State-worthies, or, The states-men and favourites of England since the reformation their prudence and policies, successes and miscarriages, advancements and falls, during the reigns of King Henry VIII, King Edward VI, Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth, King James, King Charles I.

Observations on the Life of William Howard.

WIlliam Howard, son to Thomas Howard, second of that Surname Duke of Nor∣folk, was by Queen Mary created Ba∣ron of Essi••gham in Surrey, and by her made Lord Admiral of England; which place he discharg••d with credit. He was one of the first Favourers and Furtherers with his Purse and Countenance of the strange and wonderful discovery of Ru••••a. He di∣ed anno Dom. 1554.

This Noble Person had his plainness from his Fa∣ther, his ingenuity from his Mother, his experi∣ence by Travel and Navigation: his Blood endear∣ed him to his Soveraign, and his Abilities advanced him to her service: H•• promised no less to his Mi∣stress, t••an his F••ther and Vncle had performed to her Father. The Ancestors merit is security for Posterie••ies, who will hardly forfeit that favour with one act of their own unworthiness, that was ganed by so many of their Predecessors service. Like a well-drawn picture this Lord had his eye on all round: on his Queen, to be faithfull; on his Country, to be publick-spirited; on his Family, to be honourable; on the present Age, to be activ••; and on the future, to be renowned.

The Old Lord Burleigh, sometime Treasurer of England, coming to Cambridge with Queen Eli∣zabeth when he was led into the publick Schools, and had much commended their convenience,

beauty and greatness, together with their Founder Humphrey the good Duke of Glocester; Yea, marry, (said he) but I find one School wanting in our Uni∣versities, and that is the School of Discre••ion. When private Tutors had initiated, publick Schools had seasoned, and the University had improved this Gentlemans sprightly and noble parts, vet did his Father observe one great defect in his Education, and that is Discretion: Discretion in Carriage, for which he sent him to Cou••t; Discretion in Busi∣ness, for which he sent him to travel and fight. Not long had he been abroad to furnish himself with experience, but he is called home to ennoble him∣self with action. The Alve•• of Spain were for four Generations together Commanders by Land, and the Howards of England for as many, Admirals at Sea. None ever had more power, none used less than he: The more Authority he had allowed him over others, the more Command he obtained over himself.

Twice did he mortgage his Estate for his follow∣ers pay; many times did he venture his life for their encou••agement. None directed more ••kil∣fully, and yet none acted more resolutely. Equally did he divide the profit, equally share the honor with his follower••, who under him never dared, and never feared a danger. Manners make a man, saith the Courtier•• Money makes a man, saith the Citizen; Learning makes a man, saith the Scholar; but Conduct makes a man, saith the Souldier. This Lords spirit never put hi•• on so forwardly, but his wariness to••k care how to come off as safely. He that fights should despair, but he that commands should hope. The Souldier among the Persians

is drawn with his eyes before him, and the General with his behind him. Young men in the manage of Affairs embrace more than they can hold, stir more than they can q••iet, flee to the end without consideration of the means and degrees; pursue some few principles, and extreme remedies they have chanced upon rashly, which they will neither con∣fess nor reform. Old men object too much, con∣sult too long, adventure too little, repent too soon, and seldome pursue things home to their full peri∣od. My Lord was an happy composition of both himself, and had of either about him, that the coldness and wariness of Age might correct the heat of Youth, and the activity of younger might be directed by the experience of riper ones: The one gave Authority, and the other Life to his Actions. He himself was better to invent than to judge, fitter for Action than Counsel, and readier for new Projects than for settled business. The Lord Clinton's prudence served him in old and usual mat∣ters, but in new things abused him: My Lord Ho∣ward's was quick for present Emergencies, but not comprehensive of ordinary transactions. Of the three Admirals of those times, we may say as they did of the * 1.1 three Kingdoms, Lisle was wise be∣fore the Action, my Lord Howard in it•• my Lord Clinton after it.

England without a freedom of commerce, was but a larger Prison: others opened the Trade to the Indies, to Asia, and other parts of the world; but we wanted the Hemp, the Flax, the Pitch, the Firr, and the other usual Commodities of Russia, serviceable to our selves, and more to our Ships. His purse in this case did much, his direction more,

his servant Ie••kinson most of all, who made curious observations of Russia, set forth a Geogra••h••cal de∣scription of it, and was the first of the English, that sailed through the Caspian Sea. With his assistance the Muscovia Company was set up in Queen Ma∣ries days; and with his servants it obtained the Priviledge of sole Traffick into the Northern Parts of Russia in Elizabeth's.

Nihil habet fortuna magna majus nec natura bona melius quam ut velit bene-facere quam plurimis.* 1.2

Notes

• * 1.1

  France Spain and England
• * 1.2

  Cicero.