James Howell

was born ((a))((a)) Lib. matric. P. pag. 473. in Caermerthenshire, particularly, as I conceive, at Abernant, of which place his Father was Minister. In what year he was born, I cannot precisely tell you, yet he himself saith that ((b))((b)) In his Epist. or familiar Letters, vol. 1. §. 6. nu. 60. his ascendant was that hot constellation of Cancer about the midst of the Dog-days. After he had been educated in Grammar learning in the Free-school at Hereford, he was sent to Jesus Coll. in the beginning of 1610 aged 16 years, took a degree in Arts, and then, being a pure Cadet, a true Cosmopolite, not born to land, lease, house, or office, was in a manner put to it to seek his fortune; but by the endeavours of friends and some money that his Father assisted him with, he travelled for three years into various Countries, whereby he advantaged himself much in the understanding of several languages. Some years after his return, he was sent into Spain 1622 to recover of the King of that place a rich English Ship, seized on by his Vice Roy of Sardinia for his Masters use, upon some pretence of prohibited goods therein. Three years after his return, (in which interval he was elected Fellow of Jesus Coll. 1623) he was entertained by Emanuel Lord Scrope Earl of Sunderland and Lord President of the North, and by him was made his Secretary. So that residing in York for that purpose, he was by the Mayor and Aldermen of Richmond chose a Burgess for their corporation to sit in that Parliament that began at Westminster, in the year 1627. Four years after, he went Secretary to Robert Earl of Leycester Embassador extraordinary from our King to the King of Denmark; before whom and his Children, he shew’d himself a quaint Orator by divers lat. speeches spoken before them, shewing the occasion of their Embassie, to condole the death of Sophia Qu. Dowager of Denmark, Grandmother to Ch. 1. K. of England. Afterwards going through several beneficial employments, particularly the assisting the Clerks of the Council, was, at length in the beginning of the Civil War, made one of those Clerks; but being prodigally inclined, and therefore running much into debt, he was seized on by order of a certain Committee, (after the King was forc’d from his Parliament) and committed Prisoner to the Fleet. So that having nothing to trust to but his wits, and to the purchase of a small spot of ground upon Pernassus, (which he held in fee of the Muses) he solely dedicated himself to write and translate books; which, tho several of them are meer scribbles, yet they brought him in a comfortable subsistance, during his long stay there. After the Kings return in 1660, we never heard of his restauration to his place of Clerk of the Council, (having before flatter’d Oliver and sided with the Commonwealths men) only that he was made the Kings Historiographer, being the first in England that bore that title; and having no beneficial employment, he wrot books to his last. He had a singular command of his pen, whether in verse or prose, and was well read in modern Histories, especially in those of the Countries wherein he had travelled, had a parabolical and allusive fancy, according to his motto Senesco non Segnesco. But the reader is to know that his writings having been only to gain a livelyhood, and by their dedications to flatter great and noble persons, are very trite and empty, stoln from other authors without acknowledgment, and fitted only to please the humours of Novices. His works are these.

Dodena’s Grove: or, the vocal Forest. Lond. 1640. 44. qu. Much cried up and taken into the hands of curious People at its first publication. The second part of it was printed at Lond. in 1650 oct. and tho not so much admired as the first (which was translated into French and printed several times) yet there was a translation made of it into the new refined French by one of the prime wits in the Academy of Breux Esprits of Paris—Par. 1652. qu.

Ou le Parler des Arbres. Par. 1648. qu. The English copy I have not yet seen, this being different from the Vocal Forest, which bears another title in the French edit.

The vote: or, a Poem-Royal, presented to his Majesty for a New-years gift, by way of discourse ’twixt the Poet and his Muse, cal. Jan. 1641. Lond. 1642 in two sh. in qu.

Instructions for forreign travel. Lond. 1642 in tw. Dedicated to Prince Charles: There again with additions, 1650 in tw.

Casual discourses and interlocutions between Patricius and Peregrin, touching the distractions of the times, with the causes of them.—Written by the author in the prison call’d the Fleet, presently after Edghill battle, being the first book that came forth for the vindication of his Majesty.

Mercurius Hibernicus: or, a discourse of that horrid insurrection, and massacre which hapned lately in Ireland—Written in the Fleet 1643.

Parables reflecting upon the times. Lond. 1644. in 2 sh. in qu. at the latter end of the second edit. o [•] Dodena’s Grove.

Englands tears for the present wars, &c. Lond. 1644. in two sh. and half in qu. There again in 1650 in tw. Put into lat. under this title Angliae suspiria & lacrymae, &c. Lond. 1646. in tw.

Preheminence and pedegree of Parliaments in two sections. Lond. 1644 in tw. There again in 1677 in 3 sheets in qu.

Vindication of some passages reflecting upon him in a book called The Popish Royal Favorite, pen’d by Mr. Prynne. Lond. 1644 in tw. Printed with the very next pamphlet before mentioned.

A clearing of some occurrences in Spain at his Majesties being there, cited by the said Mr. Prynne out of the Vocal Forest—This is also printed with the former.

Epistolae Ho-Elianae. Familiar letters domestic and forreign, divided into sundry sections, partly historical, political and philosophical. Lond. 1645. 47. qu. Lond. 1650. oct. There again 1655 and 73 in oct. All which impressions contained two vol. and had, to the last, added a third and fourth volume. Many of the said letters, were never written before the Author of them was in the Fleet, as he pretends they were, only feigned, (no time being kept with their dates) and purposely published to gain money to relieve his necessities.

A nocturnal progress: or, a perambulation of most Countries in Christendome, performed in one night by strength of imagination—Written in the Fleet 1645.

Lustra Ludovici: or, the life of Lewis 13 K. of France and of his Cardinal de Richelieu. Lond. 1646. fol. Divided into 7 lusters, and dedicated to Pr. Charles at his Court in the Isle of Jersey.

An account of the deplorable and desperate condition that England stands in, an. 1647. in a letter to Francis Cardinal Barberini—Written from the Fleet 1647.

Letter to the Earl of Pembr. concerning the times, and the sad condition both of Prince and People—Printed 1647 in two sh. in qu.

Bella Scot-Anglica. A brief of all the Battels, and martial encounters which have hapned ’twixt England and Scotland, from all times to this present—Printed 1648.

Corollary declaring the causes whereby the Scot is come of late years to be so hightned in his spirits—These two last are in 3 sh. in qu.

The instruments of a King: or, a short discourse of Sword, Scepter, and Crown. Lond. 1648. in 2 sh. in qu.

Winter dream—Written in prose and printed 1649 in 3 sh. in qu.

A trance, or news from hell brought first to town by Merc. Acheronticus. Lond. 1649 in 2 sh. and half in qu. Written in prose.

Inquisition after blood: to the parliament in statu quo nunc, and the Army regnant, &c.—Printed 1649 in two sh. in qu.

Vision, or dialogue between the soul and the body. Lond. 1651. oct. &c.

Survay of the signorie of Venice, of her admired policy and method of government. Lond. 1651. thin fol.

Discourse of the Interests of the Reipublick of Venice, with the rest of the states of Italy—Printed with the Survay.

Some sober inspections made into the carriage and consults of the late Long Parliament, &c. Lond. 1653. oct. Dedicated to Oliver Lord Protector, whom he compares to Charles Martel, and complements him in smooth language. The fourth edition of this book came out in 1660 with several additions containing reflections upon government in general, with some prophetick paragraphs, and a supplement of divers signal passages, which the other three additions had not.

Hist. of the Wars of Jerusalem Epitomiz’d—Printed in oct.

Ah, Ha; Tumulus, Thalamus: Two counter poems; the first, an Elegy upon Edward late Earl of Dorset. The second an Epithalamium to the L. Marquess of Dorchester; with an Hymeneum or Bridal-sonet of 4 stanzas, according to a choice Aire set thereunto by Mr. Will. Webb. Lond. 1653 in two sh. in qu.

A Dialogue—Published and couched under the name of Polyander. Written about the time that Oliver began to be Protector. In this Dialogue he gives his opinion for a single Person against all other governments.

The German diet: or, the ballance of Europe, wherein the power and weakness, glory and reproach, virtues and vices, &c. of all the Kingdoms and States of Christendom are impartially poysed. Lond. 1653 fol. The authors picture from head to foot is set before the title, leaning under a British oak.

Parthonopoeia: or, the history of the most renowned Kingdom of Naples, with a list of their Kings, &c. Lond. 1654 fol. The first part of it was written by Scipio Mazzella; englished from Ital. by Samson Lennard Herald of Arms. The second part was compiled by our Authors Jam. Howell, who, besides some supplements to the first part draws the thread of the story to these present times. Collected and translated from several modern Ital. authors.

Londinopolis. An historical discourse, or perlustration of the City of London and Westminster, with the Courts of Justice, Antiquities, and new buildings. Lond. 1657. fol. ’Tis a short discourse, mostly taken from Jo. Stow’s Survey of London, and his continuators.

Discourse of the Empire, and of the election of the King of the Romans, &c. Lond. 1658. oct.

Lexicon tetraglotton. An English-French-Italian-Spanish-Dictionary. Lond. 1659. 60. fol.

A particular vocabulary or nomenclature in English, Italian, French and Spanish of the proper terms belonging to several Arts and Sciences, to common professions and callings, both liberal and mechanick, &c. in 52 Sections. Lond. 1659. Printed with the former book.

Proverbs; or, old sayed sawes and adages in English, (or the Saxon tongue) Italian, French, and Spanish: Whereunto the British, for their great antiquity and weight are added—This is also printed with Lex. tetragl.

A cordial for the Cavaliers. Lond. 1661. Answer’d as soon as it peep’d abroad by Rog. L’estrange in a book entit. A caveat for the Cavaliers: which having given offence to divers Persons, he published a second edition of it, with his name and a preface to it. Soon after our author Howell set forth a vindication of his Cordial under this title.

Some sober inspections made into those ingredients, that went to the composition of a late Cordial for the Cavaliers. Lond. 1661. Upon which L’estrange briefly reflects in the close of a piece of his intit. A modest plea both for the Caveat and Author of it.

A French Grammar, and a dialogue consisting of all Gallicismes with additions of the most useful and significant proverbs, &c.—Printed at London twice, the last time was in 1673 fol. He also added to A French and English Dictionary, composed by Randle Cotgrave, Sundry animadversions, with supplements of many hundreds of words never before printed, with accurate castigations throughout the whole work.

The parley of Beasts: or, Morphandra Qu. of the enchanted Island, &c. Tom. 1. Lond. 1660 fol.

The second part of casual discourses and interlocutions between Patritius and Peregrin, &c. Lond. 1661. oct. Printed in a book intit. Divers historical discourses of the late popular insurrections in Great Britaine and Ireland.

Apology for Fables mythologiz’d—Printed in the said book also.

Twelve treatises of the late revolutions. Lond. 1661. octav.

New English Grammar for Forreigners to learn English, with a Grammar for the Spanish or Castilian tongue, with special remarques on the Portugues dialect, for the service of her Majesty. Lond. 1662. oct.

Discourse concerning the precedency of Kings, Lond. 1663. fol. Translated into Latine by B. Harris L. P.—Lond. 1664. oct.

Poems on several choice and various subjects, occasionally composed. Lond. 1663. oct. Collected and published by one who calls himself Serjeant Major Payne Fisher, somtimes Poet laureat to Oliver.

Treatise concerning Embassadors—Translated into Lat. by John Harmer of Magd. Coll.—Lond. 1664. oct.

Concerning the surrender of Dunkirk, that it was done upon good grounds. Lond. 1664. oct.

He also translated from Italian into English (1) S. Pauls late progress upon earth, about a divorce ’twixt Christ and the Church of Rome by reason of her dissoluteness and excesses, &c. Lond. 1644. oct. The Author of it (whose name I cannot yet learn) made it publick about the year 1642, and being forced to fly from Rome for so doing, in the company and under the conduct of one that pretended friendship to him, was betrayed at Avignion, and there first hanged, and then burned. (2) A Venetian looking-glass: or, a letter written very lately from Lond. to Card. Barbarini at Rome by a Venetian Clarissimo, touching the present distempers in England. Printed 1648. in 3 sh. in qu. (3) An exact history of the late Revolutions in Naples, and of their monstrous successes not to be parallel’d by any antient or modern History. Lond. 1650. oct. Published in Ital. by Lord Alex. Giraffi. The second part of this History came out soon after by the same hand, who also translated it from Ital. In both which it appears, that the said Revolutions were occasion’d by the excessive Gabells laid upon common Vendibles; which exciting the Mobile, headed by Tomaso Anello commonly called Masaniello a Fisherman, all things in Naples were for some time turn’d topsie turvy. (4) A letter of Advice sent from the prime Statesmen of Florence how England may come to her self again. Dated at Flor. 12. Mar. 1659—Printed at the end of The second part of casual discourses, &c. before mention’d. He also (Ja. Howell) translated from French into English, The nuptials of Peleus and Thetis; consisting of a Mask and Comedy, or the great royal Ball acted lately in Paris six times, &c. Lond. 1654. qu. and from Spanish into Engglish The process and pleadings in the Court of Spain upon the death of Anthony Ascham Resident for the Parliament of England, and of Joh. Baptista Riva his Interpreter, &c. Lond. 1651. fol. The said A. Ascham who was born of a gentile family, was educated in Eaton School and thence elected into Kings Coll. in Cambridge 1633: Afterwards taking the degree of M. of Arts, closed with the Presbyterians in the beginning of the Rebellion, took the Covenant, sided with the Independents, became a great creature of the Long Parliament, (by whose authority he was made Tutor to James Duke of York) and an active Person against his Soveraign. At length being looked upon as sufficiently Antimonarchical, was by the Rump Parliament sent their Agent or Resident to the Court of Spain, in the latter end of the year 1649. In the beginning of June following he arrived at Madrid and had an appartment appointed him in the Court; but certain English Royallists then in that City, taking it in great disdain that such a notorious Rebel (one of the destroyers of their Nation as they call’d him) should come there from the murtherers of his sacred Majesty of England, six of them named Joh. Guillim, Will. Spark, Valentine Progers, Jo. Halsal, Will. Arnet, and Hen. Progers, repaired to his lodging: Two of them stood at the bottom of the stairs, two at the top, and two entred his Chamber, of whom Spark being the first, drew up to the table where Ascham and another were sitting, and pulling off his hat, said Gentlemen I kiss your hands, pray which is the Resident? Whereupon the Resident rising up, Guillim took him by the hair of the head, and with a naked dagger gave him a thrust that overthrew him. Then came in Spark and gave him another, and because they would make sure of their work, they gave him five stabs, of which he instantly dyed. Whereupon Jo. Bap. Riva his Interpreter thinking to retire to his Chamber, four others that were without the Chamber, gave him four wounds, whereof he presently expired. Afterwards five of the Englishmen took sanctuary, but were haled thence, imprison’d and Spark suffered. The sixth Person named Hen. Progers fled to the Venetian Embassadors house and so escaped. The said Anth. Ascham who was slain 6. June. 1650, hath written A discourse wherein is examined, what is particularly lawful during the confusions and revolutions of government, &c. Lond. 1648. oct. and other things, as ’tis probable, but such I have not yet seen. But all this by the by; as for Jam. Howell he published—Cottoni posthuma: Divers choice pieces of that renowned Antiquary Sir Rob. Cotton, &c. Lond. in oct. and the late Kings Declaration in lat. Fr. and Engl. an. 1649. At length after he had taken many rambles in this world in his younger years, and had suffered confinement in his last, gave way to fate in the beginning of Novemb. in sixteen hundred sixty and six,1666. and was buried on the north side of the Temple Church in London, near the round walk. Soon after was a monument set up in the wall over his grave, with this inscription thereon. Jacobus Howell Cambro-Britannus, Regius Historiographus, (in Anglia primus) qui post varias peregrinationes, tandem naturae cursum peregit, satur annorum & famae, domi forisque huc usque erraticus, hic fixus 1666. This monument was pulled down in 1683 when the said Temple Church was beautified and repaired.