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 the Lord Grandison.

SIr Oliver Saint-Iohn, Lord Grandison, &c. descended of an ancient and honourable Fa∣mily, whose prime Seat was at Lediard-Tregoze in Wiltshire, though their first settlement was in South-Wales. He was bred in the Wars from his youth, and at last by King Iames was appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland, and vigorously pursued the Principles of his Predecessors for the civilizing thereof. Indeed the Lord Mountjoy reduced that Countrey to obedience, the Lord Chichester to some civility, and this Lord Grandison first advan∣ced it to considerable profit to his Master. T. Wal∣singham a 1.1 writeth, that Ireland afforded unto Ed∣ward the third thirty thousand pounds a year paid into his Exchequer: but it appears by the b 1.2 Irish Records (which are rather to be believed) that it was rather a burthen, and the constant Revenue thereof beneath the third part of that proportion.

But now, the Kingdom being peaceably setled, the income thereof turned to good Account, so that Ireland (called the Land of Ire for the constant broils therein for four hundred years) was now be∣come the Land of Concord.

This noble Person recalled into England, li∣ved many years in great repute, leaving his Ho∣nours to his Sisters son by Sir Edward Villiers, but the main of his Estate to his Brothers son Sir Iohn St. Iohn Knight and Baronet. So sweet and charm∣ing

his Conversation, that he was beloved by all his Superiours, and envied by no Inferiour; be∣ing never advanced to any great Dignity, but he was wished to a greater: So exact his vigilancy, so constant his industry, so plausible his actions, attended with no less civility to all men, than duty to his Soveraign: So frank and ingenious his Integrity, that none feared him; so discreet his management of Business, and so strong his judge∣ment, that any might confide in him. One he was that crossed the Italian Proverb,

Di Dunaridi senno, e di fede, In e Mancho che non Crede:

having more money, more faith, yea and more wisdom too than was generally esteemed. I mean wisdom of behaviour, wisdom of busi∣ness, and wisdom of State; in the last whereof he aimed at a general settlement, which he ob∣served would bear particular errors, provided that Care, Labour, Vigilancy, and prudent in∣quiet••de attended, that forceth Difficulties, con∣strains Fortune, assures good Counsels, corrects bad, supports and overthroweth designs, dis∣poseth of accidents, abserveth time, manageth hazards, forgets nothing; seldom trusts others, and improveth all Occurrents: and that first max∣ime of Policy he observed, That who layeth out most, layeth out least, that petty frugalities undo the main Interest.

Notes

• a 1.1

  In the life of Richard the second.
• b 1.2

  Sir John Davies in Disc. of I••eland, p. 39, &c.