The history of the worthies of England who for parts and learning have been eminent in the several counties : together with an historical narrative of the native commodities and rarities in each county / endeavoured by Thomas Fuller.

CHAP. XXV. An Apologie for the unvoluntary Omissions in this BOOK.

WHen I first communicated my design herein to a person of * 1.1 Honour, he offer∣ed this grand Objection against it, That no Industry could be so circumspect, or Intelligence so comprehensive, but that many Memorable persons would es∣cape his Observation, and then Exception will be taken at such Omissions. This Objection many since have renewed and enforced, alledging that the Omitting of One shall get me more Anger then the inserting of many, gain me good will.

To this I Answer first in general. It is the priviledge of Divine Writ alone, to be so perfect that nothing may be taken thence, or added thereunto; The best humane Authors have had their failings in their best performances, far be it from me to pretend my dimme Eyes more quick-sighted then St. Bernards, who notwithstanding non vidit omnia; I trust therefore, that favour will be indulged to my Endevours, for my many Infirmities.

To Come to particulars, some seeming Omissions will appear to be none, on bet∣ter Enquiry, being only the leaving of many persons (which belong not to our land) to their Forraign Nativities. If any ask, why have you not written of John a Gaunt? I answer, because he was John of Gaunt, born in that City in Flanders. Thus whilst our Kings possessed large Dominions in France (from King William the Conquerour, to King Henry the Sixth) many eminent English men had their birth beyond the Seas, without the bounds of our Subject.

Secondly, I hope real Omissions will neither be found many nor material; I hope I shall not appear like unto him, who undertaking to make a Description of the Planets, quite forgot to make mention of the Sun, I believe most of those who have escaped our Pen, will be found Stars of the Lesser Magnitude.

Thirdly, I protest in the presence of God, I have not wittingly, willingly or wil∣fully shut the Dore against any worthy person which offered to enter into my know∣ledge, nor was my prejudice the Porter in this kind, to exclude any (of what perswa∣sion soever out of my Book) who brought merit for their Admission, Besides, I have gon, and rid, and wrote, and sought and search'd with my own and friends Eyes, to make what Discoveries I could therein.

Lastly, I stand ready with a pencel in one hand, and a Spunge in the other, to add, alter, insert, expunge, enlarge, and delete, according to better information. And if these my pains shall be found worthy to passe a second Impression, my faults I will confess with shame, and amend with thankfulnesse to such as will contribute clearer Intel∣ligence unto me.

These things premised, I do desire in my omissions the pardon especially of two sorts, concerned in my History; first Writers since the Reformation, (having those be∣fore it compleatly delivered unto us) who cannot be exactly listed.

First, for their Numerousnesse, and therefore I may make use of the Latine Distick, wherewith John Pitseus * 1.2 closeth his Book of English Writers.

Plura voluminibus jungenda volumina nostris Nec mihi scribendi terminus ullus erit.

More Volums to our volums must we bind, And when thats done a Bound we cannot find.

Secondly, for the scarcenesse of some Books, which I may term Publici-pri∣vati juris, because though publickly printed, their Copies were few, as intended on∣ly for friends, though it doth not follow that the Writers thereof had the less Merit, because the more Modesty.

I crave pardon in the second place for my Omissions, in the List of Benefactors to the Publick, for, if I would, I could not compleat that Catalogue, because no man can make a fit garment for a growing Child, and their Number is daily encreasing.

Besides if I could, I would not. For I will never drain (in Print) the spring so lowe, but to leave a Reserve; and some whom I may call Breeders for poste∣rity, who shall passe un-named, in which Respect, I conceive such Benefactors most perfectly reckoned up, when they are Imperfectly reckoned up.

All I will add is this, when St. Paul writing to the * 1.3 Philippians had saluted three, by name, viz. Euodias, Syntyche, and Clement, he passeth the rest over with a Saluta∣tion General, whose Names are in the Book of Life. Thus I have indevoured to give you the most exact Catalogue of Benefactors; but this I am sure, what is lost on Earth by my want of Industry, Instruction, &c. Will be found in Heaven, and their names are there recorded, in that Register which will last to all Eternity.

As for my omitting many Rarities and Memorables, in the respective Counties, I plead for my self, that mine being a general Description, it is not to be expected that I should descend to such particularities, which properly belong to those who write the Topography of one County alone. He shewed as little Ingenuity as Ingeniousnesse, who Cavilled at the Map of Grecia for imperfect, because his Fathers house in Athens was not represented therein. And their expectation in effect is as unreasonable, who look for every small observeable in a General work. Know also, that a mean person, may be more knowing within the Limits of his private Lands, then any Antiquary whatso∣ever. I remember a merry challenge at Court, which passed betwixt the Kings Porter, and the Queens Dwarfe, the latter provoking him to fight with him, on condition that he might but choose his own place, and be allowed to come thither first, assigning the great Oven in Hampton Court for that purpose. Thus easily may the lowest domineere over the highest skill, if having the advantage of the ground within his own private concernments. Give me leave to fill up the remaining Vacuity, with,

A Corrollary about the Reciprocation of Alumnus.

The word Alumnus is effectually directive of us (as much as any) to the Nativi∣ties of Eminent persons. However we may observe both a Passive and Active inter∣pretation thereof. I put Passive first, because one must be bred before he can breed; and Alumnus signifieth both the Nursed child and the Nurse, both him that was edu∣cated, and the Person or Place which gave him his Education. Wherefore Lau∣rentius Valla (though an excellent Grammarian) is much deceived, when not admit∣ting the double sense thereof, as by the ensuing instances will appear.

Passive Pro Educato.	Active Pro Educatore.
Cicero Dolabellae. Mihi vero gloriosum, te juvenem Consulem florere laudibus, quasi Alumnum Disciplinae meae.	Plinie lib. 3. de Italia. Terra omnium ter∣rarum Alumna, eadem & parens numine Deum electa.
De finibus 122. b. Aristoteles, caeteri{que} Platonis Alumni.	Augustinus lib. 70. Civit. Jovem Alumnum cognominaverunt, quod omnia aleret.

The Design which we drive on in this observation, and the use which we desire should be made thereof is this, viz. That such who are born in a Place, may be sen∣sible

of their Engagement thereunto; That if God give them ability and opportunity, they may expresse their Thankfulnesse to the same.

Quisquis Alumnus erat, gratus Alumnus erit.

A Thankful man will feed The Place which did him breed.

And the Truth hereof is eminently conspicuous in many Persons, but especially in great Prelates before, and rich Citizens since the Reformation.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The truly Noble Robert Lord Bruce.
• * 1.2

  pag. 923.
• * 1.3

  Phil. 4. 3.