; and offences
were charged upon him by Ylverton, the solicitor-general,
implying, amongst other things, speeches of high contempt
tittered in the seat of justice, and uncomely and undutiful
carriage in the presence of his majesty, “the privy council, and judges.
” Soon after, he presented himself again
at the council-table upon his knees, when secretary Winwood informed him, that report had been made to his majesty of what had passed there before, together with the
answer that he had given, and that too in the most favourable manner; that his majesty was no ways satisfied with
respect to any of the heads; but that notwithstanding, as
well out of his own clemency, as in regard to the former
services of his lordship, the king was pleased not to deal
heavily with him: and therefore had decreed, 1. That he
be sequestered from the council-table, until his majesty’s
pleasure be further known. 2. That he forbear to ride his
summer circuit as justice of assize. 3. That during this
vacation, while he had time to live privately and dispose
himself at home, he take into his consideration and reviewhis books of Reports; wherein, as his majesty is informed,
be many extravagant and exorbitant opinions set down and
published for positive and good law: and if, in reviewing
and reading thereof, he find any thing fit to be altered or
amended, the correction is left to his discretion. Among
other things, the king was not well pleased with the title of
those books, wherein he styled himself “lord chief justice
of England,
” whereas he could challenge no more but lord
chief justice of the King’s-bench. And having corrected
what in his discretion he found meet in these Reports, his
majesty’s pleasure was, he should bring the same privately to
himself, that he might consider thereof, as in his princely
judgment should be found expedient. Hereunto Mr.
secretary advised him to conform himself in all duty and
obedience, as he ought; whereby he might hope that his
majesty in time would receive him again to his gracious
and princely favour. To this the lord chief justice made
answer, that he did in all humility prostrate himself to his
majesty’s good pleasure; that he acknowledged that decree to be just, and proceeded rather from his majesty’s
exceeding mercy than his justice; gave humble thanks to
their lordships for their goodness towards him; and hoped
that his behaviour for the future would be such as would
deserve their lordships’ favours. From which answer of
sir Edward’s we may learn that he was, as such men always
are, as dejected and fawning in adversity, as he was insolent and overbearing in prosperity; the same meanness
and poorness of spirit influencing his behaviour in both
conditions.
proposed and framed the petition of rights; and, June 1628, he made a speech, in which he named the duke of Buckingham as the cause of all our miseries, though, lord
A parliament was summoned, and met January 1621;
and in February there was a great debate in the house of
commons upon several points of importance, such as liberty of speech, the increase of popery, and other grievances. Sir Edward Coke was a member, and his age,
experience, and dignity gave him great weight there: but
it very soon appeared that he resolved to act a different
part from what the court, and more especially the great
favourite Buckingham, expected. He spoke very warmly;
and also took occasion to shew, that proclamations against
the tenor of acts of parliament were V9id: for which he is
highly commended by Camden. The houses, being adjourned by the king’s command in June, met again in November; and fell into great heats about the commitment
of sir Edwin Sands, soon after their adjournment, which
had such unfortunate consequences, that the commons
protested, Dec. 18, against the invasion of their privileges.
The king prorogued the parliament upon the 21st; and on
the 27th, sir Edward Coke was committed to the Tower,
his chambers in the Temple broke open, and his papers
delivered to sir Robert Cotton and Mr. Wilson to examine.
January 6, 1622, the parliament was dissolved: and the
same day sir Edward was charged before the council with
having concealed some true examinations in the great
cause of the earl of Somerset, and obtruding false ones:
nevertheless, he was soon after released, but not without
receiving high marks of the king’s resentment: for he was
a second time turned out of the king’s privy-council, the
king giving him this character, that “he was the fittest
instrument for a tyrant that ever was in England.
” And
yet, says Wilson, in the house he called the king’s prerogative an overgrown monster. Towards the close of
1623 he was nominated, with several others, to whom large
powers were given, to go gver to Ireland; which nomination, though accompanied with high expressions of kindness and confidence, was made with no other view but to
get him out of the way for fear he should be troublesome,
but he remained firm in his opinions, nor does it appear
that he ever sought to be reconciled to the court; so that
he was absolutely out of favour at the death of king James.
In the beginning of the next reign, when it was found
necessary to call a second parliament, he was pricked for
sheriff of Bucks in 1625, to prevent his being chosen. He
laboured all he could to avoid it, but in vain; so that he
was obliged to serve the office, and to attend the judges at
the. assizes, where he had often presided as lord chief
justice. This did not hinder his being elected knight of
the shire for Bucks in the parliament of 1628, in which he
distinguished himself more than any man in the house of
commons, spoke warmly for the redress of grievances,
argued boldly in defence of the liberty of the subject, and
strenuously supported the privilege of the house. It was
he that proposed and framed the petition of rights; and,
June 1628, he made a speech, in which he named the
duke of Buckingham as the cause of all our miseries,
though, lord Clarendon tells us, he had before blasphemously
styled him the saviour of the nation; but although there is
no great reason to conclude that all this opposition to the
arbitrary measures of the court flowed from any principles
of patriotism, he became for a time the idol of the party
in opposition to the court, and his conduct at this time is
still mentioned with veneration by their historians and advocates. Our own opinion is, that although lord Coke
was occasionally under the influence of temper or interest,
he was, upon the whole, a more independent character than
his enemies will admit. After the dissolution of this parliament, which happened the March following, he retired
to his house at Stoke Fogeys in Buckinghamshire^ where
he spent the remainder of his days; and there, Sept.
3, 1634, breathed his last in his eighty-sixth year, expiring with these words in his mouth, as his monument informs us, “Thy kingdom come! thy will be done!
”
While he lay upon his death-bed, sir Francis Windebank,
by an order of council, came to search for seditious and
dangerous papers by virtue whereof he took his “Commentary upon Littleton,
” and the “History of his Life
”
before it, written with his own hand, his “Commentary
upon Magna Charta, &c.
” the “Pleas of the Crown,
” and
the “Jurisdiction of Courts,
” his eleventh and* twelfth
“Reports
” in ms. and 51 other Mss. with the last will of
sir Edward, wherein he had been making provision for his
younger grand-children. The books and papers were kept
till seven years after, when one of his sons in 1641 moved
the house of commons, that the books and papers taken by
sir Francis Windebank might be delivered to sir Robert
Coke, heir of sir Edward; which the king was pleased to
grant. Such of them as could be found were accordingly
delivered up, but the will was never heard of more.
e might seem in some degree accountable, having corrected what that gentleman did), but those of the duke of Buckingham and others. His wit and literary abilities, however,
, a miscellaneous writer of
some note in his day, was born in Ireland, and bred to the
law, in which we do not find that he ever made any great
figure. From thence he came over to London, in company with a Mr. Stirling, a dramatic poet of little note, to
seek his fortune; and finding nothing so profitable, and
so likely to recommend him to public notice, as political
writing, he soon commenced an advocate for the government. There goes a story of him, however, but we will
hope it is not a true one, that he and his fellow-traveller,
who was embarked in the same adventure, for the sake of
making their trade more profitable, resolved to divide their
interests; the one to oppose, the other to defend the ministry. Upon which they determined the side each was to
espouse by lots, or, according to Mr. Reed’s account, by
tossing up a halfpenny, when it fell to Concanen’s part to
defend the ministry. Stirling afterwards went into orders,
and became a clergyman in Maryland. Concanen was for
some time concerned in the “British
” and “London
Journals,
” and in a paper called “The Specnlatist,
” which
last was published in A
Supplement to the Profound,
” he dealt very unfairly by
Pope, as Pope’s commentator informs us, in not only frequently imputing to him Broome’s verses (for which, says he, he might seem in some degree accountable, having corrected what that gentleman did), but those of the duke
of Buckingham and others. His wit and literary abilities,
however, recommended him to the favour of the duke of
Newcastle, through whose interest he obtained the post of
attorney-general of the island of Jamaica in 1732, which
office he filled with the utmost integrity and honour, and
to the perfect satisfaction of the inhabitants, for near
seventeen years; when, having acquired an ample fortune,
he was desirous of passing the close of his life in his native
country; with which intention he quitted Jamaica and
came to London, proposing to pass some little time there
before he went to settle entirely in Ireland. But the difference of climate between that metropolis and the place
he had so long been accustomed to, had such an effect
on his constitution, that he fell into a consumption, of
which he died Jan. 22, 1749, a few weeks after his arrival
in London. His original poems, though short, have considerable merit; but much cannot be said of his play, entitled “Wexford Wells.
” He was also concerned with Mr.
Roome and other gentlemen in altering Richard Broome’s
“Jovial Crew
” into a ballad opera, in which shape it is
now frequently performed. Concanen has several songs in
“The Musical Miscellany, 1729,
” 6 vols. But a memofable letter addressed to him by Dr. Warburton will perhaps be remembered longer than any writing of his own
pen. This letter^ which Mr. Malone first published (in his Supplement to Shakspeare, vol. I. p. 222), shews that, in
1726, Warbtirton, then an attorney at Newark, was intimate with Concanen, and an associate in the attacks made
on Pope’s fame and talents. In 1724, Concanen published
3, volume of “Miscellaneous Poems, original and translated,
” by himself and others.
tion; and there ensued a recess of fifteen months. When the parliament met again, Feb. 16, 1677, the duke of Buckingham argued, that it ought to be considered as dissolved:
After he had thus quitted the court, he continued to make a great figure in parliament: his abilities enabled him to shine, and he was not of a nature to rest. In 1675, the treasurer, Danby, introduced the test-bill into the house of lords, which was vigorously opposed by the earl of Shaftesbury; who, if we may believe Burnet, distinguished himself more in this session than ever he had done before. This dispute occasioned a prorogation; and there ensued a recess of fifteen months. When the parliament met again, Feb. 16, 1677, the duke of Buckingham argued, that it ought to be considered as dissolved: the earl of Shaftesbury was of the same opinion, and maintained it with so much warmth, that, together with the duke before mentioned, the earl of Salisbury, and the lord Wharton, he was sent to the Tower, where he continued thirteen, mouths, though the other lords, upon their submission, were immediately discharged. When he was set at liberty he conducted the opposition to the earl of Danby' s administration with such vigour and dexterity, that it was found impossible to do any thing effectually in parliament, without changing the system which then prevailed. The king, who desired nothing so much as to be easy, resolved to make a change; dismissed all the privy-council at once, and formed a new one. This was declared April 21, 1679; and at the same time the earl of Shaftesbury was appointed lord president. He did not hold this employment longer than October the fifth following. He had drawn upon himself the implacable hatred of the duke of York, by steadily promoting, if not originally inventing, the project of an exclusion bill: and therefore the duke’s party was constantly at work against him. Upon the king’s summoning a parliament to meet at Oxford, March 21, 1681, he joined with several lords in a petition to prevent its meeting there, which, however, failed of success. He was present at that parliament, and strenuously supported the exclusion bill: but the duke soon contrived to make him feel the weight of his resentment. For his lordship was apprehended for high treason, July 2, 1681; and, after being examined by his majesty in council, was committed to the Tower, where he remained upwards of four months. He was at length tried, acquitted, and discharged; yet did not think himself safe, as his enemies were now in the zenith of their power. He thought it high time therefore to seek for some place of retirement, where, being out of their reach, he might wear out the small remainder of his life in peace. It was with this view, November 1682, he embarked for Holland; and arriving safely at Amsterdam, after a dangerous voyage, he took a house there, proposing to live in a manner suitable to his quality. He was visited by persons of the first distinction, and treated with all the deference and respect he could desire. But being soon seized by his old distemper, the gout, it immediately flew into his stomach, and became mortal, so that he expired Jan. 22, 1683, in his 62d year. His body was transported to England, and interred with his ancestors at Winbprne; and in 1732, a noble monument, with a large inscription, was erected by Anthony earl of Shaftesbury, his great grandson.
partments. Collier, however, says that it was written at the request of the countess of Denbigh, the duke of Buckingham’s sister. This lady being then somewhat unsettled
, an English prelate, was the son of Giles
Cosin, a rich citizen of Norwich, and born in that city
Nov. 30, 1594. He was educated in the free-school there,
till 14 years of age; and then removed to Caius college in
Cambridge, of which he was successively scholar and fellow. Being at length distinguished for his ingenuity and
learning, he had, in 1616, an offer of a librarian’s place
from Overall bishop of Lichfield and Coventry, and Andrews bishop of Ely, and accepted the invitation of the
former; who dying in 1619, he became domestic chaplain
to Neil bishop of Durham. He was made a prebendary of
Durham in 1624; and the year following collated to the
archdeaconry of the east riding in the church of York,
vacant by the resignation of Marmaduke Blakestone, whose
daughter he had married that year. July 1626, Neil presented him to the rich rectory of Branspeth, in the diocese
of Durham; the parochial church of which he beautified in
an extraordinary manner. About that time, having frequent meetings at the bishop of Durham’s house in London, with Laud and other divines of that party, he began
to be obnoxious to the puritans, who suspected him to be
popishly affected; grounding their suspicion on his “Collection of Private Devotions,
” published in
est did.” Yet, as he was too honest to engage in the designs of that reign, and quarrellt d with the duke of Buckingham, a challenge passed between them upon which he
, youngest son of the preceding, was born in 1626, and in 1642 became a gentlemancommoner of Queen’s college in Oxford; and after he had
continued there some time, he travelled on the continent,
and at his return, adhering to Charles II. was made secretary to the duke of York, also secretary to the admiralty; and elected a burgess for the town of Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, in the parliament which met at Westminster, May 8, 1661; and also to that which was summoned in 1678. In 1663 he was created doctor of the civil
law at the university of Oxford. He was sworn of the
privy-council, and received the honour of knighthood June
26, 1665, and was made one of the commissioners of the
treasury on May 24, 1667 being, as bishop Burnet relates,
“a man of great notions and eminent virtues the best
speaker in the house of commons, and capable of bearing
the chief ministry, as it was once thought he was very
near it, and deserved it more than all the rest did.
” Yet,
as he was too honest to engage in the designs of that reign,
and quarrellt d with the duke of Buckingham, a challenge
passed between them upon which he was forbid the court,
and retired to Minster- Lovel, near Whitney, in Oxfordshire, where he gave himself up to a religious and private
course of life, without accepting of any employment,
though he was afterwards offered more than once the best
posts in the court. He died June 23, 1686, unmarried, at
Somerhill, near Tunbridge-wells, in Kent (where he had went for the benefit of the waters, being afflicted with the gout in the stomach) and was buried at Penshurst, in the
same county, under a monument erected to his memory.
By his last will he gave 2000l. for the relief of the French
protestants then lately come into England, and banished
their country for the sake of their religion; and 3000l. for
the redemption of captives from Algiers.
correct as lord Roscommon’s essay on translated verse; but it is little, if at all, inferior to the duke of Buckingham’s essay on poetry, which was so much extolled
From a letter of our author to Dr. Hans Sloane, dated
May 2ti, 1706, it appears that he was in habits of intimacy
with this eminent physician and naturalist. Dr. Sloane
carried his friendship so far as take upon himself the supervisal of the “Oplulialrniatria.
” As the letter to Dr. Sloane
is dated from the Green Bell, over against the Castle tavern, near Holborn, in Fetter-lane, there is reason to believe that Dr. Coward had quitted London, and was now
only a visitant in town, for the purpose of his publication.
Indeed the fact is ascertained from the list of the college
of physicians for 1706, where Dr. William Coward, who
stands under the head of candidates, is then for the first
time mentioned as residing in the country. The opposition he had met with, and the unpopularity arising from his
works, might be inducements with him for leaving the metropolis. It does not appear, for twelve years, to what
part of the kingdom he had retired nor, from this period,
do we hear more of Dr. Coward as a medical or metaphysical writer. Even when he had been the most engaged
in abstruse and scientific inquiries, he had not omitted the
study of polite literature; for we are told, that in 1705 he
published the “Lives of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
” an
heroic poem, which was little noticed at first, and soon
sunk in total oblivion. Another poetical performance by
Dr. Coward, and the last of his writings that has come to
our knowledge, was published in 1709, and is entitled,
“Licentia poetica discussed; or, the true Test of Poetry:
without which it is difficult to judge of or compose a correct
English poem. To which are added, critical observations
on the principal ancient and modern poets, viz. Homer,
Horace, Virgil, Milton, Cowley, Dryden, &c. as frequently
liable to just censure.
” This work, which is divided into
two books, is dedicated to the duke of Shrewsbury, and
introduced by a long and learned preface. Prefixed are
three copies of commendatory verses, signed A. Hill, J.
Gay, and Sam. Barklay. The two former, Aaron Hill and
John Gay, were then young poets, who afterwards, as is
well known, rose to a considerable degree of reputation.
Coward is celebrated by them as a great bard, a title to
which he had certainly no claim; though his “Licentia,
”
considered as a didactic poem, and as such poems were
then generally written, is not contemptible. It is not so
correct as lord Roscommon’s essay on translated verse; but
it is little, if at all, inferior to the duke of Buckingham’s
essay on poetry, which was so much extolled in its day.
The rules laid down by Dr. Coward for poetical composition are often minute, but usually, though not universally, founded on good sense and just taste; but he had
not enough of the latter to feel the harmony and variety of
Milton’s numbers. Triplets, double rhymes, and Alexandrines, are condemned by him; the last of which, however, he admits on some great occasion. The notes, which
are large and numerous, display no small extent of reading; and to the whole is added, by way of appendix, a
political essay, from which it appears that our author was
a very zealous whig.
for he then obtained a plentiful estate by the favour of the lord St. Alban’s, and the bounty of the duke of Buckingham. All this may be true, but it is certain he was
After the king’s restoration, being then past his 40th
year, of which the greatest part had been spent in a various and tempestuous condition, he resolved to pass the
remainder of his life in a studious retirement; which Sprat
represents as the effect of choice, and not of discontent.
At first, says the doctor, he was but slenderly provided for
such a retirement, by reason of his travels, and the afflictions of the party to which he adhered, which had put him
quite out of all the roads of gain. Yet, notwithstanding
the narrowness of his income, he remained fixed to his
resolution, having contracted his desires into a small compass, and knowing that a very few things would supply
them all. But upon the settlement of the peace of the
nation, this hindrance of his design was soon removed; for
he then obtained a plentiful estate by the favour of the
lord St. Alban’s, and the bounty of the duke of Buckingham.
All this may be true, but it is certain he was neglected by the
court, nor was this his only mortification. Having altered
his comedy of “The Guardian
” for the stage, he produced
it under the title of “Cutter of Coleman-street,
” and
it was not only treated on the stage with great severity,
but was afterwards censured as a satire on the king’s party.
From this charge of disaffection he exculpates himself
in his preface, by observing how unlikely it is, that, having
followed the royal family through all their distresses, “he
should chuse the time of their restoration to begin a quarrel
with them.
”
-abbey, near Chaucer and Spenser, where a monument was erected to his memory, in May 1675, by George duke of Buckingham, with a Latin inscription by Dr. Sprat. When Charles
To these calumnies, says Mr. D'Israeli, it would appear
that others were added of a deeper dye, and in malignant
whispers distilled into the ear of royalty. Cowley has commemorated the genius of Brutus in an Ode, with all the
enthusiasm of a votary of liberty. After the king’s return,
when Cowley solicited some reward for his sufferings and
services in the royal cause, the chancellor is said to have
turned on him with a severe countenance, saying: “Mr.
Cowley, your pardon is your reward.
” All these causes
evidently operated to incline Cowley to retirement; and
accordingly he spent the last seven or eight years in his
beloved obscurity, and possessed that solitude, which, from
his very childhood, he had always most passionately desired. His works, especially his essays in prose and verse,
abound with the praises of solitude and retirement. His
three first essays are on the subjects of liberty, solitude,
and obscurity; and most of the translations are of such
passages from the classic authors, as display the pleasures
of a country life, particularly Virgil’s “O fortunatos nimium, &c.
” Horace’s “Beatns ille qui procui, &c.
”
Claudian’s “Old Man of Verona,
” and Martial’s “Vitam
quae faciunt beatiorem, &c.
” But his solitude, from the
very beginning, had never agreed so well with the constitution of his body, as of his mind. The chief cause of it
was, that out of haste to be gone away from the tumult
and noise of the town, he had not prepared so healthful a
situation in the country as he might have done if he had
made “a more leisureable choice. Of this he soon began
to find the inconvenience at Barn-Elms, where he was afflicted with a dangerous and lingering fever. After that,
he scarce ever recovered his former health, though his
mind was restored to its perfect vigour; as may be seen,
says Sprat, from his two last books of plants, which were
written since that time, and may at least be compared
with the best of his other works. Shortly after his removal
to Chertsey, where he was disappointed of his expectations
of finding a place of solitude and rural simplicity, he fell
into another consuming disease; under which, having languished for some months, he seemed to be pretty well cured
of its bad symptoms. But in the heat of the summer, by
staying too long amongst his labourers in the meadows, he
was taken with a violent defluxion and stoppage in his breast
and throat. This he at first neglected as an ordinary cold,
and refused to send for his usual physicians, till it was past
all remedies; and so in the end, after a fortnight’s sickness,
it proved mortal to him . He died at Chertsey, July 28,
1667, in his 49th year, in the house that has long been inhabited by an amiable and worthy magistrate, Richard
Clark, esq. formerly alderman, sheriff, and lord mayor,
and now chamberlain of London. Cowley was buried in
Westminster-abbey, near Chaucer and Spenser, where a
monument was erected to his memory, in May 1675, by
George duke of Buckingham, with a Latin inscription by
Dr. Sprat. When Charles II. heard of his death, he was
pleased to say, IC that Mr. Cowley had not left a better man
behind him in England.
”
ved several English portraits, as Charles I. of England, Henrietta Maria, his queen, George Villars, duke of Buckingham, &c. and, accor.lmg to lord Orf'ord, styled himself
, an excellent painter and engraver, was the son of William Delft, and a near relation (grandson, according to Pilkington) of Michael Miravelt, and born at Delft in 1619. He drew and painted portraits with excellent taste; and having been instructed by Miravelt, acquired a similar mode of design and colouring, and successfully imitated him in the management of his pencil, so that he is said to have equalled Miravelt in force and delicacy. He is, however, more generally known as an engraver; and his best prints are highly finished: some of them are executed in a bold, powerful, open style, which produces a fine effect. Such was his portrait of Hugo Grotius, dated 1652; and others in a neat and much more finished manner, as we find, says Strutt, in the admirable portrait of Michael Miravelt, from a picture of Vandyke. It does not appear that he was ever in England; and yet he engraved several English portraits, as Charles I. of England, Henrietta Maria, his queen, George Villars, duke of Buckingham, &c. and, accor.lmg to lord Orf'ord, styled himself the king’s engraver He died in 1661.
o holy orders, and was afterwards admitted to the degree of D. D. He was domestic chaplain to George duke of Buckingham, and to James I. and successively vicar of all
, an English divine and theological
writer, became a student of Baliiol college, Oxford, in
the beginning of 1590; and, when he had taken the degree of M. A. entered into holy orders, and was afterwards
admitted to the degree of D. D. He was domestic chaplain to George duke of Buckingham, and to James I. and
successively vicar of all the three churches in Reading;
being instituted to St. Lawrence’s, Jan. 7, 1603; to St.
Giles’s, July 9, 1612; and to St. Mary’s, March 31, 1614.
He died at Reading, in Jan. 1628-9, and was buried in
St. Mary’s church. Besides some sermons, enumerated by
Wood, he published, 1. “A threefold resolution necessary to salvation, &c.
” Loud. Justification of kneeling at the Sacrament,
” ibid. 16!9,
8vo. 3. “On the two Sacraments, Baptism and the
Lord’s Supper,
” ibid. De confessionis auricularis vanitate, adversus Card. Bellarmini sophismata,
” Oxon.
ted by personal animosity, cannot be denied; since it is acknowledged by himself, in a letter to the duke of Buckingham, that the motive which induced him to write his
In 1713, Mr. Addison’s Cato was produced upon the
stage with a degree of applause, which, we believe, was
never before given to any dramatic composition. But
though the play was acted in the cause of whiggism, and
Dennis himself was so zealous a whig, he could not bear
the success with which it was attended. That in this hewas actuated by personal animosity, cannot be denied;
since it is acknowledged by himself, in a letter to the duke
of Buckingham, that the motive which induced him to
write his remarks upon Cato was, his having been attacked
in several numbers of the Spectator. His principle of
action we condemn; but the abilities with which he has
executed his purpose are unquestionable, “He found,
”
says Dr. Johnson, “and shewed many faults: he shewed
them, indeed, with anger; but he found them with acutejncss, such as ought to rescue his criticism from oblivion;
”
and Dr. Johnson has thought a large extract from this
pamphlet worthy of transcription into his Life of Add son,
who himself maintained a profound silence. Pope, however, took upon him to avenge his cause, in a pamphlet
entitled “The Narrative of Dr. Robert Norris, concerning
the strange and deplorable frenzy of Mr. John Dennis, an
officer in the custom house,
” a piece of humour which does
little credit to Pope’s heart, and must excite the disapprobation of every benevolent mind. Pope, however, left
Dennis’s objections to Cato in their full force, “and
therefore discovered more desire of vexing the critic, than
of defending the poet. Addison, who was no stranger to
the world,
” says Dr. Johnson, “probably saw the selfishness of Pope’s friendship; and resolving that he should
have the consequences of his officiousness to himself, informed Dennis by Steele, that he was sorry for the insult;
and that whenever he should think fit to answer his remarks, he would do it in a manner to which nothing could
be objected.
” Mr. Dennis, having been successful in displaying the faults of Cato, with regard to the probability
of the action, and the reasonableness of the plan, proceeded, in the pride of conquest, to attack the sentiments of the
play in seven letters. But here his strictures are, in general, trifling and insignificant; containing such petty cavils,
and minute objections, as the malignity of criticism, united
with some degree of sagacity, might be capable of exercising against the most perfect productions of the human
mind.
as himself assures us, were thoroughly inquired into by king James, his son the prince of Wales, the duke of Buckingham, with other persons of the highest distinction,
, who once enjoyed the reputation of a philosopher, the eldest son of sir Everard Digby,
was born at Gothurst in Buckinghamshire, June 11, 1603.
At the time of his father’s death, he was with his mother at
Gothurst, being then in the third year of his age: but he
seems to have been taken early out of her hands, since it
is certain that he renounced the errors of popery very
young, and was carefully bred up in the protestant religion,
under the direction, as it is supposed, of archbishop Laud,
then dean of Gloucester. Some have said, that king James
restored his estate to him in his infancy; but this is an
error; for it was decided by law that the king had no right
to it. About 1618 he was admitted a gentleman-commoner of Gloucester-hall, now Worcester college, in Oxford; where he soon discovered such strength of natural
abilities, and such a spirit of penetration, that his tutor,
who was a man of parts and learning, used to compare him,
probably for the universality of his genius, to the celebrated Picus de Mirandula. After having continued at
Oxford between two and three years, and having raised
the highest expectations of future eminence, he made the
tour of France, Spain, and Italy, and returned to England
in 1623; in which year he was knighted by the king, to
whom he was presented at the lord Montague’s house at
Hinchinbroke, October 23. Soon after, he rendered himself remarkable by the application of a secret he met with
in his travels, which afterwards made so much noise in
the world under the title of the “Sympathetic Powder,
”
by which wounds were to be cured, although the patient
was out of sight, a piece of quackery scarcely credible,
yet it was practised by sir Kenelm, and his patient Howell,
the letter-writer, and believed by many at that time. The
virtues of this powder, as himself assures us, were thoroughly inquired into by king James, his son the prince of
Wales, the duke of Buckingham, with other persons of
the highest distinction, and all registered among the observations of the great chancellor Bacon, to be added by
way of appendix to his lordship’s Natural History; but
this is not strictly true; for lord Bacon never published
that Appendix, although he does give a story nearly as
absurd.
d Maria daughter of Philip III. and the same year was created earl of Bristol. Being censured by the duke of Buckingham, on his return from the Spanish court in 1624,
, earl of Bristol, and father of lord George Digby, was by no means an inconsiderable man, though checked by the circumstances of his times from making so great a figure as his son. He was descended from an ancient family at Coleshill, in Warwickshire, and born in 1580. He was entered a commoner of Magdalen-college, Oxford, in 1595; and the year following distinguished himself as a poet by a copy of verses made upon the death of sir Henry Union of Wadley, in Berks. Afterwards he travelled into France and Italy, and returned from thence perfectly accomplished; so that soon falling under the notice of king James, he was admitted gentleman of the privy-chamber, and one of his majesty’s carvers, in 1605. February following he received the honour of knighthood; and in April 1611, was sent ambassador into Spain, as he was afterwards again in 1614. April 1616 he was admitted one of the king’s privy-council, and vicechamberlain of his majesty’s household; and in 1618 was advanced to the dignity of a baron, by the title of the lord Digby of Sherbourne, in Dorsetshire. In 1620 he was sent ambassador to the archduke Albert, and the year following to Ferdinand the emperor; as also to the duke of Bavaria. In 1622 he was sent ambassador extraordinary to Spain, concerning the marriage between prince Charles and Maria daughter of Philip III. and the same year was created earl of Bristol. Being censured by the duke of Buckingham, on his return from the Spanish court in 1624, he was for a short time sent to the Tower but after an examination by a committee of lords, we do not find that any thing important resulted from this inquiry. After the accession of Charles I. the tide of resentment ran strong against the earl, who observing that the king was entirely governed by Buckingham, resolved no longer to keep any measures with the court. In consequence of this, the king, by a stretch of prerogative, gave orders that the customary writ for his parliamentary attendance should not; be sent to him, and on May 1, 1626, he was charged with high treason and other offences. Lord Bristol recriminated, by preparing articles of impeachment against the duke; but the king, resolving to protect Buckingham, dissolved the parliament. The earl now sided with the leaders of opposition in the long parliament. But the violences of that assembly soon disgusting him, he left them, and became a zealous adherent to the king and his cause; for which at length he suffered exile, and the loss of his estate. He died at Paris, Jan. 21, 1653.
Charles 1. in 1626; and not only joined with those eminent patriots, who were for bringing Villiers duke of Buckingham to an account, but was indeed one of the most
, eldest son of Thomas Digges,
just mentioned, was born in 1583, and entered a gentleman-commoner of University-college, in Oxford, 1598.
Having taken the degree of B. A. in 1601, he studied for
some time at the inns of court; and then travelled beyond
sea, having before received the honour of knighthood. On
his return he led a retired life till 1618, when he was sent
by James I. ambassador to the tzar, or emperor of Russia.
Two years after he was commissioned with sir Maurice Abbot to go to Holland, in order to obtain the restitution of
goods taken by the Dutch from some Englishmen in the
East Indies. He was a member of the third parliament of
James I. which met at Westminster, Jan. 30, 1621 but
was so rule compliant with the court measures, as to be
ranked among those whom the king called ill-tempered
spirits, he was likewise a member of the first parliament
of Charles 1. in 1626; and not only joined with those eminent patriots, who were for bringing Villiers duke of
Buckingham to an account, but was indeed one of the
most active managers in that affair, for which he was committed to the Tower, though soon released. He was again
member of the third parliament of Charles I. in 1628,
being one of the knights of the shire for Kent; but seemed
to be more moderate in his opposition to the court than
he was in the two last, and voted for the dispatch of the
subsidies, yet opposed all attempts which he conceived to
be hostile to the liberties of his country, or the constitution of parliament. Thus, when sir John Finch, speaker
of the house of commons, on June 5, 1628, interrupted
sir John Elliot in the house, saying, “There is a command
laid upon me, that I must command you not to proceed
”
sir Dudley Digges vented his uneasiness in these words
“I am as much grieved as ever. Must we not proceed
Let us sit in silence we are miserable we know not what
to do.
” In April of the same year, he opened the grand
conference between the commons and lords, “concerning
the liberty of the person of every freeman,
” with a speech,
in which he made many excellent observations, tending to
establish the liberties of the subject. In all his parliamentary proceedings, he appeared of such consequence, that
the court thought it worth their while to gain him over;
and accordingly they tempted him with the advantageous
and honourable office of master of the rolls, of which he
had a reversionary grant Nov. 29, 1630, and became possessed of it April 20, 1636, upon the death of sir Julius
Csesar. But he did not enjoy it quite three years; for he
died March 8, 1639, and his death was reckoned among
the public calamities of those times. He was buried at
Chilham church, in Kent, in which parish he had a good
estate, and built a noble house.
In 1671 he was publicly ridiculed on the stage under the character of Bays, in the duke of Buckingham’s famous comedy called the “Rehearsal.” The character
In 1671 he was publicly ridiculed on the stage under
the character of Bays, in the duke of Buckingham’s famous
comedy called the “Rehearsal.
” The character of Bays,
as we are told ia the key printed with that satirical performance in 17 '55, was originally intended for sir Robert
Howard, under the name of Bilboa: but a stop being put
to the representation by the breaking out of the plague in
1665, it was laid by for several years, and not exhibited on
the stage till Dec. 7, 1671. During this interval, Dryden
being advanced to the laurel, the noble author changed
the name of his poet from Bilboa to Bays; and made great
alterations in his play, in order to ridicule several dramatic
performances, which had appeared since the first writing of
it, and particularly some of Dry den’s. he affected to despise the satire, as appears from his dedication of the
translation of Juvenal and Persius; where, speaking of the
many lampoons and libels that had been written against
him, he says: “I answered not the Rehearsal, because I
knew the author sat to himself, when he drew the picture,
and was the very Bayes of his own farce; because also I
knew, that my betters were more concerned, than I was,
in that satire; and lastly, because Mr. Smith and Mr. Johnson, the main pillars of it, were two such languishing gentlemen in their conversation, that I could liken them to
nothing but their own relations, those noble characters of
men of wit and pleasure about town.
” Insensible, however,
as he affected to be, he did not fail to take a full revenge
on its author, under the character of Zimri, in his “Absalom and Achitophel.
”
avid and Zimri, are represented the duke of Monmouth, the earl of Shaftesbury, king Charles, and the duke of Buckingham. There are two translations of this poem into
In 16S1 he published his Absalom and Achitophel. This
celebrated poem, which was at first printed without the
author’s name, is a severe satire on the contrivers and
abettors of the rebellion against Charles II. under the duke
of Monmouth; and, under the characters of Absalom,
Achitophel, David and Zimri, are represented the duke
of Monmouth, the earl of Shaftesbury, king Charles, and
the duke of Buckingham. There are two translations of
this poem into Latin; one by Dr. Coward, a physician of
Merton college in Oxford; another by Mr. Atterbury,
afterwards bishop of Rochester, both published in 1682,
4to. Dryden left the story unfinished; and the reason
he gives for so doing was, because he could not prevail
with himself to shew Absalom unfortunate. “Were I the
inventor,
” says he, “who am only the historian, I should
certainly conclude the piece with the reconcilement of
Absalom to David. And who knows, but this may come
to pass? Things were not brought to extremity, where I
left the story: there seems yet to be room left for a composure: hereafter, there may be only for pity. I have
not so much as an uncharitable wish against Achitophel;
but am content to be accused of a good-natured error, and
to hope with Origen, that the devil himself may at last be
saved. For which reason, in this poem, he is neither
brought to set his house in order, nor to dispose of his
person afterwards.
” A second part of Absalom and Achitophel was undertaken and written by Tate, at the request
and under the direction of Dryden, who wrote near 200
lines of it himself.
n his last, reminds him hovr long the comedy, or farce, of the “Rehearsal” had been hatching, by the duke of Buckingham, before it appeared: but we meet with nothing
Rehearsal
” had been
hatching, by the duke of Buckingham, before it appeared:
but we meet with nothing more of our author’s writing for
the stage. There are extant some other letters of his in
prose, which were written also from Ratisbon; two of
which he sent to the duke of Buckingham when he was in
his recess. As for his other compositions, such as have
been printed, they consist, for the greatest part, of little
airy sonnets, lampoons, and panegyrics, of no great
poetical merit, although suited to the gay and careless taste
of the times. All that we have met with, of his prose, is a
short piece, entitled “An Account of the rejoycing at the
diet of Ratisbonne, performed by sir George Etherege,
knight, residing therefrom his majesty of Great Britain;
upon occasion of the birth of the prince of Wales. In a
letter from himself.
” Printed in the Savoy, Comical Revenge
” succeeded very
well upon the stage, and met with general approbation for
a considerable time, it is now justly laid aside on account
of its immorality. This is the case, likewise, with regard
to sir George’s other plays. Of the “She would if she
could,
” the critic Dennis says, that though it was esteemed by men of sense for the trueness of some of its characters, and the purity, freeness, and easy grace of its dialogue, yet, on its first appearance, it was barbarously treated by the audience. If the auditors were offended with
the licentiousness of the comedy, their barbarity did them
honour; but it is probable that, at that period, they were
influenced by some other consideration. Exclusively of
its loose tendency, the play is pronounced to be undoubtedly a very good one; and it was esteemed as one of the
first rank at the time in which it was written. However,
ShadwelPs encomium upon it will be judged to be too extravagant.
en but little known before his preferment, if we judge by the manner in whieh he is mentioned in the duke of Buckingham’s “Session of the Poets:”
And Oldmixon, in his “Art of Logic and Rhetoric,
”
p. Session of the
Poets:
”
d” Notes of Sermons by his lordship, by his lady, and by their daughter Mary,“the wife of the second duke of Buckingham; and” A Treatise on the Shortness of Life.“But,
Hitherto, the crafty and ambitious Cromwell had permitted him to enjoy in all respects the supreme command,
at least to outward appearance. And, under his conduct,
the army’s rapid success, after their new model, had much
surpassed the expectation of the most sanguine of their
masters, the parliament* The question now was, to disband the majority of them after their work was done, and
to employ a part of the rest in the reduction of Ireland.
But either of the two appeared to all of them intolerable.
For, many having, from the dregs of the people, risen to
the highest commands, and by plunderings and violence
amassing daily great treasures, they could not bear the
thoughts of losing such great advantages. To maintain
themselves therefore in the possession of them, Cromwell,
and his son-in-law Ireton, as good a contriver as himself,
but a much better writer and speaker, devised how to raise
a mutiny in the army against the parliament. To this end
they spread a whisper among the soldiery, “that the parliament, now they had the king, intended to disband
them; to cheat them of their arrears; and to send them,
into Ireland, to be destroyed by the Irish.
” The army,
enraged at this, were taught by Ireton to erect a council
among themselves, of two soldiers out of every troop and
every company, to consult for the good of the army, and
to assist at the council of war, and advise for the peace and
safety of the kingdom. These, who were called adjutators,
or agitators, were wholly under Cromwell’s influence and
direction, the most active of them being his avowed creatures. Sir Thomas saw with uneasiness his power on the
army usurped by these agitators, the forerunners of confusion and anarchy, whose design (as he observes) was to
raise their own fortunes upon the public ruin; and that
made him resolve to lay down his commission. But he
was over-persuaded by the heads of the Independent faction to hold it till he had accomplished their desperate
projects, of rendering themselves masters not only of the
parliament, but of the whole kingdom; for, he joined in
the several petitions and proceedings of the army that
tended to destroy the parliament’s power. About the beginning of June, he advanced towards London, to awe the
parliament, though both houses desired his army might not
come within fifteen miles of the same; June 15, he was a
party in the charge against eleven of the members of the
house of commons; in August, he espoused the speakers
of both houses, and the sixty -six members that had fled to
the army, and betrayed the privileges of parliament: and,
entering London, August 6, restored them in a kind of
triumph; for which he received the thanks of both
houses, and was appointed constable of the Tower. On
the other hand it is said that he was no way concerned in,
the violent removal of the king from Holmby, by cornet
Joyce, on the 3d of June; and waited with great respect
upon his majesty at sir John Cutts’s house near Cambridge.
Being ordered, on the 15th of the same month, by the
parliament, to deliver the person of the king to such persons as both houses should appoint; that he might be brought
to Richmond, where propositions were to be presented to
him for a safe and well-grounded peace; instead of complying (though he seemed to do so) he carried his majesty
from place to place, according to the several motions of
the army, outwardly expressing, upon most occasions, a
due respect for him, but, not having the will or resolution
to oppose what he had not power enough to prevent, he
resigned himself entirely to Cromwell. It was this undoubtedly that made him concur, Jan. 9, 1647-8, in that
infamous declaration of the army, of “No further addresses or application to the king; and resolved to stand by
the parliament, in what should be further necessary for
settling and securing the parliament and kingdom, without
the king and against him.
” His father dying at York,
March 13, he became possessed of his title and estate
and was appointed keeper of Pontefract-castle, custos
rotulorum of Yorkshire, &c. in his room. But his father’s
death made no alteration in his conduct, he remaining
the same servile or deluded tool to Cromwell’s ambition.
He not only sent extraordinary supplies, and took all
pains imaginable for reducing colonel Poyer in Wales, but
also quelled, with the utmost zeal and industry, an insurrection of apprentices and others in London, April 9, who
had declared for God and king Charles. The 1st of the
same month he removed his head-quarters to St. EdmundV
bury; and, upon the royalists seizing Berwick and Carlisle,
and the apprehension of the Scots entering England, he
was desired, May 9, by the parliament, to advance in person into the North, to reduce those places, and to prevent
any danger from the threatened invasion. Accordingly
he began to march that way the 20th. But he was soon
recalled to quell an insurrection in Kent, headed by George
Goring, earl of Norwich, and sir William Waller. Advancing therefore against them from London in the latter
end of May, he defeated a considerable party of them at
Maidstone, June 2, with his usual valour. But the earl
and about 500 of the royalists, getting over the Thames at
Greenwich into Essex, June 3, they were joined by several
parties brought by sir Charles Lucas, and Arthur lord
Capel, which made up their numbers about 400; and went
and shut themselves up in Colchester on the 12th of June.
Lord Fairfax, informed of their motions, passed over with
his forces at Gravesend with so much expedition, that he
arrived before Colchester June 13. Immediately he summons the royalists to surrender; which they refusing, he
attacks them the same afternoon with the utmost fury,
but, being repulsed, he resolved, June 14, to block up
the place in order to starve the royalists into a compliance.
These endured a severe and tedious siege of eleven weeks,
not surrendering till August 28, and feeding for about five
weeks chiefly on horse-flesh; all their endeavours for obtaining peace on honourable terms being ineffectual. This
affair is the most exceptionable part in lord Fairfax’s
conduct, if it admits of degrees, for he granted worse
terms to that poor town than to any other in the whole
course of the war he endeavoured to destroy it as much
as possible he laid an exorbitant fine, or ransom, of
J2,000l. upon the inhabitants, to excuse them from being
plundered; and he vented his revenge and fury upon sir
Charles Lucas and sir George Lisle, who had behaved in
the most inoffensive manner during the siege, sparing that
buffoon the earl of Norwich, whose behaviour had been
quite different: so that his name and memory there ought
to be for ever detestable. After these mighty exploits
against a poor and unfortified town, he made a kind of
triumphant progress to Ipswich, Yarmouth, Norwich, St.
Edmund’s-bui y, Harwich, Mersey, and Maldon. About
the beginning of December he came to London, to awe
thatcity and the parliament, and to forward the proceedings against the king quartering himself in the royal
palace of Whitehall: and it was by especial order from
him and the council of the army, that several members of
the house of commons were secluded and imprisoned, the
6th and 7th of that month; he being, as Wood expresses
it, lulled in a kind of stupidity. Yet, although his name
stood foremost in the list of the king’s judges, he refused
to act, probably by his lady’s persuasion. Feb. 14, 1648-9,
he was voted to be one of the new council of state, but
on the 19th he refused to subscribe the test, appointed
by parliament, for approving all that was done concerning
the king and kingship. March 31 he was voted general
of all the forces in England and Ireland; and in May he
inarched against the levellers, who were grown very numerous, and began to be troublesome and formidable in
Oxfordshire, and utterly routed them atBurford. Thence,
on the 22d of the same month, he repaired to Oxford with
Oliver Cromwell, and other officers, where he was highly
feasted, and created LL.D. Next, upon apprehension of
the like risings in other places, he went and viewed the
castles and fortifications in the Isle of Wight, and at Southampton, and Portsmouth; and near Guildford had a rendezvous of the army, which he exhorted to obedience.
June 4, he was entertained, with other officers, &c. by the
city of London, and presented with a large and weighty
bason and ewer of beaten gold. In June 1650, upon the
Scots declaring for king Charles II. the juncto of the
council of state having taken a resolution to be beforehand,
and not to stay to be invaded from Scotland, but to carry
first the war into that kingdom; general Fairfax, being
consulted, seemed to approve of the design: but afterwards,
by the persuasions of his lady, and of the presbyterian
ministers, he declared himself unsatisfied that there was a
just ground for the parliament of England to send their
army to invade Scotland and resolved to lay down his
commission rather than engage in that affair and on the
26th that high trust was immediately committed to Oliver
Cromwell, who was glad to see him removed, as being no
longer necessary, but rather an obstacle to his farther ambitious designs. Being thus released from all public employment, he went and lived quietly at his own house in
Nun-Appleton in Yorkshire; always earnestly wishing and
praying (as we are assured) for the restitution of the royal
family, and fully resolved to lay hold on the first opportunity to contribute his part towards it, which made him
always looked upon with a jealous eye by the usurpers of
that time. As soon as he was invited by general Monk to
assist him against Lambert’s army, he cheerfully embraced
the occasion, and appeared, on the 3d of December 1659,
at the head of a body of gentlemen of Yorkshire and,
upon the reputation and authority of his name, the Irish
brigade of 1200 horse forsook Lambert’s army, and joined
him. The consequence was, the immediate breaking of
all Lambert’s forces, which gave general Monk an easy
inarch into England. The 1st of January 1659-60, his
lordship made himself master of York; and, on the 2d of
the same month, was chosen by the rump parliament one
of the council of state, as he was again on the 23d of February ensuing. March '29 he was elected one of the
knights for the county of York, in the healing parliament;
and was at the head of the committee appointed May 3,
by the house of commons, to go and attend king Charles
II. at the Hague, to desire him to make a speedy return
to his parliament, and to the exercise of his kingly office.
May 16 he waited upon his majesty with the rest, and
endeavoured to atone in some measure for all past offences,
by readily concurring and assisting in his restoration. After
the dissolution of the short healing parliament, he retired
again to his seat in the country, where he lived in a private
manner till his death, which happened November 12, 1671,
in the sixtieth year of his age. Several letters,
remonstrances, and other papers, subscribed with his name, are
preserved in Rushworth and other collections, being published during the time he was general; but he disowned
most of them. After his decease, some “short memorials,
written by himself,
” were published in 1699, 8vo, by
Brian Fairfax, esq. but do his lordship no great honour,
either as to principle, style, or accuracy. Lord Fairfax,
as to his person, was tall, but not above the just proportion,
and of a gloomy and melancholy disposition. He stammered a little, and was a bad orator ou the most plausible
occasions. As to the qualities of his mind, he was of a
good natural disposition; a great lover of learning, having
contributed to the edition of the Polygiott, and other large
works; and a particular admirer of the History and Antiquities of Great Britain, as appears by the encouragement
he gave to Mr. Dodsvrorth. In religion he professed Presbyterianismn, but where he first learned that, unless ia
the army, does not appear. He was of a meek and humble
carriage, and but of few words in discourse and council;
yet, when his judgment and reason were satisfied, he was
unalterable; and often ordered things expressly contrary
to the judgment of all his council. His valour was unquestionable. He was daring, and regardless of self-interest, and, we are told, in the field he appeared so highly
transported, that scarcely any durst speak a word to him,
and he would seem like a man distracted and furious. Had
not the more successful ambition and progress of Cromwell
eclipsed lord Fairfax’s exploits, he would have been considered as the greatest of the parliamentary commanders;
and one of the greatest heroes of the rebellion, had not
the extreme narrowness of his genius, in every thing but
war, obstructed his shining as a statesman. We have already noticed that he had some taste for literature, and
that both at York and at Oxford he endeavoured to
preserve the libraries from being pillaged. He also presented
twenty-nine ancient Mss. to the Bodleian library, one of
which is a beautiful ms. of -Cower' s “Confessio Amantis.
”
When at Oxford we do not find that he countenanced any
of the outrages committed there, but on the contrary,
exerted his utmost diligence in preserving the Bodleian
from pillage; and, in fact, as Mr. Warton observes, that
valuable repository suffered less than when the city was in'
the possession of the royalists. Lord Orford has introduced lord Fairfax among his “Royal and Noble Authors,
”
“not only as an historian, but a poet. In Mr. Thoresby’s museum were preserved in manuscript the following
pieces:
” The Psalms of David;“”The Song of Solomon“” The Canticles;“and
” Songs of Moses, Exod.
15. and Deut. 32.“and other parts of scripture versified.
” Poem on Solitude.“Besides which, in the same collection were preserved
” Notes of Sermons by his lordship, by his lady, and by their daughter Mary,“the wife
of the second duke of Buckingham; and
” A Treatise on
the Shortness of Life.“But, of all lord Fairfax’s works,
by far the most remarkable were some verses which he
wrote on the horse on which Charles the Second rode to
liis coronation, and which had been bred and presented to
the king by his lordship. How must that merry monarch,
not apt to keep his countenance on more serious occasions,
have smiled at this awkward homage from the old victorious
hero of republicanism and the covenant
” Besides these,
several of his Mss. are preserved in the library at Denton,
of which Mr. Park has given a list in his new edition of the
“Royal and Noble Authors.
”
te. In this uncomfortable situation he exercised his graver; and a small head of the first Villiers, duke of Buckingham, in the style of Mallan, was one of his first
, a very celebrated engraver,
was born in London in the early part of the seventeenth
century. He was the pupil of Peake, the printer and
printseller, who was afterwards knighted, and worked with
him three or four years. At the breaking out of the civil
war, Peake espoused the cause of Charles I.; and Faithorne,
who accompanied his master, was taken prisoner by the
rebels at Basing-house, whence he was sent to London,
and confined in Aldersgate. In this uncomfortable situation he exercised his graver; and a small head of the first
Villiers, duke of Buckingham, in the style of Mallan, was
one of his first performances. The solicitations of his
friends in his favour at last prevailed; and he was released
from prison, with permission to retire on the continent.
The story of his banishment for refusing to take the oath
to Oliver Cromwell, would have done him no discredit,
had it been properly authenticated, but that does not appear to be the case. Soon after his arrival in France, he
found protection and encouragement from the abbe* de
Marolles, and formed an acquaintance with the celebrated
Nanteuil, from whose instructions he derived very considerable advantages. About 1650, he returned to England, and soon after married the sister of a person who is
called “the famous
” captain Ground. By her he had two
sons, Henry, who was a bookseller, and William, an engraver in mezzotinto.
tive to the Lord’s Supper.” 8. “A Letter in answer to one from a Freethinker, occasioned by the late duke of Buckingham’s epitaph: wherein certain passages in it that
The great encouragement which the life of Wolsey obtained, prompted Fiddes to undertake the lives of sir Thomas More and bishop Fisher: but when he had gone through
a great part of this work, he lost his manuscript. He
published, 6. “A general treatise of Morality, formed upon
the principles of Natural Reason only; with a preface in
answer to two essays lately published in the Fable of the
Bees, and some incidental remarks upon an Inquiry concerning Virtue, by the right honourable Anthony earl of
Shaftesbury,
” Search
into the Nature of Society;
” and afterwards vindicates Dr.
Kadcliffe from the aspersions of the same author, on account of his benefactions to the university of Oxford. 7.
“A Preparative to the Lord’s Supper.
” 8. “A Letter in
answer to one from a Freethinker, occasioned by the late
duke of Buckingham’s epitaph: wherein certain passages
in it that have been thought exceptionable are vindicated,
and the doctrine of the soul’s immortality asserted. To
which is prefixed, a version of the epitaph, agreeably to the
explication given of it in the Answer;
” in
wich, which was held in the king’s presence in 1622, at three different times, at the request of the duke of Buckingham, on account of his duchess being a Roman catholic.
, an English Jesuit of the seventeenth
century, whose true name was Piercy, was born in Yorkshire, and admitted in the English college at Rome,
whence he removed to Louvaine, and became a Jesuit in
1594. Afterwards he was sent on a mission to England,
and laboured several years in endeavouring to make proselytes, until he was imprisoned and banished. Those of
his order then made him professor of divinity at Louvaine,
and vice-provincial of the English Jesuits. Returning thence
to England, he made a considerable figure in the reigns of
James I. and Charles I. in various controversies and conferences with some noted divines of the church of England.
His most remarkable conference was with Dr. Francis
White, dean of Carlisle, and afterwards bishop of Norwich, which was held in the king’s presence in 1622, at
three different times, at the request of the duke of Buckingham, on account of his duchess being a Roman catholic.
At the conclusion of these conferences, king James desired
Fisher to return an answer to nine points, proposed by his
majesty, which Fisher did in writing, except an article
concerning the supremacy, about which he desired to he
excused. He had conferences also with Laud, Featley,
and othrrs. He was alive in 1641, but how long afterwards we do not find. He published 1. “A Treatise of
Faith,
” Lond. A Defence of the preceding against Wooton and White,
” St.
Omers, A Challenge to Protestants; to shew
the succession of their pastors, from Christ down,
” ibid.
An Answer to nine points of Controversy proposed by king James I. with the censure of Mr. White’s
reply,
” The Romish Fisher caught in his own net,
” by Dr.
Featley, Lond. A Conference between bishop Laud
and Fisher,
” ibid. Reply to the relation, of the conference between Laud and Fisher,
” by an
anonymous author, Reply to Fisher’s
answer to some questions propounded by king James,
”
Orthodox faith and the
way to the church explained,
” by the same, Fisher’s folly unfolded,
” &c. by George Walker, Catalogus protestantium before Luther,
” by George
Webb, An answer to Mr. Fisher the Jesuit,
&c. in a dialogue,
” by Henry Rogers, The
Protestant church existent, and by whom their faith professed in all ages,
” by the same, A
Dialogue about this question, Where was your church before Luther?
” by C. W.
1, 9. grant of the manor of Navesby in Northamptonshire, part of the possessions of Edward Stafford, duke of Buckingham, then lately attainted. At that time he was ambassador
, an eminent naval commander, and earl of Southampton, in the sixteenth century, was the second son of sir Thomas Fitzvviliiam, of Aldwarke, in Yorkshire, knt. by Lucia, his wife, daughter and co-heir to John Neville, marquis Montacute. In 151O he was made one of the esquires for the body of king Henry VIII. which office was renewed to him for life ia 1512. The year following he was one of the chief commanders in the fleet sent out against France, to clear the sea of French ships before Henry and his allies attacked France by land; and he was seriously wounded by an arrow in attempting to destroy the French fleet at Brest. Shortly after he attended king Henry at the siege of Tournay, where his bravery procured him the honour of knighthood. In 1620 he was vice-admiral of England, and em^ ployed in guarding the channel at the time the emperor Charles V. came to England. He so ingratiated himself with his royal master that he obtained from him, in 1521, 9. grant of the manor of Navesby in Northamptonshire, part of the possessions of Edward Stafford, duke of Buckingham, then lately attainted. At that time he was ambassador in France; but, upon a rupture between that kingdom and England, he was recalled, Jan. 1521-2, and ordered to sea with a strong fleet of twenty-eight sail, to secure our merchants, and take what French ships he could. Shortly after he assisted at the taking of Morlaix, in Bretagne; and with sir William Sandes and sir Maufice Berkeley, went and burnt Marguison, which was newly built and fortified, and many villages. In 1523, the king of France, preparing to send John duke of Albany, regent of Scotland, into that kingdom in order to invade England from that quarter, sir William was made admiral, and dispatched with a strong fleet to intercept him. Having missed him, he landed on the French coast at Treport, in Normandy, and burnt the suburbs of that town and several ships in the harbour, though there were but 700 English opposed to 6000 French. The year following, being captain of Guisnes, in Picardy, he greatly annoyed Boulogne, and other places adjacent. Before the end of that year he was made treasurer of the king’s household; and in October sent to France with Dr. John Taylor, a civilian, to see the lady regent (whose son, Francis I. was then prisoner in Spain) swear to observe the articles of a treaty newly concluded between the two crowns. In 1529 he was one of those who subscribed the articles exhibited in parliament against cardinal Wolsey. At the grand interview between the ki:igs of England and France, in 1532, he attended his master Henry V11I. to Boulogne, the place of interview between many other persons of the highest quality. In May 1535, he was sent with the duke of Norfolk, the of Ely, and Dr. Fox, to treat with the French king’s commissioners about a league between the crowns of England and France; one of the articles of which was, that the duke of Angonleme, third son to the king of France, should marry Elizabeth, second daughter of king Henry. Shortly after, he was made knight of the garter, and chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster; and in 1536 constituted admiral of England, Wales, Ireland, Normandy, Gascony, and Aquitaine. On Oct. 18, 1537, he was advanced to the title of earl of Southampton, and made lord privy-seal Oct. 27,1539. In April following, some disputes having arisen between England and France, he, with John lord Russel, lately made high admiral, were sent over to Calais with a few troops of horse, and returned quickly after executing their orders. He was also employed as captain of the Foreward in the expedition to Scotland, in October 1542, but died in his way thither, at Newcastle, so much esteemed, that, in honour of his memory, his standard was borne in the vanguard in all that expedition. By his will bearing date Sept. 10, of the same year, he ordered his body to be buried in the church of Midhurst, in Sussex. He left no issue by Mabel his wife, daughter to Henry lord Clifford, and sister to Henry first earl of Cumberland. Of his personal character it is only recorded that there was not a serviceable man under his command whose name he knew not; not a week passed but he paid his ships; not a prize but his seamen shared in as well as himself; and it was his opinion, that none fought well but those who did it for a fortune, which may be admitted, in some measure, if we consider that fortune and honours in the naval and military services are generally joined.
ent lying altogether in histories, with figures as large as the life. He was much in favour with the duke of Buckingham, and many others of the nobility. After twelve
, an Italian painter, whose
family name was Lomi, which he exchanged for that of
his maternal uncle, Gentileschi, was born at Pisa in 1563.
After having made himself famous at Florence, Rome,
Genoa, and in other parts of Italy, he removed to Savoy;
whence he went to France, and at last, upon the invitation
of Charles I. came over to England. He was well received
by that king, who appointed him lodgings in his court,
together with a considerable salary; and employed him in
his palace at Greenwich, and other public places. The
most remarkable of his performances in England, were the
cielings of Greenwich and York-house. He painted a
Madona, a Magdalen, and Lot with his two Daughters,
for king Charles; all which he performed admirably well.
After the death of the king, when his collection of paintings were exposed to sale, nine pictures of Gentileschi
were sold for 600l. and are now said to be the ornaments
of the hall in Marlborough-house. His most esteemed
work abroad was the portico of cardinal Bentivoglio’s palace at Rome, and a “David standing over Goliah,
”
painted with a vigour and vivacity of tints that make' him
start from the canvass, and give the idea of a style yet unknown. This is in the house Cambiasi, at Genoa. He
made several attempts in portrait- painting, but with little
success his talent lying altogether in histories, with figures as large as the life. He was much in favour with
the duke of Buckingham, and many others of the nobility.
After twelve years continuance in England, he died here
in 1647, and was buried in the queen’s chapel at Somersethouse. His head is among the prints taken from Vandyke,
by whom he had been painted.
grammar; but what he seemed to build his chief hopes of fame upon was his Critical Commentary On the duke of Buckingham’s * Essay on Poetry,' which last piece was perused
He died Jan. 12, 1723-4. His literary character is given
in Boyer’s Political State, vol. XXVII. p. 102, as “a person of great literature, but a mean genius; who, having
attempted several kinds of writing, never gained much
reputation in any. Among other treatises he wrote the
‘ English Art of Poetry,’ which he had practised himself
very unsuccessfully in his dramatic performances. He also
wrote an English grammar; but what he seemed to build
his chief hopes of fame upon was his Critical Commentary
On the duke of Buckingham’s * Essay on Poetry,' which
last piece was perused and highly approved by his grace.
”
the bounds of his instructions and honour. He afterwards fell on his knees to king James, before the duke of Buckingham, requesting that a trumpeter, if not an herald,
Another writer relates this more particularly. Sir Edward, while he was in France, had private instructions from
England to mediate a peace for the protestants in France;
and, in case of a refusal, to use certain menaces. Accordingly, being referred to de Luines, he delivered to him
the message, reserving his threatenings till he saw how the
matter was relished. De Luines had concealed a gentleman of the reformed religion behind the curtain; who,
heing an ear-witness of what passed, might relate to his
friends what little expectations they ought to entertain of
the king of England’s intercession. De Luines was very
haughty, and asked what our king had to do in this affair.
Sir Edward replied, “It is not to you, to whom the king
my master owcth an account of his actions; and for me it
is enough that I obey him. In the mean time I must
maintain, that my master hath more reason to do what he
doth, than you to ask why he doth it. Nevertheless, if
you desire me in a gentle fashion, I shall acquaint you
farther.
” Upon this, de Luines bowing a little, said,
“Very well.
” The ambassador then gave him some reasons; to which de Luines said, “We will have none of
your advices.
” The ambassador replied, “that he took
that for an answer, and was sorry only, that the affection
and good-will of the king his master was not sufficiently
understood and that, since it was rejected ii> that manner,
he could do no less than say, that the king his master knew
well enough what to do.
” De Luines answered, “We are
not afraid of you.
” The ambassador smiling a little, replied, “If you had said you had not loved us, I should
have believed you, and given you another answer. In
the mean time, all that I will tell you more is, that we
know very well what we have to do.
” De Luines upon
this, rising from his chair with a fashion and countenance
a little discomposed, said, “By G, if you were not
monsieur the ambassador, I know very well how I would
use yon.
” Sir Edward Herbert rising also from his chair,
said, that “as he was the king of Great Britain’s ambassador,
so he was also a gentleman; and that his sword, whereon
he laid his hand, should give him satisfaction if he had
taken any offence.
” After which, de Luines making no
reply, the ambassador went on towards the door, and de
Luines seeming to accompany him, sir Edward told him,
that “there was no occasion to use such ceremony after
such language,
” and so departed, expecting to hear farther from him. But no message being brought from de
Luines, he had, in pursuance of his instructions, a more
civil audience from the king at Coignac; where the marshal
of St. Geran told him that tf he had offended the constable,
and was not in a place of security there:“to which he
answered, that
” he thought himself to be in a place of security wheresoever he had his sword by him." De Luines,
resenting the affront, procured Cadinet his brother, duke
of Chaun, with a train of officers, of whom there was not
one, as he told king James, but had killed his man, to go
as an ambassador extraordinary; who misrepresented the
affair so much to the disadvantage of sir Edward, that the
earl of Carlisle, who was sent to accommodate the misunderstanding which might arise between the two crowns, got
him recalled; until the gentleman who stood behind the
curtain, out of a regard to truth and honour, related all
the circumstances so as to make it appear, that though de
Luines gave the first affront, yet sir Edward had kept himself within the bounds of his instructions and honour. He
afterwards fell on his knees to king James, before the duke
of Buckingham, requesting that a trumpeter, if not an
herald, might be sent to de Luines, to tell him that he had
made a false relation of the whole affair; and that sir Edward Herbert would demand satisfaction of him sword in
hand. The king answered, that he would take it into consideration; but de Luines died soon after, and sir Edward
was sent again ambassador to France.
nted the portraits of the king and queen, in the characters of two deities, and the portrait of the. duke of Buckingham in the character of Mercury, introducing the liberal
, a celebrated artist, called also Gerardo Dalle Notti, from his principal subjects, was born at Utrecht in 1592, and was a disciple of Abraham Bloemavt; but completed his studies at Home, where he continued several years, employed there by persons of the first rank, and particularly by prince Justiniani. He imitated the style of Caravaggio, with whose vivid tone and powerful masses of light and shade, he attempted to combine correctness of outline, refinement of forms, graceful attitudes, and that dignity which ought to be the characteristic of sacred subjects. In this he often succeeded. His subjects are generally night-pieces as large as life, and illuminated by torch or candle-light. Among his numerous pictures, that of our Saviour before the Tribunal of Pilate, in the gallery Justiniani, for energy, dignity, and contrast, is the most celebrated. Soon after his return to his own country he visited London, and obtained the favour of king Charles I. by several grand performances and portraits; especially by one allegorical picture, in which he represented the portraits of the king and queen, in the characters of two deities, and the portrait of the. duke of Buckingham in the character of Mercury, introducing the liberal arts to that monarch and his consort. For that composition, which was well drawn and extremely well coloured, the king presented him with three thousand florins, a service of plate for twelve persons, and a beautiful horse; and he had afterwards the honour to instruct the queen of Bohemia, and the princesses her children, in drawing.
, it was thought, of having him out of the way during the proceedings against his father-in-law, the duke of Buckingham. Here he was very instrumental in suppressing
, earl of Surrey, and duke of Norfolk, an eminent commander in the reign of Henry VIII. was born in 1473, and brought up to arms, and soon after the accession of Henry was decorated with the knighthood of the garter. He served with his brother sir Edward, against sir Andrew Barton, a Scotch free-booter, or pirate, who perished in the action. Wuen his brother, sir Edward, was killed in an action near Brest, in 1513, he was appointed to the office in his stead, and in the capacity of high admiral he effectually cleared the channel of French cruisers. The victory of Flodden-field, in which the king of Scotland was slain, was chiefly owing to his valour and good conduct. For this his father was restored to the title of duke of Norfolk, and the title of earl of Surrey was conferred on him. In 1521 he was sent to Ireland as lordlieutenant, chiefly for the purpose, it was thought, of having him out of the way during the proceedings against his father-in-law, the duke of Buckingham. Here he was very instrumental in suppressing the rebellion, and having served there two years he returned, and had the command of the fleet against France. By the death of his father he succeeded to the title and estates as duke of Norfolk. Notwithstanding his great services, Henry, at the close of his tyrannical life and reign, caused the duke to be sent to the Tower on a charge of high treason, and his son to be beheaded in his presence. The death of the king saved the duke’s life. He was, however, detained prisoner during the whole of the reign of Edward VI. but one of the first acts of Mary, after her accession to the throne, was to liberate him. He was, after this, the principal instrument in suppressing the rebellion excited by sir Thomas Wyatt. He died in August 1554, having passed his eightieth year. He was father to the illustrious subject of our next article.
ord high treasurer of England in the reign of Henry VIII. by Elizabeth, daughter of Edward Stafford, duke of Buckingham. He was born either at his father’s seat at Framlingham,
Henry Howard, earl of Surrey, was the eldest son of Thomas, the third duke of Norfolk, lord high treasurer of England in the reign of Henry VIII. by Elizabeth, daughter of Edward Stafford, duke of Buckingham. He was born either at his father’s seat at Framlingham, in Suffolk, or in the city of Westminster, and being a child of great hopes, all imaginable care was taken of his education. When he was very young he was companion, at Windsor castle, with Henry Fitzroy, duke of Richmond, natural son to Henry VIII. and afterwards student in Cardinal college, now Christ Church, Oxford. In 1532 he was with the duke of Richmond at Paris, and continued there for some time in the prosecution of his studies, and learning the French language; and upon the death of that duke in July 1536, travelled into Germany, where he resided some time at the emperor’s court, and thence went to Florence, where he fell in love with the fair Geraldine, the great object of his poetical addresses, and in the grand duke’s court published a challenge against all who should dispute her beauty; which challenge being accepted, he came oft victorious. For this approved valour, the duke of Florence made him large offers to stay with him; but he refused them because he intended to defend the honour of his Geraldine in all the chief cities of Italy. But this design of his was diverted by letters sent to him by king Henry VIII. recalling him to England. He left Italy, therefore, where he had cultivated his poetical genius by the reading of the greatest writers of that country, and returned to his own country, where he was considered a one of the first of the English nobility, who adorned his high birth with the advantages of a polite taste and extensive literature. On the first of May, 1540, he was one of the chief of those who justed at Westminster, as a defendant, against sir John Dudley, sir Thomas Seymour, and other challengers, where he behaved himself with admirable courage, and great skill in the use of his arms, and, in 1542, served in the army, of which his father was lieutenant-genera!, and which, in October that year, entered Scotland, and burnt divers villages. In February or March following, he was confined to Windsor castle for eating flesh in Lent, contrary to the king’s proclamation of the 9th of February 1542. In 1544, upon the expedition to Boulogne, in France, he was field-marshal of the English army; and after taking that town, being then knight of the garter, he was in the beginning of September 1545, constituted the king’s lieutenant and captain-general of all his army within the town and country of Boulogne. During his command there in 1546, hearing that a convoy of provisions of the enemy was coming to the fort at Oultreau, he resolved to intercept it; but the Rhingrave, with' four thdusand Lanskinets, together with a considerable number of French under the marshal de Blez, making an obstinate defence, the Englisii were routed, anil sir Edward Poynings, with divers other gentlemen, killed, and the earl of Surrey himself obliged to fly; though it appears by a letter of his to the king, dated January 8, 1545-6, that this advantage cost the enemy a great number of men. But the king was so highly displeased with this ill success, that, from that time he contracted a prejudice against the earl, and, soon after, removed him from his command, appointing the earl of Hertford to succeed him. On this sir William Paget wrote to the earl of Surrey to advise him to procure some eminent post under the earl of Hertford, that he might not be unprovided in the town and field. The earl being desirous, in the mean time, to regain his former favour with the king, skirmished against the French, and routed them; but, soon after, writing over to the king’s council, that as the enemy had cast much larger cannon than had been yet seen, with which they imagined they should soon demolish Boulogne, it deserved consideration, whether the lower town should stand, as not being defensible, the council ordered him to return to England, in order to represent his sentiments more fully upon those points, and the earl of Hertford was immediately sent over in his room. This exasperating the earl of Surrey, occasioned him to let fall some expressions which savoured of revenge, and a dislike of the king, and an hatred of his counsellors; and was, probably, one great cause of his ruin soon after. His father, the duke of Norfolk, had endeavoured to ally himaelf to the earl of Hertford, and to his brother, sir Thomas Seymour, perceiving how much they were in the king’s favour, and how great an interest they were likely to have under the succeeding prince; and therefore he would have engaged his son, being then a widower (having lost his wife Frances, daughter of John earl of Oxford), to marry the earl of Hertford’s daughter, and pressed his daughter, the duchess of Richmond, widow of the king’s natural son, to marry sir Thomas Seymour. But though the earl of Surrey advised his sister to the marriage projected for her, yet he would nol consent to that designed for himself; nor did the proposition about himself take effect. The Seymours could not but perceive the enmity which the earl bore them; and they might well be jealous of the greatness of the Howard family, which was not only too considerable for subjects, of itself, but was raised so high by the dependence of th whole popish party, both at home and abroad, that they were likely to be very dangerous competitors for the chief government of affairs, if the king should die, whose disease was now growing so fast upon him that he could not live many weeks. Nor is it improbable, that they persuaded the king, that, if the earl of Surrey should marry the princess Mary, it might embroil his son’s government, and, perhaps, ruin him. And it was suggested that he had some such high project in his thoughts, both by his continuing unmarried, and by his using the arms of Edward the Confessor, which, of late, he had given in his coat without a diminution. To complete the duke of Norfolk’s and his son’s ruin, his duchess, who had complained of his using her ill, and had been separated from him about four years, turned informer against him. And the earl and his sister, the duchess dowager of Richmond, being upon ill terms together, she discovered all she knew against him; as likewise did one Mrs. Holland, for whom the duke was believed to have had an unlawful affection. But all these discoveries amounted only to some passionate expressions of the son, and some complaints of the father, who thought he was not beloved by the king and his counsellors, and that he was ill used in not being trusted with the secret of affairs. However, all persons being encouraged to bring informations against them, sir Richard Southwel charged the earl of Surrey in some points of an higher nature; which the earl denied, and desired to be admitted, according to the martial law, to fight, in his shirt, with sir Richard. But, that not being granted, he and his father were committed prisoners to the Tower on the 12th of December 1546; and the earl, being a commoner, was brought to his trial in Guildhall, on the 13th of January following, Jbefore the lord chancellor, the lord mayor, and other commissioners; where he defended himself with great skill and address, sometimes denying the accusations, and weakening the credit of the witnesses against him, and sometimes interpreting the words objected to him in a far different sense from what had been represented. For the point of bearing the arms of Edward the Confessor, he justified himself by the authority of the heralds. And when a witness was produced, who pretended to repeat some high words of his lordship’s, by way of discourse, which concerned him nearly, and provoked the witness to return him a braving answer; the qarl left it to the jury to judge whether it was probable that this man should speak thus to him, and he not strike him again. In conclusion, he insisted upon his innocence, but was found guilty, and had sentence of death passed upon him. He was beheaded on Tower-hill on the 19th of January 1546-7; and his body interred in the church of All Hallows Barking, and afterwards removed to Framlingham, in Suffolk.
h persons of that description. His obstinacy and pride procured him many enemies, and among them the duke of Buckingham; who intended to have exposed him under the name
, an English writer of some
abilities and learning, born Jan. 1626, was a younger son
of Thomas earl of Berkshire, and educated at Magdalen
college, Cambridge. During the civil war he suffered with
his family, who adhered to Charles I. but at the Restoration was made a knight, and chosen for Stockbridge in
Hampshire, to serve in the parliament which began in
May 1661. He was afterwards made auditor of the exchequer, and was reckoned a creature of Charles II. whom
the monarch advanced on account of his faithful services,
in cajoling the parliament for money. In 1679 he was
chosen to serve in parliament for Castle Rising in Norfolk;
and re-elected for the same place in 1688. He was a
strong advocate for the Revolution, and became so passionate an abhorrer of the nonjurors, that he disclaimed all
manner of conversation and intercourse with persons of
that description. His obstinacy and pride procured him
many enemies, and among them the duke of Buckingham;
who intended to have exposed him under the name of
Bilboa in the “Rehearsal,
” but afterwards altered his
resolution, and levelled his ridicule at a much greater
name, under that of Bayes. He was so extremely positive, and so sure of being in the right upon every subject,
that Shadwell the poet, though a man of the same principles, could not help ridiculing him in his comedy of the
“Sullen Lovers,
” under the character of Sir Positive At-all.
Jn the same play there is a lady Vaine, a courtezan which
the wits then understood to be the mistress of sir Robert,
whom he afterwards married. He died Sept. 3, 1698. He
published, 1. “Poems and Plays.
” 2. “The History of
the Reigns of Edward and Richard II. with reflections and
characters of their chief ministers and favourites; also a
comparison of these princes with Edward I. and III.
” 1690,
8vo. 3. “A letter to Mr. Samuel Johnson, occasioned by
a scurrilous pamphlet, entitled Animadversions on Mr.
Johnson’s answer to Jovian,
” The History
of Religion,
” The fourth book of Virgil
translated,
” Statius’s Achilleis translated,
”
in court, would often say to his majesty, “There goes your schoolmaster.” The chief of these was the duke of Buckingham, who had a surprising talent of ridicule and buffoonery;
In August 1667, he was removed from his post of chancellor, and in November following was impeached by the
house of commons of high treason, and other crimes and
misdemeanors; upon which, in the beginning of December,
he retired to France, and on the 19th, an act of banishment
was passed against him. Echard observes, how often “it
has been admired, that the king should not only consent to
discard, but soon after banish a friend, who had been as
honest and faithful to him a* the best, and perhaps more
useful and serviceable than any he had ever employed;
which surely could never have been brought to bear without innumerable enviers and enemies.
” But to conceive
how these were raised, we need only remember, that during
the height of his grandeur, which continued two years
after the Restoration without any rivalship, as well as the
rest of his ministry, he manifested an inflexible steadiness
to the constitution of the church of England, in equal
opposition to the Papists on one side, and the Dissenters
on the other; so that none of these could ever be reconciled to him or his proceedings. Yet at first he seemed so
forward to effect a coalition of all parties, that the cavaliers
and strict churchmen thought themselves much neglected;
and many of them upon that account, though unjustly,
entertained insuperable prejudices against him, and joined
with the greatest of his enemies. But the circumstances
which were supposed to weaken his interest with, and at
length make him disagreeable to the king, were rather of
a personal nature, and such as concerned the king and
him only. It is allowed on all hands, that the chancellor
was not without the pride of conscious virtue; so that his
personal behaviour was accompanied with a sort of gravity
and haughtiness, which struck a very unpleasing awe into
a court filled with licentious persons of both sexes. He
often took the liberty to give reproofs to these persons of
mirth and gallantry; and sometimes thought it his duty to
advise the king himself in such a manner that they took
advantage of him, and as he passed in court, would often
say to his majesty, “There goes your schoolmaster.
” The
chief of these was the duke of Buckingham, who had a
surprising talent of ridicule and buffoonery; and that he
might make way for lord Clarendon’s ruin, by bringing
him first into contempt, he often acted and mimicked him
in the presence of the king, walking in a stately manner
with a pair of bellows before him for the purse, and colonel
Titus carrying a fire-shovel on his shoulder for the mace;
with which sort of farce and banter, the king, says Echard,
was too much delighted and captivated. These, with some
more serious of the Popish party, assisted by the solicitations of the ladies of pleasure, made such impressions
upon the king, that he at last gave way, and became willing, and even pleased, to part both from his person and
services. It was also believed, that the king had some
private resentments against him, for checking of those
who were too forward in loading the crown with prerogative and revenue; and particularly we are told, that he
had counteracted the king in a grand design which he had,
to be divorced from the queen, under pretence “that she
had been pre-engaged to another person, or that she was
incapable of bearing children.
” The person designed to
supply her place was Mrs. Stuart, a beautiful young lady,
who was related to the king, and had some office under the
queen. The chancellor, to prevent this, sent for the duke
of Richmond, who was of the same name; and seeming
to be sorry that a person of his worth and relation to his
majesty should receive no marks of his favour, advised him
to marry this lady, as the most likely means to advance
himself. The young nobleman, liking the person, followed
his advice, made immediate application to the lady,
who was ignorant of the king’s intentions, and in a few
days married her. The king, thus disappointed, and
soon after informed how the match was brought about,
banished the duke and his new duchess from court, reserving his resentment against the chancellor to a more convenient opportunity. Be this as it will, the private reasons
that induced the king to abandon the chancellor were expressed in a letter to the duke of Ormond, then in Ireland;
which the king wrote to that nobleman for his satisfaction,
knowing him to be the chancellor’s friend. Echard observes, that this letter was never published, nor would a
copy of it be granted; but that he had been told the
substance of it more than once by those who had read it;
and the principal reason there given by the king was,
“The chancellor’s intolerable temper.
”
ed it Dec. 3, and sent two of the judges to acquaint the commons with it, desiring a conference. The duke of Buckingham, who was plainly aimed at in the petition, delivered
Being now about to quit the kingdom in exile, before
he departed he drew up an apology, in a petition to the
house of lords, in which he vindicated himself from any
way contributing to the late miscarriages, in such a manner as laid the blame at the same time upon others. The
lords received it Dec. 3, and sent two of the judges to
acquaint the commons with it, desiring a conference. The
duke of Buckingham, who was plainly aimed at in the petition, delivered it to the commons; and said, “The lords
have commanded me to deliver to you this scandalous and
seditious paper sent from the earl of Clarendon. They bid
me present it to you, and desire you in a convenient time
to send it to them again; for it has a style which they are
in love with, and therefore desire to keep it.
” Upon the
reading of it in that house, it was voted to be “scandalous,
malicious, and a reproach to the justice of the nation;
”
and they moved the lords, that it might be burnt by the
hands of the common hangman, which was ordered and
executed accordingly. The chancellor retired to Rouen
in Normandy; and, the year following, his life was attempted at Evreux near that city by a body of seamen, in
such an outrageous manner, that he with great difficulty
escaped. In the Bodleian library at Oxford, there is an
original letter from Mr. Oliver Long, dated from Evreux,
April 26, 1668, to sir William Cromwell, secretary of state,
in which the following account is given of this assault.
“As I was travelling from Rouen towards Orleans, it was
my fortune, April 23, to overtake the earl of Clarendon,
then in his unhappy and unmerited exile, who was going
towards Bourbon, but took up his lodgings at a private
hotel in a small walled town called Evreux, some leagues
from Rouen. I, as most English gentlemen did to so valuable a patriot, went to pay him a visit near supper-time;
when he was, as usual, very civil to me. Before supper
was done, twenty or thirty English seamen and more came
and demanded entrance at the great gate; which, being
strongly barred, kept them out for some time. But in a
short space they broke it, and presently drove all they
found, by their advantage of numbers, into the earl’s chamber; whence, by the assistance of only three swords and
pistols, we kept them out for half an hour, in which dispute many of us were wounded by their swords and pistols,
whereof they had many. To conclude, they broke the
windows and the doors, and under the conduct of one
Howard, an Irishman, who has three brothers, as I am told,
in the king of England’s service, and an ensign in the
company of cannoneers, they quickly found the earl in his
bed, not able to stand by the violence of the gout; whence,
after they had given him many blows with the;r swords
and staves, mixed with horrible curses and oaths, they
dragged him on the ground in the middle of the yard,
where they encompassed him around with their swords,
and after they had told him in their own language, how
he had sold the kingdom, and robbed them of their pay,
Howard commanded them all, as one man, to run their
swords through his body. But what difference arose among
themselves before they could agree, God above, who alone
sent this spirit of dissention, only knows. In this interval
their lieutenant, one Svvaine, came and disarmed them.
Sixteen of the ringleaders were put into prison; and many
of those things they had rifled from him, found again,
which were restored, and of great value. Mons. la Fonde,
a great man belonging to the king of France’s bed-chamber, sent to conduct the earl on his way thither, was so
desperately wounded in the head, that there were little
hopes of his life. Many of these assassins were grievously
wounded; and this action is so much resented by all here,
that many of these criminals will meet with an usage equal
to their merit. Had we been sufficiently provided with
fire-arms, we had infallibly done ourselves justice on them;
however, we fear not but the law will supply our defect.
”
About Oct. 1623, the lord-keeper Williams’s jealousy of Laud, as a rival in the duke of Buckingham’s favour, and other misunderstandings or misr
About Oct. 1623, the lord-keeper Williams’s jealousy of Laud, as a rival in the duke of Buckingham’s favour, and other misunderstandings or misrepresentations on both sides, occasioned such animosity between these two prelates as was attended with the worst consequences. Archbishop Abbot also, resolving to depress Laud as long as he could, left him out of the high commission, of which he complained to the duke of Buckingham, Nov. 1624, and then was put into the commission. Yet he was not so attached to Buckingham, as not to oppose the design, formed by that nobleman, of appropriating the endowment of the Charter-house to the maintenance of an army, under pretence of its being for the king’s advantage and the ease of the subject. In December this year, he presented to the duke a tract, drawn up at his request, under ten heads, concerning doctrinal puritanism. He corresponded also with him, during his absence in France, respecting Charles the First’s marriage with the princess Henrietta-Maria; and that prince, soon after his accession to the throne, wanting to regulate the number of his chaplains, and to know the principles and qualifications of the most eminent divines in his kingdom, our bishop was ordered to draw a list of them, which he distinguished by the letter O for orthodox, and P for puritans. At Charles’s coronation, Feb. 2, 1625-6, he officiated as dean of Westminster, in the room of Williams, then in disgrace; and has been charged, although unjustly, with altering the coronationoath. In 1626 he was translated from St. David’s to Bath and Wells and in 1628 to London. The king having appointed him dean of his chapel-royal, in 1626, and taken him into the privy-council in 1627, he was likewise in the commission for exercising archiepiscopal jurisdiction during Abbot’s sequestration. In the third parliament of king Charles, which met March 17, 1627, he was voted a favourer of the Arminians, and one justly suspected to be unsound in his opinions that >vay accordingly, his name was inserted as such in the Commons’ remonstrance and, because he was thought to be the writer of the king’s speeches, and of the duke of Buckingham’s answer to his impeachment, &c. these suspicions so exposed him to popular rage, that his life was threatened . About the same time, he was put into an ungracious office; namely, in a commission for raising money by impositions, which the Commons called excises; but it seems never to have been executed.
After the duke of Buckingham’s murder, Laud became chief favourite to Charles
After the duke of Buckingham’s murder, Laud became
chief favourite to Charles I. which augmented indeed his
power and interest, but at the same time increased that
envy and jealousy, already too strong, which at length
proved fatal to him. Upon the decline of archbishop Abbot’s health and favour at court, Laud’s concurrence in the
very severe prosecutions carried on in the high-commission
and star-chamber courts, against preachers and writers,
did him great prejudice with most people. Among these,
however, it has been remarked that his prosecution of the
king’s printers, for leaving out the word “not,
” in the
seventh commandment, cpuld be liable to no just objection. On May 13, 163 3, he left London to attend
the king, who was about to set out for his coronation in
Scotland, and was sworn a privy-counsellor of that kingdom, June 15, and, on the 26th, came back to Fulham.
During his stay in Scotland he formed a resolution of
bringing that cnurch to a conformity with the church of
Englan I; but the king committed the framing of a liturgy
to a select number of Scottish bishops, who, inserting several variations from the English liturgy, were opposed
strenuously but unsuccessfully, by Laud. Having endeavoured to supplant Abbot, “whom,
” as Fuller observes
in his Church History, “he could not be contented to
succeed,
” upon his death in August this year,' he was
appointed his successor. That very morning, August 4,
there came one to him at Greenwich, with a serious offer
(and an avowed ability to perform it) of a cardinal’s hat;
which offer was repeated on the 17th; but his answer both
times was, “that somewhat dwelt within him which would
not suffer that till Home were other than it is.
” On Sept.
14 he was elected chancellor of the university of Dublin.
n could be more respected by his contemporaries. In Spence’s” Anecdotes" we are told that ViU liers, duke of Buckingham, brought him up to town, where he never did any
, an English dramatic poet, was the
son of Dr. Richard Lee, who had the living of Hatfield, in
Hertfordshire, where he died in 1684. He was bred at
Westminster-school under Dr. Busby, whence he removed
to Trinity-college, in Cambridge, and became scholar upon
that foundation in 1668. He proceeded B. A. the same
year; but, not succeeding to a fellowship, quitted the
university, and came to London, where be made an unsuccessful attempt to become an actor in 1672. The part
he performed was Duncan in sir William Davenant’s alteration of Macbeth. Cibber says that Lee “was so pathetic
a reader of his own scenes, that I have been informed by
an actor who was present, that while Lee was reading to
major Mohun at a rehearsal, Mohun, in the warmth of his
admiration, threw down his part, and said, Unless I were
able to play it as well as you read it, to what purpose,
should I undertake it! And yet (continues the laureat)
this very author, whose elocution raised such admiration
in so capital an actor, when he attempted to he an actor
himself, soon quitted the stage in an honest despair of ever
making any profitable figure there.
” Failing, therefore, in
this design, he had recourse to his pen for support; and
composed a tragedy, called “Nero Emperor of Rome,
”
in The Princess of
Cleve,
” in in 1690,
but, notwithstanding the profits arising from these performances, he was this year reduced to so low an ebb, that
a weekly stipend of ten shillings from the theatre royal was
his chief dependence. Nor was he so free from his
phrenzy as not to suffer some temporary relapses; and
perhaps his untimely end might be occasioned by one. He
died in 1691 or 1692, in consequence of a drunken frolic,
by night, in the street; and was interred in the parish of
Clement Danes, near Temple-Bar. He is the author of
eleven plays, all acted with applause, and printed as soon
as finished, with dedications of most of them to the earls of
Dorset, Mulgrave, Pembroke, the duchesses of Portsmouth and Richmond, as his patrons. Addison declares,
that among our modern English poets there was none better
turned for tragedy than Lee, if, instead of favouring his
impetuosity of genius, he had restrained and kept it within
proper bounds. His thoughts are wonderfully suited to
tragedy, but frequently lost in such a cloud of words, that
it is hard to see the beauty of them. There is infinite
fire in his works, but so involved in smoke, that it does
not appear in half its lustre. He frequently succeeds in
the passionate parts of the tragedy, but more particularly
where he slackens his efforts, and eases the style of those
epithets and metaphors with which he so much abounds.
His
” Rival Queens“and
” Theodosius“still keep possession of the stage. None ever felt the passion of love
pore truly; nor could any one describe it with more
tenderness; and for this reason he has been compared to Ovid
among the ancients, and to Otway among the moderns.
Dryden prefixed a copy of commendatory verses to the
” Rival Queens“and Lee joined with that laureat in
writing the tragedies of
” The duke of Guise“and
” CEdipus.“Notwithstanding Lee’s imprudence and eccentricities, no man could be more respected by his contemporaries. In Spence’s
” Anecdotes" we are told that ViU
liers, duke of Buckingham, brought him up to town, where
he never did any thing for him; and this is said to have
contributed to bring on insanity.
nd, during that time, was at the siege of Rochelle, and the expedition to the isle of Rhee, with the duke of Buckingham. He was all along conversant in courts, and at
, bishop of Cloghcr in Ireland, was descended from an ancient family, and born at Balquhaine, in the north of Scotland. The first part of his education was at Aberdeen, whence he removed to Oxford. Afterwards he travelled into Spain, Italy, Germany, and France: he spoke French, Spanish, and Italian, with the same propriety and fluency as the natives; and was so great a master of the Latin, that it was said of him, when in Spain, Solus Lcsleius Latine loquitur. He continued twenty-two years abroad; and, during that time, was at the siege of Rochelle, and the expedition to the isle of Rhee, with the duke of Buckingham. He was all along conversant in courts, and at home was happy in that of Charles I. who admitted him into his privy. council both in Scotland and Ireland; in which stations he was continued by Charles II. after the restoration. His chief preferment in the church of Scotland was the bishopric of the Orkneys, whence he was translated to Raphoe in Ireland, in 1633; and, the same year, sworn a privy-counsellor in that kingdom. He built a stately palace in his diocese, in the form and strength of a castle, one of the finest episcopal palaces in Ireland, and proved to be useful afterwards in the rebellion of 1641, by preserving a good part of that country. The good bishop exerted himself, as much as he could, in defence of the royal cause, and endured a siege in his castle of Raphoe, before he would surrender it to Oliver Cromwell, being the last which held out in that country. He then retired to Dublin, where he always used the liturgy of the church of Ireland in his family, and even had frequent confirmations and ordinations. After the restoration, he came over to England; and, in 1661, was translated to the see of Clogher. He died in 1671, aged above 100 3'ears, having been above 50 years a bishop; and was then consequently the oldest bishop in the world.
e petition of right to the house of lords. He had also the management of the charge made against the duke of Buckingham, concerning king James’s death; on which occasion
, lord keeper of the great seal of England in the reign of Charles I. was descended, by a collateral branch, from the preceding judge Littleton, being grandson of John Littleton, parson of Mouuslow in Shropshire, and son of sir Edward Littleton of Henley in that county, one of the justices of the inarches, and judge of North Wales. He was born in 1589, and admitted a gentleman commoner of Christchurch, Oxford, in 1606, where he took the degree of bachelor of arts in 1609. Some time after, being designed for the law by his father, he removed to the InnerTemple, and soon became eminent in his profession. In 1628, we find him in parliament; and on the 6th of May he was appointed, together with sir Edward Coke and sir Dudley Digges, to carry up the petition of right to the house of lords. He had also the management of the charge made against the duke of Buckingham, concerning king James’s death; on which occasion he behaved himself with universal applause, although he had to consult both the jealousy of the people and the honour of the court. His first preferment in the law was the appointment to succeed his father as a Welch judge; after which he was elected recorder of London, and about the same time counsel for the university of Oxford. In 1632, he was chosen summer-reader of the Inner-Temple, and in 1634, appointed solicitor-general, and received the honour of knighthood in 1635. In 1639, he was constituted lord chief-justice of the common-pleas; and, in 1640, on the flight of lord-keeper Finch from the resentment of the parliament, the great seal was put into his custody, with the same title. In February following, he was created a peer of England, by the title of lord Littleton, baron of Mounslow in Shropshire.
his acquaintance with this nobleman, he was introduced to some persons of eminence, such as Villiers duke of Buckingham, lord Halifax, and other noblemen of wit and parts,
After this cure, his lordship, by frequent conversations,
discovered qualities in Locke, which made him regard his
medical skill as the least of his merits; and foreseeing the
bent of his talents, advised him to apply himself to the
study of political and religious topics, on which his lordship seems often to have consulted him. By his acquaintance with this nobleman, he was introduced to some persons of eminence, such as Villiers duke of Buckingham,
lord Halifax, and other noblemen of wit and parts, who
were all charmed with his conversation, and more so, it
appears, than he was sometimes with theirs. One day,
three or four of these lords having met at lord Ashley’s
when Mr. Locke was there, after some compliments, cards
were brought in, before scarce any conversation had passed
between them. Mr. Locke looked upon them for some
time while they were at play, and taking his pocket book
began to write with great attention. One of the lords
asked him what he was writing: “My lord,
” said he, “I
am endeavouring to profit as far as I am able, in your company; for having waited with impatience for the honour of
being in an assembly of the greatest geniuses of this age,
and at last having obtained the good fortune, I thought I
could not do better than write down your conversation;
and indeed I have set down the substance of what has
been said for this hour or two.
” This rebuke appears to
have been taken in good part; the company quitted their
play, and passed the rest of their time in a. manner more
suitable to the rational character.
sold by N. Ponder in Chancery-lane,” 1672,“in 8vo. The title of this piece is taken in part from the duke of Buckingham’s comedy, called” The Rehearsal;“and, as Dryden
The first attack he made with his pen was in 1672, upon
Dr. Parker, a man of parts and learning, but a furious
partizan, and virulent writer on the side of arbitrary government, who at this time published “Bishop Bramhall’s
Vindication of himself, and the rest of the episcopal clergy,
from the presbyterian charge of popery, &c.
” to which he
added a preface of his own. This preface Marvell attacked,
in a piece called “The Rehearsal transprosed; or, animadversions on a late book, intituled, A preface, shewing
what grounds there are of fears and jealousies of Popery, the
second impression, with additions and amendments. London, printed by J. D. for the assigns of John Calvin and
Theodore Beza, at the sign of the king’s indulgence, on
the south side of the Lake Leman; and sold by N. Ponder
in Chancery-lane,
” in 8vo. The title of this piece
is taken in part from the duke of Buckingham’s comedy,
called
” The Rehearsal;“and, as Dryden is ridiculed in
that play under the name of Bayes, Marvell borrowed the
same name for Parker, whom he exposed with much
strength of argument, and force of humour. Parker answered Marvell in a letter entitled
” A Reproof to the Rehearsal transprosed;“to which Marvell replied in,
” The
Rehearsal transprosed, the second part. Occasioned by
two letters: the first printed by a nameless author, entitled A Reproof, &c. the second left for me at a friend’s
house, dated Nov. 3, 1673, subscribed J. G. and concluding
with these words: If thou darest to print any lie or libel
against Dr. Parker, by the eternal God I will cut thy throat.
Answered by Andrew Marvell,“Lond. 1673, 8vo. Marveil
did not confine himself in these pieces to Parker’s principles, as they appear in the
” Preface and the Reproof;“but he exposed and confuted likewise various opinions
which the doctor had advanced in his
” Ecclesiastical Polity,“published in 1670, and in his
” Defence“of it in
167 1. Parker made no reply to Marvell’s last piece:
” He
judged it more prudent,“says Wood,
” to lay down the
cudgels, than to enter the lists again with an untowardly
combatant, so hugely well versed and experienced in the
then but newly refined art, though much in mode and
fashion almost ever since, of sporting and buffoonery. It
was generally thought, however, by many of those who
were otherwise favourers of Parker’s cause, that the victory lay on Marvell’s side; and it wrought this good effect
on Parker, that for ever after it took down his high spirit.“Burnet, speaking of Parker, says that,
” after he had for
some years entertained the nation with several virulent
books, he was attacked by the liveliest droll of the age,
who wrote in a burlesque strain; but with so peculiar and
entertaining a conduct, that from the king down to the
tradesman, his books were read with great pleasure. That
not only humbled Parker, but the whole party; for the
author of the Rehearsal transprosed had all the men of wit
on his side.“Swift likewise, speaking of the usual fate of
common answerers to books, and how short-lived their
labours are, adds, that
” there is indeed an exception,
when any great genius thinks it worth his while to expose
a foolish piece: so we still read MarvelPs answer to Parker with pleasure, though the book it answers be sunk long
ago." Several other writers fell with great fury and violence upon Marvell; but Parker being considered as the
principal, Marvell took but slight notice of the others.
ion, says Mr. Lodge, remains on his memory, except the alienation of York house in the Strand to the duke of Buckingham, for which he is said to have accepted lauds in
Archbishop Matthew appears to have been a man of great wit (including perhaps the punning rage of the time), of a sweet disposition, very bountiful and learned, and as a divine, most exemplarily conscientious and indefatigable both in preaching, and other duties. Preferment never once induced him to desist from preaching, and there was scarcely a pulpit in the dioceses of Durham or York, in which he had not appeared. No imputation, says Mr. Lodge, remains on his memory, except the alienation of York house in the Strand to the duke of Buckingham, for which he is said to have accepted lauds in Yorkshire of inferior value.
d on the continent about twelve years. When in France he became acquainted with Villiers, afterwards duke of Buckingham, who, when he came into favour with king James,
In 1606 he returned to London, and wrote to sir Francis Bacon, a kinsman, friend, and servant of secretary
Cecil, desiring him to acquaint the secretary of his conversion, and to assure him at the same time of his loyalty
to the king. This intelligence, he tells us, was graciouslyaccepted by the secretary, and no harm threatened him
from that quarter. He then waited on archbishop Bancroft, to make his apology for changing his religion, and
to request his grace’s interference with his friends. The
archbishop received him courteously, but blamed him for
so sudden a change without hearing both sides, and appointed certain days when he should come to Lambeth and
canvass the matter. Several interviews accordingly took
place, in all which Mr. Matthew would have us believe he
held the better argument. At length the archbishop, by
the king’s order, tendered him the oath of allegiance; and,
upon Matthew’s refusal, committed him to the Fleet prison. Here he remained six months, visited by several
people of rank: bishop Morton, sir Maurice Berkeley, sir
Edwin Sandys, sir Henry Goodyear, &c. &c. Some of
these endeavoured to argue with him, but, according to
his own account, he was able to answer them. The plague
raging in London, his friend sir Francis Bacon procured
him a temporary release; and some time after he was
finally released, on condition of going abroad, and not returning without the king’s leave. Such is his own account.
Mr. Lodge adds another circumstance, that he was a member of parliament, and that the House of Commons silentlyacquiesced in a precedent (his banishment) so dangerous to
their privileges. Be this as it may, he went abroad, and
remained on the continent about twelve years. When in
France he became acquainted with Villiers, afterwards duke
of Buckingham, who, when he came into favour with king
James, obtained leave for Mr. Matthew to return to England, which he did in 1617; and in 1622, by the king’s
command, followed prince Charles into Spain. On their
return, he was received into full favpur with the king, who,
he adds, “managed his parents also to forgive him, and
to take proper notice of him. They rather chose,
” he says,
“to attack me with sighs and short wishes, and by putting
now and then some books into my hands, rather than by
long discourses.
” Yet these efforts of paternal affection
appear to have had no effect on him.
Algiers, and was against the expedition; notwithstanding which, it was rashly undertaken by Villiers duke of Buckingham. He was also against two other undertakings, as
Notwithstanding his long and faithful services, he had
the misfortune to fall into disgrace; and, through the resentment of some powerful courtiers, was imprisoned in
the Tower in 1616: but, after having been examined by
the chief justice Coke and secretary Winwood, he was discharged. He wrote a vindication of his conduct, entitled
“Concerning the insolences of the Dutch, and a Justification of sir William Monson
” and directed it to the lord
chancellor Ellesmere, and sir Francis Bacon, attorneygeneral and counsellor. His zeal against the Dutch, and
his promoting an inquiry into the state of the navy, contrary to the inclination of the earl of Nottingham, then lord
high admiral, seems to have been the occasion of his troubles. He had also the misfortune to bring upon himself a
general and popular odium, in retaking lady Arabella
Steuart, after her escape out of England in June 1611,
though it was acting agreeably to his orders and duty. This
lady was confined to the Tower for her marriage with William Seymour, esq. as was pretended; but the true cause
of her confinement was, her being too high allied, and
having a title or claim to the crown of England. Sir William, however, soon recovered his credit at court: for, in
1617, he was called before the privy council, to give his
opinion, how the pirates of Algiers might be suppressed,
and the town attacked. He shewed the impossibility of
taking Algiers, and was against the expedition; notwithstanding which, it was rashly undertaken by Villiers duke
of Buckingham. He was also against two other undertakings, as ill-managed, in 1625 and 162$, namely, the expeditions to Cadiz and the isle of Rhee. He was not employed in these actions, because he objected to the minister’s measures; but, in 1635, it being found necessary to
equip a large fleet, in order to break a confederacy that
was forming between the French and the Dutch, he was
appointed vice-admiral in that armament, and performed
liis duty with great honour and bravery. After that he
was employed no more, but spent the remainder of his
days in peace and privacy, at ins seat at Kinnersley in
Surrey, where he digested and finished his “Naval Tracts,
”
published in Churchill’s “Collection of Voyages.
” He
died there, Feb.
ertain that for this or some other reason he was soon released from prison, and given in ward to the duke of Buckingham, then a warm partizan of Richard, but completely
On this account, however, he was considered in no very
favourable light by the protector, afterwards Richard III.
who had no hopes of alluring him to his interests. When
bishop Morton and others were assembled in the Tower on
June 13, 1483, to consult about the coronation of Edward V. the protector came among them, and after some
general discourse turned to the bishop of Ely, and said,
“My lord, you have very good strawberries in your garden
at Holborn, I require you let me have a mess of them.
”
“Gladly, my lord,
” the bishop answered; “I wish I had
some better thing as ready to your pleasure as that.
” Yet,
notwithstanding this apparent civility, Morton, with archbishop Rotheram, lord Stanley, and others, were the same
day taken into custody, as known enemies to the measures
then in agitation. As soon as this was known, the university of Oxford, to which Morton had been a benefactor,
sent a petition in Latin to Richard, pleading for his liberty;
whether with effect does not appear; but it is certain that
for this or some other reason he was soon released from
prison, and given in ward to the duke of Buckingham, then
a warm partizan of Richard, but completely brought over
to the other side by conversation with the bishop. He was
sent to th.e duke’s castle at Brecknock, whence he escaped
to the isle of Ely, and soon after, disguising himself, went
to the Continent to Henry earl of Richmond; and it was
agreed among the friends of the late king’s family and the
well-wishers to the peace and harmony of the kingdom,
that king Edward’s eldest daughter, Elizabeth, should be
pnited to Henry by marriage; and thus, by joining the interests of the white and red rose in one, a coalition might
be formed between the jarring parties of York and Lancaster. All this is said to have been the plan recommended
by Morton, and he lived to see it happily accomplished.
It is indeed that transactiou of his life which gives him a
very honourable place in English history. Horace Walpole
only, in his “Historic Doubts,
” has obliquely accused him.
of violating his allegiance to Richard III.; but to Richard
III. no allegiance was either due, or paid. As Morton
was imprisoned before Richard was crowned, and never set
at liberty until he made his escape, it seems highly probable that no oath of allegiance was ever tendered to him.
by the usurper.
, was displeased with the parliament’s proceedings against our author and bishop Laud applied to the duke of Buckingham in his favour Mr. Mountagu also wrote a letter
The controversy, however, was not to be left to divines,
who may be supposed judges of the subject. The parliament which met June 18, 1625, thought proper to take up
the subject, and Mr. Mountagu was ordered to appear
before the House of Commons, and being brought to the
bar July 17, the speaker told him, that it was the pleasure
of the House, that the censure of his books hould be postponed for some time; but that in the interim he should be
committed to the custody of the serjeant at arms. He was
afterwards obliged to give the security of 2000l. for his
appearance. The king, however, was displeased with the
parliament’s proceedings against our author and bishop
Laud applied to the duke of Buckingham in his favour
Mr. Mountagu also wrote a letter to that duke, entreating
him to represent his case to his majesty; and this application was seconded some few days after by a letter of the
bishops of Oxford, Rochester, and St. David’s, to the duke.
In the next parliament, in 1626, our author’s Appello Ca3sarem“was referred to the consideration of the committee
for religion, from whom Mr. Pym brought a report on the
18th of April concerning several erroneous opinions contained in it. Upon this it was resolved by the House of
Commons, 1.
” That Mr. Mountagu had disturbed the
peace of the church, by publishing doctrines, contrary to
the articles of the church of England, and the book of
homilies. 2. That there are clivers passages in his book,
especially against those he calleth puritans, apt to move
sedition betwixt the king and his subjects, and between
subject and subject. 3. That the whole frame and scope
of his books is to discourage the well-affected in religion
from the true religion established in the church, and to
incline them, and, as much as in him lay, to reconcile them
to popery." And accordingly articles were exhibited
against him; but it does not appear, that this impeachment was laid before the House of Lords, or in what manner the Commons intended to prosecute their charge, or
how far they proceeded. Rush worth, after much inquiry,
could not find that Mr. Mountagu was brought to his defence, or that he returned any answer to the articles.
and being soon accounted one of the best masters in the profession, he was selected to dance in the duke of Buckingham’s great masque; in which, by an unlucky step in
, a very industrious adventurer in literary speculations, was born in or near Edinburgh in November 1600. He was of an ancient family in that country; but his father, having spent the estate, became a prisoner in the King’s Bench, and could give his son but little education. The youth, however, being very industrious, acquired some little knowledge of Latin grammar; and afterwards got so much money, as not only to release his father from the gaol, but also to bind himself apprentice to one Draper, a dancing-master in London. He had not been long under this master before he made himself perfect in the art, and by his obliging behaviour to the scholars, acquired money enough from them to buy out the remainder of his time. He now began teaching on his own account, and being soon accounted one of the best masters in the profession, he was selected to dance in the duke of Buckingham’s great masque; in which, by an unlucky step in high capering, the mode of that time, he hurt the inside of his leg, which occasioned some degree of lameness, but did not prevent his teaching. Among others, he taught the sisters of sir Ralph, afterwards lord Hopton, at Wytham in Somersetshire and at leisure hours he learned of that accomplished knight how to handle the pike and musket. In 1633, when Wentworth earl of Stafford became lord deputy of Ireland, he took him into his family to teach his children; and Ogilby, writing an excellent hand, was frequently employed by the earl to transcribe papers for him.
with an admirable edition of “Surrey’s Poems,” and also with a good edition of the Works of Villiers duke of Buckingham; both which, from a variety of causes, remained
, a late learned prelate, a descendant
of the ancient earls of Northumberland, was born at
Bridgenorth in Shropshire, in 1728, and educated at Christ
church, Oxford. In July 1753 he took the degree of M.A.;
and in 1756 he was presented by that college to the vicarage of Easton Mauduit, in Northamptonshire, which he
held with the rectory of Wilbye, in the same county, given
him by the earl of Sussex. In 1761 he began his literary
career, by publishing “Han Kiou Chouan,
” a translation
from the Chinese; which was followed, in 1762, by a collection of “Chinese Miscellanies,
” and in Five
Pieces of Runic Poetry,
” translated from the Icelandic language. In Song
of Solomon,
” with a commentary and annotations. The
year following he published the “Reliques of Antient
English Poetry,
” a work which constitutes an aera in the
history of English literature in the eighteenth century.
Perhaps the perusal of a folio volume of ancient manuscripts
given to the bishop by a friend, in early life (from which he afterwards made large extracts in the “Reliques,
”) led
his mind to those studies in which he so eminently distinguished himself. It appears likewise that Shenstone encouraged him in publishing the “Reliques.
” The same
year he published “A Key to the New Testament,
” a concise manual for Students of Sacred Literature, which has
been adopted in the universities, and often reprinted. After
the publication of the “Reliques,
” he was invited by the
late duke and duchess of Northumberland to reside with
them as their domestic chaplain. In 1769 he published
“A Sermon preached before the Sons of the Clergy at St.
Paul’s.
” In The Northumberland
Household Book
” through the press; the same year he
published “The Hermit of Wark worth,
”' and a translation
of Mallet’s “Northern Antiquities,
” with notes. A second
edition of the “Reliques of Ancient Poetry
” was published
in Don
Quixote.
” In Select Collection of
Miscellany Poems.
” When elevated to the mitre, Mr.
Nichols was also under further obligations in the “History
of Hinckley,
” Surrey’s Poems,
” and also
with a good edition of the Works of Villiers duke of Buckingham; both which, from a variety of causes, remained
many years unfinished in the warehouse of Mr. Tonson in
the Savoy; but were resumed in 1795, and nearly brought
to a conclusion, when the whole impression of both works
was unfortunately consumed by the fire in Red Lion
Passage in 1808. His lordship died at his episcopal palace,
Dromore, on Sept. 30, 1811, in his eighty-third year. So
much of his life had passed in the literary world, strictly
so called, that authentic memoirs of his life would form an
interesting addition to our literary history, but nothing has
yet appeared from the parties most able to contribute such
information. The preceding particulars we believe to be
correct, as far as they go, but we cannot offer them as satisfactory.
ay, however, rather slowly into the world but when the author had sent copies to Lord Lansdowne, the Duke of Buckingham, and other great men, it began to be called for.
How early Pope began to write cannot be ascertained
some think the “Ode to Solitude,
” written at twelve years
of age, was his earliest production but Dodsley, who lived
in intimacy with him, had seen pieces of a still earlier date.
I At fourteen, he employed himself in some of those transis lations and imitations which appear in the first volume of
his works and still zealous in the prosecution of his poetical studies, he appears at this time ambitious to exhibit
specimens of every kind of poetry. He wrote a comedy,
a tragedy, and an epic poem, with panegyrics on all the
princes of Europe; and, as he confesses, “thought himself
the greatest genius that ever was.
” Most, however, of these
puerile productions he afterwards destroyed. At sixteen
he wrote his “Pastorals,
” which laid the foundation of lasting hostility between Philips and himself, but were the
means of introducing him to the acquaintance and friendship of Sir William Trumbull, who had formerly been much,
in public life, as a statesman, and was then retired within
a short distance of Binfield. TrwnbuH, who was pleased to
find in his neighbourhood a youth of such abilities and taste
as young Pope, circulated his “Pastorals
” among his
friends, and introduced him to Wycherley and Walsh, and
the wits of that time. They were not however published
until 1709, and then only in Tonsori’s Miscellany. Of
their poetical merit, it seems now agreed that their chief
excellence lies in correctness and melody of versification,
and that the discourse prefixed to them, although much of
it is borrowed from Rapin and other authors, is elegantly
and elaborately written. From this time the life of Pope,
as an author, may be computed, and having now declared
himself a candidate for fame, and entitled to mix with his
brethren, he began at the age of seventeen to frequent
the places where they used to assemble. This was done
without much interruption to his studies, his own account
of which was, that from fourteen to twenty he read only
for amusement, from twenty to twenty-seven for improvement and instruction that in the first part of his time he
desired only to know, and in the second he endeavoured
to judge. His next performance greatly increased his reputation this was the “Essay on Criticism,
” written in
such extent of comprehension,
such nicety of distinction, such acquaintance with mankind,
and such knowledge both of ancient and modern learning,
as are not often attained hy the maturest age and longest
experience.
” It found its way, however, rather slowly
into the world but when the author had sent copies to Lord
Lansdowne, the Duke of Buckingham, and other great
men, it began to be called for. It was in this “Essay
” he
made his attack on Dennis, which provoked those hostilities
between them that never were completely appeased. Dennis’s reply was sufficiently coarse, but he appears to have
been the first who discovered that leading characteristic of
Pope, his propensity to talk too frequently of his own virtues, and that sometimes when they were least visible' to
others.
ney he partly laid out in annuities, particularly one of 200l. a year, or as some say 500l. from the Duke of Buckingham, and partly in the purchase of a house at Twickenham,
Having amply established his fame by so many excellent,
and by two incomparable, poems, the “Rape of the J-oc]t
”
and the “Eloisa,
” he now meditated what Warton, somewhat incautiously, calls “a higher effort,
” his translation of
Homer. A higher effort it certainly was not than the poems
just mentioned, but we may allow it was “something that
might improve and advance his fortune as well as his fame.
”
A clamour was raised at the time that he had uot sufficient
learning for such an undertaking and Dr. Johnson says,
that considering his irregular education, and course of
life, it is not very likely that he overflowed with Greek
but this, it is known, he supplied by the aid of his friends,
or by scholars employed, of whom he had no personal knowledge, as the celebrated Dr. Jortin, who, when a soph at
Cambridge, made extracts from Eustathius for his notes.
This translation Pope proposed to publish by subscription,
in six vols. 4to. at the price of six guineas, and his list of
subscribers soon amounted to 575, who engaged for 654
copies. The greatness of the design, and popularity of the
author, and the attention of the literary world, naturally
raised such expectations of the future sale, that the booksellers made their, offers with great eagerness but the
hi-ghest bidder was Bernard Lintot, who became proprietor,
on condition of supplying, at his own expence, all the
copies which were to be delivered to subseribeYs, 4or
pre,sentecl to friends, and paying 200l. for every volume, so that Pope obtained, on the whole, the sum of 5S20J. 4s. Thk
money he partly laid out in annuities, particularly one of
200l. a year, or as some say 500l. from the Duke of Buckingham, and partly in the purchase of a house at Twickenham, to which he now removed, having persuaded his
father to sell his little property at Binfield.
ore the king when at Hinchingbrook. The court that day, a Tuesday, was very thin, the prince and the duke of Buckingham being both absent. After dinner, which Mr. Preston
Mr. Preston’s part in this singular disputation might
have led to favour at court, if he had been desirous of it
and sir Futk Greville, afterwards lord Brook, was so pleased
with his performance that he settled 50l. per ann. upon
him, and was his friend ever after; but he was now
seriously intent on the office of a preacher of the gospel, and
having studied Calvin, and adopted his religious opinions,
he became suspected of puritanism, which was then much
discouraged at court. In the mean time his reputation for
learning induced many persons of eminence to place their
sons under his tuition and Fuller tells us, he was “the
greatest pupil- monger ever known in England, having sixteen fellow-commons admitted into Queen’s college in one
year,
” while he continued himself so assiduous in his
studies as considerably to impair his health. When it
came to his turn to be dean and catechistof his college, he
began such a course of divinity -lectures as might direct the
juniors in that study; and these being of the popular kind,
were so much frequented, not only by the members of
other colleges, but by the townsmen, that a complaint was
at length made to the vice-chancellor, and an order given
that no townsmen or scholars of other colleges should be
permitted to attend. His character for puritanism seems
now to have been generally established, and he was
brought into trouble by preaching at St. Botolph’s church,
although prohibited by Dr. Newcomb, commissary to the
chancellor of Ely, who informed the bishop and the king,
then at Newmarket, of this irregularity. On the part of
Newcomb, this appears to have been the consequence of
a private pique; but whatever might be his motive, the
matter came to be heard at court, and the issue was, that
Mr. Preston was desired to give his sentiments on the 1U
turgy at St. Botolph’s church by way of recantation. He
accordingly handled the subject in such a manner as
cleared himself from any suspicion of disliking the forms of
the liturgy, and soon after it came to his turn to preach
before the king when at Hinchingbrook. The court that
day, a Tuesday, was very thin, the prince and the duke
of Buckingham being both absent. After dinner, which
Mr. Preston had the honour of partaking at his majesty’s
table, he was so much complimented by the king, that
when he retired, the marquis of Hamilton recommended
him to his majesty to be one of his chaplains, as a man
“who had substance and matter in him.
” The king assented to this, but remembering his late conduct at Cambridge, declined giving him the appointment.
Such, however, was Mr. Preston’s weight at this time that it was recommended to the duke of Buckingham by all means to patronize him, and thus do an
Such, however, was Mr. Preston’s weight at this time that it was recommended to the duke of Buckingham by all means to patronize him, and thus do an act highly acceptable to the puritans who might prove his grace’s friends, in case his other friends should fail. The duke accordingly applied in his behalf to the king, who still demurred, but at last fancied that his favours to Preston might have a different effect from what the duke meditated. The duke wished to court him, as the head of a party; the king thought that by giving him preferment, he should detach him from that party. In this conflict of motives, it occurred to some of Mr. Preston’s friends that it would be preferable to appoint him chaplain to the prince (afterwards Charles I.), who now was grown up and had a household. Sir Ralph Freeman, a relation of Mr. Preston’s, suggested this to the duke, who immediately sent for the latter, and receiving him with such a serious air as he thought would be acceptable, told him that the prince and himself having the misfortune to be absent when he preached, would be obliged to him for a copy of his sermon, and entreated him to believe that he would be always ready to serve him to the best and utmost of his power. The sermon was accordingly written out in a fair hand, and presented, and the preacher having been introduced to the prince, was formally admitted one of his six chaplains in ordinary.
ceed him, who was “a good man, and yet a courtier, the prince’s chaplain, and very gracious with the duke of Buckingham.” Two obstacles presented themselves to this design;
About the time that Mr. Preston was thus honoured, Dr.
Dunn, the preacher of Lincoln’s-inn, died, and the place
was offered to our author, and accepted by him, as he
could now “have an opportunity of exercising his ministry
to a considerable and intelligent congregation, where, he
was assured, many parliament men, and others of his best
acquaintance, would be his hearers, and where in term-time
he should be well accommodated.
” His usual popularity
followed him here, yet he was not so much reconciled to
the situation as he would have been to a similar one at
Cambridge. There he would have students for his hearers
who would propagate the gospel, which he thought the
lawyers were not likely to do; and his Cambridge friends
seemed to be of the same opinion, and wished him again
among them. To promote this object, some of the fellows
of Emanuel college endeavoured to prevail upon their
master, Dr. Chaderton, who was old, and “had outlived
many of those great relations which he had before,
” to
resign, in which case they hoped to procure Mr. Preston
to succeed him, who was “a good man, and yet a courtier, the prince’s chaplain, and very gracious with the
duke of Buckingham.
” Two obstacles presented themselves to this design; the one Dr. Chaderton’s unwillingness to be laid aside without some provision for his old
age; and the second, their dread lest some person might
procure a mandate to succeed who was disagreeable to
them, and might be injurious to the interests of the college that had flourished under Dr. Chaderton’s management. This last apprehension they represented to him in
such a manner that, after some hesitation, he entered
into their views, and desired that Mr. Preston might employ his interest with his court-friends to prevent any
mandate being granted, and likewise to secure some provision for himself. Accordingly by a letter from the duke
of Buckingham addressed to Dr. Chaderton, dated Sept.
20, 1622, we find that both these objects were attained,
and Mr. Preston admitted master of Kmanuel before the
news had transpired of his predecessor’s resignation.
When his promotion became known, it affected the two
parties into which the kingdom was then divided according
to their different views. The puritans were glad that
“honest men were not abhorred as they had been at court,
”
and the courtiers thought him now in a fair way of being
their own. All considered him as a rising man, and respected him accordingly, and the benchers of Lincoln’sInn, whose preacher he still continued, took some credit
to themselves for having been the first who expressed their
good opinion of him. Such indeed was his consequence,
that even the college statutes, which seemed an insuperable objection to his holding both places, were so interpreted by the fellows as to admit of his repairing to London at the usual periods. He now took his degree of D. D.
The object of the courtiers, we have already observed,
was to detach Dr. Preston from the puritans, of which he
was considered as the head. They were therefore much
alarmed on hearing that he had been offered the lectureship of Trinity-church Cambridge, which was in future to
be dreaded as the head-quarters of puritanism. So much
was it an object to prevent this, that the matter was seriously debated not only by the duke of Buckingham, but
by the king himself; but here again their private views
clashed. The duke, although he endeavoured to dissuade
Dr. Preston from accepting this lectureship, and offered
him the bishopric of Gloucester, then vacant, in its stead,
would not otherwise exert himself against the doctor.
because he would not lose him while the king, having no
other object than wholly to detach him from the puritans,
sent his secretary to inform him that if he would give up
this lectureship, any preferment whatever was at his service. Dr. Preston, however, whose object, as his biographer says, “was to do good, and not to get good,
” persisted, and: was appointed lecturer, and the king could not
conceal his displeasure that Buckingham still sided with
him.
as chaplain, when king James died, and on this melancholy occasion had many interviews both with the duke of Buckingham, and the prince; and as soon as the event was
Dr. Preston happened to be at Theobalds, in attendance
as chaplain, when king James died, and on this melancholy
occasion had many interviews both with the duke of Buckingham, and the prince; and as soon as the event was announced, went to London in the same coach with his new
sovereign and the duke, and appeared to be in high favour;
but the duke was ultimately disappointed in his hopes of
support from Dr. Preston and his friends. In a public conference Dr. Preston disputed against the Arminian doctrines
in a manner too decided to be mistaken; and when on this
account he found his influence at court abate, he repaired
to his college, until finding his end approaching, he removed to Preston, near Heyford in his native county,
where he died in July 1628, in the forty-first year of his
age. His remains were deposited in Fausley church.
Fuller, who has classed him among the learned writers of
Queen’s college, says, “he was all judgment and gravity,
and the perfect master of his passions, an excellent preacher,
a celebrated disputant, and a perfect politician.
” Echard
styles him “the most celebrated of the puritans,
” and
copies the latter part of what Fuller had said. He wrote
various pious tracts, all of which, with his Sermons, were
published after his death. The most noted of these works
is his “Treatise on the Covenant,
”
and of his successor. In 1626 he was one of the managers of the articles of impeachment against the duke of Buckingham, and in 1628 brought into the House of Commons
, a noted republican in the time of Charles I. was descended of a good family in Somersetshire, and born in 1584. In his fifteenth year he entered as a gentleman-commoner of Broadgate’s-hall, now Pembroke-college, Oxford, where he had for his tutor Degory Wheare, but appears to have left the university without taking a degree, and, as Wood supposes, went to one of the inns of court. He appears, indeed, to have been intended for public business, as he was very early placed as a clerk in the office of the exchequer. He was likewise not far advanced when he was elected member of parliament for Tavistock, in the reign of James I. He uniformly distinguished himself by his opposition to the measures of the court, both in the reign of that king and of his successor. In 1626 he was one of the managers of the articles of impeachment against the duke of Buckingham, and in 1628 brought into the House of Commons a. charge against Dr. Main waring, who held some doctrines which he conceived to be equally injurious to the king and the kingdom. He was likewise a great opponent of Arnainianism, being himself attached to Calvinistic principles. In 1639, he, with several other cominoners and lords, held a very close correspondence with the commissioners sent to London by the Scotch covenanters; and in the parliament which met April 13, 1640, was one of the most active and leading members. On the meeting of the next, which is called the Long Parliament, he made an elaborate speech concerning the grievances of the nation, and impeached the earl of Strafford of high treason, at whose trial he was one of the managers of the House of Commons. His uncommon violence led the king to the unhappy measure of coming to the parliament in person, to seize him and four other members. Pym, however, continued firm to the interests of the parliament, but thought it necessary, some time before his death, to draw up a vindication of his conduct, which leaves it doubtful what part he would have taken, had he lived to see the serious consequences of his early violence. In Nov. 1643, he was appointed lieutenant of the ordnance, and probably would have risen to greater distinction, but he died at Derby-house, Dec. 8 following, and was interred with great solemnity in Westminster- abbey. He left several children by his lady, who died in 1620, and is said to have been a woman of rare accomplishments and learning. Many of his speeches were printed separately, and are inserted in the annals and histories of the times.
ans Osman, Mustapha, and Amurath IV. In his passage to Constantinople, he wrote a letter to Villiers duke of Buckingham, then lord high admiral, complaining of the great
In 1620, he was elected a burgess for Cirencester in
Gloucestershire; and, the year following, sent ambassador
to the grand stignor; in which station he continued under
the sultans Osman, Mustapha, and Amurath IV. In his
passage to Constantinople, he wrote a letter to Villiers
duke of Buckingham, then lord high admiral, complaining
of the great increase of pirates in the Mediterranean sea;
and, during his embassy, sent “A true and faithful relation to his majesty and the prince of what hath lately happened in Constantinople, concerning the death of sultan
Osman, and the setting up of Mustapha his uncle,
” which
was printed at London in The
Negotiations of Sir Thomas Roe, in his Embassy to the
Ottoman Porte, from the year 1621 to 1628 inclusive; containing a great variety of curious and important matters,
relating not only to the affairs of the Turkish empire, but
also to those of the other states of Europe in that period:
his correspondences with the most illustrious persons, for
dignity or character, as, with the queen of Bohemia, Bethlem Gabor prince of Transylvania, and other potentates of
different nations, &c. and many useful and instructive particulars, as well in relation to trade and commerce as to
subjects of literature; as, ancient manuscripts, coins, inscriptions, and other antiquities,
” folio.
years, an astonishing instance both of art and labour. It was at this period he became known to the duke of Buckingham, who was then on a tour with prince Charles. He
In 1620 he received a commission from Mary de Medici, to adorn the gallery of the palace of the Luxembourg, for which he executed a vvellfknown series of paintings, exhibiting the principal events of the life of that princess. The whole were completed in three years, an astonishing instance both of art and labour. It was at this period he became known to the duke of Buckingham, who was then on a tour with prince Charles. He afterwards became the purchaser of Rubens’s rich museum of works of art, for which he is said to have given 10,000l. sterling.
on Brydges thinks there is some reason to doubt this, as Sackville’s “Induction,” and “Legend of the duke of Buckingham,” did not appear appended to that work till the
Sackville is said by Warton to have been the inventor
and principal contributor to that celebrated collection of
historical legends* entitled “The Mirror for Magistrates,
”
first edited in Induction,
” and “Legend of the duke of
Buckingham,
” did not appear appended to that work till
the second edition in 1563. The reader, however, has
now an opportunity of examining the evidence on this
point in the very accurate and splendid edition of this work
just published by Joseph Haslewood, esq. It is allowed
that Sackville' s share exceeds in dignity and genius all the
other contributions to the work. The “Induction
” contains some of the finest strains of English poetry, and some
of the most magnificent personifications of abstract ideas in
our language; exceeding Spenser in dignity, and not short
of h^m in brilliance; and the “Complaint of Henry duke
6f Buckingham
” is written, says Warton, with a force and
even elegance of expression, a copiousness of phraseology,
and an exactness of versification, not to be found in any
other part of the collection. 1
hat the court tasted his ‘ Hudibras:’ Wycherley, that the town liked his ‘Plain Dealer; and the late duke of Buckingham deferred to publish his * Rehearsal’ till he was
Lord Dorset wrote several little poems, which, however,
are not numerous enough to make a volume of themselves,
but are included in Johnson’s collection of the “English
Poets.
” He was a great patron of poets and men of wit,
who have not failed in their turn to transmit his with lustre
to posterity. Prior, Dryden, Congreve, Addisou, and many
more, have all exerted themselves in their several paiu-gyrics upon this patron; Prior more particularly, whose exquisitely-wrought character of him, in the dedication of
his poe.ns to his son, the first duke of Dorset, is to this
day admired as a master-piece. He says, “The brightness
of his parts, the solidity of his judgment, and the candour,
and generosity of his temper, distinguished him in an age
of great politeness, and at a court abounding with men of
the finest sense and learning. The most eminent masters
in their several ways appealed to his determination: Waller thought it an honour to consult him in the softness and
harmony of his verse and Dr. Sprat, in the delicacy and
turn of his prose Dryden determines by him, under the
character of Eugenius, as to the laws of dramatic poetry
Butler owed it to him, that the court tasted his ‘ Hudibras:’
Wycherley, that the town liked his ‘Plain Dealer; and
the late duke of Buckingham deferred to publish his * Rehearsal’ till he was sure, as he expressed it, that my lord
Dorset would not rehearse upon him again. If we wanted
foreign testimdny, La Fontaine and St. Evremond have
acknowledged that he was a perfect master of the beauty
and fineness of their language, and of all they call * les
belles lettres.' Nor was this nicety of his judgment confined only to books and literature: he was the same in
statuary, painting, and other parts of art. Bernini
would have taken his opinion upon the beauty and attitude of a figure; and king Charles did not agree with
Lely, that my lady Cleveland’s picture was finished, till it
had the approbation of my lord Bnckhursu
”
ard lionthrost, who took him into England with him; where he stayed till 1627, the year in which the duke of Buckingham, who was the patron of painting and painters,
, a German painter, was born
at Francfort in 1606. He was sent by his father to a grammar school; his inclination to engraving and designing
.
being irresistible, he was suffered to indulge it, and went
on foot to Prague, where he put himself under Giles Sadeler, the famous engraver, who persuaded him to apply his
genius to painting. He accordingly went to Utrecht, and
was some time under Gerard lionthrost, who took him into
England with him; where he stayed till 1627, the year in
which the duke of Buckingham, who was the patron of
painting and painters, was assassinated by Felton at Portsmouth. He went afterwards to Venice, where he copied
the finest pictures of Titian and Paul Veronese; and from
Venice to Rome, where he became one of the most considerable painters of his time. The king of Spain sending
to Rome for twelve pictures of the most skilful hands then
in that city, twelve painters were set to work, one of whom
was Sandrart. After a long stay in Rome, he went to Naples, thence to Sicily and Malta, and at length returned
through Lombardy to Francfort, where he married. A
great famine happening about that time, he removed to
Amsterdam; but returned to Francfort upon the cessation of that grievance. Not long after, he took possession
of the manor of Stokau, in the duchy of Neuburg, which
was fallen to him; and, finding it much in decay, sold all
his pictures, designs, and other curiosities, in order to
raise money for repairs’. He had but just completed these,
when, the war breaking out between the Germans and the
French, it was burned by the latter to the ground. He
then rebuilt it in a better style; but, fearing a second invasion, sold it, and settled at Augsburgh, where he executed many fine pictures. His wife dying, he left Augsburgh, and went to Nuremberg, where he established an
academy of painting. Here he published his “Academia
artis pictoria?,
” Academia Todesca della architettura, scultura, e
pittura, oderTeutsche academic der edlen banbild-rnahleren-kunste,
” Nuremberg, Iconologia Deorum, qui ab antiquis colebantur (Germanice), ibid. 1680, fol.
” Admiranda Sculptures
veteris, sive delineatio vera perfectissrma statuarum,“ibid.
1680, fol.
” Koiiiaj antiquse et novae theatrum,“1684, fol.
”Rotna-norum Fontinalia," ibid. 1685, fol. A German
edition of all his works was published by Volkmann, at
Nuremberg, in 1669 75, 8 vols. fol.
672 he was called to a seat in the privy council; and, June following, went over to Holland with the duke of Buckingham and the earl of Arlington, as ambassador extraordinary
, marquis of Halifax, a celebrated statesman, but of equivocal character, was descended from an ancient family in Yorkshire. He was the son of sir William Savile, bart. and Anne, daughter of Thomas lord Coventry, lord keeper of the great seal. He was born, probably about 1630. Upon the death of his father, he succeeded to the title of baronet, and soon distinguished himself by his abilities in public affairs; and being zealous in bringing about the restoration, was created a peer, in consideration of his own and his father’s merits. In 1668 he was appointed of that remarkable committee, which sat at Brook-hall for the examination of the accounts of the money which had been given during the Dutch war, of which no member of the House of Commons was admitted. In April 1672 he was called to a seat in the privy council; and, June following, went over to Holland with the duke of Buckingham and the earl of Arlington, as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary, to treat about a peace with France, when he met with great opposition from hi* colleagues.
farther proceedings House, in such a manner as other drawing up articles of impeachment against the duke of Buckingham, and was afterwards appointed one of the managers
* In Trinity term, 1624, he was concerning him were respited until this
chosen reader of Lyon’s-lnn, but re- term. Now this day being called agairt
fused to perform that office. In the to the table, he doth absolutely refuse
register of the Inner Temple is the fol- to read. The masters of the bench,
lowing passage “Whereas an order taking into consideration his contempt
was made at the Bench-Table this term, add offence, and for that it is without
ince the last parliament, and entered precedent, that any man elect-d to
into the buttery-book in these words; read in chancery has been discharged
Jovtslldie Octobrls 1624. Memoran- in like case, much less has with such
dum, that whereas John Selden, esq. wilfulness refused the same, have orone of the utter barristers of this house, dered, that he shall presently pay to
*ras in Trinity term last, chosen reader the use of this house the sum of 20J.
of Lyon’s-lnn by the gentlemen of the for his fine, and that he stand and be
same house, according to the order of disabled ever to be called to the bench,
their house, which he then refused to or to be a reader of this house. Now
take upon him, and perform the same, at this parliament the said order is coriwithout some sufficient cause or good firmed; and it is further ordered, that
reason, notwithstanding many ccwirte- if any of this house, which hereafter
ous and fair persuasions and admoni- shall be chosen to read in chancery,
tions by the masters of the bench made shall refuse to read, every such offender
to him; forwhich cause he having been shall be fined, and be disabled to be
twice convented before the masters of called to the bench, or to be a reader
the bench, it was then ordered, that of this house.
” However, in Michaelthere should be a nt reclpiatur entered mas term 1632, it was ordered, that
upon his name, which was done accord- Mr. Seldea “shall stand enabled and
ingly and in respect the beneh was be capable of any preferment in the
not then full, the farther proceedings House, in such a manner as other
drawing up articles of impeachment against the duke of
Buckingham, and was afterwards appointed one of the managers for the House of Commons on his trial. In 1627
he opposed the loan which the king endeavoured to raise,
and although he seldom made his appearance at the har,
pleaded in the court of King’s Bench for Hampden, who
had been imprisoned for refusing to pay his quota of that
loan. After the third parliament of Charles I. in which he
sat for Lancaster, had been prorogued, he retired to Wrest
in Bedfordshire, a seat belonging to the earl of Kent, where
he finished his edition of the
” Marmora Arundelliana,"
Loud. 1621), 4to, reprinted by Prideaux, with additions at
Oxford, in 1676, folio, and by Maittaire, at London, 1732,
in folio.
mes, in return for the compliment paid to him in Macbeth. The relator of the anecdote was Sheffield, duke of Buckingham. These brief notices, meagre as they are, may
Mr. Rowe regrets that he cannot inform us which was
the first play he wrote. More skilful research has since
found that Romeo and Juliet, and Richard II. and III.
were printed in 1597, when he was thirty-three years old;
there is also some reason to think that he commenced a
dramatic writer in 1592, and Mr. Malone even places his
first, play, “First part of Henry VI.
” in 1589. His plays,
however, must have been not only popular, but approved
by persons of the higher order, as we are certain that he
enjoyed the gracious favour of Queen Elizabeth, who was
very fond of the stage, and the particular and affectionate
patronage of the earl of Southampton, to whom he dedicated his poems of “Venus and Adonis,
” and his “Rape of
Lucrece.
” On sir William Davenant’s authority, it has
been asserted that this nobleman at one time gave him a
thousand pounds to enable him to complete a purchase.
At the conclusion of the advertisement prefixed to Lintot*s
edition of Shakspeare’s Poems, it is said, “That most
learned prince and great patron of learning, king James the
first, was pleased with his own hand to write an amicable
letter to Mr. Shakspeare: which letter, though now lost,
remained long in the hands of sir William D'Avenant, as a
credible person now living can testify.
” Dr. Farmer with
great probability supposes, that this letter was written by
king James, in return for the compliment paid to him in
Macbeth. The relator of the anecdote was Sheffield,
duke of Buckingham. These brief notices, meagre as
they are, may show that our author enjoyed high favour in
his day. Whatever we may think of king James as a “learned
prince,
” his patronage, as well as that of his predecessor,
was sufficient to give celebrhy to the founder of a new
stage. It may be added, that Shakspeare’s uncommon
merit, his candour, and good-nature, are supposed to have
procured him the admiration and acquaintance of every
person distinguished for such qualities. It is not difficult,
indeed, to suppose that Shakspeare was a man of humour,
and a social companion, and probably excelled in that
species of minor wit, not ill adapted to conversation, of
which it could have been wished he had been more sparing
in his writings.
month duke of Buckinghamshire, there being suspected to be somewhere a latent claim to the title of duke, of Buckingham.
On the accession of queen Anne, that princess, who ever bad a great regard for him, loaded him with employments and dignities. In April 1702, he was sworn lord privy seal, made lord lieutenant and custos rotulorum for the north riding of Yorkshire, and one of the governors of the Charter-house; and the same year was appointed one of the commissioners to treat of an union between England and Scotland. On the 9th of March, 1703, he was created duke of Normanby, and on the 19th of the same month duke of Buckinghamshire, there being suspected to be somewhere a latent claim to the title of duke, of Buckingham.
oration he took orders, and by Cowley’s recommendation was made chaplain to the witty and profligate duke of Buckingham, whom he is said to have helped in writing “The
, a learned English prelate, was born
in 1636, at Tallaton in Devonshire, the son of a clergyman; and having been educated, as he tells of himself, not
at Westminster or Eton, but at a little school by the
church-yard side, became a commoner of Wadham college,
in Oxford, in 1651; and, being chosen scholar next year,
proceeded through the usual academical course, and in
1657 became M. A. He obtained a fellowship, and commenced poet. In 1659, his poem on the death of Oliver
was published, with those of Dryden and Waller. In his
dedication to Dr. Wilkins he appears a very willing and
liberal encomiast, both of the living and the dead. He
implores his patron’s excuse of his verses, both as falling
so “infinitely below the full and sublime genius of that
excellent poet who made this way of writing free of our
nation,
” and being “so little equal and proportioned to
the renown of the prince on whom they were written; such
great actions and lives deserving to be the subject of the
noblest pens and most divine phansies.
” He proceeds
“Having so long experienced your care and indulgence, and
been formed, as it were, by your own hands, not to entitle
you to any thing which my meanness produces, would be not
only injustice but sacrilege.
” He published the same year a
poem on the “Plague of Athens;
” a subject recommended
to him doubtless by the great success of Lucretius in describing the same event. To these he added afterwards a
poem on Cowley’s death. After the Restoration he took
orders, and by Cowley’s recommendation was made chaplain to the witty and profligate duke of Buckingham, whom
he is said to have helped in writing “The Rehearsal,
”
and who is said to have submitted all his works to his perusal . He was likewise chaplain to the king. As he was
the favourite of Wilkins, at whose house began those philosophical conferences and inquiries which in time produced
the royal society, he was consequently engaged in the
same studies, and became one of the fellows and when,
after their incorporation, something seemed necessary to
reconcile the public to the new institution, he undertook to
write its history, which he published in 1667. This is one
of the few books which selection of sentiment and elegance
of diction have been able to preserve, though written upon
a subject flux and transitory *. The “History of the Royal
Society
” is now read, not with the wish to know what they
were then doing, but how their transactions are exhibited
by Sprat. They have certainly been since exhibited far
better by Dr. Birch, and more recently by Dr. Thomson.
In the next year he published “Observations on Sorbiere’s
Voyage into England, in a letter to Mr. Wren.
” This is a
work not ill performed; but was rewarded with at least its
full proportion of praise. In 1668 he published Cowley’s
Latin poems, and prefixed in Latin the life of the author,
which he afterwards amplified, and placed before Cowley’s
English works, which were by will committed to his care.
Ecclesiastical dignities now fell fast upon him. In 166S
he became a prebendary of Westminster, and had afterwords the church o*f St. Margaret, adjoining to the abbey.
He was in 1680 made canon of Windsor, in 1683 dean of
Westminster, and in 1684 bishop of Rochester. The court
having thus a claim to his diligence and gratitude, he was
required to write the “History of the Rye-house Plot;
”
and in A true account and declaration of
the horrid Conspiracy against the late King, his present
Majesty, and the present Government;
” a performance
which he thought convenient, after the revolution, to ex* This work was attacked by Mr. ing betwixt H. and Dr. Merret;"
es. In 1641, the degree of M. A. was conferred on him per gratiam, along with prince Charles, George duke of Buckingham, and others of the nobility.
, an accomplished scholar and poet, connected, though in an oblique line, with the illustrious family of Derby, was the descendant of a natural son, Thomas Stanley, of Edward earl of Derby. His father was sir Thomas Stanley of Laytonstone, in Essex, and Cumberlow, in Hertfordshire, knight, by his second wife, Mary, daughter of sir William Hammond, of St. Alban’s-court in the parish of Nonington between Canterbury and Deal. He was born in 1625, and was educated in his father’s house, under the tuition of William Fairfax, son of Edward Fairfax, of Newhall, in the parish of Ottley, in Yorkshire, the celebrated translator of Tasso. From thence he was sent in 1639 as a fellow-commoner to Pembroke-hall, Cambridge, where he distinguished himself by his proficiency in polite learning; having still, as he had in more advanced years, the advantage of Mr. Fairfax’s society, as the director of his studies. In 1641, the degree of M. A. was conferred on him per gratiam, along with prince Charles, George duke of Buckingham, and others of the nobility.
more of his life in that way, than in painting, his drawings were more valued than his pictures. The duke of Buckingham, passing through the Netherlands, in his way home
, a landscape painter, was born at Antwerp, about 1630, and brought up in that city under his father. He was a close imitator of nature in all his landscapes; and in his younger days went upon the Rhine and other adjacent places, where he drew several pleasant views in water-colours. Having spent more of his life in that way, than in painting, his drawings were more valued than his pictures. The duke of Buckingham, passing through the Netherlands, in his way home from his embassy into France, stayed some time at Antwerp; where, meeting with some of this master’s works, he was so well pleased with them, that he invited him over to England, and employed him at Cliefden. Sybrecht continued in his service three or four years, and then worked for the nobility and gentry of England, continuing in vogue a long time. He drew several sorts of cattle remarkably well, and usually contrived to place some of them in his landscapes. He died in London about 1703, and was buried in St. James’s church. There are some of his pictures at Newstede-abbey, lord Byron’s, and in other houses belonging to the nobility. In 1686 he made several views of Chatsvvorth.
ined a warrant to arrest a ship belonging to the city of Bruges, which was done accordingly. But the duke of Buckingham being gained by the adverse party, the ship was
He is said to have given the estate of Blebo to a nephew, but we are unable to trace his descendants until we arrive at the sixteenth century, when we meet with Andrew Traill, the great grandfather of our author, who was a younger brother of the family of Blebo. Following the profession of a soldier, he rose to the rank of a colonel, and was for some time in the service of the city of Bruges, and other towns in Flanders, in the wars which they carried on in defence of their liberties, against Philip II. of Spain. When he left this service his arrears amounted to 2,700l. for which he received a bond secured upon the property of the States. He then served under the king of Navarre, afterwards Henry IV. of France, in the civil wars of that kingdom, and had occasion to do that prince considerable service in taking a town by stratagem. Upon his return to Britain he was made a gentleman of prince Henry’s privychamber. When he died is not known; but he had a son, James Traill, who endeavoured to recover the sum due to him by the cities of Flanders; and, upon a petition to king James, which was referred to sir Harry Martin, judge of the admiralty, he obtained a warrant to arrest a ship belonging to the city of Bruges, which was done accordingly. But the duke of Buckingham being gained by the adverse party, the ship was soon released; nor could he ever afterwards recover any part of the debt. This circumstance, together with the expence of the prosecution, obliged him to dispose of a small estate in the parish of Deninno, in the county of Fife.
biting in his opinion one of the most perfect characters of the monarch; George Villiers, the second duke of Buckingham, and lord Francis his brother, when children,
Walpole has enumerated the best of his pictures, but the number is too great for our limits. Among those of transcendant excellence, however, we may notice his portrait of Charles I. a whole-length in the coronation robes, engraved by Strange, and exhibiting in his opinion one of the most perfect characters of the monarch; George Villiers, the second duke of Buckingham, and lord Francis his brother, when children, at Kensington; Philip, earl of Pembroke, at Wilton, where, Walpole says, Vandyck is on his throne, the great saloon being entirely furnished by his hand; and lastly, the earl of Strafford and his secretary at Wentworth-house.
, duke of Buckingham, and memorable in English story for having been
, duke of Buckingham, and memorable in English story for having been the favourite of
two kings, was born Aug. 20, 1592, at Brookesby in Leicestershire, and was the son of sir George Villiers, by a
second wife of the ancient family of Beaumont. At an
early age he was sent to a private school in that county,
but never discovered any genius for letters; so that more
regard was had in the course of his education to the accomplishments of a gentleman than those of a scholar. About
eighteen, he travelled into France, where he made himself
familiar with the French language, and with all the exercises of the noblesse; such as fencing and dancing, in
which last he particularly excelled. Soon after his return
to England, which was at the end of three years, his mother, who was a sagacious and enterprising woman, introduced him at court; concluding probably, and not without
good reason, that a young gentleman of his fine person and
accomplishments could not fail of making his fortune under
such a monarch as James I. The king, about March
1614-15, went according to his custom to take his huntingpleasures at Newmarket; and the Cambridge scholars, who
knew the king’s humour, invited him to a play, called “Ignoramus.
” At this play it was contrived, that Viiliers
should appear with every advantage of dress and person;
and the king no sooner cast his eyes upon him than he became confounded with admiration; for, says lord Clarendon, “though he was a prince of more learning and knowledge than any other of that age, and really delighted
more in books and in the conversation of learned men, yet,
of all wise men living, he was the most delighted and taken
with handsome persons and fine cloaths.
” Thus he conceived such a liking to the person of Villiers, that he “resolved, as sir Henry Wotton says, to make him a
masterpiece; and to mould him, as it were, Platonically to his
own idea.
”
een said, that the king was hurried into this war, purely from a private motive of resentment in the duke of Buckingham, who, having bfeen in France to bring over the
In this fatal conjuncture, and while the war with Spain
was yet kept up, anew war was precipitately declared against
France; for which no reasonable cause could ever be assigned. It has been said, that the king was hurried into this
war, purely from a private motive of resentment in the
duke of Buckingham, who, having bfeen in France to
bring over the queen, had the confidence to make overtures of love to Anne of Austria, the consort of Lewis
XIII.; and that his high spirit was so fired at the repulse
he met with on this extraordinary occasion, as to be appeased with nothing less than a war between the two nations. Whatever was the cause, the fleet, which had been
designed to have surprised Cadiz, was no sooner returned
without success and with much damage, than it was repaired, and the army reinforced for the invasion of France.
Here the duke was general himself, and made that unfortunate descent upon the Isle of Rhee, in which the flower
of the army was lost. Having returned to England, and
repaired the fleet and the army, he was about to sail to
the relief of Rochelle, which was then closely besieged by
the cardinal Richelieu; and to relieve which the duke was
the more obliged, because at the Isle of Rhee he had received great supplies of victuals and some men from that
town, the want of both which he laboured under at this
time. He was at Portsmouth for this purpose, when he was
assassinated by one Felton, on the 23d of August, 1628,
in the thirty-sixth year of his age. The particulars of this
assassination are well known, being related, at large by lord
Clarendon, to whom we refer the reader; but we may subjoin another account, as being circumstantial and curious,
and less known. This is given by sir Simonds D'Ewes, in
a manuscript life of himself: “August the 23d, being Saturday, the duke having eaten his breakfast between eight
and nine o‘clock in the morning, in one Mr. Mason-’ s house
in Portsmouth, he was then hasting away to the king, who
lay at Reswicke, about five miles distant, to have some
speedy conference with him. Being come to the farthef
part of the entry leading out of the parlour into the hall of
the house, he had there some conference with sir Thomas
Frier, a colonel; and stooping down in taking his leave of
him, John Felton, gentleman, having watched his opportunity, thrust a long knife, with a white helfc, he had secretly ahout him, with great strength and violence, into his
breast, under his left pap, cutting the diaphragm* and
lungs, and piercing the very heart itself. The duke having
received the stroke, and instantly clapping his right-hand
on his sword-hilt, cried out ` God’s wounds! the villain
hath killed me.‘ Some report his last words otherwise, little differing for substance from these; and it might have
been wished, that his end had not been so sudden, nor his
last words mixed with so impious an expression. He was
attended by many noblemen and leaders, yet none could
see to prevent the stroke. His duchess, and the countess
of Anglesey (the wife of Christopher Villiers, earl of Anglesey, his younger brother), being in an upper room, and
hearing a noise in the hall, into which they had carried the
duke, ran presently into a gallery, that looked down into it $
and there beholding the duke’s blood gush out abundantly
from his breast, nose, and mouth (with which his speech, after those his first words, had been immediately stopped),
they brake into pitiful outcries, and raised great lamentation. He pulled out the knife himself; and being carried
by his servants unto the table, tha,t stood in the same
hall, having struggled with death near upon a quarter of
an hour, at length he gave up the ghost, about ten
o’clock, and lay a long time after he was dead upon the
table.
”
, duke of Buckingham, and a very distinguished personage in the reign
, duke of Buckingham, and a very
distinguished personage in the reign of Charles II. was the
son of the preceding, by his wife lady Catherine Manners,
and was born at Wallingford-house, in the parish of St.
Martin in the Fields, January 30, 1627, which being but
the year before the fatal catastrophe of his father’s death,
the young duke was left a perfect infant, a circumstance
which is frequently prejudicial to the morals of men born
to high rank and affluence. The early parts of his education he received from various domestic tutors; after which
he was sent to the university of Cambridge, where having
completed a course of studies, he, with his brother lord
Francis, went abroad, under the care of one Mr. Aylesbury. Upon his return, which was not till after the breaking-out of the rebellion, the king being at Oxford, his
grace repaired thither, was presented to his majesty, and
entered of Christ-church college. Upon the decline of
the king’s cause, he attended prince Charles into Scotland,
and was with him at the battle of Worcester in 1651; after
which, making his escape beyond sea, he again joined
him, and was soon after, as a reward for his attachment,
made knight of the Garter. Desirous, however, of retrieving his affairs, he came privately to England, and in
1657 married Mary, the daughter and sole heiress of Thomas lord Fairfax, through whose interest he recovered the
greatest part of the estate he had lost, and the assurance
of succeeding to an accumulation of wealth in the right of
his wife. We do not find, however, that this step lost him
the royal favour; for, after- the restoration, at which time
he is said to have possessed an estate of 20,000l. per annum,
he was made one of the lords of the bed-chamber, called
to the privy -council, and appointed lord-lieutenant of
Yorkshire, and master of the horse. All these high offices,
however, he lost again in 1666; for, having been refused
the post of president of the North, he became disaffected
to the king, and it was discovered that he had carried on a
secret correspondence by letters and other transactions
with one Dr. Heydon (a man of no kind of consequence, but a useful tool), tending to raise mutinies among his majesty’s forces, particularly in the navy, to stir up seditioa
among the people, and even to engage persons in a conspiracy for the seizing the Tower of London. Nay, to
sucii base lengths had he proceeded, as even to have given
money to villains to put on jackets, and, personating seamen, to go about the country begging, and exclaiming for
want of pay, while the people oppressed with taxes were
cheated of their money by the great officers of the crown.
Matters were ripe for execution, and an insurrection, at
the head of which the duke was openly to have appeared,
on the very eve of breaking-out, when it was discovered by
means of some agents whom Heydon had employed to
carry letters to the duke. The detection of this affair so
exasperated the king, who knew Buckingham to be capable f the blackest designs, that he immediately ordered
him to be seized; but the duke finding means, having defended his house for some time by force, to make his
escape, his majesty struck him out of all. his commissions,
and issued out a proclamation, requiring his surrender by
a certain day. This storm, however, did not long hang
over his head; for, on his making an humble submission,
king Charles, who was far from being of an implacable
temper, took him again into favour, and the very next
year restored him both to the privy-council and bed-chamber. But the duke’s disposition for intrigue and machination was not lessened; for, having conceived a resentment
against the duke of Ormond, because he had acted with
some severity against him in the last-mentioned affair, he,
in 1670, was supposed to be concerned in an attempt
made on that nobleman’s life, by the same Blood who afterwards endeavoured to steal the crown. Their design was
to have conveyed the duke to Tyburn, and there have
hanged him; and so far did they proceed towards the putting it in execution, that Blood and his son had actuallyforced the duke out of his coach in St. James’s-street, and
carried him away beyond Devonshire-house, Piccadilly,
before he was rescued from them. That there must hare
been the strongest reasons for suspecting the duke of Buckingham of having been a party in this villainous project, is
apparent from a story Mr. Carte relates from the best authority, in his “Life of the duke of Ormond,
” of the public
resentment and open menaces thrown out to the duke on
the occasion, by the earl of Ossory, the duke of Onnond’s
son, even in the presence of the king himself. But as
Charies II. was more sensible of injuries done to himself
than others, it does not appear that this transaction hurt
the duke’s interest at court; for in 1671 he was installed
chancellor of the university of Cambridge, and sent ambassador to France, where he was very nobly entertained
by Lewis XIV. and presented by that monarch at his departure with a sword and belt set with jewels, to the value
of forty thousand pistoles; and the next year he was employed in a second embassy to that king at Utrecht. However, in June 1674, he resigned the chancellorship of
Cambridge, and about the same time became a zealous
partizan and favourer of the nonconformists. On February
16, 1676, his grace, with the earls of- Salisbury and
Shaftesbury, and lord Wharton, were committed to the
Tower, by order of the House of Lords, for a contempt,
in refusing to retract the purport of a speech which the
duke had made concerning a dissolution of the parliament;
but upon a petition to the king, he was discharged thence
in May following. In 1680, having sold Wallingfordhouse in the Strand, he purchased a house at Dowgate,
and resided there, joining with the earl of Shaftesbury in
all the violences of opposition. About the time of king
Charles’s death, his health became affected, and he went
into the country to his own manor of Helmisley, in Yorkshire, where he generally passed his time in hunting and
entertaining his friends. This he continued until a fortnight before his death, an event which happened at a tenant’s house, at Kirkby Moorside, April 16, 1688, after
three days illness, of an ague and fever, arising from a
cold which he caught by sitting on the ground after foxhunting. The day before his death, he sent to his old servant Mr. Brian Fairfax, to provide him a bed at his own
house, at Bishophill, in Yorkshire; but the next morning
the same man returned with the news that his life was despaired of. Mr. Fairfax came; the duke knew him, looked
earnestly at him, but could not speak. Mr. Fairfax asked
a gentleman there present, a justice of peace, and a worthy discreet man in the neighbourhood, what he had said
or done before he became speechless: who told him, that
some questions had been asked him about his estate, to
which he gave no answer. This occasioned another
question to be proposed, if he would have a Popish priest;
but he replied with great vehemence, No, no! repeating the words, he would have nothing to do with them.
The same gentleman then askod him again, if he would
have the minister sent for; and he calmly said, “Yes, pray
seud for him.
” The minister accordingly came, and did
the office enjoined by the church, the duke devoutly attending it, and received the sacrament. In about an hour
s doubtful, and we have no date of any other poetical production before that which the murder of the duke of Buckingham occasioned. Neither of these pieces that seem
The next poem is supposed by Fenton to be the address
“To the Queen
” on her arrival but this is doubtful, and
we have no date of any other poetical production before
that which the murder of the duke of Buckingham occasioned. Neither of these pieces that seem to carry their
own dates could have been the sudden effusion of fancy.
In the verses on the prince’s escape, the prediction of his
marriage with the princess of France must have been written after the event; in the other, the promises of the king’s
kindness to the descendants of Buckingham, which could
not be properly praised till it had appeared by its effects:,
shew that time was taken fqr revision and improvement.
It is not known that they were published till they appeared
long afterwards with other poems.
esentative in parliament, he was nominated one of the eight chief managers in the impeachment of the duke of Buckingham. The account of Mr. Wandesforde’s share in that
After this, a general acquaintance with the laws of his
country seems to have been his leading acquirement, and
hence, when he became a representative in parliament, he
was nominated one of the eight chief managers in the impeachment of the duke of Buckingham. The account of
Mr. Wandesforde’s share in that transaction, as given by
llushworth, is much to the credit of his moderation and
prudence. In the new parliament, which met March 17,
1628, he made a conspicuous figure, and acted a truly
constitutional part, supporting the privileges of the people
when attacked, and when these were secured by a confirmation of the petition of right, adhering to his sovereign.
About 1633, it was proposed by Charles I. to send Mr.
Wandesforde ambassador to Spain; but this honour was
declined, from his not wishing to engage in any public
employment. Soon after, however, when his friend lord
Wentworth was fixed on to go as lord-deputy.to Ireland,
Mr. Wandesforde was persuaded to accompany him as
master of the rolls, from motives of personal regard. He
arrived at Dublin in July 1633, where he built a new office of the rolls at his own cost. In 1636 he was made one
of the lords justices of Ireland, in the absence of lord
Wentworth, and knighted. Retiring to his seat at Kil r
dare, he completed his book of “Instructions to his Son,
”
which bears date Get, 5, 1636. He soon after sold Kildare
to lord Wentwortb, and purchase^ the estate of Castlecomer, where he established a manufactory for cottons, and
founded a colliery. In 164-0 he was appointed lord-deputy
in the place of lord Strafford, and gave such satisfaction to
the king by his* conduct in that high station, that he was
created baron Mowbray and Musters, and viscount Castle^
comer. On the receipt of the patent, however, he exclaimed, “Is it a fit time for a faithful subject to appear
higher than usual, when his king, the fountain of honours,
is likely to be reduced lower than ever?
” He therefore
ordered the patent to be concealed, and his grandson was
the first who assumed its privileges.
rham was translated to the see of Canterbury, in which he was installed with great solemnity, Edward duke of Buckingham officiating as his steward on that occasion. He
In March 1503-4, bishop Warham was translated to the see of Canterbury, in which he was installed with great solemnity, Edward duke of Buckingham officiating as his steward on that occasion. He was likewise, on May 28, 1506, unanimously elected chancellor of the university of Oxford, being then, and ever after, a great friend and benefactor to that university, and to learning in general. In 1509, Henry VII. died, and was succeeded by his son Henry VIII. from whose promising abilities great expectations were formed. Archbishop Warham’s high rank in the church, and the important office he held in the state, as lord chancellor, naturally caused him to preside at the council-board of the young king, and his rank and talents certainly gave him great authority there. One of the first matters of importance, in the new reign, was the marriage of the king, which, from his tender age, and his aversion to it r had not yet taken place, and it was now necessary that his majesty should decide to break it off, or conclude it. Warham still continued to oppose it, and Fox, as before, contended for it; and it, accordingly, was performed June 3, 1509; and on the 24th of the same month, the king and queen were crowned at Westminster by archbishop W r arham. In the years 1511 and 1512, we find our prelate zealously persecuting those who were termed heretics; and although the inttances of his interference with the opinions of the reformation are neither many, nor bear the atrocious features of a Bonner or a Gardiner, they form no small blemish in his character.
worth soon became the object of his decided enmity. Having found means to interest in his favour the duke of Buckingham, who at that period governed the councils of king
The characteristic ardour of Wentworth’s affections began to be very early remarked; and as he was devoted to the interests of his friends, he proved no less decided in the prosecution of his enemies. Habituated to the indulgencies of a plentiful fortune, and unaccustomed to opposition, he was choleric in the extreme, and the sudden violence of his resentment was apt to transport him beyond all bounds of discretion. Yet this defect was in a great measure atoned for by the manliness and candour with which it was acknowledged. When his friends, who perceived how detrimental it must prove to his future welfare, frequently admonished him of it, their remonstrances were always taken in good part. He endeavoured, by watching still more anxiously his infirmity, to convince them of his earnest desire to amend: and his attachment was increased towards those who advised him with sincerity and freedom. Sir George Radcliffe, the most intimate of his friends, informs us, that he never gained more upon his trust and affection than when he told him of his weaknesses. On his return from abroad Wentworth appeared at court, and was knighted by king James, and about the same time married Margaret Clifford, the eldest daughter of the earl of Cumherland. In the following year (1614) he succeeded, by the death of his father, to a baronetcy, and an estate of 6000l. a year. His time was now occupied with the pleasures and cares which naturally attend a country gentleman of distinction, but he seems to have quickly attracted the notice of his county and of government; for he had not above a year enjoyed his inheritance when he was sworn into the commission of the peace, and nominated by sir John Savile to succeed him as custos rotulorum, or keeper of the archives, for the West Riding of Yorkshire, an office bestowed only on gentlemen of the first consideration. The resignation of Savile, although apparently voluntary, proceeded from some violent quarrels with his neighbours, the result of his restless and turbulent disposition; and even Wentworth soon became the object of his decided enmity. Having found means to interest in his favour the duke of Buckingham, who at that period governed the councils of king James, Savile meditated a restoration to his former office. At his instance the duke wrote to Wentworth, informing him that the king, having again taken sir John Savile into his favour, had resolved to employ him in his service; and requesting that he would freely return the office of custos rotulorum to the man who had voluntarily consigned it to his hands. Wentworth, instead of complying, exposed the misrepresentations of his antagonist; shewed that his resignation had been wnaog from him by necessity, and indicated his intention of coming to London to make good his assertion. The duke, though very regardless of giving offence in the pursuit of his purposes, did not, however, judge this a sufficient occasion to risk the displeasure of the Yorkshire gentlemen. He therefore replied with much seeming cordiality, assuring Wentworth that his former letter proceeded entirely from misinformation, and that the king had only consented to dispense with his service from the idea that he himself desired an opportunity to resign. This incident is chiefly remarkable as it laid the first foundation of that animosity with Buckingham which was the cause of many questionable circumstances in the conduct of Wentworth. The duke was not of a disposition to forget even the slightest opposition to his will; and Wentworth was not a man to be in*jured with impunity.
f the great seal being about this time in want uf a convenient dwelling, parliament granted them the duke of Buckingham’s house. In Jane, Whitelocke made a learned speech
'tovjOn Feb. 8, he was appointed one of the three lords commissioners of the new great seal of the commonwealth, pf
England, He appears disposed to apologize for accepting
this office, and his apology is a curious one; “because he
was already very deeply engaged with this party: that, dje
business to be undertaken by him was the execution of law
and justice, without which men could, not live one by another; a thing of absolute necessity to be done.
” On the
14th of the same month, he was chosen one of the thirty
persons who composed the council of state. A few months
after he was elected high-stewardof Oxford. The commissioners of the great seal being about this time in want
uf a convenient dwelling, parliament granted them the
duke of Buckingham’s house. In Jane, Whitelocke made
a learned speech to the new judges in the court of Common-pleas, who were then sworn into their offices. In November, he opposed a motion made in the House of Com*
inons, that no lawyers should sit in parliament; and in
1650 made a very learned speech in the House, in defence
of the antiquity and excellence of the laws of England.
sermon. Wood and Burnet both inform us, that he obtained this bishopric by the interest of Villiers duke of Buckingham; and the latter adds, that it was no stnall prejudice
, an ingenious and learned English
bishop, was the son of Mr. Walter Wilkins, citizen and
goldsmith of Oxford, and was born in 1614, at Fawsley,
near Daventry, in Northanvptonshire, in the house of his
mother’s father, the celebrated dissenter Mr. John Dod.
He was taught Latin and Greek by Edward Sylvester, a
teacher of much reputation, who kept a private school in
the parish of All-Saints in Oxford and his proficiency
was such, that at thirteen he entered a student of New-innhall, in 1627. He made no long stay there, but was removed to Magdalen-hall, under the tuition of Mr. John
Tombes, and there took the degrees in arts. He afterwards entered into orders; and was first chaplain to William lord Say, and then to Charles count Palatine of the
Khine, and prince elector of the empire, with whom he continued some time. To this last patron, his skill in the mathematics was a very great recommendation. Upon the
breaking out of the civil war, he joined with the parliament,
and took the solemn league and covenant. He was afterwards made warden of Wadham-college by the committee
of parliament, appointed for reforming the university; and,
being created bachelor of divinity the 12th of April, 1648,
was the day following put into possession of his wardenship. Next year he was created D. D. and about that time
took the engagement then enjoined by the powers in being.
In 1656, he married Robina, the widow of Peter French,
formerly canon of Christ-church, and sister to Oliver Cromwell, then lord-protector of England: which marriage being
contrary to the statutes of Wadham-college, because they
prohibit the warden from marrying, he procured a dispensation from Oliver, to retain the wardenship notwithstanding. In 1659, he was by Richard Cromwell made master
of Trinity-college in Cambridge; but ejected thence the
year following upon the restoration. Then he became
preacher to the honourable society of Gray’s-inn, and rector of St. Lawrence-Jewry, London, upon the promotion
Dr. Seth Ward to the bishopric of Exeter. About this
time, he became a member of the Royal Society, was
chosen of their council, and proved one of their most eminent members. Soon after this, he was made dean of Rippon; and, in 1668, bishop of Chester, Dr. Tillotson, who
had married his daughter-in-law, preaching his consecration sermon. Wood and Burnet both inform us, that he
obtained this bishopric by the interest of Villiers duke of
Buckingham; and the latter adds, that it was no stnall prejudice against him to be raised by so bad a man. Dr. Walter Pope observes, that Wilkins, for some time after the
restoration, was out of favour both at Whitehall and Lambeth, on account of his marriage with Oliver Cromwell’s
sister; and that archbishop Sheldon, who then disposed of
almost all ecclesiastical preferments, opposed his
promotion; that, however, when bishop Ward introduced him
afterwards to the archbishop, he was very obligingly received, and treated kindly by him ever after. He did not
enjoy his preferment long; for he died of a suppression of
urine, which was mistaken for the stone, at Dr. Tiilotson’s
house, in Chancery-lane, London, Nov. 19, 1672. He was
buried in the chancel of the church of St. Lawrence Jewry;
and his funeral sermon was preached by Dr. William Lloyd,
then dean of Bangor, who, although Wilkins had been
abused and vilified perhaps beyond any man of his time,
thought it no shame to say every thing that was good of
him. Wood also, different as his complexion and principles were from those of Wilkins, has been candid enough
to give him the following character “He was,
” says he,
“a person endowed with rare gifts he was a noted theologist and preacher, a curious critic in several matters, an
excellent mathematician and experimentist, and one as well
seen in mechanisms and new philosophy, of which he was
3 great promoter, as any man of his time. He also highly
advanced the study and perfecting, of astronomy, both at
Oxford while he was warden of Wadham-college, and at
London while he was fellow of the Royal Society; and I
cannot say that there was any thing deficient in him, but a
constant mind and settled principles.
”
ic of York at the next vacancy; but his lordship’s conduct in many points not being agreeable to the duke of Buckingham, he was removed by Charles I. from his post of
Bishop Williams continued in favour during this reign, and attended king James at his death, and preached his funeral-sermon, on 2 Chron. ix. 29, 30, 3 1 which was afterwards printed. That king had promised to confer upon him the archbishopric of York at the next vacancy; but his lordship’s conduct in many points not being agreeable to the duke of Buckingham, he was removed by Charles I. from his post of lord keeper, Oct. 1626. He was ordered also not to appear in parliament, but refused to comply with that order, and taking his seat in the House of Peers, promoted the petition of right.
In the mean time, the duke of Buckingham was not content with having removed our prelate
In the mean time, the duke of Buckingham was not content with having removed our prelate from all power at
court, but for a long time laboured to injure him, although
some time before his death he appears to have beet) rather
reconciled to him. With Laud, however, Williams found
all reconciliation impossible, for which it is not easy to
assign any cause, unless that their political principles were
in some respects incompatible, and that Laud was somewhat jealous of the 'ascendancy which Williams might acquire, if again restored at court. In consequence of this
animosity, besides being deprived of the title of privycounsellor, Williams was perpetually iiarassecl with lawsuits and prosecutions; and though nothing criminal could
be proved against him, yet he was, by these means, put
to great trouble and expence. Amongst other prosecutions, one arose from the following circumstances, as related by his biographer Hacket. “In the conference
which the bishop had with his majestv, when he was admitted to kiss his hand, after the passing of the petition of
Right, the king conjuring his lordsh;p to tell him freely,
hovr he might best ingratiate himself with the people, his
lordship replied, ‘ that the Puritans were many and strong
sticklers and if his majesty would give but private orders
to his ministers to connive a little at their party, and shew
them some indulgence, it might perhaps mollify them a little, and make them more pliant; though he did not promise
that they would be trusty long to any government.’ And
the king answered, that ‘ he had thought upon this before,
and would do so.’ About two months after this, the bishop
at his court at Leicester acted according to this counsel
resolved upon by his majesty; and withal told sir John
Lamb and Dr. Sibthorp his reason for it, ‘ that it was not
only his own, but the Royal pleasure.’ Now Lamb was
one, who had been formerly infinitely obliged to the bishop:
but, however, a breach happening between them, he and
Sibthorp carried the bishop’s words to bishop Laud, and
he to the king, who was then at Bisham. Hereupon it
was resolved, that upon the-deposition of these two, a bill
should be dra-wn up against the bishop for revealing the
king’s secrets, being a sworn counsellor. That in
formation, together with some others, being transmitted to the
council-table, was ordered for the present to be sealed
up, and committed to the. custody of Mr. Trumbal, one
of the clerks of the council. Nevertheless the bishop made
a shift to procure a copy of them, and so the business
rested for some years. However, the bishop was still
more and more declining in favour, by reason of a settled
misunderstanding between him and bishop Laud, who looked
upon Williams as a man who gave encouragement to the
Puritans, and was cool with respect to our church-discipline; while, on the other hand, Williams took Laud to
be a great favourer of the papists. Laud’s interest at court
was now so great, that in affairs of state, as well as of the
church, he governed almost without controul; so that a
multitude of lesser troubles surrounded bishop Williams,
and several persons attacked him with a view to ingratiate
themselves at court. Abundance of frivolous accusation
and little vexatious law-suits were brought against hirn
daily; and it was the height of his adversaries policy to
empty his purse, and clip his wings, by all the means they
could invent, that so at last he might lie wholly at their
mercy, and not be able to shift for himself. Notwithstanding all which, what with his innocency, and what with his
courage springing from it, he bore up against them all>
and never shewed any grudge or malice against them. But
his lordship, perceiving himself to be thus perpetually
harassed, asked the lord Cottington, whether he could tell
him, what he should do to procure his peace, and such
other ordinary favours as other bishops had from his majesty. To which the lord Cottington answered, that the
splendor in which he lived, and the great resort of company which came to him, gave offence; and that the king
must needs take it ill, that one under the height of his
displeasure should live at so magnificent a rate. In the
next place, his majesty would be better satisfied, if he
would resign the deanery of Westminster, because he did
not care that he should be so near a neighbour at Whitehall. As for the first of these reasons, his natural temper
would not suffer him to comply with it, and to moderate
his expences in house-keeping; and he was not so shortsighted as to part with his deanery upon such precarious
terms;
” for,“said he,
” what health can come from such
a remedy? Am I like to be beholden to them for a settled
tranquillity, who practise upon the ruin of my estate, and
the thrall of my honour? If I forfeit one preferment for fear,
will it not encourage them to tear me in piecemeal hereafter? It is not my case alone, but every man’s; and if
the law cannot maintain my right, it can maintain no
man’s.“So, in spite of all their contrivances to out him,
he kept the deanery till the king received it from him at
Oxford in 1644. But they did all they could, since he
was resolved to hold it, to make him as uneasy as possible
in it. In this uneasy situation he continued several years;
and now it was sufficiently known to all people how much
he was out of favour; so that it was looked upon as a piece
of merit to assist in his ruin. And this perhaps might be
some incitement to what sir Robert Osborn, high sheriff of
Huntingdonshire, acted against him in the levying of the
ship-money. The bishop, for his part, was very cautious
to carry himself without offence in this matter; but sir Robert, laying a very unequal levy upon the hundred wherein
Bugden was, the bishop wrote courteously to him to rectify
it, and that he and his neighbours would be ready to see
it collected. Upon this sir Robert, catching at the opportunity, posts up to the court, and makes an heavy complaint against the bishop, that he not only refused the
payment of ship-money himself, but likewise animated the
hundred to do so too. And yet for all that, when the bishop afterwards cleared himself before the lords of the
council, and they were satisfied that he had behaved himself with duty and prudence, sir Robert was not reprehended, nor had the bishop any satisfaction given him, nor
was the levy regulated. After this, was revived the long
and troublesome trial against the bishop in the Star-chamber, which commenced in the fourth year of king Charles I.
upon some informations brought against him by Lamb and
Sibthorp. Here he made so noble a defence of himself,
that the attorney-general, Noy, grew weary of the cause,
and slackened his prosecution; but that great lawyer dying,
and the information being managed by Kilvert a solicitor,
the bishop, when the business came to a final determination, was fined 10,000l. to the king, and to suffer imprisonment during his majesty’s pleasure, and withal to be
suspended by the high commission court from all his dignities, offices, and functions. In his imprisonment in the
Tower, hearing that his majesty would not abate any thing
of his fine, he desired that it might be taken up by 1000l.
yearly, as his estate would bear it, till the whole should
be paid; but he could not have so small a favour granted.
Upon which Kilvert, the bishop’s avowed enemy, waTs ordered to go to Bugclen and Lincoln, and there to seize
upon all he could, and bring it immediately into the exchequer. Kilvert, being glad of this office, made sure of all
that could be found; goods of all sorts, plate, books, and
such like, to the value of iO.Ooo/. of which he never gave
account but of 800l. The timber he felled; killed the
deer in the park; sold an organ, which cost \2Ql. for 10l.;
pictures, which cost 400l. for 5l.; made away with what
books he pleased, and continued revelling for three summers in Bugden-house. For four cellars of wine, cyder,
ale, and beer, with wood, hay, corn, and the like, stored
up for a year or two, he gave no account at all. And thus
a large personal estate was squandered away, and not the
least part of the king’s fine paid all this while; whereas if
it had been managed to the best advantage, it would have
been sufficient to discharge the whole. It were endless to
repeat all the contrivances against his lordship during his
confinement; the bills which were drawn up, and the suits
commenced against him, as it were on purpose to impoverish him, and to plunge him into debt, that so, if he
procured his enlargement from this prison, he might not
be long out of another. However, he bore all these afflictions with the utmost patience; and if a stranger had
seen his lordship in the Tower, he would never have taken
him for a prisoner, but rather for the lord and master of
the place. For here he lived with his usual cheerfulness
and hospitality, and wanted only a larger allowance to
give his guests an heartier welcome; for now he was confined to bare 500l. a year, a great part of which was consumed in the very fees of the Tower. He diverted himself,
when alone, sometimes with writing Latin poems; at other
times with the histories of such as were noted for their
sufferings in former ages. And for the three years and a
half that he was confined, he was the same man as elsewhere, excepting that his frequent law-suits broke his
studies often; and it could not be seen that he was the least
altered in his health or the pleasantness of his temper.
”
n Bletcbley church, near Fenny-Stratford, the manors of which places his father had purchased of the duke of Buckingham, and which descended to his eldest son Browne
Dr. Willis was one of the first members of the Royal Society, and soon made his name as illustrious by his writings
as it was already by his practice. In 1666, after the fire
of London, he removed to Westminster, upon an invitation
from archbishop Sheldon, and took a house in St. Martin’slane. As he rose early in the morning, that he might be
present at divine service, which he constantly frequented
before he visited his patients, he procured prayers to be
read out of the accustomed times while he lived, and at his
death settled a stipend of 20l. per annum to continue them,
He was a liberal benefactor to the poor wherever he came,
having from his early practice allotted part of his profits
to charitable uses. He was a fellow of the college of physicians, and refused the honour of knighthood. He was
regular and exact in his hours; and his table was the resort of most of the great men in London. After his settlement there, his only son Thomas falling into a consumption, he sent him to Montpellier in France for the recovery of his health, which proved successful. His wife also
labouring under the same disorder, he offered to leave the
town; but she, not suffering him to neglect the means of
providing for his family, died in 1670. He died, at his
house in St. Martin’s, Nov. 11, 1675, and was buried near
her in Westminster-abbey. His son Thomas, above mentioned, was born at Oxford in Jan. 1657-8, educated some
time in Westminster-school, became a student a Christ
church, and died in 1699. He was buried in Bletcbley
church, near Fenny-Stratford, the manors of which places
his father had purchased of the duke of Buckingham, and
which descended to his eldest son Browne Willis of Whaddon-hall, esq. eminent for his knowledge in antiquities, and
of whom some memoirs will be given. Wood tells us, that
“though Dr. Willis was a plain man, a man of no carriage,
little discourse, complaisance, or society, yet for his deep
insight, happy researches in natural and experimental philosophy, anatomy, and chemistry, for his wonderful success and repute in his practice, the natural smoothness,
pure elegancy, delightful unaffected neatness of Latin
style, none scarce hath equalled, much less outdone, him,
how great soever. When at any time he is mentioned by
authors, as he is very often, it is done in words expressing
their highest esteem of his great worth and excellency, and
placed still as first in rank among physicians. And, further, also, he hath laid a lasting founJation of a body of
physic, chiefly on hypotheses of his own framing.
” These
hypotheses, by far too numerous and fanciful for his reputation, are contained in the following works: 1. “Diatribse
duae Medico-philosophicae de ft-rmentatione, altera de febribus,
” Hague, Diatribse Thomas
Wiilisii Med. Doct. & Profess. Oxon de Febribus Vindicatio contra Edm. de Meara,
” London, Dissertatio Epistolica de Uriuis
” printed with the Diatribes
above mentioned. 3. “Cerebri Anatome,
” London, De ratione motus
musculorum,
” printed with the “Cerebri Anatome.
” 5.
“Pathologise Cerebri & nervosi generis specimina, in quo
agiiur de morbis convulsivis & descorbuto,
” Oxford, Affectionum quae dicuntur hystericae & hypochondriacae Pathologia spasmodica, vindicata contra responsionem Epistolarem Nath. Highmore, M. D.
” London, Exercitationes Medico-physicae
duae, 1. De sanguinis accensione. 2.
” De motu musculari,“printed with the preceding book. 8.
” De anim&
Brutorum, quag hominis vitalis ac sensativa est, exercitationes duac, &c.“London, 1672, 4to and 8vo, Amsterdam,
1674, 12mo, All these books, except
” Affection um quae
dicuntur hystericae, &c.“and that
” de am ma Brutorum,“were translated into English by S. Pordage, esq. and printed
at London, 1681, folio. 9.
” Pharmaceutice Rationalis:
sive Diatriba de medicamentorum operationibus in humano
corpore." In two parts, Oxford, 1674 and 1675, 12mo,
4to. Published by Dr. John Fell. In the postscript to the
second part is the following imprimatur put to it by Dr.
Ralph Bathurst, the author dying the day before.
some young gentlemen of family who had been his pupils in college. While at Rome he lodged with the duke of Buckingham, whom he taught mathematics, and is supposed about
, whom Dr. Whitby pronounces “the most ingenious and solid writer of the Roman (catholic) party,
” and who merits some notice from his
name occurring so frequently in the popish controversy at
the latter end of the seventeenth century, was the son of
John Woodhead of Thornhill in Yorkshire, and was born
in 1608 at Meltham in the parish of Abbersbury, or Ambury, in that county. He had his academical education
in University college, Oxford, where he took his degrees
in arts, was elected fellow in 1633, and soon after entered
into holy orders. In 1641 he served the office of proctor,
and then set out for the continent as travelling tutor to
some young gentlemen of family who had been his pupils
in college. While at Rome he lodged with the duke of
Buckingham, whom he taught mathematics, and is supposed about the same time to have embraced the communion of the church of Rome, although for a long time he
kept this a profound secret. On his return to England he
had an apartment in the duke of Buckingham’s house in
the Strand, and was afterwards entertained in lord Capel’s
family. In 1648 he was deprived of his fellowship by the
parliamentary visitors, but merely on the score of absence,
aod non-appearance, when called. After the restoration
he was reinstated in his fellowship, but rinding it impossible any longer to conform, he obtained leave to travel,
with the allowance of a travelling fellowship. Instead,
Kbwever, of going abroad, he retired to an obscure residence at Hoxton near London, where he spent several
years, partly in instructing some young gentlemen of popish families, and partly in composing his works. Here
he remained almost undiscovered, until a little while before
his death, which happened at Hoxton, May 4, 1678. He
was buried in St. Pancras church-yard, where there is a
monument to his memory.
nis, and the secret history of those times, he was admitted to the last degree of intimacy. Villiers duke of Buckingham 4iad also the highest esteem for him; and, as
Upon the publication of his first play, he became acquainted with several of the wits, both of the court and
town; and likewise with the duchess of Cleveland, by
whom, according to Mr. Dennis, and the secret history
of those times, he was admitted to the last degree
of intimacy. Villiers duke of Buckingham 4iad also the
highest esteem for him; and, as master of the horse to the
king, made him one of his equerries; and, as colonel of a
regiment, captain- lieutenant of his own company, resigning to him, at the same time his own pay as captain, with
many other advantages. King Charles likewise shewed him
signal marks of favour; and once gave him a proof of esteem
which perhaps, never any sovereign prince before had given
to an author who was only a private gentleman. Wycherley
happened to fall sick of a fever at his lodgings in Bowstreet, Covent*Garden, when the king did him the honour
to visit him; and, finding his body extremely weakened,
and his spirits miserably shattered, and his memory almost
totally gone, he commanded him, as soon as he should be
able to take a journey, to go to the south of France, believing that the air of Montpelier would contribute to restore him as much as any thing; and assured him, at the
same time, that he would order him 500l. to defray the
charges of the journey. Wycherley accordingly went into
France, and, having spent the winter there, returned to
England in the spring, entirely restored to his former vigour both of body and mind. The king, it is said, shortly
after his arrival told him, that “he had a son, who he had
resolved should be educated like the son of a king; and
that he could not chuse a more proper man for his governor than Mr. Wycherley;
” for which service 1500l. per
annum should be settled upon him. But there seems no solid
foundation for this report.