Epistolæ Ho-elianæ familiar letters domestic and forren divided into sundry sections, partly historicall, politicall, philosophicall, vpon emergent occasions / by James Howell.

Familiar LETTERS:

I. To Sir J. S. at LEEDS Castle.

SIR,

IT was a quaint difference the Anci∣ents did put twixt a Letter, and an Oration, that the one should be at∣tird like a Woman, the other like a Man: The latter of the two is allowd large side robes, as long periods, pa∣renthesis, similes, examples, and other parts of Rhetorical flourishes: But a •…•…etter or Epistle, should be short∣coated, and closely couchd; a Hun∣gerlin becomes a Letter more hansomly then a gown▪ Indeed we should write as we speak; and that's a true familiar Letter which expresseth ones mind, as if he were discoursing with the party to whom he writes in succinct and short terms. The Toung and the P•…•…n are both of them Interproters of the mind; but I hold

the Pen to be the more faithful of the two: The Toung in udo po∣sita, being seated in a moyst slippery place may fail and falter in her sudden extemporal expressions; but the Pen having a greater advantage of premeditation, is not so subject to error, and leaves things behind it upon firm and authentic record. Now, Letters, though they be capable of any subject, yet commonly they are either Narratory, Objurgatory, Consolatory, Monitory, o•…•… Cougratulatory. The first consists of relations, The second of repre∣hensions, The third of comfort, The last two of counsel and joy: There are some who in lieu of Letters write Homilies, they Preach when they should Epistolize; There are others that turn them to tedious tractats; this is to make Letters degenerat from their tru nature. Some modern Authors there are, who have ex∣pos'd their Letters to the world, but most of them, I mean a∣mong your Latin Epistolizers, go fraighted with meer Bartholo∣mew ware, with trite and trivial phrases only, listed with pedan∣dic shreds of Shool-boy verses. Others ther are among our next transmarin neighbours Eastward, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, write in their own lan∣guage, but their stile is so soft and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that their Letters may be said to be like bodies of lo•…•…se slesh without sinews, they have nei∣ther joyn•…•… of art, nor 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in them: They have a kind of sim∣pering and •…•…ank hectic expressions made up of a bombast of words and finical affected complement▪ only: •…•… cannot well away with such sleazy stuff, with such cobweb-compositions, where there is no strength of matter, nothing for the Reader to carry away with him, that may enlarge the notions of his soul: One shall hardly find an apothe•…•…m, example, simile, or any thing of Philo∣sophy, History, or solid knowledg, or as much as one new created phrase, in a hundred of them; and to d•…•…aw any observations out of them, were as if one went about to dis•…•…il cream out of froth; In∣somuch that it may be said of them, what was said of the Eccho, That she is a meer sound, and nothing else.

I return you your Balza•…•… by thi•…•… bearer, and when I found those Letters, wherein he is so familiar with his King, so flat, and those to Richelieu, so puff'd with prophane hyperboles, and larded up and down with such gross flatteries, with others besides which he sends as Urinals up and down the world to look into his water, for discovery of the c•…•…azie condition of his body, I fo•…•…bore him further: so I am

Your most affectionate servitor, J. H.

H'•…•…stminster, 25. Julii., 1625.

II. To my Father, upon my first going beyond Sea▪

SIR,

I Should be much wanting to my self, and to tha•…•… obligation of Duty, the Law of God, and his Handmaid Nature hath imposed upon me, if I should not acquaint you with the course and qua∣lity of my affairs and fortunes, specially at this time, that I am upon point of erossing the Seas to eat my bread abroad. Nor is it the common relation of a Son that only induc'd me hereunto, but that most indulgent and costly Care you have been pleased (in so extraordinary a manner) to have had of my breeding (though but one child of fifteen) by placing me in a choice me∣thodicall School (so far distant from your dwelling) under a lear∣•…•…ed (though lashing) Master; and by transplanting me thence •…•…o Oxford, to be graduated; and so holding me still up by the •…•…hin, untill I could swim without Bladders. This Patrimony •…•…f liberall Education you have been Pleased to endow me withal, •…•… now carry along with me abroad, as a sure inseparable Tre∣•…•…ure; nor do I feel it any burden or encumbrance unto me at all: And what danger soever my person, or other things I have about •…•…e, do incur, yet I do not fear the losing of this, either by Ship∣•…•…rack or Pyrats at Sea, nor by Robbers, or Fire, or any other Casualty ashore: And at my return to England, I hope, at leastw•…•… •…•… shall do my endeavour, that you may finde this Patrimony im∣•…•…roved somewhat to your comfort.

The main of my employment, is from that gallant Knight Sir Robert Mansell, who, with my Lord of Pembrook, and divers •…•…ther of the prime Lords of the Court, have got the sole Patent •…•…f making all sorts of Glass with Pit-cole, onely to save those •…•…uge proportions of Wood which were consumed formerly in the Glasse Furnaces: And this Business being of that nature, that •…•…e Workmen are to be had from Italy, and the chief Mate∣rials from Spain, France, and other Forren Countries, there is need •…•…f an Agent abroad for this use; (and better then I have offered

their service in this kind) so that I believe I shall have Employ∣ment in all these Countreys, before I return.

Had I continued still Steward of the Glasse-house in Broad∣street, where Captain Francis Bacon hath succeeded me, I should in a short time have melted away to nothing, amongst those hot Venetians, finding my self too green for such a Charge; therefore it hath pleased God to dispose of me now to a Condition more su∣table to my yeers, and that will, I hope, prove more advantagious to my future Fortunes.

In this my Peregrination, if I happen, by some accident, to be disappointed of that allowance I am to subsist by, I must make my addresse to you, for I have no other Rendevous to flee unto; but it shall not be, unlesse in case of great indigence.

Touching the News of the Time: Sir George Villiers, the new Favorit, tapers up apace, and grows strong at Court: His Prede∣cessor the Earl of Somerset hath got a Lease of ninety years for his life, and so hath his articulate Lady, called so, for articling against the frigidity and impotence of her former Lord. She was afraid that Coke the Lord chief Justice (who had used extraordinary an and industry in discovering all the circumstances of the poisoning of Overbury) would have made white Broth of them, but that the Prerogative kept them from the Pot: Yet the subservient instru∣ments, the lesser flyes, could not break thorow, but lay entangled in the Cobweb; amongst others, Mistris Turner, the first Inventress of yellow-Starch, was executed in a Cobweb Lawn Ruff of that co∣lor at Tyburn, and with her I believe that yellow-Starch, which so much disfigured our-Nation, and rendered them so ridiculous an•…•… fantastic, will receive its Funerall. Sir Gervas Elwayes, Lieutenan•…•… of the Tower, was made a notable Example of Justice and Terr•…•… to all Officers of Trust; for being accessory, and that in a passi•…•… way only to the murder, yet he was hanged on Tower-hill: an•…•… the Caveat is very remarkable which he gave upon the Gallow•…•… That people should be very cautious how they make Vows 〈◊〉〈◊〉 heaven, for the breach of them seldome passe without a Judge∣ment, whereof he was a most ruthfull Example; for being in th•…•… Low-Countreys, and much given to Gaming, he once made a so∣lemn Vow, (which he brake afterwards) that if he played abov•…•… such a sum, he might be hanged. My Lord (William) of Pembrook di•…•… a most noble Act like himself; for the King having given hi•…•… all Sir Gervas Elway's estate, which came to above 1000 pound 〈◊〉〈◊〉. he freely bestowed it on the widow and her children.

The later end of this week, I am to go a Ship-board, and first 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Low-Countreys. I humbly pray your Blessing may ac∣company me in these my Travels by Land and Sea, with a con∣•…•…uance of your prayers, which will be as so many good Gales to •…•…ow me to safe Port: for I have been taught, That the Parents Be∣•…•…udictions contribute very much, and have a kind of prophetic vertue •…•…o make the childe prosperous. In this opinion I shall ever rest,

Broad-street in London, this 1. of March, 1618.

Your dutifull Son, J. H.

III. To Dr. Francis Mansell, since Principall of Jesus▪ Colledge in Oxford.

SIR,

BEing to take leave of England, and to lanch out into the world abroad, to Breath forren air a while, I thought it very •…•…andsom, and an act well becoming me, to take my leave also of •…•…ou, and of my dearly honoured Mother Oxford: Otherwise both •…•…f you might have just grounds to exhibite a Bill of Complaint, or rather, a Protest, against me, and cry me up, you for a forgetfull friend; she, for an ingratefull Son, if not some spurious Issue. To •…•…revent this, I salute you both together: you, with the best of my •…•…ost candid affections; her, with my most dutifull observance, •…•…nd thankfulnesse for the milk she pleased to give me in that Exuberance, had I taken it in that measure she offered it me while •…•… slept in her lap: yet that little I have sucked, I carry with me •…•…ow abroad, and hope that this cours of life will help to concoct 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to a greater advantage, having opportunity, by the nature of •…•…y employment, to study men as well as Books. The small time I •…•…upervis'd the Glasse-house, I got amongst those Venetians some •…•…atterings of the Italian Toung, which, besides the little I have, •…•…ou know, of School-languages, is all the Preparatives I have made •…•…or travell. I am to go this week down to Gravesend, and so •…•…mbarque for Holland: I have got a Warrant from the Lords of •…•…he Councell to travell for three years any where, Rome and S.

Omer excepted. I pray let me retain some room, though never so little, in your thoughts, during the time of this our separation, and let our souls meet sometimes by intercours of letters; I pro∣mise you that yours shall receive the best entertainment I can make them, for I love you dearly dearly well, and value your friendship at a very high ra•…•…e: So with apprecation of as much happiness to you at home, as I shall desire to accompany me abroad, I rest ever,

Your friend to serve you, J. H.

London this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of March, 1618.

IV. To Sir James Crofts, Knight, at S. Osith.

SIR,

I Could not shake hands with England, without kissing your hands also: and because, in regard of your distance now from London, I cannot do it in person, I send this paper for my depu∣ty.

The News that keeps greatest noise here now, is the return of Sir Walter Raleigh from his myne of Gold in Guiana the South parts of America, which at first was like to be such a hopeful boon Voyage, but it seems that that golden myne is proved a meer Chymer•…•… an imaginary ai•…•…y myne; and indeed, his Majestie had never any other conceipt of it: But what will not one in Cap∣tivity (as Sir Walter was) promise, to regain his Freedom? who would not promise not onely mynes, but mountains of Gold, for Liberty? & tis pity such a knowing well-weigh'd Knight had not had a better Fortune; for the Destiny (I mean that brave Ship which he built himself of that name, that carried him thither) is like to prove a fatall Destiny to him, and to some of the rest of those gal∣lant Adventurers which contributed for the setting forth of thir∣teen Ships more, who were most of them his kinsmen and young∣er brothers, being led into the said Expedition by a generall con∣ceipt the world had of the wisedom of Sir Walter Raleigh; and many of these are like to make Shipwrack of their estates by this

Voyage. Sir Walter landed at Plymouth, whence he thought to make an escape; and some say he hath tampered with his body by Phisick, to make him look sickly, that he may be the more pitied, and permitted to lie in his own house. Count Gondamar the Spanish Ambassador speaks high language, and sending lately to desire Audience of his Majestie, he said he had but one word to tell him, his Majestie wondring what might be delivered in one word; when he came before him, he said onely, Pyrats, Pyrats, Pyrats, and so departed.

Tis true that he protested against this Voyage before, and that it could not be but for some praedatory designe: And that if it be as I hear, I fear it will go very ill with Sir Walter, and that Gon∣damar will never give him over, till he hath his head off his shoul∣ders; which may quickly be done, without any new Arraignment, by vertue of the old Sentence that lies still dormant against him, which he could never get off by Pardon, notwithstanding that he mainly laboured in it before he went; but his Majestie could ne∣ver be brought to it, for he said he would keep this as a Curb to hold him within the bounds of his Commission, and the good be∣haviour.

Gondamar cryes out, that he hath broke the sacred Peace twixt the two Kingdoms, That he hath fired and plundered santo Thoma a Colony the Spaniards had planted with so much blood, neer under the Line, which made it prove such a hot service unto him, and where, besides others, he lost his eldest son in the Action; and could they have preserved the Magazin of Tobacco onely, be∣sides other things in that Town, something mought have bin had to countervail the charge of the Voyage. Gondamar alleadgeth further, that the enterprise of the myne failing, he propounded to the rest of his Fleet to go and intercept some of the Plate-Ga∣leons, with other Designes which would have drawn after them apparent acts of Hostility, and so demands Justice: besides other disasters which fell out upon the dashing of the first designe, Cap∣tain Remish, who was the main Instrument for discovery of the myne, pistol'd himself in a desperate mood of discontent in his Cabin, in the Convertine.

This return of Sir Walter Raleigh from Guiana, puts me in minde of a facetious tale I read lately in Italian (for I have a little of that Language already) how Alphonso King of Naples sent a Moor who had been his Captive a long time, to Barbary, with a consider∣able sum of money to buy horses, and to return by such a time.

Now there was about the King a kinde of Buff•…•…n or Jester who had a Table-book, or Journall, wherein he was used to register any absurdity, or impertinence, or merry passage that happened about the Court. That day the Moor was dispatched for Barbary, the said Jester waiting upon the King at supper, the King call'd for his Journall, and askt what he had observed that day: thereupon he produced his Table-book, and amongst other things, he read how Alphons•…•… King of Naples had sent Beltran the Moor, who had been a long time his Prisoner, to Morocco (his own Countrey) with so many thousand Crowns, to buy horses. The King asked him why he inserted that: Because, said he, I think he will ne∣ver come back to be a Prisoner again, and so you have lost both man and money. But if he do come, then your Jest is marr'd, quoth the King: No Sir; for if he return I will blot out your name, and put him in for a Fool.

The Application is easie and obvious: But the world wonders extremely, that so great a wise man as Sir Walter Raleigh would return to cast himself upon so inevitable a Rock, as I fear he will; and much more, that such choice men, and so great a Power of Ships, should all come home, and do nothing.

The Letter you sent to my Father, I conveyed safely the last week to Wales. I am this week, by Gods help, for the Nether∣lands, and then I think for France. If in this my forren employ∣ment I may be any way serviceable unto you, you know what pow∣er you have to dispose of me; for I honor you in a very high de∣gree, and will live and die,

London, 28. of March, 1618.

Your humble and ready Servant, J. H.

V. To my Brother, after Dr. Howell, and now Bp. of Bristol, from Amsterdam.

BROTHER,

I Am newly landed at Amsterdam, and it is the first forren earth I ever set foot upon. I was pitifully sick all the Voyage, for the Weather was rough, and the wind untoward; and at the

mouth of the Texell we were surprised by a furious Tempest, so that the Ship was like to split upon some of those old stumps of trees wherewith that River is full; for in Ages passed, as the Skip∣per told me, there grew a fair Forest in that Chanell where the Texell makes now her bed. Having bin so rocked and shaken at Sea; when I came ashore I began to incline to Copernicus his opi∣nion, which hath got such a sway lately in the World, viz. That the Earth as well as the rest of her fellow Elements, is in perpetual motion, for she seem'd so to me a good while after I had landed He that observes the site and position of this Countrey, will never hereafter doubt the truth of that Philosophicall Problem which keeps so great a noise in the Schools, viz. That the Sea is higher then the Earth, because as I sail'd along these Coasts, I visibly found it true; for the Ground here which is all twixt Marsh and Moorish, lies not only levell, but to the apparant sight of the ey far lower then the Sea, which made the Duke of Alva say, That the Inhabitants of this Countrey were the neerest Neighbours to Hell (the great Abysse) of any people upon Earth, because they dwell lowest: Most of that Ground they tread, is plucked as it were out of the very Jaws of Neptun, who is afterwards pennt out by high Dikes, which are preserved with incredible charge, inso∣much, That the chief Dike-grave here, is one of the greatest Offi∣cers of trust in all the Province, it being in his power, to turn the whole Countrey into a Salt lough when he list, and so to put Hans to swim for his life, which makes it to be one of the chiefest part of his Letany, From the Sea, the Spaniard, and the Devil, the Lord deliver me. I need not tell you who preserves him from the last, but from the Spaniard, his best friend is the Sea it self, notwithstan∣ding that he fears him as an Enemy another way; for the Sea stretching himself here into divers Arms, and meeting with some of those fresh Rivers that descend from Germany to disgorge themselves into him through these Provinces, most of their towns are thereby encompass'd with Water, which by Sluces they can contract or dilate as they list: This makes their Towns inaccessi∣ble, and out of the reach of Cannon; so that Water may be said to be one of their best Fences, otherwise I beleeve they had not been able to have born up so long against the Gigantic power of Spain.

This City of Amsterdam, though she be a great Staple of News, yet I can impart none unto you at this time, I will defer that till I come to the Hague.

I am lodged here at one Mounsieur De la Cluze, not far from

the Exchange, to make an Introduction into the French, because I beleeve I shall steer my cours hence next to the Countrey where that Language is spoken; but I think I shall sojourn here about two moneths longer, therefore I pray direct your Letter•…•… accordingly, or any other you have for me: One of the prime comforts of a Traveller is to receive Letters from his friends, they be∣get new spirits in him, and present joyfull objects to his fancy, when his mind is clouded sometimes with Fogs of melancholy; therefore I pray make me happy as often as your conveniency will serve with yours: You may send or deliver them to Captain Bacon at the Glasse house, who will see them safely sent.

So my dear brother, I pray God blesse us both, and send us af∣ter this large distance a joyfull meeting.

Your loving brother, J. H.

Amsterdam, April 1. 1617.

VI. To Dan. Caldwall Esq. from Amsterdam.

My dear Dan.

I Have made your friendship so necessary unto me, for the con∣tentment of my life, that happinesse it self would be but a kind of infelicity without it: It is as needfull to me, as Fire and Water, as the very Air I take in, and breath out; it is to me not onely neoessitudo, but necessitas: Therefore I pray let me injoy it in that fair proportion, that I desire to return unto you, by way of corre∣spondencee and retaliation- Our first ligue of love, you know, was contracted among the Muses in Oxford; for no sooner was I matriculated to her, but I was adopted to you; I became her son, and your friend, at one time: You know I followed you then to London, where our love received confirmation in the Temple, and else-where. We are now far asunder, for no lesse then a Sea se∣vers us, and that no narrow one, but the German Ocean: Di∣stance sometimes endear's friendship, and absence sweetneth it, it much 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the value of it, and makes it more precious: Let this be ve∣rified

in us, Let that love which formerly used to be nourished by personall communication, and the Lips, be now fed by Letters; let the Pen supply the Office of the Toung: Letters have a strong operation, they have a kind of art like embraces to mingle souls, and make them meet though millions of paces asunder; by them we may converse and know how it fares with each other, as it were by entercours of spirits. Therefore amongst your civill speculations, I pray let your thoughts sometimes reflect off me (your absent self) and wrap those thoughts in Paper, and so send them me over: I promise you they shall be very welcome, I shall embrace and hug them with my best affections.

Commend me to Tom Bowyer, and enjoyn him the like: I pray be no niggard in distributing my love plentifully amongst our friends at the Innes of Court; Let Iack Toldervy have my kind commends with this caveat, That the Pot which goes often to the water, comes home crack'd at last; therefore I hope he will be care∣full how he makes the Fleece in Cornhill his thorowfare too often. So may my dear Daniel live happy, and love his

J. H.

From Amsterdam, April the 10. 1619.

VII. To my Father, from Amsterdam.

SIR,

I Am lately arrived in Holland in a good plight of health, and continue yet in this Town of Amsterdam, a Town I beleeve, that there are few her fellows, being from a mean Fishing Dorp, come in a short revolution of time, by a monstrous encrease of Comerce and Navigation, to be one of the greatest Marts of Eu∣rop: Tis admirable to see what various sorts of Buildings, and new Fabrics, are now here erecting every where; not in houses onely, but in whole Streets and Suburbs; so that tis thought she will in a short time double her proportion in bigness.

I am lodg'd in a French-mans house, who is one of the Deacons of our English Brownists Church here; 'tis not far from the Syna∣gog

of Iews, who have free and open exercise of their Religion here: I beleeve in this Street where I lodg, ther be well near as many Religions as there be houses; for one Neighbour knows not, nor cares not much, what Religion the other is of, so that the number of Conventicles exceeds the number of Churches here. And let this Countrey call it self as long as it will, the united Provinces one way, I am perswaded in this point, there's no place so Disunited.

The Dog and Rag Market is hard by, where every Sunday morning there is a kind of public Mart for those commodities, notwithstanding their precise observance of the Sabbath.

Upon Saturday last I hapned to be in a Gentlemans company, who shew'd me as I walk'd along in the Streets, along Bearded old Iew of the Tribe of Aaron; when the other Iews met him, they fell down and kiss'd his Foot: This was that Rabbi, with whom our Countrey-man Broughton had such a dispute.

This City, notwithstanding her huge Trade, is far inferiour to London for populousnes; and this I infer out of their weekly Bills of Mortalitie, which come not at most but to fifty or thereabout; whereas in London, the ordinary number is twixt two and three hundred, one week with another: Nor are there such Wealthy∣men in this Town as in London; for by reason of the generality of Commerce, the Banks, Adventures, the Common shares and stocks which most have in the Indian and other Companies, the Wealth doth'diffuse it self here in a strange kind of equality, not one of the Bourgers being exceeding rich or exceeding poor; Insomuch, that I beleeve our four and twenty Aldermen, may buy a hundred of the richest men in Amsterdam. It is a rare thing to meet with a Begger here, as rare, as to see a Horse, they say, upon the Streets of Venice, & this is held to be one of their best peeces of Government; for besides the strictnes of their Laws against Mendicants, they have Hospitals of all sorts for young and'old, both for the relief of the one and the employment of the other; so that there is no object here to exercise any act of cha∣rity upon. They are here very neat, though not so magnificent in their Buildings, specially in their Frontispices, and first Rooms; and for cleanlines, they may serve for a pattern to all People. They will presently dresse half a dozen Dishes of Meat, without any noise or shew at all; for if one goes to the Kitchin, ther will he scarce apparance of any thing, but a few covered Pots upon a Turf-fire, which is their prime fuell; after dinner they fall a

scowring of those Pots▪ so that the outside will be as bright 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the inside, and the Kitchin suddenly so clean, as if no meat had bin dress'd there a month before: They have nei∣ther Well or Fountain, or any Spring of Fresh-water, in, or about all this City, but their Fresh-water is brought unto them by Boats; besides they have Cesterns to receive the Rain-water, which they much use: So that my Laundresse bringing my Lin∣nen to me one day, and I commending the Whitenesse of them, she answered, That they must needs be White and Fair, for they were washed in Aqua Coelestis, meaning Skie-water.

Twere cheap living here, were it not for the monstrous Accises which are impos'd upon all sorts of Commodities, both for Belly and Back; for the Retailer payes the States almost the one Moity as much as he payed for the Commodity at first, nor doth any murmur at it, because it goes not to any Favourit, or private Purse, but to preserve them from the Spaniard, their common Enemy as they term him; so that the saying is truely verified here, Desend me, and spend me: With this Accise principally, they maintain all their Armies by Sea and Land, with their Garrisons at home and abroad, both here, and in the Indies, and defray all other public charges besides.

I shall hence shortly for France, and in my way take most of the prime Towns of Holland and Zealand, specially Leyden (the Uni∣versity) where I shall sojourn some days. So humbly craving a continuance of your Blessing and Prayers, I rest

May the 1. 1619.

Your dutiful S•…•…, J. H.

VIII. To Dr. Tho. Prichard, at Jesus Colledg in Oxford, from Leyden.

SIR,

IT is the Royall Prerogative of Love, not to be confined to that small Locall compasse which circumscribes the Body, but to make his Sallies, and Progresses abroad, to find out, and enjoy his desired object, under what Region soever: Nor is it the vast Gulph of Neptun, or any distance of place, or difference of Clime, can bar him of this priviledge▪ I never found the experiment here∣of, so sensibly, nor felt the comfort of it so much, as since I shook hands with England: For though you be in Oxford, and I at Leyden, albeit you be upon an Island, and I now upon the Conti∣nent, (though the lowest part of Europ) yet those swift Postillions my thoughts find you out daily, and bring you unto me: I be∣hold you often in my Chamber, and in my Bed; you eat, you drink, you sit down, and walk with me▪ and my fantasie enjoyes you often in my sleep, when all my sences are lock'd up, and my soul wanders up and down the World, sometimes through plea∣sant Fields and Gardens, sometimes through odd uncouth places, over Mountains and broken confused Buildings. As my love to you doth thus exercise his power, so I desire yours to me may not be idle, but rows'd up sometimes to find me out, and summon me to attend you in Iesus Colledge.

I am now here in Leyden, the onely Academy besides Franiker of all the United Provinces: Here are Nations of all sorts, but the Germans swarr•…•… more then any: To compare their University to yours, were to cast New-Inne in counterscale with Christ-Church Colledge, or the Alms Houses on Tower Hill to Suttons Hospitall. Here are no Colledges at all, God-wot (but one for the Dutch) nor scarce the face of an University, onely there are generall Schools where the Sciences are read by severall Professors, but all the Students are Oppidanes: A small time and lesse learning, will suffice to make one a Graduate; nor are those Formalities of Ha∣bits, and other Decencies here, as with you, much lesse those Ex∣hibitions and Support for Schollers, with other encouragements; in so much, that the Oxonians and Cantabrigians—Bona si

suae norint, were they sensible of their own felicity, are the happiest Academians on Earth: yet Apollo hath a strong influence here; and as Cicero said of them of Athens, Athenis pingue coelum, tenu•…•… i•…•…genia, The Athenians had a thick Air, and thin Wits; so I may say of these Lugdunensian•…•…, They have a grosse Ayr, but thin subtile Wits, (some of them) Witnesse else Hernsius, Grotins, Arminius, and Bandius; of the two last I was told a Tale, that Arminius meeting Baudius one day disguis'd with Drink (wherewith he would be of∣ten) he told him, Tu Baudî dedecoras nostram Academiam, & tu Arminî nostram Religionem. Thou Baudius disgracest our Univer∣sity; and thou Arminius our Religion. The Heaven here hath alwayes some Clowd in his countenance; and from this grosse∣nesse and spissitude of Air proceeds the slow Nature of the Inha∣bitants, yet this slownesse is recompenc'd with another benefit; it makes them patient and constant, as in all other actions, so in their Studies and Speculations, though they use

—Crassos transire Dies, lucemque palustrem.

I pray impart my Love liberally amongst my Friends in Oxford; and when you can make truce with your more serious Meditati∣ons, bestow a thought, drawn into a few Lines, upon

Leyden, May the 30. 1619.

Your J. H.

IX. To Mr. Richard Altham, at his Chamber in Grayes-Inne.

Dear Sir,

THough you be now a good way out of my reach, yet you are not out of my remembrance; you are still within the Hori∣zon of my Love: Now the Horizon of Love is large and spaci∣ous, it is as boundlesse, as that of the imagination; and where the imagination rangeth, the memory is still busie to usher in, and present the desired object it fixeth upon: it is love that sets them both on work, and may be said to be the highest sphear whence they receive their motion. Thus you appear unto me often in these Forren Travels, and that you may beleeve me the better, I send you these Lines as my Ambassadors (and Ambassadors must

not lie) to inform you accordingly, and to salute you.

I desire to know how you like Ployden; I heard it often said, That ther is no study requires patience and constancy more then the Common-Law, for it is a good while before one comes to any known perfection in it, and consequently to any gainfull prac∣tise. This (I think) made Iack Chaundle•…•… throw away his Lit∣tleton, like him that when he could not catch the Hare, said, A pox upon her she is but dry tough meat, let her go: It is not so with you; for I know you are of that disposition, that when you mind a thing, nothing can frighten you in making constant pursuit after it, till you have obtained it: For if the Mathematics with their Crabbednesse, and intricacy, could not deter you, but that you waded through the very midst of them, and arriv'd to so ex∣cellent a perfection; I believe it is not in the power of Ployden, to Dastardize or Cowe your Spirits, untill you have overcom him, at least wise have so much of him as will serve your turn. I know you were always a quick and pressing Disputant in Logic and Philoso∣phy, which makes me think your Genius is fit for Law, (as the Ba∣ron your excellent Father was) for a good Logitian makes alwayes a good Lawyer: and hereby one may give a strong conjecture of the aptnesse or ineptitude of ones capacity to that study and pro∣fession; and you know as well as I, that Logitians who went under the name of Sophisters, were the first Lawyers that ever were.

I shall be upon incertain removes hence, untill I come to Roüe•…•… in France, and there I mean to cast Anchor a good while; I shall expect your Letters there with impatience. I pray present my Service to Sir Iames Altham, and to my good Lady, your Mother, with the rest to whom it is due in Bishopsgate Street, and else∣where: So I am

Yours in the best degree of Friendship, J. H.

Hague 30. of May, 1619.

X. To Sir James Crofts: from the Hague.

SIR,

THe same observance that a Father may challenge of his child, the like you may claim of me, in regard of the extraor∣dinary care you have bin pleas'd to have alwayes, since I had the happines to know you, of the cours of my Fortunes.

I am now newly come to the Hague, the Court of the six (and almost seven) confederated Provinces; the Counsell of State with the Prince of Orange, makes his firm Residence here, unlesse he be upon a march, and in motion for some design abroad. This Prince (Maurice) was cast in a mould▪ suitable to the temper of this peo∣ple: he is slow and full of warines, and not without a mixture of fear, I do not mean a pusillanimous, but politic fear: he is the most constant in the quotidian cours and carriage of his life, of any that J have ever heard or read of; for whosoever knows the customs of the Prince of Orange, may tell what he is a doing here evry hour of the day, though he be in Constantinople. In the morning he awaketh about six in Sommer, and seven in Winter; the first thing he doth, he sends one of his Grooms or Pages, to see how the wind sits, and he wears or leaves off his Wascot accordingly, then he is about an hour dressing himself, and about a quarter of an hour in his Closet, then comes in the Secretary, and if he hath any privat or public Letters to write, or any other dispatches to make, he doth it before he stirs from his Chamber; then comes he abroad, and goes to his Stables if it be no Sermon day, to see some of his Gentlemen or Pages (of whose breeding he is very carefull) ride the great Horse: He is very accessible to any that hath busines with him, and sheweth a winning kind of familiari∣ty, for he will shake hands with the meanest Boor of the Coun∣trey, and he seldom hears any Commander or Gentleman with his Hat on: He dines punctually about twelve, and his Table is free for all comers, but none under the degree of a Captain useth to sit down at it; after dinner he stayes in the Room a good while, and then any one may accost him, and tell his tale; then he re∣•…•…res to his Chamber, where he answers all Petitions that were de∣livered

him in the Morning, and towards the Evening, if he goes not to Counsell, which is seldome; he goes either to make some visits, or to take the Air abroad, and according to this constant method he passeth his life.

Ther are great stirs like to arise twixt the Bohemians, and their elected King the Emperour, and they are com already to that height, that they consult of deposing him, and to chuse some Pro∣testant Prince to be their King, som talk of the Duke of Saxony, others of the Palsgrave: J beleeve the States here, would rather be for the latter, in regard of conformity of Religion, the other being a Lutheran.

I could not find in Amsterdum a large Ortelius in French, to send you, but from 〈◊〉〈◊〉 I will not fail to serve you.

So wishing you all happines and health, and that the Sun may make many progresses more through the Zodiac, before those comely Gray hairs of yours go to the Grave, I rest

Iune the 3. 1619.

Your very humble Servant, J. H.

XI. To Captain Francis Bacon, at the Glassehouse in Broad-street.

SIR,

MY last to you, was from Amsterdam, since which time I have travers'd the prime parts of the united Provinces, and •…•… am now in Zealand, being newly come to this Town of Middl•…•… borough, which is much crest-faln since the Staple of English Clo•…•… was removed hence, a•…•… is Flishing also her next Neighbor, since th•…•… departure of the English Garrison: A good intelligent Gentle∣man told me the manner how Flishing and the B•…•…ill, our two Cau∣tionary Towns here were redeem'd, which was thus: The nin•…•… hundred and odd Souldiers at Flishing, and the Rammakins ha•…•… by, being many weeks without their pay, they borrow'd diver•…•… sums of Money of the States of this Town, who finding no hope•…•… of supply from England, advice was sent to the States-Generall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Hague, they consulting with Sir Ralph Winwood our Ambassa∣dor

(who was a favourable Instrument unto them in this busi∣nes, as also in the match with the Palsgrave) sent Instructions to the Lord Caroon, to acquaint the Earl of Suffolk (then Lord Trea∣surer) herewith; and in case they could find no satisfaction there, to make his addresse to the King himself, which Caroon did, His Majestie being much incens'd, that his Subjects and Souldiers should starve for want of their pay in a Forren Countrey, sent for the Lord Treasurer, who drawing his Majestie aside, and telling how empty his Exchequer was, His Majestie told the Ambassador, that if his Masters, the States, would pay the money they ow'd him upon those Towns, he would deliver them up; The Ambassador returning the next day, to know whether his Majestie persisted in the same Resolution, in regard that at his former audience, he per∣ceived him to be a little transported, His Majesty answered, That he knew the States of Holland to be his good frends and confede∣rats, both in point of Religion and Policy; therefore he apprehen∣ded not the least fear of any difference, that should fall out between them, in contemplation whereof, if they desir'd to have their Towns again, he would willingly surrender them: Hereupon the States made up the sum presently, which came in convenient time, for it serv'd to defray the expencefull progresse he made to Scotland, the Summer following. When that Money was lent by Queen Elizabeth, it was Articled, that Interest should be payed upon Interest; and besides, that for evry Gentleman who should lose his life in the States Service, they should make good five pounds to the Crown of England: All this His Majestie remitted, and onely took the principall; and this was done in requitall of that Princely Entertainment, and great Presents, which my Lady Elizabeth had received in divers of their Towns, as she pass'd to Heydelberg.

The Bearer hereof, is Sigr. Antoni•…•… Miotti, who was Master of a Crystall-Glasse Furnace here a long time, and as I have it by good intelligence, he is one of the ablest, and most knowing men, for the guidance of a Glasse-Work in Christendom; There∣fore according to my Instructions, I send him over, and hope to •…•…ave done Sir Robert good service thereby. So with my kinde respects unto you, and my most humble Service where you know •…•…is due, I rest

Your affectionate Servent, J. H.

Iune the 6. 1619.

XII. To Sir James Crofts: Antwerp.

SIR,

I Presume that my last to you from the Hague came to safe hand: I am now come to a more cheerfull Countrey, and amongst a People somewhat more vigorous and mettald, being not so heavy as the Hollander, or homely, as they of Zealand. This goodly ancient City me thinks looks like a disconsolat Widow, or rather som superannuated Virgin, that had lost her Lover, being almost quite •…•…erest of that flourishing Commerce, wherwith before the falling off of the rest of the Provinces from Spain, she abounded to the envy of all other Cities and Marts of Europ. Ther are few places this side the Alps better built, and so well Streeted as this, and none at all so well girt with Bastions and Rampasts, which in som places are so spacious, that they usually take the Air in Coa∣ches upon the very wals, which are beutified with divers rows of Trees, and pleasant Walks. The Cittadell here, though it be an addition to the Statelines and strength of the Town, yet it serve•…•… as a shrew'd Curb unto her, which makes her chomp upon the Bit, and Foam sometimes with anger, but she cannot help it. The Tumults in Bohemia now grow hotter and hotter, they write how the great Councell a•…•… Prague fell to such a hurliburly, that so•…•… of those Senators who adherd to the Emperour, were thrown ou•…•… at the windows, wher som were maim'd, som break their Necks. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 am shortly to bid a farewell to the Netherlands, and to bend m•…•… cours for France, wher I shall be most ready to entertain an•…•… commands of yours. So may all health and happines, attend yo•…•… according to the wishes of

Your obliged Servant, J. •…•…▪

Iuly 5. 1619.

XIII. To Dr. Tho. Prichard at Oxford, from Roüen.

I Have now taken firm footing in France, and though France be one of the chiefest Climats of Complement, yet I can use none towards you, but tell you in plain down right Language, That in the List of those friends I left behind me in England, you are one of the prime rank, one whose name I have mark'd with the whitest Stone: If you have gain'd such a place amongst the choi∣cest friends of mine, I hope you will put me somwher amongst yours, though I but fetch up the rear, being contented to be the i•…•…fima species, the lowest in the predicament of your friends.

I shall sojourn a good while in this City of Roüen, therfore I pray make me happy with the comfort of your Letters, which I shall expect with a longing impatience: I pray send me ample advertisement of your welfare, and of the rest of our friends, as well upon the Banks of Isis, as amongst the Brittish Mountains. I am but a fresh▪ man yet in France, therfore I can send you no news, but that all is here quiet, and tis no ordinary news, that the French should be quiet: But some think this Calm will not last long, for the Queen Mother (late Regent) is discontented being restrain'd from coming to the Court, or to the City of Paris, and the Tragicall death of her Favourit, (and Foster-Brother) the late Marquis of Ancre, lieth yet in her stomach undisgested: She hath the Duke of Espernon, and divers other potent Princes, that would be strongly, at her devotion (as 'tis thought) if she would stir. I pray present my service to Sir Eubule Theloall, and send me word with what pace, Iesus Colledg new Walls go up: I will borrow my conclusion to you at this time of my Countrey∣man Owen.

Uno non possum quantum te diligo versu Dicere, si satis est distichon, ecce duos.

I cannot in one Vers my love declare, If two will serve the turn, to here they are.

Wherunto I will add this sirname Anagram.

Yours whole I. Howel.

Aug. 6. 1619.

XIV. To Daniel Caldwall Esq. from Roüen.

MY dear Dan. when I came first to this Town, amongst other objects of contentment which I found here, wherof ther are variety, a Letter of yours was brought me, and 'twas a Sh•…•… Letter, for two more were enwomb'd in her Body, she had an easie and quick deliverance of that Twin; but besides them, she was big and pregnant of divers sweet pledges, and lively evidences of your own love towards me, whereof I am as fond as any Mo∣ther can be of her child: I shall endeavour to cherish and foster this dear love of yours, with all the tendernes that can be, and warm it at the fuel of my best affections, to make it grow evry day stronger and stronger, untill it comes to the state of perfection, because I know it is a true and real, it is no spurious or adulterated love: If I intend to be so indulgent and carefull of yours, I hope you will not suffer mine to starve with you; my love to you needs not much tending, for it is a lusty strong love, and will not easily miscarry.

I pray when you write next, to sond me a dozen pair of the best White Kidskin Gloves, the Royall-Exchange can afford; as also two pair of the purest White Wosted Stockins you can get of Women size, together with half a dozen pair of Knifs. I pray send your man with them to Vacandary the French Post upon Tower-Hill, who will bring them me safely. When I go to Paris, I shall send you som curiosities, equivalent to these; I have here inclos'd re∣turn'd an answer to those two that came in yours, I pray see them safely delivered. My kind respects to your Brother Sergeant at Court, to all at Batter say,' or any wher else, wher you think my Commendations may be well plac'd.

No more at this time, but that I recommend you to the never failing Providence of God, desiring you to go on in nourishing still between us, that love, which for my part,

No Traverses of Chance, of Time, or Fate, Shall ere extinguish till our lives last date;

But a•…•… the Vin•…•… h•…•… lovely El•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wire, Grasp b•…•…th our Hearts, and flame with fresh desire.

Roüen, Aug. 13. 1619.

Yours J. H.

XV. To my Father from Roüen.

SIR,

YOurs of the third of August, came to safe hand in an inclos'd from my Brother; you may make easie conjecture how wel∣com it was unto me, and to what a height of comfort it rais'd my spirits, in regard it was the first I received from you, since I cross'd the Seas; I humbly thank you for the blessing you sent along with it.

I am now upon the fair Continent of France, One of Natures choicest Master-peeces; one of Ceres chiefest Barns for Corn; one of Bacchus prime Wine-Cellars, and of Neptu•…•…s best Salt-Pits; a compleat self-sufficient Countrey, wher ther is rather a super∣fluity, then defect of any thing, either for necessity or pleasure, did the policie of the Countrey correspond with the bounty of Nature, in the equall distribution of the Wealth amongst the Inhabitants; for I think there is not upon the Earth, a richer Countrey, and poorer peeple. Tis true, England hath a good repute abroad for her fer∣tility, yet be our Harvests never so kindly, and our Crops never so plentifull, we have evry yeer commonly som Grain from hence, or from Danzic, and other places imported by the Marchant: Besides, ther be many more Heaths, Commons, Bleak-b•…•…rren-Hills, and waste Grounds in England, by many degrees, then I find here; and I am sorry our Countrey of Wales, should give more instances hereof, then any other part.

This Province of Normandy, once an Appendix of the Crown of England, though it want Wine, yet it yeelds the King as much desmeans as any one of the rest: The lower Norman hath Syder for his common drink; and I visibly observ'd, that they are more plump and replet in their bodies, and of a clearer complexion then those that drink altogether Wine. In this great City of

Roüen ther be many Monuments of the English Nation yet extant. In the outside of the highest Steeple of the great Church ther is the word GOD engraven in huge Golden Characters, evry one almost as long as my self, to make them the more visible. In this Steeple hangs also the greatest Bell of Christendom, call'd d'Am∣boise; for it weighs neer upon▪ fourty thousand pound weight. Ther is also here Saint Oen, the greatest Sanctuary in the Citie, founded by one of our Compatriots, as the name imports: This Province is also subject to Wardships, and no other part of France besides; but whither the Conqueror transported that Law to England from hence, or whither he sent it over from England hi∣ther, I cannot resolve you. Ther is a marvailous quick trade beaten in this Town, because of the great Navigable River Sequana (the Seine) that runs hence to Paris, wheron ther stands a strange Bridge that ebbs and flows, that riseth and fall's with the River, it being made of Boats, whereon Coach, and Carts may passe over as well as men: Besides, this is the neerest Mercantil City that stands twixt Paris and the Sea.

My last unto you was from the Low-Countreys, wher I was in motion to and fro above four months; but I fear it miscarried in regard you make no mention of it in yours.

I begin more and more to have a sense of the sweetnes, and advantage of forren Travell: I pray when you com to London, to find a time to visit Sir Robert, and acknowledge his great fa∣vours unto me, and desire a continuance thereof, according as I shall endeavour to deserve them. So with my due and daily Prayers for your health, and a speedy successefull issue of all your Law-businesses, I humbly crave your blessing, and rest.

Your dutifull Son, J. H.

Septemb. the 7. 1619.

XVI. To Cap. Francis Bacon, from Paris.

SIR,

I Received two of yours in Roüen with the Bills of Exchange, ther inclos'd, and according to your directions I sent you those things which you wrote for.

I am now newly com to Paris, this huge Magazin of men, the Epitome of this large populous Kingdom, and rendevouz of all Forreners. The structures here are indifferently fair, though the Streets generally foul all the four Seasons of the yeer, which I impute first to the Position of the Citie being built upon an Isle (the Isle of France, made so by the branching and serpentin cours of the River of Seine) and having som of her Suburbs seated high, the filth runs down the Channell, and settles in many places within the body of the Citie, which lieth upon a flat; as also for a world of Coaches, Carts, and Horses of all sorts that go to and fro perpetually, so that somtimes one shall meet with a stop half a mile long of those Coaches, Carts, and Horses, that can move neither forward nor backward by reason of some sudden encoun∣ter of others coming a crosse-way; so that oftentimes it will be an hour or two before they can dis-intangle: In such a stop the great Henry was so fatally slain by Ravillac. Hence comes it to passe, that this Town (for Paris is a Town, a City, and an univer∣sity) is alwayes dirty, and 'tis such a dirt, that by perpetual mo∣tion is beaten into such a thick black onctious Oyl, that wher it sticks, no art can wash it off of some colours, insomuch, that it may be no improper comparison to say, That an ill name is like the Crot (the dirt) of Paris, which is indelible; besides the stain this dirt leaves, it gives also so strong a sent, that it may be smelt many miles off, if the wind be in ones face as he comes from the fresh Air of the Countrey: This may be▪ one cause why the Plague is alwayes in som corner or other of this vast Citie, which may be call'd as once S•…•…ythia was Vagina Populorum, or (as mankind was call'd by a great Philosopher) a great Mole-hill of Ants: Yet I believe this Citie is not so populous as she seems to be, for her form being round (as the whole Kingdom is) the Passengers wheel about, and meet oftner then they use to do in the long

continued Streets of London, which makes London appear lesse po∣pulous then she is indeed; so that London for length (though not for latitude) including Westminster, exceeds Paris, and hath in Mi•…•…hnelmas Term more souls moving within her in all places. Tis under one hundred yeers that Paris is becom so sumptuous, and strong in Buildings; for her houses were mean, untill a Myne of White Stone was discover'd •…•…ard by, which runs in a continued Vein of Earth, and is digg'd out with ease being soft, and is between a White-Clay and Chalk at first, but being pullied up, with the open Air it receives a Crusty kind of hardnes, and so becomes perfect Freestone; and before it is sent up from the Pit, they can reduce it to any form: Of this Stone, the Louvre, the Kings Palace is built, which is a vast Fabric, for the Gallerie wants not much of an Italian mile in length, and will easily lodg 3000 men, which some told me, was the end for which the last King made it so big, that lying at the fag end of this great muti∣nous Citie; if she perchance should rise, the King might powre o•…•…t of the Louvre so many thousand men unawares into the heart of her.

I am lodg'd here hard by the Bastile, because it is furthest off from those places where the English resort; for I would go on to get a little Language as soon as I could. In my next, I shall im∣part unto you what State-news France affords, in the interim, and alwayes I am

Your humble Servant, J. H.

Paris, 30. of March, 1620.

XVII. To Richard Altham Esquire; from Paris.

Dear Sir,

LOve is the marrow of Friendship, and Letters are the Elixir of Love; they are the best fuell of affection, and cast a sweeter odour then any Frankincense can do; such an odour, such an A∣romatic perfume your late Letter brought with it, proceeding from the fragrancy of those dainty Flowers of eloquence, which I found

blossoming as it were in every Line; I mean those sweet expres∣sions of Love and Wit, which in every period were intermingled with so much Art, that they seem'd to contend for mastery which was the strongest: I must confesse, that you put me to hard shifto to correspond with you in such exquisit strains and raptures of Love, which were so lively, that I must needs judg them to pro∣ceed from the motions, from the Diastole and Systole of a Heart truly affected; certainly your heart did dictat every syllable you writ, and guided your hand all along: Sir, give me leave to tell you, that not a dram, nor a doze, not a scruple of this pretious love of yours is lost, but it is safely tresur'd up in my Brest, and an∣swer'd in like proportion to the full, mine to you is as cordiall, it is passionat and perfect, as love can be.

I thank you for the desire you have to know how it fares with me abroad; I thank God I am perfectly well, and well contented with this wandring cours of life a while, I never enjoyed my health better, but I was like to endanger it two nights ago; for being in som joviall company abroad, and coming late to our lodging, we were suddenly surprized by a crue of Filous of night Rogues, who drew upon us, and as we had exchang'd some blow•…•…, it pleas'd God, the Chevatieur de Guet, an Officer, who goe•…•… up and down the Streets all night a horseback to prevent disorders, pass'd by, and so rescued us; but Iack White was hurt, and I had two thrusts in my Clock. Ther's never a night passeth, but some robbing or murther is committed in this Town, so that it is not safe to go late any where, specially about the Pont-Neuf, the New Bridg, though Henry the Great himself •…•…ies Centinell ther in Arms, upon a huge Florentine horse, and sits bare to every one that passeth, an improper posture me thinks to a King on horse∣back: not longsince, one of the Secretaries of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (wherof ther are here always four) having bin invited to the Suburbs of Saint Germains to supper, left order with one of his Laquays, to bring him his horse about nine, it so happen'd, that a mischance befell the horse, which lam'd him as he went a watring to the Seine, insomuch, that the Secretary was put to beat the hoof himself, and Foot it home; but as he was passing the Pont-Neuf with his La∣quay carrying a Torch before him, he might ore hear a noise of clashing of Swords, and Fighting, and looking under the Torch, •…•…d perceiving they were but two, he bad his Laquay go on; they had not made many paces, but two armed men with their Pistols cock'd, and swords drawn, made puffing towards them, whereof

one had a paper in his hand, which he said, he had casually took up in the streets, and the difference between them was about that Paper; therefore they desir'd the Secretary to read it, with a great deal of complement, the Secretary took out his spectacles, and fell a reading of the said Paper, whereof the substance was, That it should be known to all men, that whosoever did passe over that Bridge after nine a Clock at night in Winter, and ten in Summer, was to leave his Cloak behind him, and in case of no Cloak, his Hat. The Secretary starting at this, one of the Camerades told him; That he thought that Paper concern'd him, so they unmantled him of a new Plush Cloak, and my Secretary was content to go home quietly, and en Cuerpo. This makes me think often, of the excel∣lent Nocturnall Government of our City of London, wher one may passe and repasse securely all hours of the night, if he give good words to the Watch. Ther is a gentle calm of Peace now throughout all France, and the King intends to make a progresse to all the Frontier Towns of the Kingdom, to see how they are fortified. The Favourit Luines strengthneth himself more and more in his minionship, but he is much murmured at in regard the accesse of Suiters to him is so difficult, which made a Lord of this Land say, That three of the hardest things in the world were, To quadrat a Circl•…•…, to find out the Philosophers Stone, and to speak with the Duke of Luines.

I have sent you by Vacandary the Post, the French Bever and Tweeses you writ for: Bever-hats are grown dearer of late, be∣cause the Iesuits have got the Monopoly of them from the King.

Farewell dear child of Vertue, and Minion of the Muse•…•…, and continue to love

Paris, 1. of May. 1620.

Your J. H.

XVIII. To Sir James Crofts; from Paris.

SIR,

I Am to set forward this week for Spain, and if I can find no com∣modity of embarcation at Saint Malos, I must be forc'd to jour∣ney it all the way by Land, and clammer up the huge Pyreney∣hills, but I could not bid Paris adieu, till I had conveyed my true and constant respects to you by this Letter. I was yesterday to wait upon Sir Herbert Croft at Saint Germains, where I met with a French Gentleman, who amongst other curiosities, which he pleased to shew me up and down Paris, brought me to that place where the late King was slain, and to that wher the Marquis of Ancre was shot, and so made me a punctuall relation of all the circumstances of those two acts; which in regard they were rare, and I beleeve two of the notablest Accidents that ever happen'd in France, I thought it worth the labour to make you partaker of som part of his discours.

France as all Christendom besides (for ther was then a truce twixt Spain and the Hollander) was in a profound Peace, and had continued so twenty yeers together, when Henry the fourth fell upon some great Martiall design, the bottome whereof is not known to this day; and being rich (for he had heap'd up in the Bastile a mount of Gold that was as high as a Lance) he levied a huge Army of 40000 men, whence came the Song, The King of France with fourty thousand men, and upon a sudden he put this Army in perfect equippage, and some say he invited our Prince Henry to come unto him to be a sharer in his exploits: But going one afternoon to the Bastile, to see his Tresure and Ammunition, his Coach stopp'd suddenly, by reason of some Colliers and o∣ther Carts that were in that narrow street; whereupon one Ra∣villac a lay Jesuit (who had a whole twelve month watch'd an op∣portunity to do the act) put his foot boldly upon one of the wheels of the Coach, and with a long Knife stretch'd himself over their shoulders who were in the Boot of the Coach, and reach'd the King at the end, and stab'd him right in the left side to the heart, and pulling out the fatall Steel, he doubled his thrust; the

King with a ruthfull voice cryed out, Ie suis blesse (I am hurr) and suddenly the bloud issued at his mouth: The Regicide villain was apprehended, and command given, that no violence should be offered him, that he might be reserv'd for the law, and som exquisit torture. The Queen grew half distracted hereupon, who had been crown'd Queen of France the day before in great tryumph; but a few days after she had something to countervail, if not to overmatch her sorrow; for according to Saint Lewis law, she was made Queen Regent of France during the Kings Minori∣ty, who was then but about years of Age: Many consultations were held how to punish Revillas, and ther were some Italia•…•… Physitians that undertook to prescribe a torment, that should last a constant torment for three days, but he scap'd onely with this, His body was pull'd between four horses, that one might hear his Bones crack, and after the dislocation, they were set again, and so he was carryed in a Cart standing half naked, with a Torch in that hand which had committed the murrher; and in the place where the act was done, it was cut off, and a Gauntlet of hot Oyl was clap'd upon the stump, to stanch the bloud, whereat he gave a dolefull shrike, then was he brought upon a stage, wher a new pair of Boots was provided for him, half fill'd with boyling Oyl, then his body was pincer'd, and hot Oyl powr'd into the holes; in al the extremity of this torture, he scarce shew'd any sense of pain, but when the Gauntlet was clap'd upon his Arms to stanch the Flux at which time he of reaking bloud, gave a shrike onely; He boar up against all these torments about three hours before he dyed: all the confession that could be drawn from him, was, That he thought to have done God good service, totake away that King, which would have embroil'd all Christendom in an endlesse War.

A fatall thing it was, that France should have theee of her Kings com to such violent deaths, in so short a revolution of time. Henry the second running at Tilt with Monsieur Montgomery, was kill'd by a Splinter of a Lance that pierc'd his eye: Henry the third, not long after, was kill'd by a young Fryer, who in lieu of a Letter which he pretended to have for him, pull'd out of his long sleeve a Knife, and thrust him into the Bottom of the belly, as he was coming from his Close stool, and so dispatcht him, but that Regicide was hack'd to peeces in the place by the Nobles: The same destiny attended this King by Ravillac, which is becom now a common name of reproach and infamy in France.

Never was King so much lamented as this, ther are a world not onely of his Pictures, but Statues up and down France, and ther's

scarce a Market Town, but hath him erected in the Market place, or ore some Gate, not upon Sign-posts, as our Henry the eight; and by a publick Act of Parliament which was confirmed in the Consistory at Rome, he was enti•…•…led, Henry the Great, and so plac'd in the Temple of Immortality. A notable Prince he was, and of in admirable temper of body and mind, he had a gracefull faceti∣ous way to gain both love and aw, he would be never transported beyond himself with choler, but he would passe by any thing with some repartie, som witty strain, wherein he was excellent: I will instance in a few which were told me from a good hand. One day he was charg'd by the Duke of Bovillon to have chang'd his Reli∣gion, he answer'd, No cosin, I have chang'd no Religion, but an Opi∣nion; And the Cardinall of Perron being by, he injoyn'd him to write a Treatise for his Vindication, the Cardinal was long about the work, and when the King ask'd from time to time where his Book was, he would still answer him, That he expected som Manu∣scripts from Rome before he could finish it: It happen'd, that one day the King took the Cardinall along with him to look on his Workmen, and new Buildings at the Louvre; and passing by one corner which had bin a long time begun but left unfinished, The King ask'd the chief Mason, why that corner was not all this while perfected? Sir, it is because I want som choice Stones; no, no, said the King, looking upon the Cardinall, It is because thou want'•…•… Manuscripts from Rome. Another time, the old Duke of Main, who was us'd to play the drol with him, coming softly into his Bed-Chamber, and thrusting in his Bald-head, and Long-neck, in a posture to make the King merry, it happen'd the King was com∣ing from doing his Ease, and spying him, he took the round Cover of the Close-stool, and clap'd it on his Bald-Sconce, saying, A•…•… Cousin, you thought once to have taken the Crown off of my head, and wear it on your own; but this of my Tail shall now serve your turn. Another time, when at the siege of Ami•…•…ns, he having sent for the Count of Soissons (who had 100000 Franks a yeer Pension from the Crown) to assist him in those wars, and that the Count excused himself, by reason of his yeers, and poverty, having exhausted himself in the former wars, and all that he could do now, was to pray for his Majesty, which he would do heartily: This answer being brought to the King, he replied, Will my Cousin, the Count of Soissons, do nothing else but pray for me, tell him that Prayer without Fasting, is not available; therefore I will make my Cousin Fast also, from his Pension of 100000. per annum.

He was once troubled with a fit of the Gout, and the Spanish

Ambassador coming then to visit him, and saying he was sorry to see his Majesty so lame, he answered, As lame as I am, if ther were occasion, your Master the King of Spain, should no sooner have his foot in the stirrop, but he should find me on Horseback.

By these few you may guesse at the Genius of this spritfull Prince, I could make many more instances, but then I should ex∣ceed the bounds of a Letter. When I am in Spain you shall hear further from me, and if you can think on any thing wherin I may serve you, beleeve it Sir, that any imployment from you, shall be welcom to

Your much obliged Servant. J. H.

Paris, 12. of May, 1620.

XIX. To my Brother Dr. Howell.

BROTHER,

BEing to morrow to part with Paris, and begin my journey for Spain, I thought it not amisse to send you this, in regard I know not when I shall have opportunity to write unto you a∣gain.

This Kingdom since the young King hath taken the Scepter into his own hands doth flourish very much with quietnes and Commerce; nor is there any motion or the least tintamar of trou∣ble in any part of the Countrey, which is rare in France. Tis true, the Queen Mother is discontented since She left her Regency, being confin'd, and I know not what it may com unto in time, for she hath a strong party, and the murthering of her Marquis of Ancre will yet bleed as som fear.

I was lately in societie of a Gentleman, who was a Spectator of that Tragedie, and he pleas'd to relate unto me the particulars of it, which was thus: When Henry the fourth was slain, the Queen Dowager took the Reins of the Government into her hands during the young Kings Minority; and amongst others whom she advanc'd Signor Conchino, a Florentin, and her Foster-Brother was one; Her countenance came to shine so strongly up∣on him, that he became her onely confident and favourit, inso∣much, that she made him Marquis of Ancre, one of the twelve

Marshals of France, Governour of Normandy, and conferr'd di∣vers other Honours, and Offices of trust upon him, and who but he; The Princes of France could not endure this domineering of a stranger, therefore they leagu'd together, to suppresse him by Arms; The Queen Regent having intelligence hereof, sur∣priz'd the Prince of Conde, and clap'd him up in the Bastile; the Duke of Main fled hereupon to Peronne in Pycardie, and other great men put themselves in an Armed posture, to stand upon their guard: The young King being told, that the Marquis of Ancre was the ground of this discontentment, commanded Mon∣sieur de Vitry, Captain of his Guard, to Arrest him, and in case of resistance, to kill him: This busines was carried very closely till the next morning, that the said Marquis was coming to the Louvre with a ruffling train of Gallants after him, and passing over the Draw-Bridge at the Court-Gate, Vitry stood there with the Kings Guard about him, and as the Marquis entred, he told him, that he had a Commission from the King to apprehend him, therefore he demanded his Sword; the Marquis hereupon put his hand upon his Sword, some thought to yeeld it up, others to make opposition; in the mean time Vitry discharg'd a Pistoll at him, and so dispatch'd him: The King being above in his Gal∣lery, ask'd what noise that was below, one smilingly answer'd▪ nothing Sir, but that the Marshall of Ancre is slain; who slew him? The Captain of your Guard; why? Because he would have drawn his Sword at Your Majesties Royall Commission, then the King replied, Vitry hath done well, and I will maintain the act: Presently the Queen Mother had all her Guard taken from her, except six men and sixteen Women, and so she was banish'd Pa∣ris, and commanded to retire to Blois: Ancre's Body was buried that night in a Church hard by the Court, but the next morning, when the Laquays and Pages (who are more unhappy here then the Apprentises in London) broke up his Grave, tore his Coffin to peeces, rip'd the Winding-Sheet, and tied his Body to an Asses Tail, and so dragg'd him up and down the Gutters of Paris, which are none of the sweetest; they then slic'd off his Ears, and nail'd them upon the Gates of the City, they cut off his Genito∣ries (and they say he was hung like an Asse) and sent them for a present to the Duke of Main, the rest of his Body, they carried to the New-Bridg, and hung him his Heels upwards, and Head downwards upon a new Gibbet, that had bin set up a little before to punish them who should speak ill of the present Government, and it was his chance to have the Maiden-head of it himself: His

Wife was hereupon apprehended, imprisond, and beheaded for a Witch som few dayes after upon a surmise, that she had enchanted the Queen to dote so upon her Husband; and they say the young Kings Picture was found in her Closet in Virgin-Wax, with one Leg melted away; a little after a processe was form'd against the Marquis (her Husband) and so he was condemn'd after death. This was a right act of a French popular fury, which like an angry torrent is irresistible, nor can any Banks, Boundaries, or Dike•…•… stop the impetuous rage of it. How the young King will prosper after so high, and an unexampled act of violence, by beginning his Raign, and embr•…•…ing the Walls of his own Court with blood in that manner, ther are divers censures.

When I am settled in Spain, you shall hear from me, in the in∣terim, I pray let your Prayers accompany me in this long jour∣ney, and when you write to Wales, I pray acquaint our frends with my welfare. So I pray God blesse us both, and send us a happy enterview.

Paris, 8. of Septem∣ber, 1620.

Your loving Brother, J. H.

XX. To my Cousin W. Vaughan Esq from Saint Malo.

Cousin,

I Am now in French Britany, I went back from Paris to Roüen, and so through all low Normandy, to a little Port call'd Gran∣ville, wher I embark'd for this Town of Saint Malo, but I did purge so violently at Sea, that it put me into a Burning Feavour for some few dayes, wherof (I thank God) I am newly recovered, and finding no opportunity of shipping here, I must be forc'd to turn my intended Sea voyage to a long land journey.

Since I came to this Province, I was curious to converse with some of the lower Bretons who speak no other Language but our Welsh, for their radicall words are no other, but 'tis no wonder for they were a Colony of Welsh at first, as the name of this Pro∣vince doth imply, as also the Latin name▪ Armorica, which though

it passe for Latin, yet it is but pure Welsh, and signifies a Coun∣trey bordring up the Sea, as that arch Heretick was call'd Pelagius, a Pelago, his name being Morgan. I was a little curious to peruse the Annals of this Province, and during the time that it was a Kingdom, ther wer four Kings of the name Hoell, whereof one was call'd Hoell the Great.

This Town of Saint Malo hath one rarity in it, for ther is here a perpetuall Garrison of English, but they are of English Dogs, which are let out in the night to guard the Ships, and eat the Gar∣dens up and down the Streets, and so they are shut up again in the morning.

It will be now a good while before I shall have conveniency to send to you, or receive from you; howsoever, let me retain still some little room in your memory, and somtimes in your medita∣tions, while I carry you about me perpetually, not onely in my head, but in heart, and make you travell all along with me thus from Town to Countrey, from Hill to Dale, from Sea to Land, up and down the World; and you must be contented to be Sub∣•…•…ect to these incertain removes and perambulations, untill it shall please God to fix me again England; nor need you, while you are thus my concomitant through new places evry day, to fear any ill usage as long as I farewell,

St. Malo, 25. of Sep∣tember, 1620.

Yours 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, J. H.

XXI. To Sir John North Kt. from Rochell.

SIR,

〈◊〉〈◊〉 Am newly com to Rochell, nor am I sorry that I went somwhat out of my way to see this Town, not (to tell you true) out of •…•…ny extraordinary love I bear to the people; for I do not find •…•…em so gentle and debonnair to strangers, nor so Hospitable a•…•… •…•…e rest of France, but I excuse them for it, in regard it is com∣•…•…only so with all Republic and Hans Towns, wherof this smels •…•…ery rank▪ nor indeed hath any Englishman much cause to love 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Town, in regard in Ages pass'd, she played the most treche∣rous

part with England of any other place of France. For the Story tells us, That this Town having by a perfidious stratage•…•… (by forging a counterfeit Commission from England) induc'd the English Governour to make a general Muster of all his Forces ou•…•… of the Town; this being one day done, they shut their Gate•…•… against him, and made him go shake his ears, and to shift for his lodging, and so rendred themselves to the French King, who sen•…•… them a blank to write their own conditions. I think they have the strongest Ramparts by Sea of any place of Christendom; no•…•… have I seen the like in any Town of Holland, whose safety de∣pends upon Water. I am bound to morrow for Bourdeaux, then through Gascogny to Tholouse, so through Languedoc ore the Hill•…•… to Spain; I go in the best season of the yeer, for I make an Au∣tumnall journey of it. I pray let your Prayers accompany me all along, they are the best Offices of Love, and Fruits of Friendship▪ So God prosper you at home, as me abroad, and send us in good time a joyfull conjuncture,

Rochell, 8. of Octo∣ber, 1620.

Yours, J. H.

XXII. To Mr. Tho. Porter, after Cap. Porter, from Barcelone.

MY dear Tom, I had no sooner set foot upon this Soyl, and breath'd Spanish ayr, but my thoughts presently reflected upon you: Of all my frends in England, you were the first I met here, you were the prime object of my speculation; me thought the very Winds in gentle whispers did breath out your name, and blow it on me; you seem'd to reverberat upon me with the Beams of the Sun, which you know hath such a power∣full influence, and indeed too great a stroke in this Countrey: And all this you must ascribe to the operations of Love, which hath such a strong virtuall force, that when it fastneth upon a pleasing subject, it sets the imagination in a strange fit of work∣ing, it imployes all the faculties of the Soul, so that not one Cell in the Brain is idle, it busieth the whole inward man, it af∣fects the heart, amuseth the understanding, it quickneth the fancy,

and leads the will as it were by a silken thred to cooperat with them all: I have felt these motions often in me, specially at this time, that my memory fixed upon you: But the reason that I fell first upon you in Spain, was, that I remembred I had heard you often discoursing how you had received part of your educati∣on here, which brought you to speak the Language so exactly well: I think often of the Relations I have heard you make of this Countrey, and the good instructions you pleas'd to give me.

I am now in Barcelona, but the next week I intend to go on through your Town of Valencia to Alicant, and thence you shall be sure to hear from me further, for I make account to Winter there. The Duke of Ossuna pass'd by here lately, and having got leave of Grace to release some slaves, he went aboard the Cape-Gallie, and passing through the Churm•…•… of slaves, He ask'd di∣vers of them what their offences were, evry one excus'd himself, one saying, That he was put in out of malice, another by bribery of the Judge, but all of them injustly; amongst the rest, ther was one sturdy little black man, and the Duke asking him what he he was in for, Sir, said he, I cannot deny but I am justly put in here, for I wanted money, and so took a Purse hard by Tarragona to keep me from starving; The Duke with a litte staff he had in his hand, gave him two or three blows upon the shoulders, saying, You Rogue what do you do amongst so many honest innocent men, get you gone out of their company; so he was freed, and the rest remain'd still in statu quo prius, to tugg at the Oar.

I pray commend me to Signor Camillo, and Mazalao, with the rest of the Venetians with you, and wher you go aboard the Ship behind the Exchange, think upon

Barcelona,10. of No∣vember, 1620.

Your J. H.

XXIII. To Sir James Crofts.

SIR,

I Am now a good way within the Body of Spain, at Barcelona, a proud wealthy Citie, situated upon the Mediterranean, and is the Metropolis of the Kingdom of Catalunia, call'd of old Hispania •…•…raconensis: I had much ado to reach hither, for besides the monstrous abrup•…•…es of the way, these parts of the Pyreneys that border upon the Mediterranean, are never without Theeves by Land (call'd Ba•…•…doleros) and Pyrats on the Sea side, which li•…•… sculking in the Hollows of the Rocks, and often surprize Passen∣gers unawares, and carry them slaves to Barbary on the other side. The safest way to passe, is to take a Bordon in the habit of a Pil∣grim, wherof ther are abundance that perform their vows this way to the Lady of Monserrat, one of the prime places of pilgri∣mage in Christendom; It is a stupendous Monastery, built on the top of a huge Land Rock, whither it is impossible to go up, or come down by a direct way, but a path is cut out full of windings and turnings; and on the Crown of this Craggy-hill, ther is a fl•…•…, upon which, the Monastery and Pilgrimage place is founded, wher ther is a Picture of the Virgin Mary Sunburnt, and Tann'd, it seems when she went to Egypt; and to this Picture a marval∣lous confluence of people from all parts of Europe resort.

As I pass'd between so•…•… of the Pyrency Hills, I observ'd the poor Labradors, som of the Countrey people live no better then bruit Animals in point of food, for their ordinary commons is Grasse and Water, onely they have alwayes within their Houses a Bottle of Vinegar, and another of Oyl, and when Dinner or Supper time comes, they go abroad and gather their Herbs, and so cast Vinegar and Oyl upon them, and will passe thus two or three dayes without Bread or Wine, yet are they, strong lusty men, and will stand stiffly under a Musket.

Ther is a Tradition, that ther were divers Mynes of Gold in Ages pass'd amongst those Mountains: And the Shepherds that kept Goats then, having made a small fire of Rosemary stubs, with other combustible stuff to warm themselves, this fire graz'd along, and grew so outragious, that it consum'd the very Entrails

of the Earth, and melted those Mynes, which growing fluid by liquefaction, ran down into the small Rivelets that were in the Valleys, and so carried all into the Sea, that monstrous Gulph which swalloweth all, but seldom disgorgeth any thing; and in these Brooks to this day som small Grains of Gold are found.

The Viceroy of this Countrey hath taken much pains to clear these Hills of Robbers, and ther hath bin a notable havock made of them this yeer; for in divers Woods as I pass'd, I might spie som Trees laden with dead Carcases, a better Fruit far then Dio∣genes Tree bore, wheron a Woman had hang'd her self, which the Cynic cryed out to be the best bearing Tree that ever he saw.

In this place ther lives neither English Marchant or Factor, which I wonder at, considering that it is a Maritim Town, and one of the greatest in Spain; her chiefest Arsenal for Gallies, and the Scale by which she conveys her Moneys to Italy; but I believe the reason is, that ther is no commodious Port here for Ships of any burden, but a large Bay. I will inlarge my self no further at this time, but leave you to the guard and guidance of God, whose sweet hand of protection hath brought me through so many un∣couth places and difficulties to this Citie: So hoping to meet your Letters in Alicant, wher I shall Anchor a good while, I rest

Yours to dispose of,

J. H.

Barcelona, 24. Novemb. 1620.

XXIV. To Dr. Fr. Mansell, from Valentia.

SIR,

THough it be the same glorious Sun that shines upon you in England, which illuminats also this part of the Hemi∣sphear; though it be the same Sun that ripeneth your Pippins, and our Pomgranets, your Hops, and our Vineyards here, yet he dis∣penseth his heat in different degrees of strength; those Rays that do but warm you in England, do half roast us here; those Beams that irradiat onely, and guild your Honey-suckled fields, do scorch and parch this chinky gaping soyl, and so put too many wrincles

upon the face of our common Mother the Earth. O blessed Clime, O happy England, wher ther is such a rare temperature of hear and cold, and all the rest of Elementary qualities, that one may passe (and suffer little) all the yeer long without either shade in Summer, or fire in Winter.

I am now in Valentia, one of the noblest Cities of all Spain, situ∣at in a large Vegue or Valley, above threescore miles compasse; here are the strongest Silks, the sweetest Wines, the excellenc'st Almonds, the best Oyls, and beutifull'st Femals of all Spain, for the prime Courtisans in Madrid, and else-where are had hence: The very bruit Animals make themselves Beds of Rosmary, and other Fragrant Flowers hereabouts; and when one is at Sea, if the Wind blow from the shore, he may smell this soyl before he come in sight of it many leagues off, by the strong odoriferous sent it casts; As it is the most pleasant, so is it also the temperat'st Clime of all Spain, and they commonly call it the second Italy, which made the Moors, whereof many thousands were disterr'd and banish'd hence to Barbary, to think that Paradise was in that part of the Heavens which hung over this City. Some twelve miles off, is old Sagun•…•…o, call'd now Morvied•…•…e, through which I pass'd, and saw many Monuments of Roman Antiquities there, amongst others, ther is the Temple dedicated to Venus, when the Snake came about her Neck, a little before Hannibal came thither. No more now, but that I heartily wish you were here with me, and I beleeve you would not desire to be a good while in England. So I am

Your J. H.

Valentia, March the 1. 1620.

XXV. To Christopher Jones Esq at Grays-Inne.

I Am now (thanks be to God) come to Alicant, the chief Rende∣vouz I aym'd at in Spain; for I am to send hence a commodity call'd Barillia to Sir Robert Mansell, for making of Crystall-Glasse, and I have treated with Signor Andriotti a Genoa Marchant for a good round parcell of it, to the value of 2000 pound, by Let∣ters of credit from Master Richant, and upon his credit, I might

have taken many thousand pounds more, he is so well known in the Kingdom of Valentia. This Barillia is a strange kind of Ve∣getable, and it grows no wher upon the surface of the Earth, in that perfection, as here: The Venetians have it hence, and it is a commodity wherby this Maritim Town doth partly subsist, for it is an ingredient that goes to the making of the best Castile-Soap: It grows thus, 'tis a round thick Earthy shrub that bears Berries like Barbaries, but twixt blew & green, it lies close to the ground, and when it is ripe, they dig it up by the roots, and put it toge∣ther in Cocks, wher they leave it dry many days like Hey, then they make a Pit of a fadom deep in the Earth, and with an In∣strument like one of our Prongs, they take the Tuffs and put fire to them, and when the flame comes to the Berries they melt, and dissolve into an Azure Liquor, and fall down into the Pit till it be full, then they dam it up, and som days after they open it, and find this Barillia-juyce turn'd to a Blew stone, so hard, that it is scarcc Mall•…•…able, it is sold at one hundred Crowns a Tun, but I had it for lesse; ther is also a spurious Flower call'd Gazull that grows here, but the Glasse that's made of that is not so resplendent and cleer. I have bin here now these three Months, and most of my Food hath bin Grapes and Bread, with other Roots, which have made me so fat, that I think if you saw me, you would hardly know me, such nourriture this deep Sanguin Alicant Grap gives. I have not receiv'd a syllable from you since I was in Antwerp, which transforms me to wonder, and engenders odd thoughts of Jealousie in me, that as my body grows fatter, your love grows lanker towards me; I pray take off these scruples, and let me hear from you, else it will make a schism in friendship, which I hold to be a very holy league, and no lesse then a Piacle to infringe it, in which opinion I rest

Your constant Friend, J. H.

Alicant, March 27. 1621.

XXVI. To Sir John North, Knight.

SIR

HAving endur'd the brunt of a whole Summer in Spain, and tryed the temper of all the other three Seasons of the yeer, up and down the Kingdoms of Catalunia, Valentia, and Murci•…•…, with som parts of Aragon, I am now to direct my cours for Italy; I hoped to have embark'd at Carthagena, the best Port upon the Mediterranean, for what Ships and Gallies get in thither, are shut up as it were in a Box from the violence and injury of all Wea∣thers, which made Andrea Doria being ask'd by Philip the second, which were his best Harbours? He answer'd, Iune, Iuly, and Car∣thagena, meaning, that any Port is good in those two months, but Carthagena was good any time of the yeer. Ther was a most ruth∣full accident had happen'd ther a little before I came, for wheras five ships had gone thence laden with Souldiers for Naples, a∣mongst whom ther was the Flower of the Gentry of the Kingdom of Murcia; those Ships had hardly sail'd three leagues, but they met with sixteen fails of Algier, men of War, who had lain skulk∣ing in the Creeks therabouts, and they had the winds, and all things else so favourable, that of those five ships they took one, sunk another, and burnt a third, and two fled back to safe Harbor; the report hereof being bruited up and down the Countrey, the Gentlewomen came from the Countrey to have tydings, som of their Children, others of their Brothers, and Kinred, and went •…•…earing their Hair, and houling up and down the streets in a most piteous manner: The Admiral of those five ships, as I heard afterwards, was sent for to Madrid, and hang'd at the Court gate, because he did not fight: Had I com time enough to have taken the opportunity, I might have bin made, either food for Hadocks, or turn'd to Cinders, or have bin by this time a slave in the Ban∣nier at Algier, or tugging at an Oa•…•…; but I hope God hath reserv'd me for a better destiny; so I came back to Alicant, where I light∣ed upon a lusty Dutchman, who hath carried me safe hither, but we

were neer upon fourty days in voyage; we pass'd by Mallorca, and Minorca, the Baleares Insulae, by som Por•…•…s of Barbary, by Sardinia, Cor•…•…ica, and all the Islands of the Mediterranean Sea; we were at the mouth of Tyber, and thence forc'd our cours for Sicilie; we pass'd by those Sulphureous fiery Islands, Mongibel, and Str•…•…mbolo, and about the dawn of the day we shot through Scylla and Charybdis, and so into the Phare of Messina, thence we touch'd upon som of the Greek Islands, and so came to our first intended cours, into the Venetian Gulph, and are now here at Malamocca, wher we re∣main yet aboard, and must be content to be so, to make up the month before we have pratic, that is, before any be permitted to go a shore and negotiat, in regard we touch'd at some infected pla∣ces: For ther are no people upon Earth so fearful of the Plague, as the Italians, specially the Venetian, though their Neighbors the Greeks hard by, and the Turks, have little or no apprehension at all of the danger of it, for they will visit and commerce with the sick without any seruple, and will fix their longest finger in the midst of their fore-head, and say, their destiny and manner of death is pointed there. When we have gain'd y'•…•…n Maiden City, which lieth before us, you shall hear farther from me: So leaving you to his holy protection who hath thus graciously vouchsaf'd to preserve this ship, and me, in so long and dangerous a voyage, I rest

Yours J. H.

Malamocco, April the 30. 1611.

XXVII. To my Brother Dr. Howell, from a Shipboard before Venice.

BROTHER,

IF this Letter fail, either in point of Orthography or Style, you must impute the first to the tumbling posture my body was in at the writing hereof being a shipboard, the second to the muddi∣nesse of my Brain, which like Lees in a narrow Vessell, hath been shaken at Sea in divers Tempests neer upon fourty days, I mean naturall dayes, which include the nights also, and are compos'd of four and twenty hours, by which number the Italian computes his

time, and tells his Clock, for at the writing hereof, I heard one from Malamoeca strike one and twenty hours: When I shall have saluted yonder Virgin City that stands before me, and hath tantaliz'd me now this sennight, I hope to cheer my spirits, and settle my Pericranium again.

In this voyage we pass'd thorow, at least touch'd, all those Seas, which Horace and other Poets sing of so often, as the Iornian, the Aegean, the Icarian, the Tyrrhene, with others, and now we are in the Adrian Sea, in the mouth whereof, Venice▪ stands like a Gold Ring in a Bears Muzzle: We pass'd also by Aetna, by the Infames Scopules, Acroceraunia, and through Scylla and Charybdis, about which the ancient Poets, both Greek, and Latin, keep such a coyl, but they are nothing so horrid or dangerous, as they make them to be; they are two white keen-pointed Rocks, that lie under water diametrically opposed, and like two Dragons defying one a∣nother, and ther are Pylots, that in small Shallops, are ready to steer all ships that pasle: This amongst divers other, may serve for an instance, That the old Poets used to heighten and hoise up things by their ayrie fancies above the reality of truth: Aetna was very furious when we pass'd by, as she useth to be somtimes more then other, specialy when the wind is Southward, for then she is more subject to belching out flakes of fire (as Stutterers use to flammer more when the wind is in that hole) som of the sparkles fell aboard of us; but they would make us beleeve in Syracusa now Messina, that Aetna in times pass'd, hath eructated such huge gob∣bets of fire, that the sparks of them have burnt houses in Malta, above fifty miles off, transported thither by a direct strong wind: We pass'd hard by Corinth, now Ragusa, but I was not so happy as to touch there, for you know

Non cuivis homini contingit adire corinthum:

I convers'd with many Greeks, but found none that could un∣derstand, much lesse pratically speak any of the old Dialects of the Latin-Greek, it is so adulterated by the vulgar, as a Bed of Flowers by Weeds; nor is ther any people, either in the Islands, or on the Continent, that speaks it conversably, yet there are in the Merea seven Parishes call'd Zacones, wher the Originall Greek is not much degenerated, but they confound divers Letters of the Alphabet with one sound; for in point of pronunciation ther is no difference 'twixt Upsilon, Iota, and Eta.

The last I received from you was in Latin, wherof I sent you

an answer from Spain in the same Language, though in a courser Dialect: I shall be a guest to Venice a good while, therfore I besire a frequency of correspondence between us by Letters, for ther will be conveniency evry week of receiving and sending; when you write to Wales, I pray send advise, that I am come safe to Italy, though not landed there yet: So my dear Brother, I pray God blesse us both, and all our friends, and reserve me to see you again with comfort, and you me, who am

Your loving brother,

J. H.

May the 5. 1621.

XXVIII. To the Honourable Sir Robert Mansell, Vice-Admirall of England, from Venice.

SIR,

AS soon as I came to Venice, I applyed my self to dispatch your businesse according to instructions, and Mr. Seymor was ready to contribute his best furtherance: These two Italîans who are the Bearers hereof, by report here, are the best Gentle∣men-Workmen that ever blew Crystall, one is allied to Antoni•…•… Miotti, the other is Cousin to Mazalao; for other things they shall be sent in the Ship Lion, which rides here at Malamocca, as I shall send you account by conveyance of Mr. Symns: Herewith I have sent a Letter to you from Sir Henry Wotton, the Lord Am∣bassador here, of whom I have receiv'd som favours, He wish'd me to write, that you have now a double interest in him; for wheras before he was only your Servant, he is now your Kins∣man by your late marriage.

I was lately to see the Arsenall of Venice, one of the worthiest things of Christendom; they say ther are as many Gallies, and Galeasses of all sorts, belonging to Saint Mare, either in Cours, at Anchor, in Dock, or upon the Carine, as ther be dayes in the yeer; here they can build a compleat Gally in half a day, and put her a float in perfect Equippage, having all the ingredients fitted before hand, as they did in three hours, when Henry the third pass'd this way to France from Poland, who wish'd, that besides

P•…•…is, and his Parliament Towns, he had this Arsenal in ex∣change, for three o•…•… his chiefest Cities: Ther are three hundred people perpetually hero at Work, and if one comes young, and grows old in Saint M•…•…es service, he hath a Pension from the State during life: Being brought to see one of the Clarissimos that governs this Arsenall, this huge Sea Store▪ House, amongst other matters reflecting upon England, he was saying, That if Cavaglier Don Roberto Mansell were now here, he thought verily the republic would make a proffer to him to be Admirall of that Fleet of Gallies, and Galeons, which are now going against the Duke of Ossuna, and the Forces of Naples, you are so well known here▪

I was, since I came hither, in Murano, a little Island, about the distance of Lambeth from London, wher Crystall-Glasse is made, and 'tis a rare sight to see a whole Street, where on the one side ther are twenty Furnaces together at work; They say here, that although one should transplant a Glasse-Furnace, from Murano to Venice her self, or to any of the little assembly of Islands about her, or to any other part of the Earth besides, and use the same Materials, the same Workmen, the same Fuell, the self same In∣gredients every way, yet they cannot make Crystall Glasse in that perfection, for beauty and Iustre, as in Murano; som impute into the qualitie of the circumambient Ayr, that hangs ore the place, which is purified and attenuated by the concurrence of so many fires that are in those Furnaces night and day perpetually, for they are like the Vestall fire which never goes out; And it is well known, that some Ayrs make more qualifying impressions then others, as a Greek •…•…old me in Sicily, of the Ayr of Egypt, wher ther be huge common Furnaces to hatch Eggs by the thousands in Came•…•…s Dung; for during the time of hatching, if the Ayr happen to come to be overcast, and grow cloudy, it spoyls all; if the Skie continue still serene and clear, not one Egg in a hundred will misca•…•…ry.

I met with Camillo your Consaorman here lately, and could he be sure of entertainment, he would return to serve you again, and I believe for lesse-salary.

I shall attend your commands herein by the next, and touching other particulars, wherof I have written to Captain Bacon: So I rest

Venice, May the 30: 1621.

Your most humble and ready Servant, J. H.

XXIX. To my Brother, from Venice.

Brother,

I Found a Letter of yours that had lain dormant here a good while in Mr. Symns hands, to welcom me to Venice, and I thank you for the variety of news wherwith she went sreighted; for she was to me, as a Ship richly laden from London useth to be to our Marchants here, and I esteem her Cargazon at no lesse a va∣lue, for she inrich'd me with the knowledg of my Fathers health, and your own, with the rest of my Brothers, and Sisters, in the Countrey, with divers other passages of content∣ment; besides, she went also ballasted with your good instructi∣ons, which as Marchants use to do of their commodities, I will turn to the best advantage, and Italy is no ill Market to improve any thing; the onely procede (that I may use the mercantil term) you can expect, is thanks, and this way I shall not be wanting to make you rich returns.

Since I came to this Town I dispatch'd sundry businesses of good value for Sir Robert Mansell, which I hope will give content: The art of Glasse-making here is very highly valued, for whoso∣ever be of that profession, are Gentlemen ipso facto, and it is not without reason, it being a rare kind of knowledg and chymistry, to transmute Dust and Sand (for they are the onely main Ingre∣dients) to such a diaphanous pellucid dainty body as you see a Crystal-Glasse is, which hath this property above Gold or Silver or any other minerall, to admit no poyson; as also, that it never, wastes or loseth a whit of its first weight, though you use it ne∣ver so long: When I saw so many sorts of curious Glasses made here, I thought upon the complement which a Gentleman put upon a Lady in England, who having five or six comly Daughters, said, He never saw in his life, such a dainty Cupboard of Crystall-Glasses; the complement proceeds it seems from a saying they have here, That the first handsom Woman that ever was made, was made of Venice-Glasse, which implies Beuty, but brittlenes withall (and Venice is not unfurnish'd with som of that mould, for no place abounds more with Lasses and Glasses) but considering the brittlenes of the Stuff, it was an odd kind of melancholly in him,

that could not be perswaded, but he was an Urinal, surely he de∣serv'd to be piss'd in the mouth: But when I pried into the Ma∣terials, and observ'd the Furnaces and the Calcinations, the Transubstantintions, the Liquefactions that are incident to this Art, my thoughts were rais'd to a higher speculation; that if this small Furnace-fire hath vertue to convert such a small lump of dark Dust and Sand into such a specious clear Body as Crystall, surely, that gran Universall-site, which shall happen at the day of judgment, may by its violent-ardor vitrifie and turn to one lump of Crystall, the whole Body of the Earth; nor am I the first that fell upon this conceit.

I will in large my self no further to you at this time, but conclude with this Tetrastic which my Brain ran upon in my Bed this mor∣ning.

Vistrea sunt nostrae comissa negotia curae, Hoc oculis speculum mittimus ergo luis: Quod speculum? Est instar speculi mea littera, per quod Vivida fraterni cordis imago nitet.

Adieu my dear Brother, live happily, and love

Ven: the 1. of June, 1621.

Your Brother, J. H.

XXX. To Mr. Richard Altham at Grayes-Inne, from Venice.

Gentle Sir,

—O dulcior illo Melle quod in ceris Attica ponit apis.

O thou who dost in sweetnesse far excell, That Iuycc the Attic Bee store's in her cell.

My dear Dick,

I Have now a good while since taken footing in Venice, this ad∣mired Maid•…•… Citie, so call'd, because she was never deflour'd

by any enemy since she had a being, not since her Rialto was first erected, which is now above twelve Ages ago.

I protest unto you at my first landing, I was for som dayes ra∣vish'd with the high beuty of this Maid, with her lovely counte∣nance, I admir'd her magnificent buildings, her marvailous situ∣ation, her dainty smooth neat streets, wheron you may walk most dayes in the yeer in a Silk-Stockin, and Sattin-Slippers, without soiling them, not can the Steets of Paris be so foul, as these are fair. This beutious Maid hath bin often attempted to be vitiated, som have courted her, som brib'd her, som would have forc'd her▪ yet she hath still preserv'd her chastity intire; and though she hath liv'd so many Ages, and pass'd so many shrew'd brunts, yet she continueth fresh to this very day without the least wrinkle of old Age, or any symptomes of decay, wherunto political bodies, as well as naturall, use to be liable. Besides the hath wrestled with the greatest Potentats upon Earth; The Emperour, the King of France, and most of the other Princes of Christendome in that famous league of Cambray would have sunk her, but she bore up still within her Lakes, and broke that league to peeces by her wit; The gran Turk hath bin often at her, and though he could not have his will of her, yet he took away the richest Jewell she wore in her Cornet, and put it in his Turban, I mean the Kingdom of Cypres the onely Royall Gem she had; he hath set upon her skirts often since, and though she clos'd with him somtimes, yet she came off still with her Maiden-head, though some that envy her happines, would brand her to be of late times a kind of Concu∣bin to him, and that she gives him ready money once a yeer to lie with her, which she minceth by the name of present, though it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 indeed rather a tribut.

I would I had you here with a wish, and you would not desire in haste to be at Grayes-Inne, though I hold your walks to be the pleasant'st place about London; and that you have there the choi∣cest society. I pray present my kind commendations to all there, and my service at Bishops-gate-street, and let me hear from you by the next Post: So I am

Ven: 5. Iun. 1621.

Intirely yours, J. H.

XXXI. To Dr. Fr. Mansell, from Venice.

GIve me leave to salute you first in these Sapphics.

In•••••••••• tendens iter ad Britannam Ch••••ta▪ te paucis volo, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 gressum, Verba Mansello, bene noscis illum, talia perfer.

Finibus longè patriis Hoellus Di〈…〉〈…〉, quantis Venetium superb•• Civitas 〈◊〉〈◊〉 distat ab urbe

Plurimam mentis tibi vult salutem, Plurimum cordis tibi vult vigorem, Plurimum sortis tibi vult favorem Regis & Aulae.

These wishes com to you from Venice, a place wher ther is no∣thing wanting that heart can wish: Renowned Venice, the ad∣miredst City in the World, a City that all Europ is bound unto, for she is her greatest Ram part against that huge Eastern Tyrant the Turk by Sea, else I beleeve he had over-run all Christendo•…•… by this time: Against him this City hath perform'd notable ex∣ploits, and not only against him, but divers other: She hath re∣stor'd Emperours to their Throne, and Popes to their Chairs, and with her Gallies often preserv'd Saint Peters Bark from sinking: for which, by way of reward, one of his Suceessors espo•…•…s'd her to the Sea, which marriage is solemnly renew'd evry yeer in solemn Profession by the Doge, and all the Clarissunos, and a Gold Ring cast into the Sea out of the great Galeasse, call'd the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, wherin the first Ceremony was perform'd by the Pope himself, a∣bove three hundred yeers since, and they say it is the self-same Vessell still, though often put upon the Carine, and trim'd▪ This made me think on that famous ship at Athens; nay, I fell upon 〈◊〉〈◊〉 abstracted notion in Philosophy, and a speculation touching the body of man, which being in perpetuall Flux, and a kind of suc∣cession of decayes, and consequently requiring ever and anon, a

restauration of what it loseth of the vertue of the former alim•…•…nt, and what was converted after the third concoction into bloud and fleshy substance, which as in all other sublunary bodies that have internall principles of heat, useth to transpire, breath out, and wast away through invisible Pores by exercise, motion, and sleep, to make room still for a supply of new nourriture: I fell, I say, to consider whither our bodies may be said to be of like condition with this Bucentore; which though it be reputed still the same Vessell, yet I beleeve ther's not a foot of that Timber remaining which it had upon the first Dock, having bin as they tell me, so of∣ten plank'd and ribb'd, caulk'd and peec'd: In like manner our bodies may be said to be daily repaired by new sustenance, which begets new bloud, and consequently new spirits, new humours, and I may say new flesh, the old by continuall deperdition and insen∣sible transpirations evaporating still out of us, and giving way to fresh; so that I make a question, whither by reason of these perpe∣tuall reparations, and accretions, the body of man may be said to be the same numericall body in his old age that he had in his manhood, or the same in his manhood, that he had in his youth, the same in his youth that he carried about him in his childhood, or the same in his childhood which he wore first in the Womb: I make a doubt, whither I had the same identicall, individually nu∣mericall body, when I carried a Calf-Leather Sachell to School in Hereford, as when I woar a Lamskin Hood in Oxford, or whither I have the same masse of bloud in my Veins, and the same Flesh now in Venice which I carried about me three yeers since, up and down London streets, having in lieu of Beer and Al•…•…, drunk Wine all this while, and fed upon different Viands; now the stomach is like a crusible, for it hath a chymicall kind of vertue to transmute one body into another, to transubstantiat Fish and Fruits into Flesh within, and about us; but though it be questionable, whither I wear the same Flesh which is fluxible, I am sure my Hair is not the same, for you may remember I went flaxen-hair'd out •…•…of Eng∣land, but you shall find me return'd with a very dark Brown, which I impute not onely to the heat and ayr of those hot Coun∣tries I have eat my bread in, but to the quality and difference of food; but you will say, that hair is but an excrementitious thing, and makes not to this purpose; moreover, me thinks I hear yon say, that this may be true, onely in the bloud and spirits, or such fluid parts, not in the solid and heterogeneall parts: But I will presse no further at this time this Philosophical notion which the •…•…ght of Bucentor•…•… infus'd into me, for it hath already made me ex∣ceed

the bounds of a Letter, and I fear me to trespasse too much upon your patience; I leave the further disquisition of this point to your own contemplations, who are a far riper Philosopher then I, and have waded deeper into, and drunk more of Aristotles Well; but to conclude, though it be doubtfull whither I carry a∣bout me the same body or no, in all points that I had in England, I am well assur'd, I bear still the same mind, and therein I verif•…•… the old vers.

Coelum non animum mutant qui trans mare currunt.

The Ayr, but not the mind they change, Who in Outlandish Countreys range.

For what alterations soever happen in this Microcosm, in this little World, this small bulk and body of mine, you may be confi∣dent, that nothing shall alter my affections, specially toward you, but that I will persever still the same,

The very same, J. H.

Ven. 25. Iun. 1621.

XXXII. To Richard Altham, Esquire.

Dear Sir,

I Was plung'd in a deep fit of melancholly, Satum had cast his black influence ore all my intellectuals, me thought I felt my heart as a lump of Dow, and heavy as Lead within my Brest; when a Letter of yours of the third of this month was brought me, which presently begot new Spirits within me, and made such strong impressions upon my Intellectuals, that it turn'd and transform'd me into another man. I have read of a Duke of Milan, and o∣thers, who were poyson'd by reading of a Letter, but yours pro∣duc'd contrary effects in me, it became an antidot, or rather •…•… most Soverain Cordial to me, more operative then Bezar, of more vertue then Potable Gold, or the Elixir of Ambar, for it wrought a

sudden cure upon me: That fluent and rare mixture of love, and wit, which I found up and down therein, were the Ingredi∣ents of this Cordiall; they were as so many choice Flowers, strw'd here and ther, which did cast such an Odoriferous sent, that they reviv'd all my sence•…•…, and dispell'd those dull fumes which had formerly ore clouded my brain: Such was the operation of your most ingenuous and affectionat Letter, and so sweet an en∣tertainment it gave me: If your Letter had that vertue, what would your person have don; and did you know all, you would wish your person here a while; did you know the rare beuty of this Virgin-Clty, you would quickly make love to her, and change your Royall Exchange for the Rialto, and your Grayes-Inne. Walks for Saint Marks place for a time. Farewell dear child of Vertue, and minion of the Muses, and love still

Ven. 1. Iuly 1621.

Your J. H.

XXIII. To my much honoured frend Sir John North Kt. from Venice.

Noble Sir,

THe first office of gratitude is, to receive a good turn civilly, then to retain it in memory and acknowledg it, thirdly, to endeavour a requitall, for this last office, it is in vain for me to attempt it, specially towards you, who have laden me with such a variety of courtesies, and weighty favours, that my poor stock comes far short of any retaliation; but for the other two, reception and retention, as I am not conscious to have bin wanting in the first act, so I shall never fail in the second, because both these are within the compasse of my power; for if you could pry into my memory, you should discover there a huge Magazin of your favours (you have bin pleas'd to do me present and absent) safeiy stor'd up and coacervated, to preserve them from mouldring away in oblivion, for courtesies should be no perishable commodity: Should I attempt any other requitall, I should extenuat your fa∣vours, and derogat from the worth of them▪ yet if to this of the memory, I can contribut any other act of body or mind, to en∣large my acknowledgments towards you; you may be well

assured, that I shall be ever ready to court any occasion, wherby the world may know how much I am

Ven: 13. Iul. 1621

Your thankfull Servitor, J. H.

XXXIV. To Dan. Caldwall Esq from Venice.

My dear D.

COuld Letters flie with the same Wings as Love useth to do, and cut the Ayr with the like swiftnes of motion, this Letter of mine should work a miracle, and be with you in an instant; nor should she fear interception, or any other casualty in the way, or cost you one penny the Post, for she should passe invisibly: but 'tis not fitting, that paper which is made but of old Ragg's wherwith Letters are swadled, should have the same priviledg as Love, which is a spirituall thing, having somthing of Divinity in it, and partake•…•… in •…•…elerity with the Imagination, then which ther is not any thing more swift you know, no not the motion of the upper sphere the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 mobile, which snatcheth all the other mine after it, and indeed the whole Macrocosm all the world be∣si•…•…es, except our Earth (the Center,) which upper sphere the Astronomers would have to move so many degrees, so many thou∣sand miles in a moment; fince then, Letters are denied such a velocity, I allow this of •…•…ine twenty dayes, which is the ordinary time allow'd twixt Venice and London, to com unto you, and thank you a thousand 〈◊〉〈◊〉 over for your last of the tenth of Iune, and the rich Venison Feast you made, as I understand not long since, to the remembrance of the, at the Ship Tavern: Believe it Sir, you shall find that this love of yours, is not ill imployed, for I esteem it at the highest degree, I value it more then the Treasury of Saint Mark, which I lately saw, wher amongst other things, ther is a huge Iron Chest as tall as my self, that hath no Lock, but a Crevice, through which they cast in the Gold that's be∣queath'd

to Saint Mark in Legacies, wheron ther is ingraven this proud Motto.

Quando questo scrimio S' Aprirá, Tutto'l mundo tremera.

When this Chest shall open, the whole World shall tremble; the Duke of Ossuna, late Vice-Roy of Naples, did what he could to force them to open it, for he brought Saint Mark to wast much of this Tresure in the late Wars, which he made purposely to that end, which made them have recours to us, and the Hollander for Ships, not long since.

Amongst the rest of Italy, this is call'd the Maidin Citie (not∣withstanding her great number of Courtisans) and ther is a Pro∣phecy, That she shall continue a Maid untill her Husband for sake her, meaning the Sea, to whom the Pope married her long fince, and the Sea is observ'd not to love her so deeply as he did, for he be∣gins to shrink, and grow shallower in som places about her; not doth the Pope also, who was the Father that gave her to the Sea, affect her as much as he formerly did, specially since the exter∣mination of the Jesuits; so that both Husband, and Father, begin to abandon her.

I am to be a guest to this Hospitable Maid, a good while yet, and if you want any commodity that she can afford (and what can∣not she afford for humane pleasure or delight?) do but write, and it shall be sent you.

Farewell gentle soul, and correspond still in pure love with

Ven: 29. of Iul. 1621.

Your J. H.

XXXV. To Sir James Crofts Kt. from Venice.

SIR,

I Receiv'd one of yours the last week, that came in my Lord Am∣bassador W•…•…ttons Packet, and being now upon point of parting with Venice, I could not do it without acquainting you (as far as the extent of a Letter will permit) with her Power, her Policy, her Wealth, and pedigree: She was built of the ruines of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Padoüa, for when those swarms of tough Northern pee∣ple overran Italy, under the conduct of that Scourge of Heaven Attila, with others, and that this soft voluptuous Nation after so long a desuetude from Arms, could not repell their fury, many of the ancient Nobility and Gentry fled into these Lakes and lit∣tle Islands, amongst the Fishermen for their security; and finding the Ayr good and commodious for habitation, they began to build upon these small Islands, wherof ther are in all threescore, and in tract of time, they conjoyn'd and leagu'd them together by Bridges, wherof ther are now above 800. and this makes up the Citie of Venice; who is now above twelve Ages old, and was contemporary with the Monarchy of France; but the Signory glo∣rieth in one thing above the Monarchy, that she was born a Chri∣stian, but the Monarchy not. Though this Citie be thus hem'd in with the Sea, yet she spreads her Wings far and wide upon the shore; she hath in Lombardy six considerable Towns, Padova, Ve∣rona, Vicenz•…•…, Brescia, Cromo, and Bergamo; she hath in the Mar∣quisat, Bassan and Castelfranco; she hath all Friuli and Istria; she commands the shores of Dalmatia and Slavonia; she keeps under the power of Saint Mark, the Islands of Corfù (anciently Corcyria) Ceptalonia, Zant, Cerigo, Lucerigo, and Candy (Ioves Cradle;) she had a long time the Kingdom of Cypres, but it was quite rent from her by the Turk, which made that high spirited Bassa, being taken prisoner at the battle of Lepanto, wher the gran Signor lost above 200 Gallies, to say, That that defeat to his great Master was but like the s•…•…aving of his Beard, or the pairing of his Nails; but the ta∣king of Cypres was like the cutting off of a Lim, which will never grow again: This mighty potentat being so neer a Neighbour to her, she is forc'd to comply with him, and give him an Annuall

present in Gold: She hath about thirty Gallies most part of the yeer in cours to scowre and secure the Gulph; she entertains by land in Lombardy, and other parts 25000. Foot, besides some of the Cantons of Suisses whom she gives pay unto; she hath also in constant pay 600. men of Arms, and evry of these must keep two Horses a peece, for which they are allowed 120. Duckats a yeer, and they are for the most part Gentlemen of Lombardy: When they have any great expedition to make, they have alwayes a stranger for their Generall, but he is supervis'd by two Prov•…•…∣ditors, without whom he cannot attempt any thing.

Her great Counsell consists of above 2000 Gentlemen, and some of them meet evry Sunday and Holyday, to chuse Officers, and Magistrates; and evry Gentleman being pass'd 25. yeer•…•… of Age, is capable to sit in this Counsell: The Doge or Duke (their Soverain Magistrate) is chosen by Lots, which would be too te∣dious here to demonstrat, and commonly he is an Aged man who is created, like that cours they hold in the Popedom. When he is dead ther be Inquisitors that examin his actions, and his mis∣demeanors are punishable in his Heirs: Ther is a surintenden•…•… Counsell of ten, and six of them may dispatch busines without the Doge, but the Doge never without som of them, not as much as open a Letter from any Forrain State, though address'd to him∣self, which makes him to be call'd by other Princes, Testadi legno, Ahead of Wood.

The wealth of this Republic hath bin at a stand, or rather decli∣ning since the Portugall found a road to the East-Indies by the Cape of good Hope; for this City was us'd to fetch all those Spi∣ces, and other Indian Commodities, from the gran Cayro down the Nile, being formerly carried to Cayro from the Red Sea, upon Ca∣mels and Dromedaries backs, threescore dayes journey; And so Venice us'd to dispence those Commodities through all Christen∣dom, which not onely the Portugall, but the English, and Hollan∣der, now transport, and are Masters of the Trade. Yet ther is no outward appearance at all of poverty, or any decay in this City, but she is still gay, flourishing, and fresh, and flowing with all kind of bravery and delight, which may be had at cheap rates. Much more might be written of this ancient wi•…•…e Republic, which cannot be comprehended within the narrow inclosure of a Letter. So with my due and daily Prayers, for a continuance of your health, and increase of honour, I rest

Ven: 1. of Au∣gust, 1621.

Your most •…•…umble and ready Servitor, J. H.

XXXVI. To Robert Brown Esquire, at the Middle-Temple, from Venice.

Robin,

I Have now enough of the Maiden Citie, and this week I am to go further into Italy; for though I have bin a good while in Venice, yet I cannot say I have bin hitherto upon the Continent of Italy, for this Citie is nought else but a knot of Islands in the Adriatic Sea, joyn'd in one body by Bridges, and a good way di∣stant from the firm Land: I have lighted upon very choice com∣pany, your Cousin Brown, and Master Web, and we all take the R•…•… of Lombardy; but we made an order amongst our selves, that our discours be alwayes in the Language of the Countrey, under penalty of a for •…•…iture, which is to be indispensably payed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Sy•…•…s made us a curious feast lately, wher in a Cup of the richest Greek we had your health, and I could not tell whi∣ther the Wine or the remembrance of you was sweeter; for it was naturally a kind of Aromatic Wine, which left a fragrant perfu∣ming kind of farewell behind it. I have sent you a Runlet of it in the Ship Lion, and if it com safe and unprick'd, I pray bestow som Bottles upon the Lady (you know) with my humble Service. When you write next to Master Simns, I pray acknowledg the good Hospitality, and extraordinary civilities I received from him: Before I conclude, I will acquaint you with a common say∣ing that is us'd of this dainty Citie of Venice.

Venetia, Venetia, chi non te vede non te Pregia, Ma chi t'há troppo veduto te Despreggia.

English'd and Rim'd thus (though I know you need no Translati∣on, you understand so much of Italian,)

Venice, Venice, none Thee unseen can prize, Who hath seen thee too much will Thee despise.

I will conclude with that famous Hexastic which Sanz•••••••••••• made of this rare Cite, which pleaseth me much better.

Viderat Hadriatis Venetam Neptunus in undis Stare urbem, & toti ponere jura Mari; Nunc mihi Tarpeias quantum vis Jupiter Arces O••••••ice, & illa tui moenia Martis, ait, Sic Pelago Tibrim praefers, urbem aspice utramque Illam homines dices, hanc posuisse Deos.

When Neptun saw in Adrian Surges stand Venice, and give the Sea Laws of command: Now Jove said he, Object thy Capitoll, And Mars proud Walls: This were for to extoll Tyber beyond the Main▪ both Towns behold, R〈…〉〈…〉 men thou'lt say, Venice the Gods did mould.

Sanz•••••••••••• had given him by Saint Mark a hundred 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 evry one of these Verses, which amounts to about 300 pounds. It would be long before the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of London would do the like: Witne•…•… that •…•…old reward, or rather those cold drops of W•…•… which were cast upon my Countreyman Sir Hugh Middleto•…•…, for beinging Ware River through her Streets, the most serviceable and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sor•…•…est benefit that ever she received.

The parcell of Italian Books that you writ for, you shall receive 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Master Leat, if it please God to send the Ship to safe Port; and I take it as a favour, that you imploy me in any thing that m•…•…y •…•…nduce to your contentment; because

I am your serious Servitor, J. H.

Ven: 12. Aug. 1621.

XXXVII. To Cap. Thomas Porter, from Venice.

My dear Captain,

AS I was going a Shipboard in Alicant, a Letter of yours in Spanish came to hand: I discovered two things in it, first,

what a master you are of that Language, then how mindfull you are of your frend; for the first, I dare not correspond with you yet; for the second, I shall never com short of you, for I am as mindfull of you, as possibly you can be of me, and som hours, my Puls doth not beat more often, then my memory runs on you, which is often enough in conscience; for the Physitians hold, that in evry well dispos'd body, ther be above 4000 Pulsations evry hour, and some Pulses have bin known to beat above 30000 times an hour in acute Feavours.

I understand you are bound with a gallant Fleet for the Medi∣terranean, if you com to Alicant, I pray commend me to Francisco Marco my Land-lord, he is a merry drole, and good company: One night when I was ther he sent his Boy with a Borracho of Lea∣ther under his Cloak for Wine, the Boy coming back about ten a clock, and passing by the Guard, one ask'd him whither he car∣ried any Weapons about him (for none must wear any Weapons there after ten at night,) No quoth the Boy being pleasant, I have but a little Dagger; the Watch came and search'd him, and find∣ing the Barracho full of good Wine, drunk it all up, saying, Sirrah, You know no man must carry any Weapons so late: but because we know whose Servant you are, ther's the Scabbard of your Dagger again, and so threw him the empty Borracho; but another passage pleas'd me better of Don Beltran de Rosa, who being to marry a rich Labra∣dors (a Yeomans) daughter hard by, which was much importun'd by her parents to the match, because their Family should be there∣by ennobled, he being a Cavalier of Saint Iago; the young Maid having understood that Don Beltran had bin in Naples, and had that disease about him, answered wittily, En verdad pro adobar mi la sangre, no quiero danar mi la carne; Truely Sir, To better my blood, I will not hurt my flesh. I doubt I shall not be in England be∣fore you set out to Sea, if not, I take my leave of you in this Paper, and wish you a prosperous voyage and an honourable return; It is the hearty Prayers of

Ven: 21. Aug. 1621.

Your J. H.

XXXVIII. To Sir William Saint John Knight, from Venice.

SIR,

HAving seen Ant•…•…nors Tomb in Padoiia, and the Amphithea∣ter of Flaminius in Verona, with other brave Towns in Lom∣bardy, I am now co•…•… to Rome, and Rome they say is evry mans Countrey, she is call'd Communis Patria, for evry one that is with∣in the compasse of the Latin Church, finds himself here as it were at hom, and in his Mothers house, in regard of interest in Religi∣on, which is the cause, that for one Native, ther be five strangers that sojourn in this City, and without any distinction, or mark of strangenes, they com to preferments and offices, both in Church and State, according to merrit, which is more valued and sought after here, then any where.

But whereas I expected to have found Rome elevated upon se∣ven Hills, I met her rather spreading upon a Flat, having humbled her self since she was made a Christian, and descended from those Hills to Campus Martius, with Trasteren, and the Suburbs of Saint Peter she hath yet in compasse about fourteen miles, which is far short of that vast circuit she had in Claudius his time; for Vopiscu•…•… writes she was then of fifty miles circumference, and she had five hundred thousand free Citizens in a famous cense that was made, which allowing, but six to evry Family in Women, Children, and Servants, came to three Millions of souls, but she is now a Wilder∣nes in comparison of that number: The Pope is grown to be a great Temporall Prince of late yeers, for the state of the Church extends above 300. miles in length, and 200 miles in breadth, it contains Ferrara, Bologna, Romagnia, the Marquisat of Ancona, um∣bria, Sabina, Perugia, with a part of Toscany, the Patrimony, Rome her self, and Latium: In these ther are above fifty Bishopricks, the Pope hath also the Dutchy of Spoleto, and the exarchat of Raven∣na; he hath the Town of Beneventa in the Kingdom of Naples, and the County of Venisse call'd Avignon in France; he hath title also good enough to Naples it self, but rather then offend his Cham∣pion the King of Spain, he is contented with a white Mule, and

Purse of Pistols about the neck, which he receives evry yeer for a heriot or homage, or what you will call it; he pretends also to be Lord Paramount of Sicily, •…•…rbin, Par•…•…a, and Masser•…•…, of Norway, Ireland, and England, since King Iohn did prostrat our Crown at Pandelfo his Legat's Feet.

The State of the Apostolie See here in Italy lieth twixt two Seas, the Adriati•…•…, and the Tyrrh•…•…, and it runs through the midst of Italy, which makes the Pope powerfull to do good or harm, and more capable then any other to be an Umpire or an Enemy: His authority being mixt twixt Temporall and Spirituall disperseth it self into so many members, that a young man may grow old here, before he can well understand the form of Government.

The Consistory of Cardinals meet but once a week, and once a week they solemnly wait all upon the Pope. I am told ther are now in all Christendom but sixty eight Cardinals, wherof ther are six Cardinall Bishops, fifty one Cardinall Priests, and eleven Car∣dinall Deacons: The Cardinall Bishops attend and sit neer the Pope, when he celebrats any Festivall: The Cardinall Priests assist him at Masse, and the Cardinall Deacons attire him. A Car∣dinall is made by a short Breve or Writ from the Pope in these words, Creamus te Socium Regibus, superiorem ducibus & fratrem •…•…ostrum: We creat thee a Companion to Kings, Superior to Dukes, and our Brother: If a Cardinall Bishop should be questioned for any offence, ther must be twenty four Witnesses produc'd against him.

The Bishop of O•…•…ia hath most priviledg of any other, for he consecrats and instals the Pope, and goes always next to him: All these Cardinals have the repute of Princes, and besides other in∣comes, they have the Annats of Benefices to support their great∣nesse.

For point of power, the Pope is able to put 50000 men in the field, in case of necessity, besides his navall strength in Gallies. We read how Paul the third sent Charles the fifth twelve thousand Foot, and 500. Horse. Pius the fifth sent a greater ayd to Charles the ninth▪ and for riches, besides the Temporall Dominions he hath in all the Countreyes before named, the Datary or Dis∣patching of Bulls, the Trienniall Subsidies, Annats, and other Ec∣clesiastic Rights, mount to an unknown sum; and it is a common saying here. That as long as the Pope can finger a pen, he can want no pence. Pius the fifth, notwithstanding his expences in Buil∣dings left four Millions in the Castle of Saint Angelo, in lesse then five yeers, more I beleeve then this Gregory the fifteenth will, for

he hath many Nephews; and better it is to be the Popes Nephew, then to be favorit to any Prince in Christendom.

Touching the Temporall Government of Rome, and Oppidan Affairs; ther is a Pretor, and som choice Citizens which •…•…it in the Capitoll: Amongst other peeces of policy, ther is a Synagog of Jews permitted here (as in other places of Italy) under the Popes nose, but they go with a mark of distinction in their hats, they are tolerated for advantage of commerce, wherin the Jews are won∣derfull dextrous, though most of them be only Brokers and Lom∣•…•…rdeers; and they are held to be here, as the Cinic held Women to be •…•…alum necessarium. Ther be few of the Romans that use to pray heartily for the Popes long life, in regard the oftner the change is, the more advantagious it is for the City, because com∣monly it brings strangers, and a recruit of new people. This Ayr of Rome is not so wholsom as of old, and amongst other reasons one is because of the burning of Stubble to fatten their fields; For her Antiquities, it would take up a whole Volumn to write them, those which I hold the chiefest are Vespasia•…•…s Amphitheater, wher fourscore thousand people might sit; The Stoves of Anthony, di∣vers rare Statues at Belveder and Saint Peters, specially that of Laocoon, the Obelisk; for the genius of the Roman hath alwayes bin much taken with Imagery, Limming, and Sculptures, inso∣much, that as in former times, so now, I beleeve the Statues and Pictures in Rome, exceed the number of living people: One an∣tiquity among other, is very remarkable, because of the change of Language; which is an ancient Column erected as a Trophey for Duillius the Consull, after a famous Navall Victory obtain'd against the Carthaginians in the second Punic War, wher these words are ingraven and remain legible to this day. Exemet leciones Maci∣•…•…rates Castreis exfocient pugnandod cepet enque •…•…avebos marid Con∣sull, &c. And half a dozen lines more it is call'd Columna restrata, having the Beaks and Prores of ships ingraven up and down, wherby it appears, that the Latin then spoken was much differing from that which was us'd in Ciceros time 150. yeers after. Since the dismembring of the Empire Rome hath run through many Vieissi∣tudes, and turns of Fortune; and had it not bin for the residence of the Pope, I beleeve she had becom a heap of •…•…tones, a mount of Rubbish by this time; and howsoever that she bears up indifferent well, yet one may say,

Qui miseranda videt veteris vestigia Romae, Ille potest meritò dicere Roma suit.

They who the ruines of first Rome behold, May say, Rome is not now, but was of old.

Present Rome may be said to be but the Monument of Rome pass'd, when she was in that flourish that Saint Austin desired to see her in: She who tam'd the world, tam'd her self at last, and falling under her own weight, fell to be a prey to Time; yet ther is a providence seems to have a care of her still; for though her Ayr •…•…e not so good, nor her circumjacent Soyl so kindly as it was, yet she hath wherwith to keep life and soul together still, by her Ec∣clesiastic Courts, which is the sole cause of her peepling now: So that it may be said, When the Pope came to be her head, she was reduc'd to her first principles; for as a shepherd was founder, so a shepherd is still her Governour and preserver. But wheras the French have an odd saying, that

Iamais cheval ny homme, S'amenda pour aller a Rome.

Ne're Horse, or Man did mend, That unto Rome did wend.

Truly I must confesse, that I find my self much better'd by it; for the sight of som of these ruines did fill me with symptoms of Mortification, and made me more sensible of the frailty of all sublunary things, how all bodies, as well inanimat as animat, are subject to dissolution and change, and evry thing else under the Moon, except the love of

Your faithfull Servitor, J. H.

Rome, Septemb. 13, 1621.

XXXIX. To Sir T. H. Kt. from Naples.

SIR

I Am now in the Gentle City of Naples, a Citie swelling with all delight, Gallantry and Wealth; and truely, in my opinion, the King of Spains greatnes appears here more emminently, then in Spain it self: This is a delicat luxurious Citie, fuller of true-bred Cavaliers, then any place I saw yet. The Clime is hot, and the constitutions of the Inhabitants more hot.

The Napolitan is accounted the best Courtier of Ladies, and the greatest embracer of pleasure of any other peeple: They say ther is no lesse here then twenty thousand Courtizans registred in the office of Savelli. This Kingdom with Calabria, may be said to be the one Moytie of Italy, it extends it self 450. miles, and spreds in bredth 112; it contains 2700 Towns, it hath 20 Arch∣bishops 127 Bishops, 13 Princes, 24 Dukes, 25 Marquisses, and 800 Barons. Ther are three Presidiall Castles in this Citie; and though the Kingdom abound in rich Staple commodities, as Silks, Cottons, and Wine, and that ther is a mighty Revenue comes to the Crown; yet the King of Spain when he casts up his account at the yeers end, makes but little benefit therof, for it is eaten up twixt Governours, Garrisons, and Officers. He is forc'd to main∣tain 4000 Spanish Foot, call'd the Tercia of Naples, in the Castles he hath 1600 in perpetuall Garrison; he hath 1000 men of Arms, 450 Light-Horse; besides ther are five Footmen enroll'd for evry hundred Fire; And he had need to do all this, to keep this voluptuous people in aw; for the Story musters up seven and twenty famous Rebellions of the Neapolitans in lesse then 300 yeers: But now they pay soundly for it, for one shall hear them groan up and down under the Spanish yoak; And commonly the King of Spain sends som of his Grandes hither, to repair their decayed fortunes, whence the saying sprung, That the Viceroy of Sicily gnaws, the Governour of Milan Eats, but the Viceroy of Naples devoures. Our English Merchants here, beat a considerable Trade, and their Factors live in better Equippage, and in a more splen∣did manner, as in all Italy besides, then their Masters and Prin∣cipalls in London, they ruffle in Silks and Sattins, and wear good Spanish Leather-Shooes, while their Masters-Shooes upon our

Exchange in London shine with Blacking. At Puzzoli not far off amongst the Grotts, ther are so many strange stupendous things, that nature her self seem'd to have studied of purpose how to make her self there admir'd: I reserve the discoursing of them with the nature of the Tarantola, and Manna which is gatherd'd here and no wher else, with other things, till I shall see you, for they are fitter for discours then a Letter. I will conclude with a Proverb they have in Italy of this people.

Napolitano, Largo di bocca, stretto di mano.

The Neapolitans Have wide mouths, but narrow hands.

They make strong Masculin promises, but Femal performances (for deeds are men, and words are women) and if in a whole floud of complements one find a drop of reality, tis well. The first ac∣ceptance of a Courtesie is accounted the greatest incivility that can be amongst them, and a ground for a quarrell, as I heard of a German Gentleman that was baffled for accepting one onely in∣vitation to a dinner. So desiring to be preserv'd still in your good opinion, and in the rank of your seravants, I rest alwayes most ready

At Your disposing, J. -H.

Naples, Octob. the 1. 1621.

XL. To Christopher Jones Esq at Grayes-Inne, from Naples.

Honoured Father,

I Must still stile you so, since I was adopted your Son, by so good a Mother as Oxford: My mind lately prompted me, that I •…•…ould commit a great Soloecisme, if amongst the rest of my frends 〈◊〉〈◊〉 England, I should leave you unsaluted, whom I love so dearly •…•…ell, specially having such a fair and pregnant opportunity, as •…•…e hand of this worthy Gentleman, your Cousin Morgan, who 〈◊〉〈◊〉 now posting hence for England: He will tell you how it fares •…•…ith me; how any time these thirty and odd months I have bin •…•…ss'd from shore to shore, and pass'd under various Meridians▪ •…•…d am now in this voluptuous, and luxuriant City of Naples: •…•…nd though these frequent removes and tumblings under climes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 differing temper, were not without som danger, yet the de∣•…•…ght which accompanied them was far greater; and it is impossi∣•…•…e for any man to conceive the true pleasure of Peregrination, •…•…t he who actually enjoyes, and puts it in practise: Beleeve it 〈◊〉〈◊〉, that one yeer well employed abroad by one of mature judg∣ment (which you know I want very much) advantageth more in •…•…int of usefull and solid knowledge, then three in any of our •…•…iversities: You know Running Waters are the purest; so they •…•…t traverse the VVorld up and down, have the cleer•…•…st under∣•…•…ndings; being faithfull ey-witnesses of those things which •…•…her receive but in trust, whereunto they must yeeld an intuitive •…•…nsent, and a kind of implicit faith. VVhen I pass'd through 〈◊〉〈◊〉 parts of Lombardy, amongst other things, I observ'd the Phy∣•…•…gnomies, and Complexions of the peeple, men and women, •…•…d I thought I was in VVales, for divers of them have a cast of •…•…untenance, and a neerer resemblance with our Nation, then •…•…y I ever saw yet: And the reason is obvious, for the Romans •…•…ing bin neer upon three hundred yeers amongst us, where •…•…ey had four Legions (before the English Nation, or Language •…•…d any being) by so long a coalition and tract of time, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 two Nations must needs copulat and mix: Inso∣much,

that I beleeve ther is yet remaining in Wales many of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Roman race, and divers in Italy of the Brittish. Amongst 〈◊〉〈◊〉 resemblances, one was in their prosody, and vein of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or riming, which is like our Bards, who hold agnominations, a•…•… enforcing of consonant words or syllables, one upon the other•…•… be the greatest elegance: As for example in Welsh, Tewgris, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dyrris ty'r derrin gwillt, &c. So have I seen divers old rimes Italian running so; as Donne, O danno, •…•…he Febo affranto 〈◊〉〈◊〉 In selva salvo a me Piu caro cuore, &c.

Being lately in Rome, amongst other Pasquills I met with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that was against the Scot, though it had som gawl in't, yet it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a great deal of wit, specially towards the conclusion; so that think if King Iames saw it, he would but laugh at it.

As I remember som yeers since, ther was a very abusive 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in Vers brought to our King; and as the passages were a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 before him, he often said, That if ther were no more men England, the rogue should hang for it; at last being com to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 conclusion, which was (after all his railing)

Now God preserve the King, the Queen, the Peers, And grant the Author long may wear his Ears.

This pleas'd His Majesty so well, that he broke into a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and said, By my Sol so thou shalt for me: Thou art a bitter, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thou art a witty Knave.

When you write to Monmouthshire, I pray send my respects my Tutor, Master Moor Fortune, and my service to Sir 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Williams; and according to that relation which was 'twixt us Oxford, I rest

Naples, 8. Octob. 1621.

Your Constant Son to serve you, J. H.

XLI. To Sir J. C. from Florence.

SIR,

THis Letter comes to kisse your hands from fair Florence, a Citie so beutifull, that the great Emperour (Charls the fifth) said, That she was fitting to be shewn, and seen onely upon Ho∣lidayes: She marvailously flourisheth with Buildings, with Wealth and Artisans; for it is thought that in Serges, which is but one commodity, ther are made two millions evry yeer: All de∣grees of people live here not onely well, but splendidly well, not∣withstanding the manifold exactions of the Duke, upon all things: For none can buy here Lands or Houses, but he must pay eight in the hundred to the Duke; none can hire or build a House, but he must pay the tenth penny; none can marry, or commerce suite in Law, but ther's a Fee to the Duke; none can bring as much as an Egg or Sallet to the Market, but the Duke hath share therinna: Moreover, Ligorn which is the Key of Toscany, being a Maritim, and a great Mercantil Town, hath mightily inrich'd this Countrey by being a Frank Port to all comers, and a safe rende∣vouz to Pyrats, as well as to Marchants. Add hereunto, that the Duke himself in som respect is a Marchant, for he somtimes ingrosseth all the Corn of the Countrey, and retails it at what rate he pleaseth. This inables the Duke to have perpetually 20000 men inroll'd, train'd up, and payed, and none but they can carry Arms; he hath 400 Light-Horse in constant pay, and 100 men at Arms besides; and all these quartered in so narrow a compasse, that he can command them all to Florence in twenty four hours. He hath twelve Gallies, two Galeons, and six Ga∣leasses besides, and his Gallies, are call'd, The black Fleet, be∣cause they annoy the Turk more in the bottom of the Straits, then any other.

This State is bound to keep good quarter with the Pope, more then others; for all Toscany is fenc'd by Nature her self, I

mean with Mountains, except towards the Territories of the Apostolic See, and the Sea it self, therfore it is call'd a Countrey of Iron.

The Dukes Palace is so spacious, that it occupieth the Room of fifty Houses at least; yet though his Court surpasseth the bounds of a Duke's, it reacheth not to the Magnificence of a King's: The Pope was sollicited to make the gran Duke a King, and he answer'd, That he was content he should be King in Tos∣cany, not of Toscany; wherupon one of his Counsellors replied, That it was a more glorious thing to be a gran Duke, then a petty King.

Among other Cities which I desi•…•…'d to see in Italy, Genoa was one wher I lately was, and found her to be the proudest for buil∣dings of any I met withall, yet the people go the plainest of any other, and are also most parsimonious in their diet: They are the subtillest, I will not say the most subdolous dealers; they are wonderfull wealthy specially in Money: In the yeer 1600 the King of Spain owed them eighteen millions, and they say it is double as much now.

From the time they began to finger the Indian Geld, and that this Town hath bin the Scale by which he hath conveyed his Tre∣sure to Flanders, since the VVars in the Netherlands for the sup∣port of his Armies, and that she hath got som priviledges for the exportation of VVools, and other commodities (prohibited to others) out of Spain, she hath improv'd extremely in riches, and made Saint George's Mount swell higher then Saint Marks in Ve∣nice.

She hath bin often ill favouredly shaken by the Venetian, and hath had other enemies, which have put her to hard shifts for her own defence, specially in the time of Lewis the eleventh of France; at which time, when she would have given her self up to him for Protection, King Lewis being told that Genoa was con∣tent to be his, he answerd, She should not be his long, for he would give her up to the devill, and rid his hands of her.

Indeed the Genowaies have not the Fortune to be so well be∣lov'd, as other people in Italy, which proceeds I beleeve from their cunningnes, and over-reachings in bargaining, wherin they have somthing of the Iew. The Duke is there but Bienni∣al, being chang'd evry two yeers: He hath fifty Germans for his Guard; ther be four Centurion•…•… that have 100 men a peece, which upon occasions, attend the Signory abroad in Velvet

Coats; ther be eight chief Governours, and 400 Counsellours, amongst whom ther be five Soverain Syndics, who have autho∣rity to censure the Duke himself, his time being expir'd, and pun∣ish any Governour else, though after death, upon the Heir.

Amongst other customs they have in that Town, one is, That none must carry a pointed Knif about him, which makes the Hol∣lander, who is us'd to Snik and Snee, to leave his Horn-sheath and Knif a Shipboard when he comes a shore: I met not with an Englishman in all the Town; nor could I learn of any Factour of ours that ever resided there.

Ther is a notable little active Republic towards the midst of Toscany, call'd Luca, which in regard she is under the Empe∣rours protection, he dares not meddle withall, though she lie as a Partridg under a Faulcons Wings, in relation to the gran Duke; besides ther is another reason of the State, why he meddles not with her, because she is more beneficiall unto him now that she is free, and more industrious to support this free∣dom, then if she were becom his vassall; for then it is probable, she would grow more carelesse and idle, and so could not vent his commodities so soon, which she buyes for ready money, wherin most of her wealth consists: Ther is no State that winds the peny more nimbly, and makes quicker returns.

She hath a Counsell call'd the Discoli, which pryes into the profession and life of evry one, and once a yeer they rid the State of all Vagabonds: So that this petty, pretty Republic, may not be improperly parellell'd to a Hive of Bees, which have bin al∣wayes the emblems of industry and order.

In this splendid City of Florence, ther be many rarities, which if I should insert in this Letter, it would make her swell too big, and indeed they are fitter for Parol Communication. Here is the prime dialect of the Italian spoken, though the pronunciation be a little more guttural, then that of Siena, and that of the Court of Rome, which occasions the Proverb,

Lingua Toscana in boca Romana.

The Toscan toung sounds best in a Roman mouth.

The peeple here generally seem to be more generous, and of a higher comportment then elsewhere, very cautious

and circumspect in their negotiation; whence ariseth the Pro∣verb,

Chi há da far con Tosco, Non bisogna chi sia Losco.

VVho dealeth with a Florentine, Must have the use of both his Ey'n.

I shall bid Italy farewell now very shortly, and make my way are the Alps to France, and so home by Gods grace, to take a re∣view of my frends in England, amongst whom, the sight of your self will be as gladsom to me, as of any other; for I professe my self, and purpose to be ever

Your thrice affectionat Servitor, J. H.

Florence, 1 Novemb. 1621.

XLII. To Cap. Francis Bacon, from Turin.

SIR

I Am now upon point of shaking hands with Italy; for I am com to Turin, having already seen Uenice the rich, Padoua the learned, Bologna the fat, Rome the holy, Naples the gentle, Genoa the proud, Florence the fair, and Milan the great; from this last, I came hither, and in that City also appears the Grandeur of Spains Monarchy very much: The Governour of Milan is alwayes Captain Generall of the Cavalry to the King of Spain thorowout Italy: The Dnke of Feria is now Gover∣nour, and being brought to kisse his hands, he us'd me with extraordinary respect, as he doth all of our Nati∣on, being by the maternall side a Dormer. The Spaniard entertains there also 3000 Foot, 1000 Light-Horse, and 600 men at Arms in perpetuall pay; so that I beleeve the benefit of that Dutchy also, though seated in the richest Soyl of Italy, hardly countervails the charge. Three things are admir'd in Milan, the Dome or great Church (built all of white Marble, within and without) the Hos∣pitall, and the Castle, by which the Cittadell of Antwerp was trac'd, and is the best condition'd Fortresse of Christendom: Though Nova Palma a late Fortresse of the Venetian would go beyond it, which is built ac∣cording to the exact Rules of the most modern Engin∣ry, being of a round form with nine Bastions, and a street levell to evry Bastion.

The Duke of Savoy, though he passe for one of the Princes of Italy, yet the least part of his Territories lie there, being squander'd up and down amongst the Alps; but as much as he hath in Italy, which is Piemont, is a well peepled, and passing good Countrey.

This Duke of Savoy Emanuel, is accounted to be of the ancient'st and purest extraction of any Prince in Eu∣rop, and his Knights also of the Anunciade, to be one of the ancient'st Orders; though this present Duke be little in Stature, yet is he of a lofty spirit, and one of the best Souldiers now living; and though he be valiant enough, yet he knows how to patch the Lions-skin with a Fox-Tail; and whosoever is Duke of Savoy, had need be cunning, and more then any other Prince, in regard, that lying between two potent Neighbours, the French and the Spaniard, he must comply with both.

Before I wean my self from Ital•…•…, a word or two touch∣ing the genius of the Nation. I find the Italian a de∣gree higher in complement then the French, he is longer and more grave in the delivery of it, and more prodigal of words, insomuch, that if one were to be worded to death, Italian is the fittest Language, in regard of the flu∣ency and softnes of it; for throughout the whole body of it, you have not a word ends with a consonant, except som few Monosyllable Conjunctions and Propositions, and this renders the Speech more smooth; which made one say, That when the confusion of toungs happen'd at the building of the Tower of Babel▪ if the Italian had bin there, Nimrod had made him a Playsterer. They are gene∣rally indulgent of themselves, and great embracers of pleasure, which may proceed from the luscious rich Wines, and luxurious Food, Fruits, and Roots, wherwith the Countrey abounds, Insomuch, that in som places, Na∣ture

may be said to be Lena sui, A Baud to her self. The Cardinal de Medici's Rule, is of much authority amongst them, That ther is no Religion under the Navill. And som of them are of the opinion of the Asians, who hold, that touching those naturall passions, desires, and moti∣ons, which run up and down in the bloud, God Almigh∣ty and his Handmaid Nature, did not intend they should be a torment to us, but to be us'd with comfort and de∣light. To conclude, in Italy, ther be Virtutes magnae, nec minora Vitia, Great vertues, and no lesse vices.

So with a tender of my most affectionat respects un∣to you, I rest

Your humble Servitor, J. H.

Turin, 30. Novemb. 1621.

XLIII. To Sir I. H. from Lions.

SIR,

I Am now got ore the Alps, and return'd to France; I had cross'd and clammer'd up the Pyreneans to Spain before, they are not so high and hideous as the Alps; but for our Mountains in Wales as Eppint and Penwinm•…•…ur, which are so much cry'd up amongst us, they are Mole∣hills in comparison of these, they are but Pigmeys com∣par'd to Giants, but blisters compar'd to Impostumes, or Pimples to Werts: Besides, our Mountains in Wales bear always somthing usefull to man or beast, som grass at least; but these uncouth huge monstrous excrescences of Nature, bear nothing (most of them) but craggy Stones: The tops of som of them are blanch'd over all the yeer long with Snows, and the people who dwell in the Valleys drinking, for want of other, this Snow-water, are subject to a strange swelling in the Throat, called Goytre, which is common amongst them. As I scal'd the Alps, my thoughts reflected upon Hannibal, who with Vinegar & Strong-Waters, did eat out a passage through those Hills, but of late yeers they have found a speedier way to do it by Gun-Powder.

Being at Turin, I was by som disaster brought to an extreme low ebb in money, so that I was forc'd to foot it along with som Pilgrims, and with gentle pace and ea∣sie journeys, to clime up those Hills till I came to this Town of Lions, where a Countrey man of ours, one Mr.

Lewis, whom I knew in Alieant lives Factour, so that now I want not any thing for my accommodation.

This is a stately rich Town, and a renowned Mart for the Silks of Italy, and other Levantin commodities, and a great bank for mony, and indeed the greatest of France. Before this Bank was founded, which was by Henry the first, France had but little Gold and Silver, insomuch, that we read how King Iohn their Captive King, could not in four yeers, raise sixty thousand Crowns to pay his Ransome to our King Edward; And Saint Lewis was in the same case when he was pri∣soner in Egypt, wher he had left the Sacrament for a gage; But after this Bank was erected, it fill'd France full of money; They of Luca, Florence, and Genoa, with the Venetian, got quickly over the Hils, and brought their moneys hither to get twelve in the hundred profit, which was the interest at first, though it be now much lower.

In this great Mercantil Town, ther be two deep na∣vigable Rivers, the Rhone and the Sone, the one hath a swift rapid cours, the other slow and smooth: And one day as I walk'd upon their Banks, and observed so much difference in their cours, I fell into a contemplation of the humors of the French and Spaniard, how they might be not improperly compar'd to these Rivers; the French to the swift, the Spaniard to the slow River.

I shall write you no more Letters untill I present my self unto you for a speaking Letter, which I shall do as soon as I may tread London stones:

Your affectionate Servitor, J. H.

Lions, 6. Novemb. 1621.

XLIIII. To Mr. Tho. Bowyer, from Lions.

BEing so neer the Lake of Geneva, curiosity would carry anyone to see it: The Inhabitants of that Town, me thinks, are made of another past differing from the affable nature of those peeple I had convers'd withall formerly; they have one policy, lest that their pretty Republic should be pester'd with fugitives, their Law is, That what stranger soever flies thither for sanctua∣ry, he is punishable there, in the same degree, as in the Country wher he committed the offence.

Geneva is govern'd by four Syndncs, and four hundred Senators: She lies like a Bonetwixt three Mastiffs, the Emperour, the French King, and the Duke of Savoy, they all three look upon the Bone, but neither of them dare touch it sing∣ly, for fear the other two would flie upon him: But they say the Savoyard hath the justest Title, for ther are Imperiall Records extant, That al∣though the Bishops of Geneva were Lords Spiri∣tuall and Temporall, yet they should acknowledge the Duke of Savoy for their Superiour: This man's Ancestors went frequently to the Town, and the Keys were presently tender'd to him. But since Calvins time, who had bin once ba∣nish'd,

and then call'd in again, which made him to apply that speech unto himself, The stone which the builders refused, is becom the head stone of the corner; I say, since they were refin'd by Cal∣vin, they seem to shun and scorn all the World besides, being cast as it were into another mould, which hath quite alter'd their very naturall dis∣position in point of Morall Society.

Before I part with this famous City of Lions, I will relate unto you a wonderfull strange ac∣cident that happen'd here not many yeers ago: Ther is an Officer call'd Le Chevalier du Guet (which is a kind of Night-guard) here as well as in Paris, and his Lieutenant call'd Iaquette, ha∣ving supp'd one night in a rich Marchants house, as he was passing the round afterwards, he said, I wonder what I have eaten and drunk at the Mar∣chants house, for I find my self so hot, that if I met with the Divels Dam to night, I should not forbear using of her; hereupon, a little after he overtook a young Gentlewoman mask'd, whom he would needs usher to her lodging, but discharg'd all his Watch, except two: she brought him, to his thinking, to a little low lodging hard by the City Wall, wher ther were only two Rooms: and af∣ter he had enjoyed her, he desir'd, that according to the custom of French Gentlemen, his two Camerads might partake also of the same plea∣sure; so she admitted them one after the other:

And when all this was don, as they sat together, she told them, if they knew well, who she was, none of them would have ventur'd upon her; thereupon she whissel'd three times, and all va∣nish'd: The next morning, the two souldiers that had gon with Lieutenant Jaquette were found dead under the City Wall, amongst the ordure and excrements, and Iaquette himself a little way off half dead, who was taken up, and coming to himself, confess'd all this, but died presently af∣ter.

The next week I am to go down the Loire to∣wards Paris, and thence as soon as I can for Eng∣land, wher amongst the rest of my frends, whom I so much long to see after this Trienniall sepa∣ration, you are like to be one of my first objects; In the mean time, I wish the same happinesse may attend you at home, as I desire to attend me hom-ward; for I am

Truly yours, I. H.

Lions, 5. Decemb. 1621.