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 Earl of Somerset.

HIs extraction from Scotland put him in the way, his Education in England set him in a capacity of Advancement. He was born sea∣sonably when his Father served him that should be a King of England; and brought up happily, when he might please him that was so—His beauty and comliness took his Majesty; his parts and prudence obliged him, who loved the Cabinet, but valued the Jewel: He was admitted Page of ho∣nour to King Iames when of Scotland, and his Fa∣vourite when of England: His Majesties first ob∣servation of him was at a solemn Tilting; where his delight in his person meeting with his pity of his mischance (I mean the breaking of his leg there) first took him to his tuition, and then to his Coun∣cil. All King Iames his Favourites were of his own education, and so imbued with his principles, and engaged to his interest. It was his Majesties policy to r••tain Scots States-men to balance the English; It was Somerset's prudence to entertain English Favou∣ries to endear the Scots; therefore Sir Tho. Overbury was as much of his Councel as he was of his Maje∣sties; too haughty a carriage was the miscarriage of other Minions, too good a nature was ••is: His great defect being that goodness and humanity that that knoweth no excess, but errour, which was rather a softness than a kindness: his heart was as large to others, as his Masters was to him, and

knew as little how to mistrust, as how to do any thing for which he should be mistrusted. This is the Lesson he was short in, That civilities should be common, but favours choice. The Whale is steered at Sea by a far smaller Fish, and this States-man at Court by far meaner men than himself. I my self (saith an ingenious man) have known many so far strangers to what was convenient, as they would scarce concede or deny any thing out of the presence of their Secretary: and this pro∣ceeded not seldom from a distrust there was no cause for; manifest in the Earl of Somerset, who though himself owner of a competent sufficien∣cy, was so enchanted with an opinion of Sir Thomas Overbury's parts, that he preferred him from a Servant to such an intimate friendship; as he could think nothing well educated for em∣ployment in his Office, that had not passed his correction, nor secret laid up but in his bosome; which swelled him (saith he) to such a monstrosi∣ty in pride, that I have heard (not being my self then near the English Court) how he offered to rant at his servants, and did once beat his Coach∣man for putting his commands under an inferi∣our expostulation to his Master; and through this intollerable arrogance in him, and remisness in the Earl, the sparks first flew, that kindled the ruine of them both: Friendship being no more able to maintain its interest against a feminine affection, than so great a pride was to confine it self within the tedder of moderation. The great∣est are not free, but led in triumph by the affections of others, through the mediation of their own. Sir Thomas Overbury would do what was most plausi∣ble,

and the Earl must perform what was less po∣pular. The King trusted Carr with his Dispatch∣es, and Carr trusts Overbury a month together without examination, who had full Commission to receive and answer any Letters or other Expres∣ses that came to his hands: Great opportunities offered themselves to Sir Robert Carr, and a great Soul he had to observe them (Fortune being no∣thing else but an attentive observation of the revo∣lution of Affairs, and the occasions resulting there∣from:) observant he was of his

Master, who rai∣sed him not to eclipse others, but like a brave Prince to ease himself. For Princes (to use my Lord Bacon's words) being at too great a distance from their Subjects, to ease themselves into their bosomes, raise some persons to be as it were participes curam, or their Companions:

but this Favourite understood as well the humour of the People, as he did the disposition of his Prince, obliging the one no less, than he pleased the o∣ther. Gay he was, as a Courtier, grave as a Coun∣sellour: to Scholars none more civil, to Soldiers none more liberal; of States-men none more re∣spective: He had his extraordinary great Vertues upon occasions to shew, and his ordinary little ones always to oblige; a compleatness in all turns, a••d upon all occasions was his nature. Familiar he was, yet not cheap; sociable upon regard, and not upon facility: His behaviour was his soul, free for any exercise or motion; finding many, and making more opportunities to endear himself: He broke his mind to small observations, yet he comprehended great matters: His carriage was so exact, as if affected; and yet so graceful; as if

natural. That which overthrew the first, bewitched the wisest, and tyred the most patient man, undid this noble person: yet so regular were his affections, that he did nothing publickly in the Countess of Essex, the Earl of Suffolk's Daughters case, but by due course of Law, the approbation of the gravest and wisest Divines and Counsellors, and the a 1.1 ap∣plause of England: his failings were the faults of his years, rather than of his person, of his sodain for∣tune, than of his constant temper; his counsels were safe and moderate; his publick actions honest and plain; his first years of favour industrious and a∣ctive; his mind noble and liberal. His soul capa∣cious and inquisitive; his temper yielding and mo∣dest. In a word, Sir Robert Carr deserved to be a Favourite, if he had not been one.—He fell because he medled too little with the Secretaries place while in it, and too much when out of it; giving Overbury too much scop•• on the one hand to mate him, and Sir Ralph Winwood too much offence to undermine him: who finding that new Earls occasi∣ons growing with his advancements (I say his oc∣casions, because I think his miscarriages were not his nature, but his necessity) apt to encroach upon his and other Court-Offices, gave ear to that In∣telligence from Flushing that might ruine him, and set free himself.

The first Intimation of his guilt was his earnest∣ness for a general Pardon; and the first argument of it was my Lord Chancellor's scruples in sealing it: whence I date his first declining, attended with as much pity as his first advancement was with envy. We and the Troglodites curse not the Sun-rising more heartily, than we worship it when it sets.

The Gentleman was as to his stature rather well compacted than tall; as to his features and favour, comely, rather than beautiful. — The hair of his head was flaxen, and that of his face yellow: His nature was gentle, his disposition affable, ••••s af∣fections publick, until a particular person and in∣terest engrossed them: and the good Gentleman being sensible of failers that might ruine him, was wholly intent upon a treasure that might preserve him:—His defect was, that he understood only his own age; and that the experience of man's life cannot furnish examples and presidents for the events of one mans life.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Witness his enter∣tainment at London.