Reliquiae Wottonianae, or, A collection of lives, letters, poems with characters of sundry personages : and other incomparable pieces of language and art : also additional letters to several persons, not before printed / by the curious pencil of the ever memorable Sir Henry Wottan ...

LETTERS TO SEVERAL PERSONS.

To Sir Arthur Throckmorton.

SIR,

I Have been desirous of some fit oppor∣tunity, to render you humble thanks for a very kind Letter which I recei∣ved from you; and I cannot have a fitter, then by the return of this Gentleman, who beareth much devotion to your Name. I will therefore by his honest hand, pre∣sent you the service of a poor Scholar, for that is the highest of my own Titles, and in truth, the farthest end of my Ambition: This other Honour (wherewith it hath pleased His Majesty to cloath my unworthiness) belonging unproperly unto me; who, I hope, am both born, and formed in my Education, fitter to be an Instrument of Truth

then of Art. In the mean while; till His Majesty shall resolve me again into my own plain and simple Elements, I have abroad done my poor endeavour, according to these occasions which God hath opened.

This Gentleman leaveth Italy in present tran∣quillity, though not without a little fear of some alteration on the side of Savoy: Which Prince see∣meth to have great and unquiet thoughts, and I think, they will lack no fomentation from abroad. Therefore after the remembrance of my most affe∣ctionate poor service to your self, and to my Ho∣nourable Ladies, your Wife and Daughters, and your whole House, (with which we are now so particularly conjoyned) I commit You and Them to our mercifull God.

Your willing Servant, HENRY WOTTON.

To Sir Arthur Throckmorton.

SIR,

I Am sorry, that having so good opportunity to write unto you, joyned with so much Obli∣gation, I have withal so little matter at the present: yet I will entertain you with a few Rap∣sodie•…•….

My Lord my Brother is returned a day sooner then he thought, out of Kent, for that the King

(who is now at Hampton-Court) hath appointed all his Counsellors, and all the Judges, to meet Him here to morrow about matters of the Mint, as it is voiced, perhaps to cover some greater Subject, and yet Money is a great one.

On Saturday the King goeth to Windsor, there to honour with his presence both his Sons and his Favourites at their Instalments.

On Sunday last the new Venetian Ambassador had his first Audience at Greenwich: at which time the old took his leave, and received from the King three Honours, An addition of the English Lion to his Coat-Armour, Knight-hood, and the Sword with the Furniture from the Kings side, wherewith he had Knighted him: which last, being more then was done to any of his Predecessors, and done to him who had deserved less then any, is enough to prove, that wise Kings know how to do graces, and hide affections: so mystical things are Courts.

Now, to lead you a little abroad; for I have no more to say within our own visible Horizon: We have advice out of Germany, that they have ex∣torted from the Emperour his consent to make Matthias King of the Romans: so as having first spoiled him of obedience and reverence; next, of his estates and titles; they have now reduced him to so low a case, that he is no longer Patron of his own voice. Howsoever, this violent cure is like∣ly to settle the Motions of Germany; out of which Countrey, when they are quiet at home, they may perhaps send us some suiters hither. This is all (Sir) that I can write at the present; which is your advantage; for if there had been more, you had been further troubled: And so with many

hearty thanks for your kind Letters, and with ma∣ny hearty wishes for the prosperity of your whole House, I humbly rest

May 8. 1611.

Your most affectionate poor Friend to serve you, HENRY WOTTON.

Feb. 1613.

SIR,

ONe Reason of my writing now unto you, is because it seemeth a great while unto me since I did so. Another, to give you many thanks (which upon the casting up of my reckonings, I find I have not yet done) for that Gelding wherewith you so much honoured me: which, in truth, either for goodness or beauty runneth for one of the very best about this place; And I have had a great deal of love made unto me for him by no small ones. After this, I must plainly tell you, that I mean to perswade you, I am sorry I cannot say, to invite you, (for my Mind would bear that word better then my For∣tune) to bestow your self, and your whole Fami∣ly upon us this Shrovetide, if it be but for three dayes at the conjunction of the Thames and the Rhene, as our ravished Spirits begin to call it. The occasion is rare, the expence of time but little, of money inconsiderable: You shall see divers Princes, a great confluence of Strangers, sundry entertainments to shorten your patience, and to reward your travel: Finally, nothing spared, even in a necessitous time. I will adde unto these

Arguments, that out of your own Store at home, •…•…ou may much encrease the beauty of this Assembly; •…•…nd your Daughters shall not need to provide any great splendour of Cloathing, because they can •…•…pply that with a better contribution, as hath been •…•…ell authenticated even by the Kings own testimo∣ny of them. For though I am no longer an Am∣bassador, yet am I not so bank-rupt of Intelli∣gence, but that I have heard of those rural pas∣sages.

Now let me therefore, with this hobling Pen, again and again pray you to resolve upon your coming, if not with all the fair Train, yet your self and my Lady, and my Nephew and his Wife, or at the least of leasts, the Masculine.

We begin to lay off our mourning habits, and the Court will shortly, I think, be as merry as if it were not sick. The King will be here to mor∣row: The Friday following he goeth to Windsor, with the Count Palatine, about the Ceremony of his Instalment. In the mean time, there is expected the Count Henry of Nassaw, to be at the said So∣lemnity, as the Representant of his Brother. Yesternight, the Count Palatino invited all the Counsel to a solemn Supper, which was well or∣dered: He is a Gentleman of very sweet hope, and hath rather gained upon us, then lost any thing after the first Impression. And so, Sir, having ended my Paper, I will end my Letter with my hearty prayers for the prosperity of your self, and yours, ever resting

Your faithfull poor Friend to serve you, HENRY WOTTON.

To the King. 1615.

May it please Your Sacred Majesty,

I Beseech your Majesty to pardon me a little short repetition, how I have spent my time since my departure from your Royal sight, because I glory in your goodness.

I have been imployed by your favour in four se∣veral Treaties differing in the Matter, in the In∣struments, and in the Affections.

The first was for the sequestration of Juliers, wherein I was joyned with the French.

The second for the provisional possession of the two Pretendents: wherein (contrary to the complaint of the Gospel) the Labourers were more then the Harvest.

The third was for a defensive League between the united Provinces and the united Princes: Who though they be separate Bodies of State, do now by your onely Mediation, make one Body of Strength.

The fourth was for the composing of some diffe∣rences between your own and this People; in mat∣ter of Commerce; which hath exceeded the other Three, both in length and in difficulty, for two Reasons as I conceive it:

First, Through the sensibleness of the Subject, which is private Utility: next, because it had a se∣cret commixture of publick respects, and those of no light consequence: For surely, it importeth more to let the King of Spain dispense alone the Commodities of the East, then for either of us to want them.

Now of the three former Treaties, I have given your Majesty an accompt in divers Dispatches, ac∣cording to my poor apprehensions. As for this last, they that have eased my weakness in the conduct thereof (I mean my good Associates, by whose light and leadings I have walked) will ease me like∣wise, by your gracious leave, in the Relation. By them it may please your Majesty to understand in what fair terms we have left it; somewhat re∣sembling to my fancy those Women of Nombre de Dios, who (they say) are never brought to bed in the place where they conceive, but bring forth their children in a better Air: And so I hope that our travels and unformed conceptions will take life in your own Kingdome, which will be more ho∣nour to their Birth. For our parts, I dare affirm of these your Commissioners, that now return un∣to the comfort of your gracious Aspect, That they have discharged their Duties and their Conscien∣ces, with all faithfull care of your Majesties Com∣mandments. I am confident likewise that they will give me their honest Testimony: And we are bound joyntly to profess unto your Majesty (from whom we receive our estimation) the re∣spects and kindnesses that have been here done us, as your Vassals.

And so with my continual prayers to God for your blessed Being, I here remain, till your Ma∣jesty shall vouchsafe me again the grace of your eyes,

Your Majesties long devoted poor Servant, HENRY WOTTON.

To the Marquess of Buckingham,

January 25. 1619.

My most Noble Lord,

I Will be bold, by this opportunity, to give His Majesty, through your Lordships hands, an ac∣count of a Command which I had from him at Theobalds, about sounding how the Venetian Am∣bassador stood satisfied with the late determination touching his predecessor Donato.

I did visit the said Ambassador immediately at my return from the King, and saluted him, as by ex∣press Commandment; interjecting some words of mine own gladness, that he had received content∣ment in this tender point, which would signalize his beginnings. This I said, because in truth I had found him always before the more passionate in it, by some reflection upon himself. His answer (af∣ter due thanks for His Majesties gracious remem∣brance of him from abroad) was, that for his own part, he was Contentissimo, and had represented things home in the best manner. He hoped like∣wise it would be well tasted there also, though with some doubt, because the State, out of their own devotion towards His Majesty, might form a con∣fidence of expecting more.

I replied, that the King upon the matter (if we consider disgrace) had done more then themselves: for he was but once banished at Venice, and twice here; viz. once from the verge of the Court, and secondly from London; which was as much as could be done with preservation of rational immunities,

and more then would have been done at the suit of of any other Ambassador here resident; or perhaps of any of their own hereafter, if the like Case shall occur. For (as I told him) it was the Kings express will, that his particular respect to the Republick, and to him in this business, should not be drawn into Examples. With this point he was not a little pleased, for his own glory; and said, that indeed Master Secretary Nanton had told him so. This was the sum of what passed between us, omitting imper∣tinencies. Let me end, (my dear Lord) as I am bound, in all the use either of my pen, or of my voice, with an humble and hearty acknowledge∣ment of my great obligations towards your Lord∣ship, which will make me resolve, and in good faith unhappy, till I can some way shew my self,

Your Lordships most thankeful, and faithful Servant, H. W.

To the KING,

From Augusta the 8/18 of August, 1620.

May it please Your most Sacred Majesty,

FRom this place I determined to make my first Dispatch unto Your Majesty, hoping in such Cities and Courts vvhereunto I had address on the vvay, to take up somewhat that should be

considerable, and till then unwilling to entertain Your solicitous Mind vvith immaterial things.

I have hitherto been vvith five several Princes and Communities, the Duke of Loraign, the Arch-Duke Leopoldus, the Town of Strasburg, the Duke of Wirtenberg, and the Town of Ulme, in the same or∣der as I have set them down; among whom I spent in all twelve days, and the rest of the time in un∣cessant journeys, vvhereof I shall now render Your Majesty a full account in the substance, retrenching impertinencies.

Unto the Duke of Loraign, I had no credential address from Your Royal hand; and yet to pass silently (like a stream through his Land) by a Prince of so near conjunction in blood with You, and in∣teressed in the scope of my errand, as a member of the Empire, had been some incongruity. There∣fore excusing (as I might justly) the want of Letters, vvith my purpose to have taken another way, till I heard that the French King had cleared the con∣fines of Loraign, by drawing such Forces as lay hovering there, with some hazard of Passengers, over the River of Marne towards Normandy: I say, after this excuse, I told him, I knevv Your Majesty vvould be singularly pleased to understand by me of his health; and that I had, in transitu, conferred vvith him Your Christian ends, vvherein You could not but expect at his hands a concurrence both of Counsel and Affection. This I said, to dravv ci∣villy from him as much as I could, being a Prince cumbred (as I found him) vvith the German troubles on the one side, and the French on the other; and therefore bound to study the passages of both: espe∣cially having a State, vvhich perhaps is harder for him to keep neutral then himself. In the rest of

my discourse, I possessed him vvith two main heads of mine Instructions: First, vvith Your Majesties innocency in the Bohemian business at the beginning; next, vvith Your impartiality therein, even to this hour: both vvhich did render You in this cause, the fittest Mediator of the World. And so I shut up all vvith this, That God had given Your Majesty two eminent blessings; the one, Peace at home, the other (vvhich vvas surely the greater, and the rarer) a Soul desirous of the like abroad; vvhich You found Your self tied in the Conscience of a Chri∣stian King to prosecute by all possible means: and therefore, though You had before in the beginning of the Bohemian Motions, sent Your good meaning by a solemn Ambassage to the Emperor, in the Per∣son of a dear and zealous Servant of great Quality, even before any other King had entred into it, vvhich, through the crudity of the matter, as then, took not the vvished effect: yet novv hoping that time it self, and the experience of vexation, had mollified the affections, and better digested the difficulties, You had not refused by several Am∣bassages to both sides, and to all the intervenient Princes and States, to attempt again this high and Christian Work. Thus much, though in effect ex∣tracted from Your Majesties own directions, I have here once rehearsed, to save the repetition thereof in my following Audiences at other places.

The Dukes answer was more tender, then free, lamenting much the present condition of things, commending as much Your Majesties good mind, proclaiming his own, remitting the vvhole to those great and vvise Kings that had it in hand, and con∣cluding (vvith a voice, me thought, lower then before, as if he had doubted to be overheard, though

in his private Chamber) that the Princes of the Union vvould tell me vvhat his affections vvere in the Cause: For vvhich I gave him thanks, com∣mending in all events to his continual memory, that Your Majesties Daughter, my gracious Lady, and her Descendents vvere of the Bloud of Loraign: Yea, said he, and the Elector likewise. This vvas all that passed from him of any moment. After vvhich, he brought me to Monsieur de Vaudemont, vvhose principal business (as I hear) at the present, is to vvork the Dukes assent, and the Popes dispen∣sation, for a Marriage between his own Son and his Brothers Daughter; a thing much affected by that People, and no doubt fomented by France, to keep so important a Province from Strangers. In the mean vvhile de Vaudemont's Son, for improve∣ment of his merit and fame, is bestowed in the Command of those Troops vvhich vvere suffered to pass the Rheine at Brysack on Whitson-Monday last. Before I leave Loraign, I cannot but adver∣tise Your Majesty that at Faltsbourg, a Town in the confines of that Province towards Elsatia (inha∣bited and built by many good men of the Religion) the Ministers came unto me, bewailing the case of the Inhabitants, vvho for some thirty years had possessed that place quietly, till of late by insti∣gation of the Jesuits at Nancy, the Duke had given them vvarning to be gone vvithin the term of two years, vvhereof some good part vvas expired. Their request unto me vvas, that by Your Majesties gra∣cious Mediation, they might be received into a place vvithin the Palatine Jurisdiction, near their present seat, which they offered to enlarge, and fortifie at their own charge, upon the grant of reasonable immunities: vvhich I have assumed to

treat by Letter vvith Your Majesties Son-in-lavv; needing no other commission from Your Majesty in things of this nature, then Your own goodness.

The Arch-Duke Leopald, I vvas forced to seek three days journey from his ordinary seat; where, being at his private sports of the field, and no fit things about him, he desired me to turn back half 〈◊〉〈◊〉 days journey to Mulzham, the notorious nest of Jesuits: commanding the Governors of his Towns, in the mean time, to use me vvith all due respects; among vvhom he made choice of an Italian, by name Ascanio Albertine, (a man of singular confidence vvith him, and surely of very fair conditions) to sound me, though in a merry fashion, and half laughing, (as there was good cause) how I would taste it, if he should receive me in the Jesuits Col∣ledge: for at Mulzham those were his Hosts, be∣ing destitute of other habitation. I answered him, as merrily as it was propounded, that I knew the Jesuits had every where the best rooms, more splen∣dent then true, fitter to lodge Princes then Monks; and that their habitations were always better then themselves. Moreover, that for mine own part, though I was not much afraid of their infection; and that Saint Paul did not refuse to be carried in a Ship, which was consecrated to false Gods; yet be∣cause on our side they were generally, and (no doubt) justly reputed the true causes of all the trou∣bles of the Christian World, I doubted it would be a scandalous Reception; and that besides, those Artificers vvould go near to make appear on my part, a kind of silent approbation of their Order and course. This was my answer, which being faithfully transported by the Italian, the Arch-Duke made choice of another mean house in the

Town, vvhere he received me truly in a noble sweet fashion: to whom having presented Your Majesties Letters, and Love, he disposed himself with sharp attention to hear me. To him, besides that which I had said to the Duke of Loraign, I ad∣ded two things:

The first, that not only Your Majesty was clear of all fore-knowledge, or counsel, in the business of Bohemia; but likewise Your Son-in-law himself of any precedent practice therein, till it was laid upon him, as You knew by his own high affirma∣tions, and most infallible testimonies.

The second, that though Your Majesty to this hour did continue as equal betwixt both parties, as the Equinoctial between the Poles, yet about the time of my departure You were much moved, and the whole Land likewise, with a voice, I know not how spread abroad, that there were great preparations to invade the Nether Palatinate; which if it did fall out, Your Majesty should have just reason to think Your Moderation unthankfully requited; the said Palatinate being the Patrimonial Lands of Your own Descendents, and no way connexed with the Bohe∣mian Business. Whereupon I perswaded him fairly, in Your Majesties Name, being a Personage of such authority in the present actions, to keep them from any such precipitious and impertinent rupture as might preclude all Mediation of Accord: and be∣cause Your Majesty had now, which was a second Argument of Your equity, sent several Ambassa∣dors to the Fountains, for Your better informa∣tion in the merit of the Cause, by Your own In∣struments, I besought him to illuminate me, who was the weakest of Your Creatures, as far as he should think fit, and to assist me with his best ad∣vice

towards this good end, whereunto, besides the dear Commandment of the King my Master, I would confer mine own plain and honest zeal.

His answer, to all the points, which he had very orderly laid up, was this: Of Your Majesties own clearness he professed much assurance; of Your Son-in-law as much doubt, charging him both with close practice with the Bohemians at the time of the Emperors Election at Francfort, and more foully with a new practice, either by himself or by others, to introduce the Turk into Hungary. Of any de∣sign upon the Lower Palatinate, he utterly disa∣vowed all knowledge on his part; yet would not deny, but the Marquess Spinola might perchance have some such aim; and if things went on, as they do, men would no doubt assail their enemies where∣soever they should find them. In such ambiguous clouds as these, he wrapped this point. Of the Emperors inclination to an agreement, he bade me be very assured; but never vvithout restitution of the usurped Kingdom, vvhich vvas not a loss of easie concoction, especially being taken from him by the Count Palatine his Subject, as he often called him; and once added, that he thought he vvould not deny it himself. Of the merit of the cause, he said he had sent divers records and papers to the Emperor, vvhere I should find them.

Lastly, he acknowledged himself much bound unto Your Majesty for the honour You had done him, to take such knowledge of his Person, and was contented to bestow some thanks upon me for mine honest inclination, which he would present, before my arrival, at Vienna. I had almost omit∣ted a point touched by him, that he had knowledge of some English Levies coming toward the Palati∣nate:

About which I cleared him, with confessing that Your Majesties People, and some of Your principal Nobility, had taken Alarm upon a voice of an Invasion there, and meant voluntarily to sacrifice themselves in that action; but vvithout any concurrence of Your Majesty thereunto, either by money or command. To which he replied, that in truth so he had heard, and made no question of Your Royal Integrity. In the afternoon of this day, he took me abroad with him in his Coach, to shew me some of his nearer Towns and Fortifi∣cations; and there descended into many familiari∣ties, and amongst other, to shew us how to make Frogs leap at their own skins: a strange purchase, me thought, at a time when Kingdoms are in que∣stion: But it may be it was an Art to cover his weightier Meditations.

Amongst other discourse, there was some men∣tion of Your Majesties Treaty with Spain, in point of Alliance; which I told him, was a concluded business: for that warrant I had from Your own Royal mouth in Your Gallery at Theobalds, having let fall none of Your syllables. Whereupon he said, That he did not despair upon so good an occasion, to salute Your Majesty in Your own Court. The morning following, he sent unto me Seignior Asca∣nio, with express desire, that since Your Majesties intentions were so clear, I would as frankly ac∣quaint him, whether in mine Instructions I had any particular form of accord to project unto the Em∣peror: which himself likewise at my second Audi∣ence did somewhat importunely press, excusing his curiosity with a good meaning, to prepare the Em∣peror, in as good manner as he could, to accept it. My answer was, that Your Majesty thought it first

necessary on both sides to dispose the affections, and then by reciprocal Intelligence between Your Ser∣vants, from Vienna and Prague, to collect some mea∣sure of Agreement; for otherwise, if we should find both Parties fixed in extream resolutions, it were a folly to spend any further the Honour of our Ma∣ster. Here again he told me, that I should find the Emperor peswasible enough, if his Reputation may be saved: and for his own part, he thought that the Count Palatine, being the Inferior, might yield without prejudice of his. To terms of this height he revolved, and of the same complexion are his Letters to Your Majesty, that I send herewith, of which I must needs say, that in some part, Olent Patrem Henricum, so they call a Jesuit of inward credit with him. Always true it is, that they were couched in the Colledge, for his Secretaries were absent, as the Italian told me, at his ordinary place of residence. At my leave-taking, he spake with much reverence of Your Majesty, with much praise of Your Christian mind, and with much thankful∣ness of the Honour You had done him. He is a Prince of good stature, of fair complexion, in∣clining to fulness: His face, the very best, as they tell me of the House of Austria; and better indeed then his fashion. No curiosity in his clothing, no affectation in his discourse; extream affable, both to strangers, and among his own: Patient of labour, and delighting in motion. In sum, little of a Bi∣shop, save the Bishoprick and a long Coat; with which short character of his Person, I have taken the boldness to end, being (as I conceive it) the duty of Servants to represent unto their Masters the Images of those (with whom they treat) and as well their natural as artificial Impressions.

Of Strasburg and Ulm, I may speak conjunctively, being of one nature; both free, and both jealous of their freedom, which makes them fortifie apace. Towards me likewise they joyned in one point of good respect, namely, in not suffering me to come to their Senate-house, but in treating with me where I was lodged by the deputed Persons, out of the reverence (as they professed) due to Your Ma∣jesty, who had done them so much honour with Your Letters, and with communication of Your ends by Your humble Servant. They both com∣mended Your Majesties Christian intensions, and professed themselves hitherto in the same Neutra∣lity; but because it were uncivil for them to con∣tribute their Counsels, where such Kings did em∣ploy their Wisdom and Authority, they would only contribute their Prayers, with the like temperate conceits as these, appearing likewise in their Let∣ters, which I send by this Bearer.

Into the Duke of Wirtenberg's Court I was re∣ceived very nobly, and kindly feasted at his Table, with the Princess, and other great Ladies, and most part of the day lead by himself, to view his Gar∣dens, Buildings, and other Delights.

The material points collected here, I must divide partly into my discourse with himself, and partly into such knowledge as he commanded Monsieur Buvinckhousen to give me, which cometh in a Paper apart, being very material.

In his own Speech, he made great profession to∣wards Your Majesty, wherein no Prince of the Em∣pire should exceed him; and as much toward the King of Bohemia, as he ever called Your Son-in-law: of whose clearness from all precedent pra∣ctice, when I fell to speak, he told me, that in that

point he would ease me; for himself visiting the Elector, a little after he was chosen, he found him extreamly perplexed, even to effusion of tears, be∣tween these two considerations, That if he ac∣cepted the offer, the World would falsely conceive it to have sprung from his Ambition; if he re∣fused it, that People was likely to fall into despe∣rate Counsels, vvith danger of calling more then Christian help. In the rest of his discourse, I was glad to hear him often vow, that he vvould defend the Palatinate with all his power, being tied there∣unto not only by the Bond of Confederacy, but likewise by Reason of State, not to suffer a Stran∣ger to neighbor him.

I have now ended for the present Your Majesties trouble. There remain of my Commission, the Duke of Bavaria, and the Emperor. The Duke of Bavaria I shall find actually in arms about Lintz, in the upper Austria, and the Emperor at Vienna: from both places I will make several Dispatches unto Your Majesty, and afterwards weekly, or more frequently, as the occasion shall rise. Let this in the mean time end in my humble thanks to Almighty God for the repose of Your own Estates, and in my hearty Prayers for the preservation of Your dear and sacred Person.

Octob. 1620.

Right Honourable,

OF my purpose to depart from Vienna, and to leave the Emperour to the Counsels of his own Fortune, I gave his Majesty know∣ledge by my servant James Vary.

I will now make you a summary accompt of what hath happened here, which is to be done both out of Duty to your Place, and out of Obligation to your Friendship.

The Count Tampier had some twelve dayes since taken from the Hungarians by surprisal in the Field, thirteen Cornets of Horse, and one Ensign of Foot, which here with much ostentation were car∣ried up and down, and laid on Sunday was seven∣night under the Emperours feet, as he came from the Chappel.

Some note, that the vanity of this triumph was greater then the merit; for the Hungarians by their ordinary discipline, abound in Cornets, bearing one almost for every twenty Horse, so as Flags are good cheap amongst them, and but slight∣ly guarded: Howsoever the matter be made more or less, according to the wits on both sides, this was brave gaudium, and it self indeed some cause of the following disaster; For the Count Tampier, being by nature an enterprising man, was now also inflamed by accident; which made him immediate∣ly conceive the surprisal of Presburg, while the Prince of Transilvania was retired to the siege of Guns, some six or seven Leagues distant. A pro∣ject in truth, if it had prospered, of notorious utility.

First by the very reputation of the Place, being the Capital Town of Hungaria.

Next, the access to Comar and Rab, (which pla∣ces only the Emperour retaineth in that Kingdome of any considerable value) had been freed by water, which now in a manner are blocked up.

Thirdly, the incursions into these Provinces, and ignominious depredations had been cut off.

And lastly, the Crown of Hungaria had been re∣covered, which the Emperour Matthias did tran∣sport to the Castle of Presburg, after the deposition of Rodolph his Brother, who alwayes kept it in the Castle of Prague; which men account one of the subtil things of that retired Emperour, as I hear by discourse. So as upon these considerations, the enterprise was more commendable in the design, then it will appear in the execution; being thus carried.

From hence to Presburg is in this moneth of Octo∣ber an easie nights journey by water. Thither on Thursday night of the last week, Tampier himself, accompanied with some four or five Colonels, and other remarkable men of this Court, resolves to bring down in 25 Boats, about 3000 Foot, or such a matter; having given order, and space enough before, for certain Horse, partly Dutch, and partly Polonians, to be there, and to attend his coming about two hours before Friday morning. And to shadow this purpose, himself on Thurs∣day in the afternoon, with affected noise goes up the River the contrary vvay, though no reasona∣ble imaginations could conceive vvhither; for the lower Austria vvas then all reduced. By vvhich Artificial delay, and by some natural stops in the shallows of the vvater, vvhen they fell silently down again, it vvas three or four hours of clear day before he arrived at Presburg the next morning: Where his meaning vvas, first to destroy the Bridge built upon Boats, and thereby to keep Bethlehem Gabor, (as then on the Austrian side) not only from succouring the Town, but from all possibility of repassing the Danuby nearer then Buda. Next, to apply the Petard to one of the Gates of

the Cittadel. Some say, he had likewise inward in∣telligence, that at his approach, the Wicket of the Castle should be opened unto him by one Palfy an Hungarian Gentleman; vvhich conceit, though perchance raised at first to animate the Souldier, yet hath gotten much credit, by seeing the enter∣prise against all discourse continued by day-light. Be that point how it vvill, his fatal hour vvas come: for approaching a Skonce that lyes by the Castle-gate, and turning about to cry for his men to come on, he vvas shot in the lowest part of his Skull nearest his Neck, after vvhich he spake no syllable, as Don Carolo d' Austria (second base Son to Rodolph the Emperour, and himself at that time saved by the goodness of his Armour) doth testi∣fie. After vvhich, some two or three Souldiers attempting to bring away his Body, and those be∣ing shot, the rest gave it over, and the vvhole Troops transported themselves to the other side, leaving the Boats behind them, as if they had meant to contribute new provision for the mending of the Bridge, vvhereof they had only broken one little piece.

This vvas the end of the Count Tampier; By his Fathers side a Norman, by his Mothers a Cham∣paigne, a servant twenty two years to the House of Austria. Himself Captain of a thousand Horse: but Commander divers times in chief, especially before the coming of the Count Bucquoy, from vvhom he vvas severed to these nearer Services, being of incompatible natures: a valiant, and plotting Souldier; In Encounters more fortunate then Sieges; Gracious to his own, and terrible to the Hungarians. To the present Emperour most dear, though perchance, as much for Civil, as

Military Merit: for this vvas the very man that first seized upon the Cardinal Clesel, vvhen he vvas put into a Coach, and transported hence to Tirol: So as now vve may expect some Pamphlet the next Mart from Ingolstat, or Colen; That no man can end vvell, vvho hath laid violent hands upon any of those Roman Purpurati.

To this point, I must adde two remarkable Cir∣cumstances; The first, that Tampier, among other Papers found in his Pockets, is said to have had a Memorial of certain Conditions, vvhereon it should be fit to insist in his Parley vvith the Town, as having already swallowed the Castle. The other, that his Head having been cut off by a Soul∣dier, and sold for five Dollars to another, vvho meant to have the merit of presenting it to the Prince, the Presenter vvas rewarded vvith a stroke of a Sable, for insulting over the dead Carkass of a Gentleman of Honour.

Lord Bacon to Sir Henry Wotton.

My very good Cousin,

YOur Letter which I received from your Lordship upon your going to Sea, was more then a compensation for any former omission; and I shall be very glad to entertain a correspondence with you in both kinds, which you write of: for the latter whereof I am now ready for you, having sent you some Ure of that Mine. I thank you for your Favours to Mr. Mewtus, and

I pray continue the same. So wishing you out of that honourable Exile, and placed in a better Orb, I ever rest,

York-house Octob. 20. 1620.

Your Lordships affectionate Kinsman and assured Friend, Fr. Verulam Canc.

Sir Henry Wotton to Lord Bacon.

Right Honourable, and my very good Lord,

I Have your Lordships Letters dated the 20th. of October, and I have withal by the care of my Cousin Mr. Thomas Meawtis, and by your own special favour, three Copies of that Work, wherewith your Lordship hath done a great and ever-living benefit to all the children of Nature; and to Nature her self, in her uttermost extent and latitude: who never before had so noble nor so true an Interpreter, or (as I am readier to style your Lordship) never so inward a Secretary of her Cabinet: But of your said Work (which came but this Week to my hands) I shall find occa∣sion to speak more hereafter; having yet read only the first Book thereof, and a few Aphorismes of the second. For it is not a Banquet, that men may su∣perficially taste, and put up the rest in their Pock∣ets;

but in truth, a solid feast, which requireth due mastication. Therefore when I have once my self perused the whole, I determine to have it read piece by piece at certain hours in my domestick Colledge, as an ancient Author: For I have learn∣ed thus much by it already, that we are extreamly mistaken in the computation of Antiquity, by searching it backwards, because indeed the first times were the youngest; especially in points of natural discovery and experience. For though I grant, that Adam knew the natures of all Beasts, and Solomon of all Plants, not only more then any, but more then all since their time; Yet that was by divine infusion, and therefore they did not need any such Organum as your Lordship hath now deli∣vered to the world; nor we neither, if they had left us the memories of their wisdom.

But I am gone further then I meant in speaking of this excellent Labour, while the delight yet I feel, and even the pride that I take in a certain Congeniality (as I may term it) with your Lord∣ships studies, will scant let me cease: And indeed I owe your Lordship even by promise (which you are pleased to remember, thereby doubly binding me) some trouble this way; I mean, by the com∣merce of Philosophical Experiments, which surely, of all other, is the most ingenuous Traffick: Therefore, for a beginning, let me tell your Lord∣ship a pretty thing which I saw coming down the Danuby, though more remarkable for the Applica∣tion, then for the Theory. I lay a night at Lintz, the Metropolis of the higher Austria; but then in very low estate, having been newly taken by the Duke of Bavaria: who, blandiente fortunà, was gone on to the late effects: There I found Keplar,

a man famous in the Sciences, as your Lordship knows, to whom I purpose to convey from hence one of your Books, that he may see we have some of our own that can honour our King, as well as he hath done with his Harmanica. In this mans stu∣dy I was much taken with the draught of a Land∣skip on a piece of paper, me thoughts masterly done: whereof enquiring the Author, he bewrayed with a smile, it was himself; adding, he had done it, Non tanquam Pictor, sed tanquam Methemati∣cus. This set me on fire: At last he told me how. He hath a little black Tent, (of what stuff is not much importing) which he can suddenly set up where he will in a Field, and it is convertible (like a Wind-mill) to all quarters at pleasure, capable of not much more then one man, as I conceive, and perhaps at no great ease; exactly close and dark, save at one hole, about an inch and a half in the Diameter, to which he applies a long perspective Trunk, with the convex-glass fitted to the said hole, and the concave taken out at the other end, which extendeth to about the middle of this erected Tent, through which the visible radiations of all the objects without, are intromitted, falling upon a paper, which is accommodated to receive them, and so he traceth them with his pen in their natu∣ral appearance, turning his little Tent round by degrees, till he hath designed the whole Aspect of the Field. This I have described to your Lordship, because I think there might be good use made of it for Chorography: for otherwise, to make Land∣skips by it were illiberal; though surely no Painter can do them so precisely. Now from these artificial and natural curiosities, let me a little direct your Lordship to the contemplation of Fortune.

Here, by a sleight Battel full of miserable er∣rours (if I had leisure to set them down) all is reduced, or near the point. In the Provinces there is nothing but of fluctuation and submission, the ordinary consequences of Victory; wherein the triumphs of the Field do not so much vex my soul, as the triumphs of the Pulpit: For what noise will now the Jesuite disseminate more in every cor∣ner, then victrix causa Deo placuit; which yet was but the Gospel of a Poet: No, my Lord, when I revolve what great things Zisca did in the first troubles of his Countrey, that were grounded upon conscience, I am tempted to believe the All∣distinguishing eye hath been more displeased with some humane affections in this business, then with the business it self.

I am now preparing my departing toward my other imployment, for in my first Instructions I had a power to go hence, when this controversie should be decided, either by Treaty, or by For∣tune; whereof now the worser means have perver∣ted the better.

Here I leave the French Ambassadors upon the Stage, as I found them; being willing (quod solum superest) to deal between the Emperour and Beth∣lehem Gabor, with whom I have nothing to do as he is now singled.

Betwixt this and Italy I purpose to collect the me∣morablest Observations that I have taken of this great Affair, and to present a Copy thereof unto your Lordships indulgent, not to your severe judgement.

The present I cannot end (though I have too much usurped upon your precious time) without the return of my humble thanks unto your Lord∣ship,

for the kind remembrance of my Cousin Mr. John Meawtis in your Letter to me, and of your recommendation of him before; being a Gentle∣man, in truth of sweet conditions and strong abi∣lities: I shall now transport him over the Alpes, where we will both serve your Lordship, and love one another. And so beseeching God to bless your Lordship with long life and honour, I humbly rest,

Your Lordships,

Right Honourable,

OF my appearing to this State, and of my re∣ception here, I gave your Lordship no∣tice by my former Letters.

The Counsels of this State I find to be calm; for the new Pope hath assured them, He will keep storms out of Italy.

True it is, that he hath bravely denied already passage to the Neopolitan Cavalry and Infantry, through the Ecclesiastical State, though instantly pressed by the Spanish Ambassador; in which Hu∣mour, if hee shall persevere without warping, we shall think him here a well-seasoned piece of Timber.

We hear of an Ambassador from Savoy on his way to you; C. C. a plain Instrument from a sub∣tle Prince, and therefore the more proper to de∣ceive us, and to be first deceived himself. The business I shall need not to tell you, nor indeed can I say much of the hope of it.

How we stand here, will appear by the two en∣closed Copies.

—But for those things I shall give his Majesty continual advertisement, as time shall change the prospect of this Theater, whereon I am pla∣ced.

So with all my duties remembred, as well those of Thankfulness, as those of Affection, I will sub∣scribe my self, as truly I am,

Your Lordships, &c.

POSTSCRIPT.

This very Morning, which is the Nuncio's ordi∣nary day of Audience, He hath surprized the Duke and Senators with presentation of a Jubile unto them from his Master. Some discourse, that it is to gain Fame and Favour by an indulgent Begin∣ning.

To the Marquess of Bucking∣ham.

Right Honourable, and my very good Lord,

I Know your Lordship cannot want Presents of the best kind from all Countreys, if you would be but pleased to bewray your Desire: For your Favour is worthy to be studied, both because

you are powerfull, and because in the common judgement (of which we hear the sound, that are far off) you imploy your power nobly.

For my part, though I am not able to reach unto any thing proportionable to your Dignity, nor even to mine own mind; yet I must not suffer Ve∣nice (where I have served the King so long) to be wholly disgraced. And therefore I have taken the boldness in a Ship newly departed from this Har∣bour, to send your Lordship two Boxes of poor things: which because they need a little explicati∣on, not so much for their value, as their use, I have desired Mr. Nicholas Pey, one of the Clerks of his Majesties Kitchin, who is my friend of trust at home in all my occasions, to acquaint your Lord∣ship with a note of them. Wherein my end is plain, only to excite your Lordship with this little taste, to command me further in whatsoever may better please you. And so I most humbly commit you to Gods blessed Love.

Venice, this 16. of May.

Your Lordships with all devotion to serve you, H. Wotton.

To the Lord Keeper Williams, (ut videtur) 1621/2.

Right Reverend, and Right Honourable, my very good Lord,

HAving not yet passed with your good Lord∣ship so much as the common duty of Con∣gratulation, (to whom I am so obliged,

both for your love to my dearest Nephew, and for your gracious remembrances of mine own poor Name) I thought it even a particular duty to my self, to acquaint your Lordships Secretary, my ancient and worthy Friend, with the Story of mine own evils, that your Lordship may know my silence to have been, as I may well term it, a Sym∣ptome of my infirmity.

I am now strong again to serve your Lordship, and I know that I have a Friend of trust at home (it is honest Nicholas Pey that I mean) who hath often leave, by your Favour to wait upon you. Therefore I could wish, if this place (where I am grown almost a free Denison) may yield any thing for your use or delight, that you would be pleased either to acquaint me by my said Friend plainly (which shall be a new obligation) with your Commands, or at least to let him mark your De∣sires. Now in the mean time, because I know that I can do your Lordship no greater Service, then to give you occasion of exercising your own good∣ness. I will take the freedome most humbly and heartily to recommend unto your charitable and honourable affections, a very worthy Person, whose fortune is no better at the present, then to be my Chaplain; though we are, or at least ought all to be the better by his vertuous example, and our time the better spent by his learned conversati∣on. I shall, I think, not need to name him to your Lordship, and as little to insist either upon his moral or intellectual merit. Therefore I will so leave it, and commit him to your gracious Me∣mory, upon some good occasion that God may lay before you. And now I would end, but that I conceive it a duty to tell your Lordship first, how

we stand here at this date. For Ambassadors (in our old Kentish Language) are but Spies of the time.

We are studying how we may safely and cheaply countenance the new Motions of the Garisons, with an Army on our own Borders pointing that way; which even Reason of State requireth, when our Neighbours are stirring. And therefore yet the King of Spain can take no scandal at a common wis∣dome. If the Successes shall go forward according to the beginnings, Prosperity, peradventure, may invite us, further to the Feast. For my part, if they would have tasted my Counsels, they had been long since engaged, both within and without Italy. But I dig in a Rock of Diamonds. And so con∣cluding with my hearty Congratulations for your Lordships Promotions, both Spiritual and Civil, and with my prayers for your long enjoyment of them, I will unfaignedly subscribe my self,

Your good Lordships devoted to serve you, H. W.

SIR,

HAving not long written unto you, whose Friendship towards me hath given you a great interest in me; I send you a Report of a late Transaction, even for a little entertain∣ment,

lest you should think me to live without ob∣servation.

For that the Case of the late Cavalier Antonio Foscarini hath been diversly mis-reported, and per∣haps not the least, even by those that were his Judges, to cover their own disgrace, I have thought a little curiosity not ill spent in research of the whole Proceeding, that his Majesty (to whom he was so well known) may have a more due infor∣mation of this rare and unfortunate example. There is among the partitions of this Government a very awfull Magistracy under Title of Inquisitori di Stato; to which are commonly deputed three Gentlemen of the gravest and severest natures, who receive all secret Delations in matter of pra∣ctice against the Republick, and then refer the same, as they shall judge the consequence thereof, to the Decemviral Councel, being the supreamest Tribunal in criminal Enquiries; of which Body they are usually themselves.

To these Inquisitors, about the beginning of April last, came two Fellows of mean condition, born about the Lago di Garda, but Inhabitants in Venice, by name Girolamo and Domenico Vani; as some say, Uncle and Nephew: certainly near of kindred, which in this report is a weighty circum∣stance; for thereby they were the likelier to con∣spire, and consequently their united testimonies of the less validity. These Persons capitulate with the Inquisitors of that time (whose names may be civilly spared) about a reward (vvhich is usual) for the discovery of some Gentlemen, vvhich at undue times, and in disguised Forms, did haunt the Houses of Forraign Ministers, and in particular, of the Spanish Agent: vvho being the most obnoxious to

Publick jealousie, these Accusers vvere likeliest upon that Subject to gain a favourable hearing. In the head of their secret List, they nominate Antho∣nio Foscarini, then an actual Senator, and thereby upon pain of death restrained from all conference in this ombragious State vvith publick Instruments, unless by special permission. To verifie their dis∣covery, besides their own testimonies, they alledge one Giovan Battista, vvho served the foresaid Spanish Agent, and had, as they said, acquainted them with the accesses of such and such Gentlemen unto him. But first they vvished, or so the Inquisitors thought fit, to proceed against Foscarini, upon this double attestation, vvithout examining the foresaid Giovan Battista; because that vvould stir some noise, and then perhaps those other, vvhom they meant to de∣late, might take fear and escape: Hereupon Fos∣carini, coming from the next Senate at night down the Palace, vvas by order of the Inquisitors sud∣denly muffled, and so put in close Prison, and after usual examinations, his own single denial being not receivable against two agreeing Informers, he vvas by sentence at the Councel of Ten, some fifteen days after his retention, strangled in Prison, and on the 21. of the foresaid April, vvas hanged by one leg on a Gallows in the publick Piazza, from break of day till Sun-set, vvith all imaginable cir∣cumstances of infamy: his very face having been bruised by dragging on the ground, though some did conster that for a kind of favour, that he might be the less known.

After this the same Artificers pursue their oc∣cupation, novv animated vvith success; and next they name Marco Miani. But one of the Inquisi∣tors, either by nature more advised then the rest,

or intenerated vvith that vvhich vvas already done, vvould by no means proceed any farther, vvithout a pre-examination of the foresaid Giovan Battista: vvhich novv might the more conveniently, and the more silently be taken, because he had left the house of the Spanish Agent, and was married in the Town to a Gold-smiths Daughter. To make short, they dravv this man to a secret account; vvhere he doth not only disavovv the having ever seen any Gentleman in the Spanish Agents house, but like∣vvise all such interest as the Accusers did pretend to have in his acquaintance, having never spoken vvith any of them, but only three vvords by chance with the elder, namely Girolamo, upon the Piazza di S^t. Stephano. Hereupon the Inquisitors confronted him vvith the Accusers; they confess vvithout any torture their malicious Plot, and had sentence to be hanged, as vvas afterwards done. But now the voice running of this detection, the Nephews of the executed Cavalier, namely Nicolo and Girolamo Foscarini, make haste to present a Petition (in all opinion most equitable) to the Decemviral Tribu∣nal, That the false Accusers of the abovesaid Marco Miani, might be re-examined likewise about their Uncle. The Counsel of Ten, upon this Petition, did assemble early in the morning, which had not been done in long time before; and there they put to voices, Whether the Nephews should be satis∣fied?

In the first Ballotation, the Balls were equal: in the second, there was one Ball more (as they say) in the negative Box: Either because the false Witnesses, be∣ing now condemned men, were disabled by course of Law to give any farther testimony, or for that the Councel of Ten thought it wisdom to smother an

irrevocable error. The Petition being denied, no possible way remained for the Nephews to clear the defamation of their Uncle (which in the rigour of this Government, had been likewise a stop to their own Fortunes) but by means of the Confessor, to whom the Delinquents should disburthen their souls before their death; and by him, at impor∣tunity of the said Nephews, the matter was re∣vealed: Whereupon did ensue a solemn Declara∣tion of the Councel of Ten, touching the innocen∣cy of the foresaid A•…•…thonio Foscarini, eight months and twenty five days after his death. Whether in this case there were any mixture of private passion, or that perhaps some light humours, to which the Party was subject, together with the taint of his former Imprisonment, might precipitate the cre∣dulity of the Judges, I dare not dispute: But surely in 312. years that the Decemviral Tribunal hath stood, there was never cast upon it a greater blemish; which being so high a Piece, and on the reputation of whose grave and indubitable proceedings the re∣giment of manners hath most depended, is likely to breed no good consequence upon the whole. Since the foresaid Declaration, the Nephews have re∣moved the body of their Uncle from a place where condemned Persons are of custom interred, to the Monument of their Ancestors in another Temple, and would have given it a solemn Burial: But having been kept (though rather by disswasion then prohibition) from increasing thereby the pub∣lick Scandal, they now determine to repair his fame with an Epitaph, the last of miserable reme∣dies. It is said, that at the removing of his body, his heart was found whole: which kind of con∣ceits are easily entertained in this Country, and

scant any notable case without some superstitious adjunct. It is said likewise, that by Testament he did appoint a great sum for him that should dis∣cover his innocency: which receiving from cre∣dible Authors, I was willing not to omit; because it argueth, that notwithstanding some outward lightness, he was composed of generous Elements. Certain it is, that he left divers Legacies to the best Patriots, as now appeareth not artificially. But here I may breed a question, with which I will end this report: How a man in his case could dis∣pose of his Fortune? I must answer, That in the composition of this State Confiscations are rare, be the Crime never so high, unless in case of inter∣verting the publick Money; which the Delinquent is commonly condemned to repair, not so much in the quality of a Traitor, as of a Debtor. Whereof searching the reason, I find this to be the most im∣mediate; That if in a Dominion meerly managed by their own Gentry, they should punish them as much in their means, as in their persons, it would in conclusion prove a punishment, not of parti∣culars, but of the general: For it is a rule here, that the poorest Families are the loosest.

To the DUKE.

My most honoured Lord and Patron,

THese poor lines will be presented unto your Lordship by my Nephew (one of your obli∣ged Servants) and withal some description, as I have prayed him, of my long infirmities, which have cast me behind in many private, and often in∣terrupted

even my publick duties; with which yet I do rather seek to excuse some other defects of service, then my silence towards your Lordship. For to importune your Lordship seldome with my Pen is a choice in me, and not a disease, having resolved to live, at what distance soever from your sight, like one who had well studied before I came hither, how secure they are whom you once vouch∣safe any part of your love.

And indeed, I am well confirmed therein by your own gracious lines: for thereby I see that your Lordship had me in your meditation, when I scant remembred my self. In answer of which Letter, after some respite from mine own evils, I have de∣puted my said Nephew to re-deliver my fortune into your Noble hands, and to assure your Lord∣ship, that as it should be chearfully spent at your command, if it were present and actual, (from whose meditation I have derived it) so much more am I bound to yield up unto your Lordship an ab∣solute disposition of my hopes: But if it shall please you therein to grant me any part of mine own hu∣mour, then I would rather wish some other satis∣faction then exchange of office; yet even in this point likewise I shall depend on your will, which your Lordship may indeed challenge from me, not only by an humble gratitude, and reverence due to your most worthy Person; but even by that na∣tural charity and discretion which I owe my self: for what do I more therein, then only remit to your own arbitrement the valuation of your own goodness? I have likewise committed to my fore∣said Nephew some Memorials touching your Lord∣ships familear service (as I may term it) in matter of art and delight. But though I have laid these

offices upon another, yet I joy with mine own Pen to give your Lordship an account of a Gentle∣man, worthier of your love, then I was of the ho∣nour to receive him from you. We are now, after his well-spent travels in the Towns of purer Lan∣guage, married again till a second divorce; for which I shall be sorry, whensoever it shall happen. For in truth (my good Lord) his conversation is both delightful and fruitful; and I dare pronounce, that he will return to his Friends as well fraught with the best Observations, as any that hath ever sifted this Country; which indeed doth need sift∣ing, for there is both Flower and Bran in it. He hath divided his abode between Siena and Rome: the rest of his time was for the most part spent in motion. I think his purpose be to take the French Tongue in his way homewards, but I am perswa∣ding with him to make Bruxels his seat, both be∣cause the French and Spanish Languages are familiar there; vvhereof the one vvill be after Italian a sport unto him, so as he may make the other a la∣bour: And for that the said Town is now the Scene of an important Treaty, which I fear will last till he come thither; but far be from me all ominous con∣ceit. I will end with chearful thoughts and wishes; beseeching the Almighty God to preserve your Lordship in health, and to cure the Publick diseases. And so I ever remain

Venice, July 29. 1622.

Your Lordships most devoted and obliged Servant, H. WOTTON.

To the DUKE.

My most honoured and dear Lord,

TO give your Lordship occasion to exercise your noble Nature, is withal one of the best exercises of mine own duty; and there∣fore. I am confident to pass a very charitable mo∣tion through your Lordships hands and mediation to his Majesty.

There hath long lain in the Prison of Inquisition, a constant worthy Gentleman, viz. Master Mole: in whom his Majesty hath not only a right as his Sub∣ject, but likewise a particular interest in the Cause of his first imprisonment: For having communica∣ted his Majesties immortal work, touching the Al∣legiance due unto Soveraign Princes, with a Flo∣rentine of his familiar acquaintance, this man took such impression at some passages, as troubling his Conscience, he took occasion at the next shrift, to confer certain doubts with his Confessor; who out of malicious curiosity, enquiring all circumstances, gave afterwards notice thereof to Rome, whither the said Mole was gone with my Lord Ross; who in this story is not without blame: but I will not disquiet his Grave,

Now having lately heard that his Majesty, at the suit of I know not what Ambassadors, (but the Florentine amongst them is voiced for one) was pleased to yield some releasment to certain re∣strained Persons of the Roman Faith; I have taken a conceit upon it, that in exchange of his Clemency therein, the great Duke would be easily moved, by the Kings gracious request, to interceed with the Pope for Master Mole's delivery: To which

purpose, if it shall please his Majesty to grant his Royal Letters, I will see the business duely pur∣sued. And so needing no arguments to commend this proposition to his Majesties goodness, but his goodness it self, I leave it (as I began) in your Noble hand. Now touching your Lordships fami∣liar service, (as I may term it) I have sent the Com∣plement of your bargain, upon the best provided, and best manned Ship that hath been here in long time, called the Phoenix. And indeed the cause of their long stay, hath been for some such Vessel as I might trust. About which, since I wrote last to your Lordship, I resolved to fall back to my first choice: so as now the one Piece is the work of Titian, wherein the least Figure (viz. the Child in the Virgins lap playing with a Bird) is alone worth the price of your expence for all four, being so round, that I know not whether I shall call it a Piece of Sculpture, or Picture: and so lively, that a man would be tempted to doubt, whether Nature or Art had made it. The other is of Palma, and this I call the speaking Piece, as your Lordship will say it may well be termed; for except the Damsel brought to David, whom a silent modesty did best become, all the other Figures are in discourse and action. They come both distended in their Frames: for I durst not hazard them in Rowls, the young∣est being 25 years old, and therefore no longer supple and pliant. With them I have been bold to send a Dish of Grapes to your Noble Sister, the Countess of Denbigh, presenting them first to your Lordships view, that you may be pleased to pass your censure, whether Italians can make Fruits as well as Flemings, which is the common glory of their Pensils. By this Gentleman, I have sent the

choicest Molon seeds of all kinds, which his Majesty doth expect, as I had Order both from my Lord of Holderness, and from Mr. Secretary Calvert. And although in my Letter to his Majesty (which I hope by your Lordships favour, himself shall have the honour to deliver, together with the said Seeds) I have done him right in his due Attributes; yet let me say of him farther, as Architects use to speak of a well chosen foundation, that your Lordship may boldly build what Fortune you please upon him, for surely, he will bear it vertu∣ously. I have committed to him for the last place, a private Memorial touching my self, wherein I shall humbly beg your Lordships intercession upon a necessary Motive. And so with my heartiest prayers to Heaven for your continual health and happiness, I most humbly rest,

Venice, Dec.2/12 1622.

Your Lordships ever obliged, devoted Servant, H. W.

POSTSCRIPT.

My Noble Lord,

It is one of my duties to tell your Lordship, that I have sent a servant of mine (by Profession a Painter) to make a search in the best Towns through Italy, for some principal Pie∣ces, which I hope may produce somewhat for your•• Lord ships contentment and service.

To the Earl of Holderness, 1622/3;.

Right Honourable, and my very good Lord,

IN a late Letter from your Lordship by my Ser∣vant, I have, besides your own Favours, the Honour of Imployment from the King, in a piece of his Delight: which doth so consort with the opportunity of my Charge here, that it hath given me acquaintance with some excellent Florists, (as they are styled;) and likewise with mine own disposition, who have ever thought the greatest pleasure to consist in the simplest Ornaments and Elegancies of Nature; as nothing could fall upon me more happily. Therefore your Lordship shall see how I will endeavour to satisfie this Command. I had before Order by Mr. Secretary Calvert, to send his Majesty some of the best Melon-seeds of all kinds; which I have done some Weeks since, by other occasion of an express Messenger; and sent withall a very particular Instruction in the Culture of that Plant. By the present Bearer I do direct unto your Lordship, through the hands either of my Nephew, or Mr. Nicholas Pey (as either of them shall be readiest at London) for some begin∣ning in this kind of Service, the Stem of a double Yellow Rose, of no ordinary nature; For it flow∣ereth every moneth (unless change of the Clime do change the property) from May, till almost Christmas. There hath gone such care in the man∣ner of the Conveyance, as, if at the receiving, it be presently put into the earth, I hope it will pro∣sper.

By the next commodity I shall send his Ma∣jesty some of the rarest Seeds.

Now for mine own Obligations unto your Lordship, (whereof I have from some Friends at home very abundant knowledge) What shall I say? It was in truth (my Lord) an argument of your noble Nature, to take my fortune into your Care, who never yet made it any great part of mine own business. I am a poor Student in Philosophy, which hath redeemed me not only from the envying of others, but even from much solicitude about my self. It is true, that my most Gracious Master hath put me into civil practice, and now after long Service, I grow into a little danger of wishing I were worth somewhat: But in this likewise I do quiet my thoughts: For I see by your Lordships so free, and so undeserved estimation of me, that like the Criple, who had lain long in the Pool of Be∣thesda, I shall find some body that will throw me into the water when i•…•… moveth. I will end with my humble and hearty thanks for your Favour, and Love.

To the PRINCE.

May it please Your Highness,

BEside that which I have now represented unto your Highness, by my 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to your wor∣thy Secretary, I must 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ crave leave herein to be delivered o•…•…▪ 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 wherewith my Pen is in travel.

I have observed in your Highness, among other noble Endowments of your Mind, a quick and de∣lightfull apprehension of the fundamental Causes of all Secrets, both natural and artificial, that have been brought to your View; which surely is the highest pleasure of a discoursive Soul. Now of this part of your Highness's delectation, I am seri∣ous to take hold. For having been a long Lover of Philosophy, and from the contemplative Part, be∣ing slid into the practical; I shall hope for pardon, if I take so much freedome from the ingenuity of mine own Nature, and Studies, as to entertain your Highness now and then, with some Experi∣ments, especially such as do not end in wonder, but reach to publick Use•…•…: For meer Speculations have ever seemed to my conceit, as if Reason were given us like an half Moon in a Coat of Arms, on∣ly for a Logical Difference from inferiour Crea∣tures, and not for any active power in it self. To begin therefore, by your Gracious Leave, this kind of Intelligence with your Highness; I have charged this Gentleman with the humble Presenta∣tion of a Secret unto you, not long since imparted to this State, and rewarded with a Pension to the Inventer, and to his Posterity; the scope being in∣deed of singular use, and at the first hearing of as much admiration: namely, a way how to save Gunpowder from all mischance of Fire in their Magazines, to which they have been very obnoxi∣ous by a kind of fatality. The thing it self in a small Bulk, with the description thereof, accor∣ding to mine own Trial and Observations, will be consigned to your Highness apart from this Letter.

And so having laid a beginning to these poor

Philosophical Services, with hope of incourage∣ment therein by Your favourable acceptation, I will conclude with my humblest prayers to the So∣veraign Lord of all Nature, and Fountain of all Knowledge, to continue his sweet and dear Bles∣sings upon Your Highness. To whom I remain, &c.

To the DUKE.

May it please your Grace,

HAving some dayes by sickness been deprived of the comfort of your sight, vvho did me so much honour at my last access, I am bold "to make these poor lines happier then my self: and withal, to represent unto your Grace (whose no∣ble Patronage is my refuge, when I find any oc∣casion to bewail mine own fortune) a thing which seemed strange unto me. I am told (I know not how truly) that his Majesty hath already disposed the Venetian Ambassage to Sir Isaac Weake; from whose sufficiency if I should detract, it would be but an argument of my own weakness.

But that vvhich herein doth touch me, I am loth to say in point of Reputation, surely much in my livelihood (as Lawyers speak) is, that thereby, af∣ter seventeen years of forraign and continua•…•… em∣ployment; either ordinary, or extraordinary, I am left utterly destitute of all possibility to subsist at home; much like those Seal-fishes, which some∣times (as they say) oversleeping themselves in an Ebbing-water, feel nothing about them but a dry

shore when they awake. Which comparison I am fain to seek among those creatures, not knowing among men, that have so long served so gracious a Master, any one to whom I may resemble my un∣fortunate bareness. Good my Lord, as your Grace hath vouchsafed me some part of your love, so make me worthy in this, of some part of your compassion. So I humbly rest,

Your Graces, &c. H. WOTTON.

1626.

My dear Nic. Pey,

THis is the account of me since you saw me last.

My going to Oxford was not meerly for shift of air, otherwise I should approve your coun∣sel to prefer Boughton before any other part what∣soever; that air best agreeing with me, and being a kind of resolving me into my own beginnings; for there was I born.

But I have a little ambitious vanity stirring in me, to Print a thing of my Composition there: which would else in London run through too much noise before hand, by reason of the Licences that must be gotten, and an eternal trick in those City-Stationers, to rumour what they have under Press.

From Oxford I vvas rapt by my Nephevv, Sir Ed∣mund Bacon, to Redgrave, and by himself, and by my sweet Niece detained ever since: (so I say,) for be∣lieve me, there is in their conversations, and in the freedom of their entertainment, a kind of de∣lightful violence.

In our vvay hither vve blanched Pauls Perry, though vvithin three miles of it, vvhich vve are not tender to confess, (being indeed our manifest excuse;) for thereby it appears, the pains of the vvay did not keep us thence.

In truth, vve thought it (coming immediately from an infected place) an hazardous incivility to put our selves upon them; for if any •…•…nister ac∣cident had fallen out about the same time (for Co∣incidents are not always Causes) vve should have rued it for ever.

Here, vvhen I had been almost a fortnight in the midst of much contentment, I received know∣ledge of Sir Albertus Morton's departure out of this World, vvho vvas dearer unto me then mine own being in it. What a vvound it is to my heart, you vvill easily believe: But His undisputable Will must be done, and unrepiningly received by His own Creatures, vvho is the Lord of all Nature, and of all Fortune, vvhen he taketh novv one, and then another, till the expected day vvherein it shall please him to dissolve the vvhole, and to vvrap up even the Heaven it self as a Scrol of Parchment.

This is the last Philosophy that we must study upon the Earth: let us now, that yet remain while our Glasses shall run by the dropping away of Friends re-inforce our Love to one another; which of all Vertues both spiritual and moral, hath the highest priviledge, because Death it self shall

not end it. And good Ni•…•…. exercise that •…•…ove to∣wards me, in letting me know, &c.

Your ever poor Friend, H. WOTTON.

To the KING, 1627.

May it please Your Majesty,

THe Gracious Aspect which I have ever ob∣served in Your Majesty towards me, doth bind me (though there were no other rea∣son) next under God, to approve all my actions to Your Judgement: Let me therefore most hum∣bly make known unto Your Majesty, that it hath pleased the Fountain of all good thoughts to dis∣pose my mind, by his secret Providence, to enter into the sacred Orders of his Church: having con∣firmed in me (for which his high Name be ever blessed) the reverence and love of his truth, by a large experience of the abuses thereof, in the very seat and sink of all corruption, Rome it self: to which my wandring curiosity carried me no less then four times in my younger years; where I fix∣ed my Studies most upon the historical part, in the politick management of Religion, which I found plainly converted from a Rule of Conscience, to an Instrument of State; and from the Mistress of

all Sciences, into a very hand-maid of Ambition. Neither do I repent me of bending my observation that way. For though the Truth perhaps may more compendiously appear in ordine doctrinae; yet never more fully, then when we search the original veins thereof, the increase, the depravations, and de∣cayes, in ordine temporum.

This is the Point wherein I have travelled most, and wherein I will spend the remainder of my days; hoping that the All-sufficient God, will in the strength of his mercy enable my weakness, either by my Voice or Pen, to celebrate his Glory. Now, though I was thus far confident in my self, (with all humility be it spoken) that neither my life, nor my poor erudition, would yield much scandal to others; and likewise might well have presumed, that this resolution could no wayes of∣fend Your Majesties religious heart; but might ra∣ther be secure in Your favour and encouragement; yet having been imployed so many years abroad in civil use, I thought it undutifull to change my cal∣ling, without the fore-knowledge and approbati∣on of my Dear Soveraign. This is the humble Message of these few lines unto Your Majesty.

The Almighty, who hath indued Your Majesty with excellent Vertues, and so early taught You the rare Consort between Greatness and Goodness, long protect Your Royal Person and Estates un∣der his singular Love.

Your Majesties most faithfull and devoted Vassal, H. Wotton.

To my Dear Dynely. S. P. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

Pauca meo Gallo, sed quae legat ipsa Licoris.

IT were an injury to use a Cipher by a Friend so warmly and so justly commended hither by you: nay almost, to write a Letter; but that I am tender to trouble him and lade him with our privacies.

Of Himself first let me say thus much, that I think surely he is the fittest stranger that could have been chosen to overcome, among our Academicks, the envy of a stranger. For he hath a fair carri∣age, and very discreet temper, and by the prompt use of our Language is almost naturalized already: And I cast no doubt of the inward furniture, per quel gusto saporito, that we have taken in a short con∣versation with him: wherein, you that procured us the benefit of his company, must answer for the poorness of his entertainment.

Now, for my self, I have not yet entred into the first Order of the Church, by a strange acci∣dent: upon which there lyes likewise some civil note. The Bishop of Lincolne (sometimes Lord Keeper) is the Prelate from whom I resolved to take it: not for any personal respect; but because he is our Diocesan, and Visiter at this Colledge, and to whom I acknowledge a kind of homage for the place I hold, which fell into his disposing for∣mally by Lapse. This Bishop (you must know) on this very day seven-night came to London about

ten of the Clock in the morning, to perform an Election of the Scholars at Westminster (whereof he is Dean) usual at this time of the year, as with us. In the evening of that day, Sir Iohn Cooke, Secretry, visits him, with Command from His Majesty to be presently gone. What Questions thereupon passed between them upon such a surprise, I omit. Basta. He went away the next morning at eight of the Clock; and so I am put upon ano∣ther means, which before my next unto you, will be done: For I abound in choice, but I am a little curious; 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 will tell you hereafter the Reasons of my curiosity. You will note (as I touched be∣fore) upon this; That the Dukes power is great even in his absence, and that he hath in Court ve∣ry vigilant Instruments both Spiritual and Tempo∣ral. I want time to explain my self; but it shall follow.

Of the present Voyage let me venture to say a little. I am afraid we shall unite all France, if it be thither; yet the provisions are fair, and the Duke resolved, and he is departed, with the Soul∣dier, and from the Coast, as beloved a man, and with as many acclamations there, as imprecations within the Land: Such a floating thing is the Vul∣gar. Of this more at leasure.

Tuus H. Wotton.

From the Colledge, this 10th. of Iuly, 1627.

To the KING.

My Most Dear and Dread Soveraign,

AS I gave Your Majesty fore-knowledge of my intention to enter into the Church, and had Your Gracious Approvement therein, so I hold it a second duty to Your Maje∣sty, and satisfaction to my self, to inform you likewise by mine own hand, both how far I have proceeded, and upon what Motives; that it may appear unto your Majesty (as I hope it will) an act of conscience, and of reason; and not of gree∣diness and ambition. Your Majesty will be there∣fore pleased to know, that I have lately taken the degree of Deacon; and so far am I from aiming at any high flight, out of my former Sphear, that there I intend to rest. Perhaps I want not some perswaders, that measuring me by their affections, or by Your Majesties goodness, and not by mine own defects or ends, would make me think, that yet before I die, I might become a great Prelate. And I need no perswasion to tell me, that if I would undertake the Pastoral Function, I could peradventure by casualty, out of the Patronages belonging to Your Royal Colledge, without fur∣ther troubling of Your Majesty, cast some good Benefice upon my self, whereof we have one, if it were vacant, that is worth more then my Provost∣ship. But as they were strucken with horrour, who beheld the Majesty of the Lord descending up∣on the Mount Sinai: so, God knows, the nearer I

approach to contemplate his greatness, the more I tremble to assume any cure of souls even in the lowest degree, that were bought at so high a price•…•… premant torcular qui vindemiarunt: Let them press the Grapes, and fill the Vessels, and taste the Wine, that have gathered the Vintage. But shall I sit and do nothing in the Porch of Gods House, whereinto I am entred? God himself forbid, who was the Supream Mover. What Service then do I pro∣pound to the Church? or what contentment to mine own mind? First, for the point of Consci∣ence, I can now hold my place Canonically, which I held before but dispensatively, and withall I can exercise an Archidiaconal Authority annexed thereunto, though of small extent, and no benefit, yet sometimes of pious and necessary use. I com∣fort my self also with this Christian hope, That Gentlemen and Knights Sons, who are trained up with us in a Seminary of Church-men, (which was the will of the holy Founder) will by my example, (without vanity be it spoken) not be ashamed, after the sight of Courtly Weeds, to put on a Sur∣plice. Lastly, I consider, that this resolution which I have taken, is not unsutable even to my civil imployments abroad, of which for the most part Religion was the Subject; nor to my observa∣tions, which have been spent that way in discove∣ry of the Roman Arts and Practices, whereof I hope to yield the World some account, though rather by my Pen, then by my Voice. For though I must humbly confess, that both my Conceptions and Expressions be weak, yet I do more trust my deli∣beration then my memory: or if Your Majesty will give me leave to paint my self in higher terms, I think, I shall be bolder against the judgements,

then against the faces of men. This I conceive to be a piece of mine own Character; so as my pri∣vate Study must be my Theater rather then a Pul∣pit; and my Books my Auditors, as they are all my Treasure. Howsoever, if I can produce no∣thing else for the use of Church and State, yet it shall be comfort enough to the little remnant of my life, to compose some Hymnes unto his endless glory, who hath called me, (for which his Name be ever blessed) though late to his Service, yet early to the knowledge of his truth, and sense of his mercy. To which ever commending Your Ma∣jesty, and Your Royal Actions, with most hearty and humble prayers, I rest,

Your Majesties most devoted poor Servant.

To the KING, 1627.

May it please Your most Gracious Majesty,

HAving been informed that certain persons have, by the good wishes of the Archbi∣shop of Armagh, been directed hither with a most humble Petition unto Your Majesty, that You will be pleased to make Mr. William Bedel

(now Resident upon a small Benefice in Suffolk) Governour of Your Colledge at Dublin, for the good of that Society; And my self being required to render unto Your Majesty some testimony of the said William Bedel, (who was long my Chaplain at Venice in the time of my first Imployment) I am bound in all Conscience and Truth, (as far as Your Majesty will Vouchsafe to accept my poor judgement) to affirm of him, that I think hardly a fitter Man for that Charge could have been pro∣pounded unto Your Majesty in Your whole King∣dome, for singular Erudition and Piety, Confor∣mity to the Rites of Your Church, and zeal to ad∣vance the Cause of God, wherein his travels abroad were not obscure in the time of the Excom∣munication of the Venetians. For it may please Your Majesty to know, that this is the Man whom Padre Paulo took, I may say, into his very soul, with whom hee did communicate the inwardest thoughts of his heart, from whom he prosessed to have received more knowledge in all Divinity, both Scholastical and Positive, then from any tha•…•… he had ever practised in his dayes; of which all the passages were well known unto the King Your Fa∣ther of most blessed Memory. And so, with Your Majesties good Favour, I will end this needless of∣fice: For the general fame both of his Learning, •…•…nd Life, and Christian Temper, and those religi∣ous Labours which Himself hath dedicated unto Your Majesty do better describe him,

Your Majesties most humble and faithfull Vassal, H. Wotton.

To the DUKE.

My most noble Lord,

WHen like that impotent man in the Go∣spel, I had lain long by the Pools side, while many were healed, and none would throw me in; it pleased your Lordship first of all to pity my infirmities, and to put me into some hope of subsisting hereafter. Therefore I most humbly and justly acknowledge all my abi∣lity, and reputation from your favour. You have given me in couragement, you have valued my poor endeavours with the King, you have redeemed me from ridiculousness, who had served so long with∣out any mark of favour. By which Arguments, being already and ever bound to be yours, till either life or honesty shall leave me, I am the bolder to beseech your Lordship to perfect your own work, and to draw his Majesty to some set∣ling of those things that depend between Sir Julius Casar and me, in that reasonable form which I hum∣bly present unto your Lordship by this my Ne∣phew, likewise your obliged Servant, being my self, by a late indisposition, confined to my Chamber, but in all estates such as I am,

Your Lordships, H. WOTTON.

SIR,

I Send you by this Bearer (to keep you in mirth) a piping Shepherd, done by Cavalier Bassaw, and so well, as may merit some place in your Chamber, which I hear is the Center of good Mu∣sick; to which, out of my pieces at home, I have commanded James to add a Messara playing upon a Timbril, done by Allessandro Padovano, a rising Titian as we esteemed him.

Good Sir, let us know some true passages of the plight of the Court. I have laid about for some constant intelligence from forraign parts, being strangely relapsed into that humour in my old age. Shall I tell you why? In good faith, for no other use that I mean to make of news, but only that when God shall call me to a better, I may know in what state I leave this World.

Your affectionate Friend to serve you, H. WOTTON.

To M^r. Nicolas Arnauld.

SIR,

THis young Gentleman, my very near Kins∣man, having gotten enough of Veneti•…•… Italian to seek better; and being for that end directed by me to Siena, I will take the boldness to commend him to your disposing there, assuring

myself, that you have gained much friendship and power wheresoever you are, by that impression which you have left in us here. And so, with those thanks which were long since due, for your kind remembrance of me by a Letter from Florence, I commit you to Gods dear blessings and love, and lever rest,

From Venice.

Your very affectionate poor Friend to serve you, H. WOTTON.

To the Lord Treasurer Weston.

My most honoured good Lord,

I Most humbly present (though by some infirmi∣ties a little too late) a strange New-years Gift unto your Lordship, which I will presume to term the cheapest of all that you have received, and yet of the richest materials. In short, it is only an Image of your Self, drawn by memory from such discourse as I have taken up here and there of your Lordship, among the most intelligent and un∣malignant men; which to pourtrait before you I thought no servile office, but ingenuous and real: and I could wish that it had come at the Day, that so your Lordship might have begun the New Year, somewhat like Plato's definition of Felicity, with the contemplation of your own Idea.

They say, That in your forraign Employments un∣der King James, your Lordship won the Opinion of a very able and searching Judgement, having been the first discoverer of the Intentions against the Palatinate, which were then in brewing, and masked with much Art. And that Sir Edward Con∣way got the start of you both in Title and Employ∣ment at home, because the late Duke of Buckingham wanted then for his own Ends a Martial Secretary. They say, That under our present Soveraign, you were chosen to the highest charge at the lowest of the State, when some instrument was requisite of undubitable integrity and provident moderation; which Attributes I have heard none deny you. They discourse thus of your Actions since, that though great Exhaustions cannot be cured with sudden Re∣medies, no more in a Kingdom then in a Natural Body, yet your Lordship hath well allayd those blu∣stering clamors wherewith at your beginnings your House was in a manner dayly besieged. They note, that there have been many changes, but that none hath brought to the Place a judgement so cultivated and illuminated with various Erudition as your Lordship, since the Lord Burghley under Queen Eli∣zabeth, whom they make your Parallel in the orna∣ment of Knowledge.

They observe in your Lordship divers remark∣able combinations of Vertues and Abilities, rarely sociable. In the Character of your Aspect, a mixture of Authority and Modesty. In the Faculties of your Mind, quick Apprehension and Solidity together. In the style of your Port and Train, as much Dignity, and as great Dependency as was ever in any of your Place, and with little noise or outward fume. That your Table is very abundant, free and noble, with∣out

Luxury. That you are by nature no Flatterer, and yet of greatest power in Court. That you love Magnificence and Frugality both together. That you entertain your Guests and Visiters with noble cour∣tesie, but void of complement. Lastly, that you maintain a due regard to your Person and Place, and yet are an Enemy to frothy Formalities.

Now, in the discharge of your Function, they speak of two things that have done you much ho∣nour: namely, That you have had always a spe∣cial care to the supply of the Navy: And likewise a more worthy and tender respect towards the Kings only Sister, for her continual support from hence, then she hath found before. They observe your greatness as firmly established as ever was any in the Love (and which is more) in the estimation of a King, who hath so signalized his own Constancy: Besides your addition of Strength (or at least of Lustre) by the Noblest Alliances of the Land.

Among these Notes, it is no wonder if some ob∣serve, That between a good willingness in your affections to satisfie All, and an impossibility in the matter, and yet an importunity in the Persons, there doth now and then, I know not how, arise a little impatience, which must needs fall upon your Lordship, unless you had been cut out of a Rock of Diamonds, especially having been before so con∣versant with liberal Studies, and with the freedom of your own Mind.

Now after this short Collection touching your most honoured Person, I beseech you give me leave to add likewise a little what Men say of the Writer. They say, I want not your gracious good will to∣wards me according to the degree of my poor Ta∣lent and Travels, but that I am wanting to my

self: And in good faith (my Lord) in saying so, they say truly; for I am condemned, I know not how, by nature, to a kind of unfortunate bashful∣ness in mine own business, and it is now too late to put me in a new Furnace. Therefore it must be your Lordships proper work, and not only your Noble, but even your Charitable goodness that must in some blessed hour remember me. God give your Lordship many healthful and joyful years, and the blessing of that Text; Beatus qui attendit ad attenuatum. And so I remain with an humble and willing Heart, &c.

To the Queen of Bohemia,

July, 1636.

Most resplendent Queen, even in the darkness of Fortune.

THat was wont to be my style unto Your Majesty, which You see I have not forgot∣ten. For though I have a great while for∣born to trouble You with any of my poor lines; yet the memory of Your sweet and Royal Vertues, is the last thing that will die in me. In these months of my silence, I have been busie (if any work of my brains may be termed a business) about certain compositions of mine own, partly imposed, and partly voluntary: whereof some would fain be strugling into the light; but I do check their for∣wardness, because I am afraid they will be born be∣fore their time: in the mean while, I have gotten a subject worthy to exercise my pen unto Your

Majesty, which is the choice of the New Lord Treasurer; upon which * 1.1 place Your Majesty hath alwayes some dependance in Your Domestick Affairs. I be∣lieve Your Majesty hath never personally seen him, therefore I will take the boldness to paint him be∣fore You; though I must speak, as yet, more out of the universal opinion, then from my own ex∣perience: for Your Majesty knows my nature, I am always one of the last intruders. Now the best and the shortest draught that I can make of him, vvill be this; There is in him no tumour, no sowre∣ness, no distraction of thoughts, but a quiet mind, a patient care, free access, mild and moderate An∣swers.

To this I must add a solid judgement, a sober plainness, and a most indubitable character of Fi∣delity in his very face: so as there needs not much study to think him both a good man, and a wise man. And accordingly is his Family composed; more order then noise, and his nearest Instruments carefully chosen, for he wanted no offers: But above all, there is a blessed note upon him, that his Majesty hath committed his Moneys, where he may trust his Conscience. Upon the whole matter, it is no marvel that the Charge lay a full year under Commission.

For the King himself (as we hear) did openly profess, that he had spent the most of that time, not in deliberating whom he might choose, but in woo∣ing of him whom he had chosen, to undertake it: For it is a hard matter indeed (if so good a King had not been the Orator) to draw a man out of the settled repose of a learned Life, into such an ocean of publick Solicitude, able to swallow an ordinary

Spirit. But God, who hath raised him to it, hath made him fit for it.

This is all that I was in travel to advertise Your Majesty upon the present occasion; my next will be touching the two sweet Princes, Your Sons, whose Fame I have only hitherto enjoyed in the common Voice; having by some weakness in my Legs, and other symptomes of Age, and by mine own retired Studies, been confined to privacy: But I hope to make known unto Them, how much I reverence my Royal Mistress, their Mother, and the Images of her Goodness, at the solemn Meet∣ing the next Moneth in Oxford: For an Academy will be the best Court for my humour. And so I humbly rest,

Your Majesties ever faithfull, ever devoted poor Servant, H. W.

To the Lord Treasurer Iuxon.

May it please Your good Lordship,

I Was in hope long since to have waited on your Lordship with an a count, I dare not say of any fruit, yet at least of some use of my pri∣vate time: But through certain fastidious fumes from my Spleen (though of late I thank God well

allayed) I have been kept in such Jealousie of mine own conceptions, that some things under my Pen have been born very slowly. In the mean while, remembring an old Pamphlet of mine, of the Ele∣ments of Architecture, which I cannot in any mo∣desty suppose that your Lordship had ever seen, though it hath found some vulgar favour among those whom they call gentle Readers, I have gotten such a Copy as did remain to present unto your Lordship: And because my fortunes were never able to erect any thing answerable to my Speculati∣ons in that Art, I have newly made, at least an es∣say of my Invention, at least in the Structure of a little poor Standish, of so contemptible value, as I dare offer it to your Lordship without offence of your integrity. If I could have built some Rural Retreat worthy of your Reception, according to the six Precepts of my Master Vitruvius, I would have invited and entertained your Lordship there∣in, how homely soever, yet as heartily as you were ever welcomed to any place in this world; and I would then have gloried to have under my Roof as worthy a Counsellor and Treasurer as ever served the best of Kings: But as I am, I can say no more for your Lordships gracious respects and goodness towards me, then that I live in a tormen∣ting desire, some way to celebrate the honour of your Name, and to be known

Your most humble, professed, and obliged Servant, H. WOTTON.

To the KING, 1637.

May it please my most Gracious Soveraign,

IF I were not more afraid to break the Laws of that humble Modesty, which becometh the meanness of my desert, then I am to exceed the bounds of Your Majesties Royal Goodness: I should be a poor Suppliant unto Your Majesty to confer upon me the Mastership of the Savoy, in case Dr. Belcanquel (my good Friend) shall (as the voice goeth) be removed to the Deanry of Dur∣ham; wherein the Remove and the Substitution are but one stroke of Your Benignity.

God knows, and the value of the Thing it self may speak as much, that I do not aim therein at any utility: Only, it may be some ease of expence, and Commodity of Lodging, when I shall come (as I am afraid shortly) to oversee certain poor things of mine own at Press: wherewith yet I hope Your Majesty, whose Honour only I study, will not be displeased. I have further considered with my self, that the said place is not incompati∣ble with that which I now hold by Your Majesties intercession with Your ever blessed Father, as it may please You to remember, though You forget nothing so easily as Your own bounties: which place here never before subsisting in the Memory of man, without some Addition, I have now near fourteen years sustained in that integrity as I found it, and with as good Scholars sent annually to Your Royal Colledge at Cambridge, of my particu∣lar

Choice, as have gone thither since the Founda∣tion; whereof I could shew Your Majesty a pub∣lished Testimony out of that University, in Dr. Winterton's Dedication of Dionysius de situ orbis, un∣to me; if it were not a miserable thing for me to make up so slight a merit even with a vanity. Be∣sides this, I most humbly confess, that though my fortunes are poor, and my Studies private, yet I cannot deny certain Sparkles of honest ambition, remaining in me, whereby I desire the World should know, that my most Vertuous, and most Dear and Royal Master hath not utterly forgotten me. And so I most humbly rest,

Your Majesties most humble, faithfull, hearty Subject and Servant, H. W.

To the Archbishop.

May it please your Grace,

EMboldened by your favour, I humbly pre∣sent herewith to your Grace, and through your onely hands (which in our lower Sphear, is via Lactea) my Letter to his Majesty, and the Copy thereof. If it shall pass the file of

your Judgement, my poor Lines will have honour enough; but if they take effect by the vertue of your Mediation, I shall be sorry that I cannot be more

Your Grace's then I am, and will ever be, H. W.

To Mr. MILTON.

SIR,

IT was a special favour, when you lately be∣stowed upon me here the first taste of your ac∣quaintance, though no longer then to make me know that I wanted more time to value it, and to enjoy it rightly; and in truth, if I could then have imagined your farther stay in these parts, which I understood afterward by Mr. H. I would have been bold, in our vulgar Phrase, to mend my draught, (for you left me with an extream thirst,) and to have begged your conversation again joyntly with your said Learned Friend, at a poor meal or two, that we might have banded together some good Authors of the ancient time: Among which, I observed you to have been familiar.

Since your going, you have charged me with new Obligations, both for a very kind Letter from you, dated the 6th. of this Moneth, and for a dainty piece of entertainment that came therewith.

Wherein I should much commend the Tragical part, if the Lyrical did not ravish me with a certain Dorique delicacy in your Songs and Odes; where∣unto I must plainly confess to have seen yet no∣thing parallel in our language Ipsa mollities. But I must not omit to tell you, that I now only owe you thanks for intimating unto me (how modestly so∣ever) the true Artificer. For the Work it self I had viewed some good while before with singular delight, having received it from our common Friend Mr. R. in the very close of the late R's Po∣ems, Printed at Oxford; whereunto is added (as I now suppose) that the Accessory might help out the Principal, according to the Art of Stationers, and to leave the Reader Con la bocca dolce.

Now Sir, concerning your Travels, wherein I may challenge a little more priviledge of discourse with you. I suppose you will not blanch Paris in your way; therefore I have been bold to trouble you with a few Lines to Mr. M. B. whom you shall easily find attending the young Lord S. as his Governour, and you may surely receive from him good directions for the shaping of your farther journey into Italy, where he did reside by my choice some time for the King, after mine own re∣cess from Venice.

I should think that your best Line will be tho∣row the whole length of France to Marseilles, and thence by Sea to Genoa, whence the passage into Tuscany is as diurnal as a Gravesend Barge. I hasten, as you do to Florence, or Siena, the rather, to tell you a short story from the interest you have given, me in your safety.

At Siena I was tabled in the house of one Alberto Sci•…•…ioni, an old Roman Courtier in dangerous

times, having been Steward to the Duca di Pagliano, who with all his Family were strangled, save this only man that escaped by fore-sight of the Tempest: with him I had often much chat of those affairs; into which he took pleasure to look back from his native harbour, and at my departure toward Rome (which had been the Center of his Experience) I had won confidence enough to beg his advice, how I might carry my self securely there, without of∣fence of others, or of mine own conscience. Signor Arrigo mio (says he) I Pensieri stretti, & il viso sci∣olto: That is, Your thoughts close, and your countenance loose, will go safely over the whole World. Of which Delphian Oracle (for so I have found it) your judgement doth need no Commentary; and there∣fore, Sir, I will commit you with it to the best of all securities, Gods dear love, remaining

Your Friend as much at command, as any of longer date, H. WOTTON.

POSTSCRIPT.

Sir, I have expresly sent this my Foot-boy to prevent your departure, without some acknow∣ledgement from me of the receit of your obliging Letter, having my self through some business, I know not how, neglected the ordinary convey∣ance. In any part where I shall understand you fixed, I shall be glad, and diligent to entertain you with Home-Novelties; even for some fomen∣tation of our friendship, too soon interrupted in the Cradle.

Right Honourable,

MAster Nicholas Pey (through whose hands all my businesses did pass both in my for∣mer employments here and now) hath betray'd your Honour unto me in some things that you would desire out of this Country, which if he had not done, he had betray'd me: For I have long wished nothing more then some occasion to serve you; and though this be a kind of intrusion, to insert my self in this manner into your desires; yet I hope it will please you to excuse it, because I do it not only with willingness, but in truth with pleasure: for it falleth out, that I have a little skill, or at least an interest of Affection in the things that you wish from hence, and therefore even mine own nature doth lead me to serve you, besides my duty. I have begun with a very poor Present of Strings for your Musick, whereof I will provide hereafter better store, and if it be possible, of bet∣ter quality: by the first Ship your Honour shall receive some Lutes of Sconvels and Mango, and withal a Chest of Glasses of mine own chusing at Murano, wherein I do somewhat pretend; and those Artificers are well acquainted with me. Thus much in private: For the Publick, I have made by this Bearer a Dispatch unto the whole Body of His Majesties most Honourable Councel, wherein your worthy Person is comprehended; and therefore, I hope, that writing twice to your Honour now at once, it may serve (by your favour) for some redemption of my former silence. The subject of my Dispatch is as high as ever befel any forraign Minister; wherein, though mine own Conscience

(I thank God) doth set me at rest, yet I shall be glad of your Honourable approbation, if it will please you to, afford it me: And so I humbly com∣mit your Honour to Gods blessed love, remain∣ing,

At your commandment.

Much honoured Sir,

SInce I had the favour and the delight of any Letters from you, you have had the trouble of two or three from me, besides the present, vvhich I hope vvill find you according to my con∣tinual vvishes, in perfect health, though you live in a Theater of Tragical Actions this year. I am here newly delivered of one of the most fastidious pieces of my life, as I account, for my part, the Week of our Annual Election of Scholers, both into this Seminary, and out of it for Kings Colledge in Cambridge; vvhereunto hath been a marvellous Concourse, and much distraction in our Votes through Letters from Court. Pardon me, Sir, a Question by the vvay, Have you no Child of your own, or at least of some of your Friends, vvhom you could vvish trained in this course? I vvould fain beg some employment from you, vvhich makes me offer you this, or any other of those poor ser∣vices vvhich lie vvithin my circumference, as this Bearer hath particular charge from me. This is that Nicholas Oudart, for vvhom you did a great fa∣vour in procuring the Cardinal Infanta's Letters to Mechelen in his behalf: which took so good effect, as he is now personally flown over to consummate that business, having information from his Cor∣respondents

there, that it is ripened for him. He hath served me from a little Page, and of late years hath managed the chief part of my Dome∣stick Affairs; so as if it were not for his own ur∣gent occasion, I could hardly miss him that short time vvithin vvhich I expect his return. You will find him, I hope, worthy of your love, I am sure of your trust. His profession is Physick, towards vvhich he is very vvell grounded in the learned Languages: But his Scope novv is Business, not Knowledge. If there shall by chance remain any thing to be added unto your former honourable Courtesie, for the expedition of his Cause and Re∣turn, you have given us both good cause to be con∣fident both in your power and friendship: And so, Sir, leaving him in your loving arms, I rest for ever,

Your obliged and faithful Friend to serve you, H. WOTTON.

To the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury,

July 30. 1637.

May it please your Grace,

WE very humbly acknowledge, that your Grace hath made us confident in your favour, both by your former Letters, (vvhich are the true images of your mind) and by that report vvhich Mr. Weaver, and Mr. Harison, brought us from your most Reverenced Person:

yet, till after the Term, vvhen vve might suppose your Grace somewhat freer then before (though ever environed vvith more Honour then Ease) vve vvere tender to trouble you vvith any prosecu∣tion, on our parts, of your good Intents towards this Collegiat Body, about the yet unperfected, though well imprimed Business of New-Winsor. But now, after due Remembrance of our humble De∣votions, I am bold to signifie unto your Grace in mine own, and in the name of the rest, that having (according to the fair Liberty which you were pleased to yield us) consulted with our Councel at Law, about some convenient form for the setling of that which his Majesty hath already granted by your Grace's Intercession, we find the King can no way be bound but by his own goodness, nei∣ther can we wish his Majesty in better or in safer Bonds: therefore we hope to propound an Ex∣pedient, which to my understanding, will (as Astronomers use to say) save all appearances, Name∣ly, &c.

Master Cl•…•…avers Election shall be the more ho∣noured, by being a single example; in whose Per∣son we are sorry for nothing, but that he needs not thank us for his choice. And so doubting as little of your Grace's favour, as we do of your Power, in the consummating of our humble, and as we hope they will appear, of our moderate desires, I ever with most hearty zeal remain

From the Colledge this 30. of july, 1637.

At all your Grace's commands, H. WOTTON.

Right Honourable and our very good Lord, the Lord Keeper,

IT is so open and so general for any that flie unto your Lordships Tribunal, to receive there a fair and equitable measure, as it hath (we know not how) wrought in us a kind of unnatural effect: For, thereby we have been made the slower to render your Lordship our most humble thanks in our own proper Case, because we knew not how to single it from the common benefit which all find in your goodness: But we can now forbear no longer to joyn among our selves, and with the universal voice, in a blessing upon your Name.

And as we bring a true and humble acknowledg∣ment in our particular, that this Colledge is bound to celebrate your Honour for that charitable In∣junction wherewith you have sustained a great and important portion of the livelihood of so many young Plants of good Literature, till a further dis∣cussion of our Right: so likewise we most▪humbly beseech your good Lordship in the sincerity of our own desires of quietness, and in the confidence of our cause, that you will be pleased to entertain with favour a Petition which our Councel will present unto your Lordship, for some Day of bearing that shall best sort with your great affairs. And so with all our joynt and hearty Prayers, both of Young and Old, for your long preservation, We rest,

Your most humble and devoted Servants.

My most honoured Lady,

YOur young Kinsman shall be welcome hi∣ther at your pleasure, and there shall want, no respects on my part to make the place both fruitful and chearful unto him.

Touching the other part of your last; wherein I am so much obliged by your confidence, which in truth, is the greatest of Obligations, let me assure your Ladyship, by all the protestations of a Chri∣stian man, that I never heard before the least whis∣pering of that whereof you write concerning my Niece: Neither, in good faith, did I know so much as that there was a Lord T. Your Ladyship sees in what darkness, or with what incuriosity I live.

I shall, ere it be long, be my self in Kent among my Friends; but I vvill vvrite more speedily, ac∣cording to your command.

In the mean vvhile (if I may be pardoned so much boldness) I could vvish your Ladyship vvould take some hold of one vvell known in Court on both sides, namely Master Nicolas Pey: He is a right honest and discreet man in himself, and of great trust vvith my Lady T. the Grand-mother, under vvhom my Niece vvas bred, and likewise vvith her Father and Mother: and I am not tender that your Ladyship should tell him, you have understood so much from me, if it please you to send for him. And so I most humbly rest,

Your Ladyships with all devotion to serve you, H. WOTTON.

To Sir Richard Baker Knight.

SIR,

I Conceive that you have been pleased, out of our ancient friendship, (vvhich was first, and is ever best elemented in an Academy) and not out of any valuation of my poor judgement, to communicate vvith me your Divine Meditations on the Lords Prayer, in some several sheets, vvhich have given me a true taste of the vvhole; vvherein I must needs observe, and much admire the very Character of your Style, vvhich seemeth unto me to have not a little of the African Idea of Saint Au∣gustine's Age, full of sweet Raptures, and of re∣searching Conceits; nothing borrowed, nothing vulgar, and yet all flowing from you (I knovv not hovv) vvith a certain equal facility: So as I see your vvorldly troubles have been but Pressing-Irons to your heavenly cogitations.

Good Sir, let not any modesty of your Nature, let not any obscurity of your Fortune smother such an excellent employment of your Erudition and Zeal: for it is a vvork of Light, and not of Darkness. And thus vvishing you long health, that can use it so vvell, I remain

Your poor Friend to love and serve you, H. WOTTON.

To his Sacred Majesty.

I Do humbly resume the ancient manner, which was adire Caesarem per libellum: with confidence in the Cause, and in Your Ma∣jesties Gracious Equity, though not in mine own Merit.

During my late Imployment, Sir E. P. then Master of the Rolls died. By his death Sir Julius Caesar claimed not only the Succession of that place, but the gift of all the Clerkships of the Chancery, that should fall void in his own time.

Of these Clerkships: Your Majesty had formerly granted two Reversions: The one to the late Lord Bruce; for which Mr. Bond, Secretary to my Lord Chancellour, had contracted with him. The se∣cond to me. The said Bond got his Grant through the favour of his Master, to be confirmed by Sir Julius Caesar before his entrance into the Rolls: but through my absence in Your Majesties Service, and want of pressing it in the due season, my Grant remained unconfirmed, though Your Ma∣jesty was pleased to write Your Gracious Letter in my behalf. Which maketh me much bewail mine own case, that my deserts were so poor, as Your Royal Mediation was of less value for me, then my Lord Chancellours for his Servant. The premisses considered, my humble Suit unto Your Majesty is this: That Sir Julius Caesar may be drawn by Your Supream Authority, to confirm unto me my Re∣version of the second Clerkship, whereof I have a Patent under Your Great Seal. Wherein I have

just confidence in Your Majesties Grace, since Your very Laws do restore them that have been any wayes prejudiced in Servicio Regis.

Your Majesties long devoted poor Servant. H. WOTTON.

1621/2.

SIR,

BEsides the Address of my publick Duties unto your hands, I have long owed you these private lines, full of thanks from my heart for your favour and affection in all my occasions at home, and particularly in the Point of my Privy-Seal, about my German Accounts: wherein (as I am abundantly informed both by my Nephew, and by Mr. Nicholas Pey, whom I repute my best Ora∣cles in the information of mine own Obligations) it pleased you to stand by me, not only Da vero Amieo, but indeed, Da vero Cavagliere: From which, though the benefit which did remain in my purse, after the casting up of what was lost, was (as God knows) so little, that I may justly build some hope of your further charity in the authori∣zing of such Demands as I now send: yet on the other side, I must confess, that without your for∣mer

so friendly, and so noble compassion, I had received a most irrecoverable ruine and shame, beyond all example, and my case would have been very strange; for I should have been undone by the Kings goodness, upon assurance whereof (though almost forgotten) I had increased my Train. Now Sir, this acknowledgement of your singular Love, I was never more fit to pay you then at the present, being intenerated in all my in∣ward feelings and affections by new sickness, which with loss of much blood, even no less then twenty ounces within these fourteen dayes, hath brought me low. In which time (if God had called me from the Travels of this earth) I had left you, out of my narrow fortune, some poor remembrance of my thankfulness: which I have now (finding my self by Gods pleasure in a good way of recovery) transmitted to my above-said Friend Mr. Pey. Be∣fore I end, I must not forget to ease your Honour of such thanks as in your Letters you have been pleased to bestow on me, in respect of your Kins∣man Mr. B. because his being with me, I do very rightly reckon among my bands to your self: for in good faith, his integrity and discretion doth sustain my House; besides his fellowship in certain Studies, wherein we aim at no small things, even perchance at a new Systeme of the World; at least, since we cannot in the Practical and Moral, I would we could mend it in the Speculative Part. But lest these private Contemplations (on which I am fallen) transport me too far, I will conclude as I began, with humble thanks for all your Fa∣vours; and with commending your Honoured Person to the Author of all Blessing; remaining ever, &c.

Most dear Lord,

WHile I had your Lordship (as I am al∣wayes bound) in my Meditation, and somewhat under my Pen, (where∣with I hope in due time to express how much I ho∣nour your Noble Vertues) I am (as if I had not been overladen before) surprized with a new Fa∣vour (for that is the true Title of your Com∣mands) touching a fine Boy of this Colledge, whom I perceive by your Letters of the 30th. of the last Moneth to pertain to your care. Quid multa? It shall be done: Only in one thing I must crave pardon, to pass a little gentle Expostulation with your Lordship. You are pleased in your Let∣ter to except my inconveniences, as if in the No∣bleness of your Nature (notwithstanding your desire) you would yet allow me here a liberty of mine own Judgement, or Affection. No, my Good Lord, That priviledge comes too late, even for your self to give me, when I once understand your mind. For let me assure your Lordship, that I have such a conscience, and real feeling of my deep Obligations towards your Noble Person, as no value nor respect under Heaven can purchase my voice from him, on whom you have bestowed it. It is true, that the King himself, and no lon∣ger then three or four dayes before the date of your Letters (so nimble are the times) did write for another; but we shall satisfie his Majesty with a pre-election, and yours shall have my first nomi∣nation; which, howsoever, will fall timely enough for him within the year. For there belongs (af∣ter they are chosen) ▪a little soaking, as well as a

baking before, into our Boys. And so not to insist any longer upon such a poor obedience, I humbly lay my self, and whatsoever is, or shall be within my power, at your Lordships feet, remaining,

Your Lordships in the truest, and heartiest devotions.

Worthy Sir,

ALL health to your self, and to yours both at home and abroad. Sorry I was not to be at Eton when Mr. B. your Nephew, and my Friend came thither to visit me, being then in procinct of his travels: But I had some good while before, at another kind visitation, toge∣ther with your Sons and Mr. S. given him a Catho∣lick Rule which was given me long since by an old Roman Courtier, with whom I tabled in Siena, and whose Counsels I begged for the government of my self at my departure from him towards the foresaid Court, where he had been so well versed. Sinor Arrigo (saies he) There is one short remem∣brance will carry you safe through the whole World. I was glad to hear such a preservative contracted into so little room, and so besought him to honour me with it. Nothing but this (saith he) Gli Pensiere stre•…•…ti, & il viso sciolto: That is, as I use to translate it, Your Thoughts close, and your Countenance loose. This was that moral Antidote which I imparted to Mr. B. and his fellow-travel∣lers, when they were last with me, having a parti∣cular interest in their vvell doings, both as they are yours, and as they have had some training un∣der my poor Regiment: To vvhich tyes of friend∣ship you have added a third, that they are now of

the Colledge of Travellers, vvherein if the fruit of the time I have spent, vvere answerable to the length, I might run for a Deacon at least.

If I had not been absent vvhen Mr. B. came last, I vvould have said much more in private between us; vvhich shall be supplied by Letter, if I may receive a safe form of address from you. I conti∣nue mainly in the same opinion vvhich I touched unto them, That after their impriming in France, I could vvish them to mount the Pirenies into Spain. In that Court (as I hear) you have an assured Friend; And there they may consolidate the French vivacity vvith a certain Sosiego (as they call it) till they shall afterwards pass from Barcolona over to Italy, vvhere lies the true mean between the other two humours. You see (Sir) by this dis∣course, that I am in mine own Countrey at lei∣sure; I pray pardon it, vvhatsoever it be, be∣cause it proceedeth from hearty good vvill: And so I rest,

At your Commands, H. W.

Sir, My Servant the Bearer hath somewhat to say unto, you about a piece of Painting, vvhich I vvould fain send to your House in the Countrey, covered till it come thither, because it is soberly naked, and ready to be set up, being in a gilded Frame already.

1633.

Right Honourable,

I Received such a Letter from you touching my poor Pamphlet of Architecture, vvhich I yet pre∣serve among my preciousest Papers, as I have made it a Resolution to put nothing forth under my Name, vvithout sending one of the first Copies unto your indulgent hands.

There is born a small welcome to the King from Scotland (whom I have not yet seen since his Re∣turn) I know not how, out of a little indignati∣on. They have sent us over from Leiden, from France, from Polonia, &c. a tempest of Panegyricks, and Laudatives of their Princes; whereupon I de∣bated with my self; What? Have we not as good a Theam and Theater as they? Or do we want Sense, or Zeal to express our Happiness? This stirred my very Bowels, and within a while my Pen, such as it is. I confess the Subject is so high, as I fear may condemn my Obscurity to have under∣taken it; but withall so true, as I hope vvill not mis-become mine ingenuity. Howsoever, I sub∣mit it to your judgement: and if in charity you shall be pleased to like any thing in it, I humbly beseech you that you would be pleased to take some occasion of speaking favourably of it to the King himself; for though I aim at nothing by it, save the very doing of it, yet I should be glad to have it impressed by better judgements then my own; And so I most humbly rest,

At, &c.

To Dr. CASTLE.

Worthy Sir,

TIll the receipt of your last, and the like from others of both Universities; and one from Bruxels, Ejusdem Argumenti; I

thought, in good faith, that as I have lived (I thank God) with little Ambition; so I could have died with as much silence as any man in England. But now I see that the most unvaluable things may serve to make a noise.

And I have now no more to say, but that while the foresaid report shall be false; the under-wri∣ter is

Truly Yours, H. Wotton.

My dear Nic.

MOre then a voluntary motion doth now carry me towards Suffolk, especially that I may confer by the way with an ex∣cellent Physician at B. whom I brought my self from Venice, where (as either I suppose or sur∣mise) I first contracted my infirmity of the Spleen, to which the very Seat is generally inclined, and therefore their Physicians (who commonly study the inclinations of places) are the likeliest to un∣derstand the best remedies.

I hope to be back by —

It wrinckles my face to tell you, that my — will cost me 500l. that done, my thoughts are at rest, and over my Study▪ door you shall find written, INVIDIAE REMEDIUM. Let me end in that word, and ever rest,

Your heartiest poor Friend, H. WOTTON.

POSTSCRIPT.

I Forbear to write further, having a world of Discourse to unload unto you; like those that weed not a Garden till it be grown a Wood.

To Iz. Wa. In answer of a Letter requesting him to perform his pro∣mise of Writing the Life of Dr. Donne.

My worthy Friend,

I Am not able to yield any reason, no, not so much as may satisfie my self, why a most in∣genuous Letter of yours hath lain so long by me (as it were in Lavender) without an Answer, save this only, The pleasure I have taken in your Style and Conceptions, together with a Medita∣tion of the Subject you propound, may seem to have cast me into a gentle slumber. But, being now awaked, I do herein return you most hearty thanks for the kind prosecution of your first mo∣tion, touching a just Office, due to the memory of our ever memorable Friend: To whose good fame, though it be needless to add any thing, (and my age considered, almost hopeless from my Pen;) yet I will endeavor to perform my promise, if it were but even for this cause, that in saying some∣what of the Life of so deserving a man, I may per∣chance over-live mine own.

That which you add of Doctor King, (now made Dean of Rochester, and by that translated into my native soil) is a great spur unto me: with whom I hope shortly to confer about it in my passage to∣wards Boughton Malherb, (which was my genial Air) and invite him to a friendship with that Family

where his Predecessor was familiarly acquainted. I shall write to you at large by the next Messenger, (being at present a little in business) and then I shall set down certain general heads, wherein I de∣sire information by your loving diligence; hoping shortly to enjoy your own ever welcome company in this approaching time of the Fly and the Cork. And so I rest,

Your very hearty poor Friend to serve you, H. WOTTON.

To the same.

My worthy Friend,

SInce I last saw you, I have been confined to my Chamber by a quotidian Feaver, I thank God, of more contumacy then malignity. It had once left me, as I thought; but it was only to fetch more company, returning with a surcrew of those splenetick vapours that are called Hypocon∣driacal; of which most say, the cure is good com∣pany; and I desire no better Phisician then your self. I have in one of those fits endeavoured to make it more easie by composing a short Hymn; and since I have apparelled my best thoughts so lightly as in Verse, I hope I shall be pardoned, a second vanity, if I communicate it with such a Friend as your self: to whom I wish a chearful spirit, and a thankful heart to value it, as one of the greatest blessings of our good God; in whose dear love I leave you, remaining,

Your poor Friend to serve you. H. WOTTON.

A Hymn to my God in a Night of my late Sickness.

OH thou great Power, in whom I move, For whom I live, to whom I die, Behold me through thy beams of love, Whilst on this couch of tears I lie; And cleanse my sordid soul within, By thy Christs Blood, the Bath of Sin.

No hallowed Oyls, no grains I need, No rags of Saints, no purging fire, One rosie drop from David's Seed, Was worlds of Seas to quench thine Ire. O precious Ransome! which once paid, That Consummatum est was said:

And said by him, that said no more, But seal'd it with his sacred Breath. Thou then that hast dispung'd my Score, And dying wast the death of Death, Be to me now, on thee I call, My Life, my Strength, my Joy, my All.

H. WOTTON.

To Doctor C.

Worthy Sir,

I Cannot (according to the Italian phrase, at which I have been often ready to laugh, among a Nation otherwise of so civil language) ac∣cuse

the receit of any Letter from you, since your remove from these parts, save of two by this Bearer, my Servant and yours, as all mine shall be. Neither can I satisfie my imagination (so far I am from quieting my desire) where a third (which you inti∣mate in your last) may yet lie smothered in some pocket, for which I should have made a great re∣search, if that were not the diligentest way to miss it. The truth is, as I do highly estimate every line from your Pen, so on the other side, I am as jea∣lous that any of them should stray: For when a Friend of mine, that was lately going towards your City, fell casually into some discourse with me, how he should cloath himself there; I made some sport to tell him, (for a little beguiling of my Melancholy Fumes) that in my opinion the cheapest stuff in London was Silence. But this con∣cerneth neither of us both, for we know how to speak and write safely, that is, honestly: Always, if we touch any tender matter, let us remember his Motto, that wrote upon the Mantle of his Chimney, where he used to keep a good fire, OptimusSecreta∣riorum.

I owe you abundant thanks for the Advertise∣ments in your last, so clearly and judiciously de∣livered; you cannot do me a greater favour: for though I am a Cloystered Man in the Condition of my present Life, besides my Confinement by In∣firmity, yet having spent so much of mine Age among Noise abroad, and seven Years thereof in the Court at home, there doth still hang upon me, I know not how, a certain Concupiscence of No∣velties.

I am sorry I have nothing in that kind at the pre∣sent to interchange with you.

In mine own sickness I had of late, for one half night, and a whole day following, a perfect inter∣mission like a Truce from all Symptoms: but some of them are returned again, and I am afraid it will be hard to throw out altogether this same Saturnine Enemy, being now lodged in me almost a full year.

In your way of applying the Leeches, I have found sensible benefit.

If I could get a lodging near Paul's Church, I would fain pass a week there yet before the great Festival.

Pardon me (Good Sir) this Communication with you of my Domestick purposes; and pardon me likewise the use of another mans hand in this Let∣ter, for a little ease of mine own Head and Eyes. And so I rest,

Your hearty Friend and Servant in all occasions, H. WOTTON.

Sir, Your subscription of Aldrovandus putteth me in mind of a mishap which befel me in the time of my private Travels; I had been in a long pur∣suit of a much commended Author, namely Johan∣nes Britanicus de re Metallica, and could never see him, but in the Library of the brave Monks of Mont d'Oliveto in the Contaào di Siena; where while I had taken order to have him transcribed, Aldro∣vando passing that way, borrowed him from the Monastery: and I sending not long after unto him in Bologna, my Friend found him newly dead: And this was the period of my fruitless curiosity.

To Doctor C.

Worthy Sir,

I See by your Letters, by your discourses, and by your whole conversation, that you are a Friend of great Learning, and (which are commonly consociated) of as great humanity; which shall make me study by any means, within the narrow∣ness of my fortune and judgement, to deserve your love.

The rest I leave to this Bearer, my Servant,

As I am Yours, H. WOTTON.

To Doctor C.

Worthy Sir,

HEnceforward no Complemental forms be∣tween us. Let others repute them accord∣ing to the Latine denomination, Fine civil filling of speech and Letters. For my part, in good faith ex Diametro, I ever thought they were meer emptinesses: yet they may chance serve between some natures to kindle good will; but I account our Friendship no longer in fieri.

You have so represented — unto me, as me∣thinks I see him walking not like a Funambulus up∣on a Cord, but upon the edge of a Razor. What shall I retribute to you from hence? Nothing but a pretty Accident in a sad Subject. There was, you know, inhabitant in — a young Widow of

value: Who lately dying at London, whither she went to solace with some of her Friends, left or∣der by Will that her Body should be buried in her dwelling Parish, as it was this week, where — made the Funeral Sermon, who had been one of her pro∣fessed Suitors: and so she did not want a passio∣nate Elogist, as well as an excellent Preacher.

For the estate of mine own Body, it is not so well as my Servant seems by your Letter to have laid it before you. It is true, that the Symptomes are well allayed, or otherwise peradventure Cu∣stom hath taught me to bear them better, being now familiarized and domesticated evils, I am man∣sueta mala: Yet still the hot fumes continue in the night, and the salivation by day, but in somewhat a lesser measure; besides a streightness of breath∣ing, which I should be glad to know whether you observe in other Hypochendriacal Patients. And if you can advise me of a good Errynum, I have a strong fantasie, ex Fernelio, that it will discharge my head: but such juyces and expressions as he appointed, are not now to be had. Sir, pardon me this trouble: and God have you in his love,

Your affectionate Friend to serve you unceremoniously, H. WOTTON.

To Doctor C.

Worthy Sir,

I Now return unto you your secret Papers a∣gain; whereof, lest I should violate the Com∣munications of such a Friend, I have not so

much as reserved a Copy (though I might have done it, by your leave) but I have perused them so often, as I think, I can say them without Book. The Scene seemeth since then much changed to the worse; yet I hope all will resolve into nothing: And that when things appear most tempestuous, they will be nearest a calm; according to your great Aphorism in Physick, Nox ante Crisin est mole∣stissima.

I beseech you, Sir, not to conceive by the tar∣dity of my Answer unto you, any faintness in the acknowledgement of your favours: but to prose∣cute your friendly intelligence upon occasion, even when I shall be on the other side of you, as per∣chance I shall be shortly in my genial soil: For I will teach the Foot-Posts of that place to find your Lodging. And so leaving you in Gods dear love, I rest,

Your professed poor Friend and Servant, H. WOTTON.

To Doctor Castle.

SIR,

LEt me pray you, that the subject of these lines may be only to recommend unto your Counsel and good Affection the Bearer of them, Mr. John Gainsford, the nearest Kinsman on my Mothers side that I have living, and yet my nearer Friend, so as I have more then a single in∣terest in his health: He is much travelled with an exorbitant effusion of — which, though it be a natural preventive to some evils; yet surely, with∣out

either stop or moderation, must needs exhaust his spirits. He hath had heretofore some taste of your acquaintance at large, and you have left in him illos aculeos, which you do in all that (after the Scotish phrase) get but a gripe of you: for you are indeed a wounding Man, as my Servant Nicholas saith, to whom I shewed your last Letter. This my dear Cousin, in one thing especially, is capable of good hope from your advice, that he believes in it by my discourse with him, who truly must confess that I have received much benefit by yours, touch∣ing my splenetical Infirmity; which differeth from his no more then the stopping or running of the same Spout. Besides this, he is the fitter for you to work upon, because he hath yet tried no re∣medy, not so much as the ordinary diversion of opening another vein. Sir, I commend him most heartily into your hands: and because you have two Capacities, (as our Lawyers speak) a Political and Philosophical, from both which I draw much good: Give me leave to entertain you with a Letter of some few Novelties from Oxford, re∣ceived as I was thinking to shut up the Present, which shall end in ever professing my self,

Your very hearty poor Friend, H. WOTTON.

To Doctor C.

Worthy Sir,

YOu are the very man, who hath authenti∣cated unto me that sentence which we read in the life of Attious, delivered by Corne∣lius

Nepos, That Prudentia est quaedam divinatio. So as truly hereafter, when I shall receive from the in∣telligences of your Friends, and your own judge∣ment upon them, any sinister Prognostick, it will make me open your next Letter with trembling fingers.

It is one among many wonders unto me, that the young Lord C. hath made a transition to the con∣trary Party: I thought he had been better elemated at Eton.

I send you herewith, for a little exchange, the Copy of an Elegant Letter, which came unto me by the last Boat from a Friend, both of Studies and Affairs touching forreign troubles; which it is not amiss to contemplate, if it be but for some diver∣sion from our own; Christendom was never, with∣in our Age, so inflamed. I hope the ends of the World are come upon us.

I shall shortly remove into Kent; but while I am absent, there is one shall wait on you weekly in London, to receive and to convey any of your Com∣mands to me; for that is the true name of all your Requests,

To your professed plain Friend, H. Wotton.

POSTSCRIPT.

MY Lords Grace of Canterbury hath this week sent hither to Mr. Hales, very nobly, a Pre∣bendaryship of Windsor unexpected, undesired, like one of the favours (as they write) of Henry the Se∣venth's time.

To Doctor C.

Worthy Sir,

IHave received your last of the 24th. of May, through the hands of Mr. Iowes of Windsor, im∣mediately upon my return to mine ordinary Cell; whence I made a short retirement during the late Solemnities, with intention, in truth, to have visited the City of Bath, and to see whether among all kind of affected persons confluent thither, I could pick out any counsel to allay that sputative Symptome which yet remaineth upon me from my obstructions of the Spleen. But that journey is laid asleep.

Now, Sir, in answer to your said Letter; it grieves me to tell you a truth, which this my Ser∣vant well knoweth, That I am for the future Ele∣ction of this year, so ingaged already to four Privy-Councellors (and three of them of the high∣est) and moreover to a Friend of great interest in all the breath that I have to bestow, that, in good saith, I know not how to struggle for a voice for a Child of rare, and almost prodigious hopes, who is one of my poor Scholers, and much less for any other propounded so late as your Friend, Son: For it is now more then a moneth since the day of our Election was proclaimed on our Colledge and Church-gates; the World is nimble in the anti∣cipating of Voices, and for my particular, ac∣cording to my improvidence in all things else, I am in this likewise no reserver of my good will till the last: I must therefore heartily beseech you, as I have delivered my self at your disposal, so to

dispose of me when I am my self, which I am not now. And so I rest,

Unquiet till I shall some way serve you, H. WOTTON.

To Doctor C.

Worthy Sir,

IT is one of the wonders of the World unto me, how your Letters come so slowly; which if either themselves or their Bearers knew how welcome they are, would flie. I speak this both by some other before, and by your last or the 19. of December, which was almost nine days on the way: and I hope the Scene of Scotland much changed in the mean while to the better.

But to let go exotick matter, if that may be so termed, I must congratulate with you your actual possession of the Place of the — For although your own Merit was (before you had it) in their judge∣ments that understand you, a kind of present in∣vesture; yet I learned long since of our old Ma∣ster at Oxford, That Actus is better then Potentia: which yet, I hope, will not divert you from your Philosophical Profession, wherein I know no man of sweeter or sounder ability. And so, Sir, I rest,

Very truly and affectionately, at your Command, H. WOTTON.

Honourable Sir,

FOr this time, I pray you, accept in good part from me a Bottle made of a Serpentine Stone, which hath the quality to give any Wine or Water that shall be infused therein, for four and twenty hours, the taste and operation of the Span∣water, and is very medicinable for the Cure of the Spleen and the Gravel, as I am informed: But sure I am, that Sir Walter Raloigh put a value upon it, he having obtained it amongst the Spoils of the Governour of St. Omy, in his last fatal Expedition, and by his Page understood the vertues thereof, and that his Captain highly esteemed it. And sure∣ly, some good Cures it hath wrought since it came into my hands, for those two infirmities, &c.

Etracted from a Letter of the Earl of Cork, written to Sir Henry Wotton, Decemb. 22. 1636.

SIR,

FIrst, I must thank you for the fruition of your L. at life here, though it was too short. Next, for your Pictures; whereof I return one by this first Boat, and retain the other longer by your courtesie.

Thirdly, and most of all, for a promise which I receive from you by my Servant, or at least a hope, that you will send me some of your own rural Poe∣sie: That will be a nearer image of your inward self, especially when you were retired into your self. I do therefore expect it greedily by this; for I well remember to have seen some lines that flowed

from you vvith much strength and grace. When you have any great piece of news, I pray now and then Candidus Imperti to

Your professed Servant, H. WOTTON.

SIR,

ALthough I am novv a retired and cloystered man, yet there do still hang upon me, I know not how, some reliques of an harken∣ing humour.

The easiest vvay for you to quench this appetite in your poor Friend, is to empty your self into my Servant, vvhom I send to salute you, and to knovv two things.

First, vvhether you be of the Parliament your self. Next, vvhether I should be sorry that I am not of it. You can by this time resolve me of both. We are here only fed vvith certain Airs of good Hope, Camelions food.

More I will not say novv, and you see by this little, hovv tender I am to usurp upon your time: Yet before I end, let me ask a third question; Have you no playing and breathing days? If you be of the House, might you not start hither for a night or two? The interposing of a little Philosophical diet, may perchance lighten a mans spirits sur∣charged vvith publick thoughts, and prevent a surfeit of State. Howsoever, hold me fast in your love; and Gods mercy be vvhere you are.

Your poor Friend and Servant, Alla suiscerata, H. WOTTON.

To Dr. C. 1638.

Worthy Sir,

I Find in the bowels of your last (which I re∣ceived yesternight, shall I say by your or by my Nicholas) much harsh and stiff matter from Scotland, and I believe insusceptible of any farther Concoction, unless it be with much time, quod concoquit omnia. But let me lay all publick thoughts aside for the present, having now with you a bosome-business, which may perhaps fall out to concern us more here. Our Nicholas (for I account him at least halfed between us) tells me that you have good means to know when — will be in Town. About whom you may perhaps have heard of certain (as I think for my part) well conceived wishes (though but yet in the Air) touching a vertuous conjunction between him and —; so dear unto me, both in my affection and judgement, and in all respects, that if our nearness in blood did not make me more tender to violate mine own modesty, then I need to be with such a Friend as you are; I would boldly say, that there are few better Matches in this Kingdome, for the indowments of her Person and Fortune; nor in the whole World, for the sweetness and goodness of her Mind. And on the other side, albeit I have no acquaintance with the Gentleman; yet I hear likewise so much good of him, as makes me wish I had more interest in his familiarity. I write this from whence I wrote my last unto you, being on my wings towards Canterbury; whence I shall

(〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) return hither again within six or seven dayes. And this Bearer, my domestick Friend (a German Gentleman of value) will from London meet me at Canterbury, by whom I shall be glad to hear from you, about what time the fore∣said — is expected of return to the City, and any thing else that you shall think fit to be told me: But I pray let this privacy which I have passed with you, sleep between us.

As I rest in your Love, H. WOTTON.

To Sir C. C.

SIR,

LEt me first thank you much for that Rural Communication with your own Thoughts, the best of all Companions. I was first ta∣ken with the Virginity (as I may say) of the in∣scription in our Vulgar. Next, with a natural suavity in the Elocution; which, though it be Ly∣rical, yet it shews you can put on the Buskin when you list: And when you are tempted again to soli∣cite your own spirits, I would fain have you ven∣ture upon some Tragical Subject, though you bor∣row it out of Arabia; For I am glad our England cannot yield it. I hear, for matter of Novelty, That Sir Thomas Roe (a well-chosen Instrument) is to take his leave on Sunday next at Court, being designed to be one of the great Synod of Protestant

Ambassadors, that are to meet at Hamborough; which to me sounds like an Antiphone to the other malign Conjunction at Colen. And so (Sir) committing you to Gods dear love, I rest,

At your Commands, H. W.

Sir, I retain your Poem for a Pawn that I shall have the rest.

And I send you a few poor Lines, which my pains did beget: I pray keep them under your own fa∣vourable judgement, and impart them tenderly to others; for I fear that even the best of our thoughts may be vainly clothed.

SIR,

I Had sooner given you an account of your two last kind Letters, even for mine own sake, upon whom otherwise you should have had just cause to bestow no more of your excellent in∣telligence; But that I have had this my servant (and I can assure you as much yours) every day upon his wings towards you a pretty while.

To abbreviate Complement, which never agreed with my Nature. In a few plain words, both my self, and all about me are yours.

Sir, I was glad by your last, to see in the Scot∣tish Ruptures a Thread of Hope yet left. It is like an Instrument wholly out of tune, but yet not all the strings broken or cut; especially if it be true, which is here voiced with us, that my Lord —

a popular Orator, is sent thither to smooth the way towards a pacifical Treaty, between certain of the Kings Deputation, and others of the Covenant.

This Bearer will tell you what we hear of certain rumorous Surmises at N. and the Neighbouring Towns, God (who is himself the true Center of Rest) make us all quiet, and have you in his Love.

By your affectionate, professed poor Friend, H. WOTTON.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Mar. 6. 1635.