they could have Gentlemen of good quality that would undertake it yet if I would take it upon me they would employ no other and assur'd me that the employment should tend both to my benefit and credit Now the business is this Ther was a great Turky ship call'd the Vineyard sailing through the Streights towards Constantinople but by distress of weather she was forc'd to put into a little Port call'd Milo in Sardinia The searchers came aboard of her and finding her richly laden for her cargazon of broad cloth was worth the first peny neer upon 30000 l. they cavell'd at some small proportion of lead and tin which they had only for the use of the ship which the Searchers alleged to be ropa de contrabando prohibited goods for by Article of Peace nothing is to be carried to Turky that may arm or vittle The Vice-Roy of Sardinia hereupon seizd upon the whole ship and all her goods landed the Master and men in Spain who coming to Sir Charls Corawalles then Ambassador at the Courâ—… Sir Charles could do them little good at present therfore they came to England and complaind to the King and Counsell his Majesty was so sensible hereof that he sent a particular Commission in his own royall Name to demand a restitution of the ship and goods and justice upon the Vice-Roy of Sardinia who had so apparently broke the Peace and wrongd his Subjects Sir Charles with Sir Paul Piâ—…dar a while labourd in the business and commenc'd a sute in Law but he was calld home before he could do any thing to purpose After him Sir Iohn Digby now Lord Digby went Ambassador to Spain and amongst other things he had that particular Commission from his Majesty invested in him to prosecut the sute in his own royall Name Therupon he sent a well qualified Gentleman Mr Walsingham Gâ—…sley to Sardinia who unfortunately meeting with som men of War in the passage was carried prisoner to Algier My Lord Digby being remanded home left the business in Mr Cotingtons hands then Agent but reassum'd it at his return yet it prov'd such a tedious intricate sute that he return'd again without finishing the work in regard of the remoteness of the Island of Sardinia whence the witnesses and other dispatches were to be fetchd The Lord Digby is going now Ambassador extraordinary to the Court of Spain upon the business of the match the restitution oâ—… the Palatinate and other high affairs of State therfore he is desirous to transmit the Kings Commission to ching this particular business to any gentleman that is capable to follow it and promiseth to assist him with the utmost of his power and he saith he hath good reason to do so in regard he hath now a good round share himself in it About this busines I am now preparing to go to Spain in company of the Ambassador and I shall kiss the Kings hands as his Agent touching this particular Commission I humbly intreat that your blessing and prayers may accompany me in this my new employment which I have undertaken upon very good terms touching expences reward So with my dear love to my brothers and sisters with other kindred and friends in the countrey I rest London 8 Sept. 1623. Your dutifull Son J. H. VII To Sir Tho Savage Knight and Baronet at his house in Long-Melford honble SIR I Receivd your commands in a Letter which you sent me by Sir Iohn North and I shall not fail to serve you in those particulars It hath pleased God to dispose of me once more for Spain upon a business which I hope will make me good returns ther have two Ambassadors and a royall Agent follow'd it hitherto and I am the fourth that is employed in it I defer to trouble you with the particulars of it in regard I hope to have the happiness to kiss your hand at Tower hill before my departure which will not be till my Lord Digby sets forward He goes in a gallant splendid Equipage and one of the Kings ships is to take him in at Plymouth and transport him to the Corunnia or Saint Andeâ—…as Since that sad disaster which befell Archbishop Abbot to kill the man by the glancing of an arrow as he was shooting at a Deer which kind of death befell one of our Kings once in new Forrest ther hath bin a Commission awarded to debate whether upon this fact wherby he hath shed human bloud he be not to be depriv'd of his Archbishoprick and pronounc'd irregular som were against him but Bishop Andrews and Sir Henry Martin stood stifly for him that in regard it was no spontaneous act but a meer contingencie and that ther is no degree of men but is subject to misfortunes and casualties they declar'd positively that he was not to fall from his dignity or function but should still remain a regular and in statu quo prius during this debate he petitioned the King that he might be permitted to retire to his Almes-house at Guilford where he was born to pass the remainder of his life but he is now come to be again rectus in curia absolutely quitted and restor'd to all things But for the wife of him which was killd it was no misfortune to her for he hath endowed herself and her children with such an Estate that they say her Husband could never have got So I humbly kisse your hands and rest London 9 Nov. 1622. Your most obliged Serviâ—… J. H. VIII To Captain Nich Leat from Madrid at his house in London SIR I Am safely com to the Court of Spain and although by reason of that misfortune which befell Mr Altham and me of wounding the Sergeants in Lombardstreet we staied three weeks behind my Lord Ambassador yet we came hither time enough to attend him to Court at his first audience The English Nation is better lookd on now in Spain than ordinary because of the hopes ther are of a match which the Merchant and comunalty much desire though the Nobility and Gentry be not so forward for it so that in this point the puls of Spâ—… beats quite contrary to that of England where the people are â—…vers to this match and the Nobility with most part of the Gentry inclinable I have perusd all the papers I could get into my hands touching the business of the ship Vineyard and I find that they are higher than I in bulk though closely prest together I have cast up what iâ—… awarded by all the sentences of view and review by the Counsell of State War and I find the whole sum as wel principall as interest upon interest all sorts of damages and processall charges com to above two hundred and fifty thousand Crowns The Conde del Real quondam Viceroy of Sardinia who is adjudged to pay most part of this money is here and he is Mayordomo Lord steward to the Infante Cardinall if he hath wherwith I donbt not but to recover the money for I hope
knew as well as he how earnest the King their Master hath bin any time these ten years to have it don how ther could not be a better pawn for the surrendry of the Palatinat than the Infanta in the Prince his arms who would never rest till she did the work to merit love of our Nation He told him also how their owne particular fortunes depended upon 't besides if he should delay one moment to deliver the Proxy after the Ratification was com according to agreement the Infanta would hold her self so blemish'd in her honor that it might overthrow all things Lastly he told him that they incurr'd the hazard of their heads if they should suspend the executing his Majesties Commission upon any order but from that power which gave it who was the King himself hereupon both the Ambassadors proceeded still in preparing matters for the solemnizing of the mariage the Earl of Bristoll had caus'd above thirty rich Liveries to be made of watchet Velvet with silver lace up to the very capes of the Cloaks the best sorts wherof were valued at 80 l. a Livery My Lord Aston had also provided new Liveries and a fortnight after the said politic report was blown up the Ratification came indeed complete and full so the mariage day was appointed a Terrass cover'd all over with Tapestry was rais'd from the Kings Palace to the next Church which might be about the same extent as from White-Hall to Westminster Abbey and the King intended to make his sister a Wife and his daughter wherof the Queen was deliver'd a little before a Christian upon the same day the Grandes and great Ladies had been invited to the mariage and order was sent to all the Port Towns to discharge their great Ordnance and sundry other things were prepar'd to honor the solemnity but when wee were thus at the hight of our hopes a day or two before there came Mr. Killegree Gresley Wood and Davies one upon the neck of another with a new Commission to my Lord of Bristoll immediatly from his Majesty countermanding him to deliver the Proxy aforesaid untill a full and absolut satisfaction were had for the surrendry of the Palatinat under this Kings hand and Seal in regard he desir'd his Son should be married to Spain and his Son in law remarried to the Palatinat at one time hereupon all was dasht to peeces and that frame which was rearing so many years was ruin'd in a moment This news strook a damp in the hearts of all people here and they wisht that the Postillons that brought it had all broke their necks in the way My Lord of Bristoll hereupon went to Court to acquaint the King with his new Commission and so propos'd the restitution of the Palatinat the King answer'd 't was none of his to give 't is true he had a few Towns there but he held them as Commissioner only for the Emperor and he could not command an Emperor yet if his Majesty of great Britain would put a Treaty a foot hee would send his own Ambassadors to joyn In the interim the Earl was commanded not to deliver the foresaid Proxy of the Prince for the desposorios or espousall untill Christmas And herein it seems his Majesty with you was not well inform'd for those powers of Proxies expir'd before the King here said further that if his Uncle the Emperor or the Duke of Bavaria would not be conformable to reason he would raise as great an Army for the Prince Palsgrave as he did under Spinola when he first invaded the Palatinat and to secure this he would ingage his Contratation House of the West Indies with his Plate Fleet and give the most binding instrument that could be under his hand and Seal But this gave no satisfaction therfore my Lord of Bristoll I beleeve hath not long to stay here for he is commanded to deliver no more Letters to the Infanta nor demand any more audience and that she should be no more stiled Princess of England or Wales The foresaid Caution which this King offer'd to my Lord of Bristoll made me think of what I read of his Grandfather Philip the second who having been maried to our Queen Mary and it being thought she was with child of him and was accordingly prayed for at Pauls Cross though it proved afterward but a tympany King Philip prepos'd to our Parliament that they would pass an Act that he might be Regent during his or her minority that should be born and he would give good caution to surrender the Crown when he or she should com to age the motion was hotly canvas'd in the house of Peers and like to pass when the Lord Paget rose up and said I but who shall sue the Kings bond so the busines was dasht I have no more news to send you now and I am sory I have so much unless it were better for we that have busines to negotiat here are like to suffer much by this rupture welcom be the will of God to whose benediction I commend you and rest Madrid Aug. 25. 1623. Your most humble Servitor J. H. XXVII To the Right honble the Lord Clifford My good Lord THough this Court cannot afford now such comfortable news in relation to England as I could wish yet such as it is you shall receive My Lord of Bristoll is preparing for England I waited upon him lately when he went to take his leave at Court and the King washing his hands took a Ring from off his own finger and put it upon his which was the greatest honor that ever he did any Ambassador as they say here he gave him also a Cupbord of Plate â—…alued at 20000 Crowns There were also large and high promises made him that in case heâ—… feard to fall upon any rock in England by reason of the power of those who malignd him if hee would stay in any of his Dominions he would give him means and honor equall to the highest of his enemies The Earl did not only wave but disdaind these Propositions made unto him by Olivares and said he was so confident of the King his Masters justice and high judgment and of his own innocency that hee conceiv'd no power could be able to do him hurt Ther hath occurd nothing lately in this Court worth the advertisement They speak much of the strange carriage of that boisterous Bishop of Halverstad for so they term him here that having taken a place where there were two Monasteries of Nuns and Friers he caus'd divers feather-beds to be rip'd and all the feathers to be thrown in a great Hall whither the Nuns and Friers were thrust naked with their bodies â—…ld and pitchd and to tumble among these feathers which makes them here presage him an ill death So I most affectionately kiss your hands and rest Madrid Aug. 26. 1623. Your very humble Servitor J. H. XXVIII To Sir John North. SIR I Have many thanks to render you for the favor
protractions and puttings off you need not wonder that private negotiations as mine is should be subject to the same inconveniences Ther shall be no means left unattempted that my best industry can find out to put a period to it and when his Highnesse is gon I hope to find my Lord of Bristoll more at leasure to continue his favour and furtherance which hath been much already So I rest Madrid Aug. 19. 1623. Yours ready to servâ—… you J. H. XXIV To Sir James Crofts SIR THe Prince is now upon his jorney to the Sea side where my Lord of Rutland attends for him with a royall fleet Ther are many here shrink in their shoulders and are very sensible of his departure and the Lady Infanta resents it more than any she hath caus'd a Mass to be sung every day ever since for his good Voyage The Spaniards themselves confess ther was never Princes so bravely wooed The King and his two Brothers accompanied his Highnes to the Escurial some twenty miles off and would have brought him to the Sea side but that the Queen is big and hath not many days to go when the King and he parted there past wonderfull great endearments and embraces in divers postures between them a long time and in that place there is a Pillar to be erected as a Monument to Posterity Ther are some Grandes and Count Gondamar with a great train besides gone with him to the Marine to the Sea side which will be many days journey and must needs put the King of Spain to a mighty expence besides his seven months entertainment here we hear that when he past through Valladolid the Duke of Lerma was retired thence for the time by speciall command from the King left he might have discours with the Prince whom he extremely desir'd to see This sunk deep into the old Duke insomuch that he said that of all the acts of malice which Olivares had ever done him he resented this more than any He bears up yet very well under his Cardinalls habit which hatâ—… kept him from many a foul storm that might have faln upon him els from the temporall power The Duke of Uzeda his son finding himself to decline in favor at Court had retir'd to the Countrey and dyed soon after of discontentment During his sickness the Cardinall writ this short weighty Letter unto him Dizen me que Mareys de necio por mi mas temo mis anos qué mis Eâ—…igos Lerma I shall not need to English it to you who is so great a Master of the Language Since I began this Letter wee understand the Prince is safely embarqu'd but not without som danger of being cast away had not Sir Sackvill Trever taken him up I pray God send him a good voyage and us no ill news from England My most humble service at Tower-hill so I am Madrid Aug. 21. 1623. Your humble Servitor J. H. XXV To my Brother Doctor Howell My Brother SInce our Prince his departure hence the Lady Infanta studieth English apace and one Mr. Wadsworth and Father Boniface two Englishmen are appointed her teachers and have access to her every day We account her as it were our Princess now and as we give so she takes that Title Our Ambassadors my Lord of Bristoll and Sir Walter Astâ—…n will not stand now covered before her when they have audience because they hold her to be their Princess she is preparing divers suits of rich Cloaths for his Highness of persum'd Amber leather some embroder'd with Pearl some with Gold some with Silver her Family is a setling apace and most of her Ladies and Officers are known already we want nothing now but one dispatch more from Rome and then the marriage will be solemnizd and all things consummated yet there is one Mr. Clerk with the lame arm that came hither from the Sea side as soon as the Prince was gon hee is one of the Duke of Buckinghams creatures yet he lies at the Earl of Bristols house which we wonder at considering the darknes that hapned twixt the Duke and the Earl we fear that this Clerk hath brought somthing that may puzzle the busines Besides having occasion to make my address lately to the Venetian Ambassador who is interressed in som part of that great busines for which I am here he told me confidently it would be no match nor did he think it was ever intended But I want faith to believe him yet for I know Saint Mark is no friend to it nor France or any other Prince or State besides the King of Denmarck whose Grandmother was of the house of Austria being sister to Charles the Emperor Touching the busines of the Palatinate our Ambassadors were lately assur'd by Olivares and all the Counsellors here that in this Kings name that he would procure his Majestie of great Britain entire satisfaction herein and Olivares giving them the joy intreated them to assure their King upon their honor and upon their lives of the reality hereof for the Infanta her self said he hath stird in it and makes it now her own busines for it was a firm peace and amity which he confest could never be without the accommodation of things in Germany as much as an alliance which his Catholic Majesty aimd at But wee shall know shortly now what to trust to we shall walk no more in mists though som give out yet that our prince shall embrace a cloud for Iuno at last I pray present my service to Sir Iohn Franklin and Sir Iohn Smith with all at the Hill and Dale and when you send to Wales I pray convey the inclos'd to my Father So my dear brother I pray God bless us both and bring us again joyfully together Madrid Aug. 12. 1623. Your very loving Brother J. H. XXVI To my noble friend Sir John North Knight SIR I Receiv'd lately one of yours but it was of a very old date we have our eyes here now all fixd upon Rome greedily expecting the Ratification and lately a strong rumor ran it was com in so much Mr Clerk who was sent hither from the Prince being a shipboard and now lies sick at my Lord of Bristolls house of a Calenture hearing of it he desired to speak with him for he had somthing to deliver him from the Prince my Lord Ambassador being com to him Mr Clerk delivered a letter from the Prince the contents wherof were that wheras he had left certain Proxies in his hand to be deliverd to the King of Spain after the Ratification was com he desir'd and requir'd him not to do it till he should receive further order from England my Lord of Bristoll hereupon went to Sir Walter Aston who was in joynt Commission with him for concluding the match and shewing him the Letter what my Lord Aston said I know not but my Lord of Bristoll told him that they had a Commission Royall under the broad Seal of England to conclude the match he
alleg'd 't was his duty to officiat in that Church but the dignity of Cardinall and the quality of his Office being the Kings great Almner which makes him chief Curat of the Court gave him the prerogative I doubt not but your Lordship hath heard of the Capitulations but for better assurance I will run them over briefly The King of France oblig'd himself to procure the Dispensation the mariage should be celebrated in the same form as that of Queen Margaret and of the Dutchess of Bar her Dowrie should be 800000 Crowns six shillings a peece the one moitie to be paied the day of the Contract the other a twelvemonth after The Queen shall have a Chappell in all the Kings Roiall houses and any wher else where she shall recide within the Dominions of his Majestie of great Britain with free exercise of the Roman Religion for her self her Officers and all her Houshold for the celebration of the Mass the Predication of the Word Administration if the Sacraments and power to procure Indulgences from the Holy Father That to this end she shall be allow'd 28 Priests or Ecclesiasticks in her House and a Bishop in quality of Almoner who shall have jurisdiction over all the rest and that none of the Kings Officers shall have power over them unless in case of Treason therfore all her Ecclesiastics shall take the Oath of fidelitie to His Majestie of great Britain ther shall be a Cymitier or Church-yard clos'd about to burie those of her Family That in consideration of this mariage all English Catholics as well Ecclesiastics as Lay which shall be in any prison meerly for Religion since the last Edict shall be set at libertie This is the eighth Alliance we have had with France since the Conquest and as it is the best that could be made in Christendom so I hope it will prove the happiest So I kiss your hands being Your Lordships most humble Servitor J. H. Lond. Mar. 1 1625. XIII To the honble Sir Tho. Saâ—… SIR I Convers'd lately with a Gentleman that came from France who amongst other things discours'd much of the Favourit Richelieu who is like to be an active man and hath great designs The two first things he did was to make sure of England and the Hollander he thinks to have us safe enough by this mariage and Holland by a late League which was bought with a great sum of money for he hath furnish'd the States with a Million of Liures at two shillings a peece in present and six hundred thousand Liures every year of these two that are to com provided That the States repay these sums two years after they are in peace or truce The King press'd much for Liberty of Conscience to Roman Catholics amongst them and the Deputies promis'd to do all they could with the States Generall about it they Articled likewise for French to be associated with them in the trade to the Indies Monsieur is lately maried to Mary of Bourbon the Duke of Monpensiers Daughter he told her That he would be a better Husband than he had been a Suter to her for hee hung off a good while This mariage was made by the King and Monsieur hath for his apennage 100000 Liures annuall Rent from Chartres and Blois 100000 Liures Pension and 500000 to be charg'd yearly upon the generall receipts of Orleans in all about 70000 pounds Ther was much ado before this match could be brought about for ther were many opposers and ther be dark whispers that ther was a deep plot to confine the King to a Monastery and that Monsieur should govern and divers great ones have suffered for it and more are like to be discover'd So I take my leave for present and rest Lond. Mar. 10 1626. Your very humble and ready Servitor J. H. XIV To the Lady Jane Savage Marchioness of Winchester Excellent Lady I May say of your Grace as it was said once of a rare Italian Princess that you are the greatest Tyrant in the World because you make all those that see you your slaves much more them that know you I mean those that are acquainted with your inward disposition and with the faculties of your soul as well as the Phisnomy of your face for Vertue took as much pains to adorn the one as Nature did to perfect the other I have had the happines to know both when your Grace took pleasure to learn Spanish at which time when my betters far had offer'd their service in this kind I had the honor to be commanded by you often Hee that hath as much experience of you as I have had will confess that the handmaid of God Almighty was never so prodigall of her gifts to any or labour'd more to frame an exact modell of Femal perfection nor was dame Nature onely busied in this Work but all the Graces did consult and co-operat with her and they wasted so much of their Tresure to in rich this one peece that it may be a good reason why so many lame and defective fragments of Women-kind are daily thrust into the world I return you here inclos'd the Sonnet your Grace pleas'd to send me lately rendred into Spanish and fitted for the same Ayr it had in English both for cadence and number of feet With it I send my most humble thanks that your Grace would descend to command me in any thing that might conduce to your contentment and service for ther is nothing I desire with a greater Ambition and herein I have all the World my Rival than to be accounted Madame Your Grace's most humble and ready Servitor J. H. Lond. Mar. 15. 1626. X. To the Right honble the Lord Clifford My Lord I Pray be pleas'd to dispence with this slownes of mine in answering yours of the first of this present Touching the domestic occurrences the Gentleman who is Bearer hereof is more capable to give you account by discourse than I can in paper For forrain tidings your Lordship may understand that the Town of Breda hath bin a good while making her last will and testament but now ther is certain news com that she hath yeelded up the Ghost to Spinalo's hands after a tough siege of thirteen months and a circumvallation of neeâ—…r upon twenty miles compas My Lord of Southampton and his eldest son sickned at the siege and died at Berghen the adventrous Earl Henry of Oxford seeming to tax the Prince of Orange of slacknes to fight was set upon a desperat Work wher he melted his grease and so being carried to the Hague he died also I doubt not but you have heard of Graye Maurice's death which happen'd when the Town was pass'd cure which was his more than the States for he was Marquis of Breda and had neer upon thirty thousand dollars annual rent from her Therfore he seem'd in a kind of sympathy to sicken with his Town and died before her He had provided plentifully for all his Naturall children but
ever was taken on salt-water Add hereunto that while we were thus Masters of those Seas a Fleet of fifty sail of Brasil men got safe into Lisbon with four of the richest Caraâ—…ks that ever came from the East-Indies I hear my Lord of Saint Davids is to be remov'd to Bath and Wells and it were worth your Lordships comming up to endeavor the succeeding of him So I humbly rest Lond. 20 Novem. 1626. Your Lordships most ready Servitor J. H. XVIII To my Lord Duke of Buckinghams Grace at New-Market MAy it please your Grace to peruse and pardon these few Advertisements which I would not dare to present had I not hopes that the goodnes which is concomitant with your greatnes would make them veniall My Lord a Parliament is at hand the last was boisterous God grant that this may prove more calm A rumor runs that ther are Clouds already ingendred which will break out into a storm in the lower Regionâ—… and most of the drops are like to fall upon your Grace This though it be but vulgar Astrology is not altogether to bee contemn'd though I believe that His Majesties countenance reflecting so strongly upon your Grace with the brightnes of your own innocency may be able to dispell and scatter them to nothing My Lord you are a great Prince and all eyes are upon your actions this makes you more subject to envy which like the Sun beams beats alwayes upon rising grounds I know your Grace hath many sage and solid heads about you yet I trust it â—… will prove no offence if out of the late relation I have to your Grace by the recommendation of such Noble personages I put in also my Mite My Lord under favor it were not amiss if your Grace would be pleased to part with som of those places you hold which have least relation to the Court and it would take away the mutterings that run of multiplicity of Offices and in my shallow apprehension your Grace might stand more firm without an Anchor The Office of High Admirall in these times of action requires one whole man to execute it your Grace hath another Sea of businesses to wade through and the voluntary resigning of this Office would fill all men yea even your enemies with admiration and affection and make you more a Prince than detract from your greatnes If any ill successes happen at Sea as that of the Lord Wimbledons lately or if ther be any murmur for pay your Grace will be free from all imputations besides it will afford your Grace more leasure to look into your own affairs which lie confus'd and unsetled Lastly which is not the least thing this act will be so plausible that it may much advantage His Majesty in point of Subsidy Secondly it were expedient under correction that your Grace would be pleas'd to allot som set hours for audience and access of Suters and it would be less cumber to your Self and your Servants and give more content to the World which often mutters for difficulty of access Lastly it were not amiss that your Grace would settle a standing Mansion-house and Family that Suters may know whither to repair constantly and that your Servants evry one in his place might know what belongs to his place and attend accordingly for though confusion in a great Family carry a kind of state with it yet order and regularity gains a greater opinion of vertue and wisdom I know your Grace doth not nor needs not affect popularity It is true that the peoples love is the strongest Cittadell of a Soveraign Prince but to a great subject it hath often prov'd fatall for he who pulleth off his Hat to the People giveth his Head to the Prince and it is remarkable what was said of a late infortunat Earl who a little before Queen Elizabeths death had drawn the Ax upon his own Neck That he was grown so popular that he was too dangerous for the times and the times for him My Lord now that your Grace is threatned to be heav'd at it should behove evry one that oweth you duty and good will to reach out his hand som way or other to serve you Amonst these I am one that presumes to doe it in this poor impertinent Paper for which I implore pardon because I am Lond. 13 Febr. 1626. My Lord Your Grace's most humble and faithfull Servant J. H. XIX To Sir J. S. Knight SIR THer is a saying which carrieth no little weight with it that Parvus amor loquitur ingens stapet Small love speaks while great love stands astonish'd with silence The one keeps a tatling while the other is struck dumb with amazement like deep Rivers which to the eye of the beholder seem to stand still while small shallow Rivulets keep a noise or like empty Casks that make an obstreperous hollow sound which they would not do were they replenish'd and full of Substance T is the condition of my love to you which is so great and of that profoundnes that it hath been silent all this while being stupified with the contemplation of those high Favours and sundry sorts of Civilities wherwith I may say you have overwhelm'd me This deep Foard of my affection and gratitude to you I intend to cut out hereafter into small currents I mean into Letters that the cours of it may be heard though it make but a small bubling noise as also that the clearnes of it may appear more visible I desire my Service be presented to my noble Lady whose fair hands I humbly kiss and if shee want any thing that London can afford she need but command her and Lond. 11. of Febr 1626. Your most faithfull and ready Servitor J. H. XX. To the Right honble the Earl R. My Lord ACcording to promise and that portion of obedience I ow to your commands I send your Lordship these few Avisos som wherof I doubt not but you have received before and that by â—…bler pens than mine yet your Lordship may happily find herein somthing which was omitted by others or the former news made clearer by circumstance I hear Count Mansfelt is in Paris having now receiv'd three routings in Germany 't is thought the French King will peece him up again with new recruits I was told that as he was seeing the two Queens one day at Dinner the Queen-Mother said they say Count Mansfelt is here amongst this Croud I do not believe it quoth the young Queen For whensoever he seeth a Spaniard he runs away Matters go untowardly on our side in Germanie but the King of Denmark will be shortly in the field in person and Bethlem Gabor hath been long expected to do somthing but som think he will prove but a Bugbear Sir Charls Morgan is to go to Germanie with 6â—…00 Anxiliaries to joyn with the Danish Army The Parliament is adjourn'd to Oxford by reason of the sicknes which increaseth exceedingly and before the King went out of Town ther dyed
command given that no violence should be offered him that he might be reserv'd for the law and som exquisit torture The Queen grew half distracted hereupon who had been crown'd Queen of France the day before in great tryumph but a few days after she had something to countervail if not to overmatch her sorrow for according to Saint Lewis law she was made Queen Regent of France during the Kings Minority who was then but about years of Age Many consultations were held how to punish Revillas and ther were some Italiaâ—… Physitians that undertook to prescribe a torment that should last a constant torment for three days but he scap'd onely with this His body was pull'd between four horses that one might hear his Bones crack and after the dislocation they were set again and so he was carryed in a Cart standing half naked with a Torch in that hand which had committed the murrher and in the place where the act was done it was cut off and a Gauntlet of hot Oyl was clap'd upon the stump to stanch the bloud whereat he gave a dolefull shrike then was he brought upon a stage wher a new pair of Boots was provided for him half fill'd with boyling Oyl then his body was pincer'd and hot Oyl powr'd into the holes in al the extremity of this torture he scarce shew'd any sense of pain but when the Gauntlet was clap'd upon his Arms to stanch the Flux at which time he of reaking bloud gave a shrike onely He boar up against all these torments about three hours before he dyed all the confession that could be drawn from him was That he thought to have done God good service totake away that King which would have embroil'd all Christendom in an endlesse War A fatall thing it was that France should have theee of her Kings com to such violent deaths in so short a revolution of time Henry the second running at Tilt with Monsieur Montgomery was kill'd by a Splinter of a Lance that pierc'd his eye Henry the third not long after was kill'd by a young Fryer who in lieu of a Letter which he pretended to have for him pull'd out of his long sleeve a Knife and thrust him into the Bottom of the belly as he was coming from his Close stool and so dispatcht him but that Regicide was hack'd to peeces in the place by the Nobles The same destiny attended this King by Ravillac which is becom now a common name of reproach and infamy in France Never was King so much lamented as this ther are a world not onely of his Pictures but Statues up and down France and ther 's scarce a Market Town but hath him erected in the Market place or ore some Gate not upon Sign-posts as our Henry the eight and by a publick Act of Parliament which was confirmed in the Consistory at Rome he was entiâ—…led Henry the Great and so plac'd in the Temple of Immortality A notable Prince he was and of in admirable temper of body and mind he had a gracefull facetious way to gain both love and aw he would be never transported beyond himself with choler but he would passe by any thing with some repartie som witty strain wherein he was excellent I will instance in a few which were told me from a good hand One day he was charg'd by the Duke of Bovillon to have chang'd his Religion he answer'd No cosin I have chang'd no Religion but an Opinion And the Cardinall of Perron being by he injoyn'd him to write a Treatise for his Vindication the Cardinal was long about the work and when the King ask'd from time to time where his Book was he would still answer him That he expected som Manuscripts from Rome before he could finish it It happen'd that one day the King took the Cardinall along with him to look on his Workmen and new Buildings at the Louvre and passing by one corner which had bin a long time begun but left unfinished The King ask'd the chief Mason why that corner was not all this while perfected Sir it is because I want som choice Stones no no said the King looking upon the Cardinall It is because thou want'â—… Manuscripts from Rome Another time the old Duke of Main who was us'd to play the drol with him coming softly into his Bed-Chamber and thrusting in his Bald-head and Long-neck in a posture to make the King merry it happen'd the King was coming from doing his Ease and spying him he took the round Cover of the Close-stool and clap'd it on his Bald-Sconce saying Aâ—… Cousin you thought once to have taken the Crown off of my head and wear it on your own but this of my Tail shall now serve your turn Another time when at the siege of Amiâ—…ns he having sent for the Count of Soissons who had 100000 Franks a yeer Pension from the Crown to assist him in those wars and that the Count excused himself by reason of his yeers and poverty having exhausted himself in the former wars and all that he could do now was to pray for his Majesty which he would do heartily This answer being brought to the King he replied Will my Cousin the Count of Soissons do nothing else but pray for me tell him that Prayer without Fasting is not available therefore I will make my Cousin Fast also from his Pension of 100000. per annum He was once troubled with a fit of the Gout and the Spanish Ambassador coming then to visit him and saying he was sorry to see his Majesty so lame he answered As lame as I am if ther were occasion your Master the King of Spain should no sooner have his foot in the stirrop but he should find me on Horseback By these few you may guesse at the Genius of this spritfull Prince I could make many more instances but then I should exceed the bounds of a Letter When I am in Spain you shall hear further from me and if you can think on any thing wherin I may serve you beleeve it Sir that any imployment from you shall be welcom to Your much obliged Servant J. H. Paris 12. of May 1620. XIX To my Brother Dr. Howell BROTHER BEing to morrow to part with Paris and begin my journey for Spain I thought it not amisse to send you this in regard I know not when I shall have opportunity to write unto you again This Kingdom since the young King hath taken the Scepter into his own hands doth flourish very much with quietnes and Commerce nor is there any motion or the least tintamar of trouble in any part of the Countrey which is rare in France T is true the Queen Mother is discontented since She left her Regency being confin'd and I know not what it may com unto in time for she hath a strong party and the murthering of her Marquis of Ancre will yet bleed as som fear I was lately in societie of a Gentleman who was a Spectator of
Christendom they say ther are as many Gallies and Galeasses of all sorts belonging to Saint Mare either in Cours at Anchor in Dock or upon the Carine as ther be dayes in the yeer here they can build a compleat Gally in half a day and put her a float in perfect Equippage having all the ingredients fitted before hand as they did in three hours when Henry the third pass'd this way to France from Poland who wish'd that besides Pâ—…is and his Parliament Towns he had this Arsenal in exchange for three oâ—… his chiefest Cities Ther are three hundred people perpetually hero at Work and if one comes young and grows old in Saint Mâ—…es service he hath a Pension from the State during life Being brought to see one of the Clarissimos that governs this Arsenall this huge Sea Store House amongst other matters reflecting upon England he was saying That if Cavaglier Don Roberto Mansell were now here he thought verily the republic would make a proffer to him to be Admirall of that Fleet of Gallies and Galeons which are now going against the Duke of Ossuna and the Forces of Naples you are so well known here I was since I came hither in Murano a little Island about the distance of Lambeth from London wher Crystall-Glasse is made and 't is a rare sight to see a whole Street where on the one side ther are twenty Furnaces together at work They say here that although one should transplant a Glasse-Furnace from Murano to Venice her self or to any of the little assembly of Islands about her or to any other part of the Earth besides and use the same Materials the same Workmen the same Fuell the self same Ingredients every way yet they cannot make Crystall Glasse in that perfection for beauty and Iustre as in Murano som impute into the qualitie of the circumambient Ayr that hangs ore the place which is purified and attenuated by the concurrence of so many fires that are in those Furnaces night and day perpetually for they are like the Vestall fire which never goes out And it is well known that some Ayrs make more qualifying impressions then others as a Greekâ—…old â—…old me in Sicily of the Ayr of Egypt wher ther be huge common Furnaces to hatch Eggs by the thousands in Cameâ—…s Dung for during the time of hatching if the Ayr happen to come to be overcast and grow cloudy it spoyls all if the Skie continue still serene and clear not one Egg in a hundred will miscaâ—…ry I met with Camillo your Consaorman here lately and could he be sure of entertainment he would return to serve you again and I believe for lesse-salary I shall attend your commands herein by the next and touching other particulars wherof I have written to Captain Bacon So I rest Venice May the 30 1621 Your most humble and ready Servant J. H. XXIX To my Brother from Venice Brother I Found a Letter of yours that had lain dormant here a good while in Mr. Symns hands to welcom me to Venice and I thank you for the variety of news wherwith she went sreighted for she was to me as a Ship richly laden from London useth to be to our Marchants here and I esteem her Cargazon at no lesse a value for she inrich'd me with the knowledg of my Fathers health and your own with the rest of my Brothers and Sisters in the Countrey with divers other passages of contentment besides she went also ballasted with your good instructions which as Marchants use to do of their commodities I will turn to the best advantage and Italy is no ill Market to improve any thing the onely procede that I may use the mercantil term you can expect is thanks and this way I shall not be wanting to make you rich returns Since I came to this Town I dispatch'd sundry businesses of good value for Sir Robert Mansell which I hope will give content The art of Glasse-making here is very highly valued for whosoever be of that profession are Gentlemen ipso facto and it is not without reason it being a rare kind of knowledg and chymistry to transmute Dust and Sand for they are the onely main Ingredients to such a diaphanous pellucid dainty body as you see a Crystal-Glasse is which hath this property above Gold or Silver or any other minerall to admit no poyson as also that it never wastes or loseth a whit of its first weight though you use it never so long When I saw so many sorts of curious Glasses made here I thought upon the complement which a Gentleman put upon a Lady in England who having five or six comly Daughters said He never saw in his life such a dainty Cupboard of Crystall-Glasses the complement proceeds it seems from a saying they have here That the first handsom Woman that ever was made was made of Venice-Glasse which implies Beuty but brittlenes withall and Venice is not unfurnish'd with som of that mould for no place abounds more with Lasses and Glasses but considering the brittlenes of the Stuff it was an odd kind of melancholly in him that could not be perswaded but he was an Urinal surely he deserv'd to be piss'd in the mouth But when I pried into the Materials and observ'd the Furnaces and the Calcinations the Transubstantintions the Liquefactions that are incident to this Art my thoughts were rais'd to a higher speculation that if this small Furnace-fire hath vertue to convert such a small lump of dark Dust and Sand into such a specious clear Body as Crystall surely that gran Universall-site which shall happen at the day of judgment may by its violent-ardor vitrifie and turn to one lump of Crystall the whole Body of the Earth nor am I the first that fell upon this conceit I will in large my self no further to you at this time but conclude with this Tetrastic which my Brain ran upon in my Bed this morning Vistrea sunt nostrae comissa negotia curae Hoc oculis speculum mittimus ergo luis Quod speculum Est instar speculi mea littera per quod Vivida fraterni cordis imago nitet Adieu my dear Brother live happily and love Ven the 1. of June 1621. Your Brother J. H. XXX To Mr. Richard Altham at Grayes-Inne from Venice Gentle Sir O dulcior illo Melle quod in ceris Attica ponit apis O thou who dost in sweetnesse far excell That Iuycc the Attic Bee store's in her cell My dear Dick I Have now a good while since taken footing in Venice this admired Maidâ—… Citie so call'd because she was never deflour'd by any enemy since she had a being not since her Rialto was first erected which is now above twelve Ages ago I protest unto you at my first landing I was for som dayes ravish'd with the high beuty of this Maid with her lovely countenance I admir'd her magnificent buildings her marvailous situation her dainty smooth neat streets wheron you may walk most
Governour of Milan Eats but the Viceroy of Naples devoures Our English Merchants here beat a considerable Trade and their Factors live in better Equippage and in a more splendid manner as in all Italy besides then their Masters and Principalls in London they ruffle in Silks and Sattins and wear good Spanish Leather-Shooes while their Masters-Shooes upon our Exchange in London shine with Blacking At Puzzoli not far off amongst the Grotts ther are so many strange stupendous things that nature her self seem'd to have studied of purpose how to make her self there admir'd I reserve the discoursing of them with the nature of the Tarantola and Manna which is gatherd'd here and no wher else with other things till I shall see you for they are fitter for discours then a Letter I will conclude with a Proverb they have in Italy of this people Napolitano Largo di bocca stretto di mano The Neapolitans Have wide mouths but narrow hands They make strong Masculin promises but Femal performances for deeds are men and words are women and if in a whole floud of complements one find a drop of reality t is well The first acceptance of a Courtesie is accounted the greatest incivility that can be amongst them and a ground for a quarrell as I heard of a German Gentleman that was baffled for accepting one onely invitation to a dinner So desiring to be preserv'd still in your good opinion and in the rank of your seravants I rest alwayes most ready At Your disposing J. H. Naples Octob. the 1. 1621. XL. To Christopher Jones Esq at Grayes-Inne from Naples Honoured Father I Must still stile you so since I was adopted your Son by so good a Mother as Oxford My mind lately prompted me that I â—…ould commit a great Soloecisme if amongst the rest of my frends 〈◊〉 England I should leave you unsaluted whom I love so dearly â—…ell specially having such a fair and pregnant opportunity as â—…e hand of this worthy Gentleman your Cousin Morgan who 〈◊〉 now posting hence for England He will tell you how it fares â—…ith me how any time these thirty and odd months I have bin â—…ss'd from shore to shore and pass'd under various Meridians â—…d am now in this voluptuous and luxuriant City of Naples â—…nd though these frequent removes and tumblings under climes 〈◊〉 differing temper were not without som danger yet the deâ—…ght which accompanied them was far greater and it is impossiâ—…e for any man to conceive the true pleasure of Peregrination â—…t he who actually enjoyes and puts it in practise Beleeve it 〈◊〉 that one yeer well employed abroad by one of mature judgment which you know I want very much advantageth more in â—…int of usefull and solid knowledge then three in any of our â—…iversities You know Running Waters are the purest so they â—…t traverse the VVorld up and down have the cleerâ—…st underâ—…ndings being faithfull ey-witnesses of those things which â—…her receive but in trust whereunto they must yeeld an intuitive â—…nsent and a kind of implicit faith VVhen I pass'd through 〈◊〉 parts of Lombardy amongst other things I observ'd the Phyâ—…gnomies and Complexions of the peeple men and women â—…d I thought I was in VVales for divers of them have a cast of â—…untenance and a neerer resemblance with our Nation then â—…y I ever saw yet And the reason is obvious for the Romansâ—…ing â—…ing bin neer upon three hundred yeers amongst us where â—…ey had four Legions before the English Nation or Language â—…d any being by so long a coalition and tract of time 〈◊〉 two Nations must needs copulat and mix Insomuch that I beleeve ther is yet remaining in Wales many of 〈◊〉 Roman race and divers in Italy of the Brittish Amongst 〈◊〉 resemblances one was in their prosody and vein of 〈◊〉 or riming which is like our Bards who hold agnominations aâ—… enforcing of consonant words or syllables one upon the otherâ—… be the greatest elegance As for example in Welsh Tewgris 〈◊〉 dyrris ty'r derrin gwillt c. So have I seen divers old rimes Italian running so as Donne O danno â—…he Febo affranto 〈◊〉 In selva salvo a me Piu caro cuore c. Being lately in Rome amongst other Pasquills I met with 〈◊〉 that was against the Scot though it had som gawl in 't yet it 〈◊〉 a great deal of wit specially towards the conclusion so that think if King Iames saw it he would but laugh at it As I remember som yeers since ther was a very abusive 〈◊〉 in Vers brought to our King and as the passages were a 〈◊〉 before him he often said That if ther were no more men England the rogue should hang for it at last being com to 〈◊〉 conclusion which was after all his railing Now God preserve the King the Queen the Peers And grant the Author long may wear his Ears This pleas'd His Majesty so well that he broke into a 〈◊〉 and said By my Sol so thou shalt for me Thou art a bitter 〈◊〉 thou art a witty Knave When you write to Monmouthshire I pray send my respects my Tutor Master Moor Fortune and my service to Sir 〈◊〉 Williams and according to that relation which was 'twixt us Oxford I rest Naples 8. Octob. 1621. Your Constant Son to serve you J. H. XLI To Sir J. C. from Florence SIR THis Letter comes to kisse your hands from fair Florence a Citie so beutifull that the great Emperour Charls the fifth said That she was fitting to be shewn and seen onely upon Holidayes She marvailously flourisheth with Buildings with Wealth and Artisans for it is thought that in Serges which is but one commodity ther are made two millions evry yeer All degrees of people live here not onely well but splendidly well notwithstanding the manifold exactions of the Duke upon all things For none can buy here Lands or Houses but he must pay eight in the hundred to the Duke none can hire or build a House but he must pay the tenth penny none can marry or commerce suite in Law but ther 's a Fee to the Duke none can bring as much as an Egg or Sallet to the Market but the Duke hath share therinna Moreover Ligorn which is the Key of Toscany being a Maritim and a great Mercantil Town hath mightily inrich'd this Countrey by being a Frank Port to all comers and a safe rendevouz to Pyrats as well as to Marchants Add hereunto that the Duke himself in som respect is a Marchant for he somtimes ingrosseth all the Corn of the Countrey and retails it at what rate he pleaseth This inables the Duke to have perpetually 20000 men inroll'd train'd up and payed and none but they can carry Arms he hath 400 Light-Horse in constant pay and 100 men at Arms besides and all these quartered in so narrow a compasse that he can command them all to Florence in twenty four hours He hath twelve Gallies two Galeons and six Galeasses besides and
the Hague in Holland having made a long progres or rather a pilgrimage about Germany from Prague The old Duke of Bavaria his Uncle is chosen Elector and Arch sâ—…wer of the Roman Empire in his place but as they say in an imperfect Diet and with this proviso that the transferring of this Election upon the Bavarian shall not prejudice the next heir Thâ—…r is one Count Mansfelt that begins to get a great name in Germany and he with the Duke of Brunswick who is a temporall Bpp. of Halverstade have a considerable Army on foot for the Lady Elizabeth which in the low Countreys and som parts of Germany is called the Queen of Boheme and for her winning Princely comportment thâ—… Queen of Hearts Sir Arthur Chichester is come back from the Palatinate much complaining of the small Army that was sent thither under Sir Horace Vere which should have been greater or none at all My Lord of Buckingham having been long since Master of the Horse at Court is now made Master also of all the woodâ—…n Horses in the Kingdom which indeed are our best Horses for he is to be High Admirall of England so he is becom Dominus Equorum Aquarum The late Lord Threâ—… Cranfield grows alâ—…o very powerfull but the City hates him for having betrayed their greatest secrets which he was capable to know more than another having been formerly a Merchant I think I shall have no opportunity to write to you again till I bet other side of the Sea therfore I humbly take my leave and ask your blessing that I may the better prosper in my proceedings So I am Your dutifull Son J. H. March 19. 1621. XIII To Sir John Smith Knight SIR THe first ground I set foot upon after this my second transmaâ—… voyage was Trevere the Scots Staple in Zeland thence 〈◊〉 sail'd to Holland in which passage we might see divers Steeples and Turâ—…ets under water of Towns that as we were told were swallowed up by a Dâ—…luge within the memory of man we went afterwards to the Hague where ther are hard by though in severall places two wonderfull things to be seen one of Art the other of Nature That of Art is a Waggon or Ship or a Monster mixâ—… of both like the Hippocentaure who was half man and half horse this Engin hath wheels and sayls that will hold above twenty people and goes with the wind being drawn or mov'd by nothing els and will run the wind being good and the sayls hois'd up above fifteen miles an hour upon the even hard sands they say this invention was found out to entertain Spinola when he came hither to treat of the last Truce That wonder of Nature is a Church-Monument where an Earl and a Lady are engraven with 365 Children about them which were all delivered at one birth they were half male half femal the Bason hangs in the Church which carried them to be Christned and the Bishops Name who did it and the Story of this Miracle with the year and the day of the month mentioned which is not yet 200 years ago and the Sâ—…ory is this That Countesse walking about her door after dinner ther came a Begger-woman with two children upon her back 〈◊〉 beg alms the Countesse asking whether those children were her own she answered she had them both at one birth and by one father who was her husband The Countesse would not onely give her aâ—…y alms but revil'd her bitterly saying it was impossible for one man to get two children at once The begger-woman being thus provok'd with ill words and without alms fell to imprecations that it should please God to shew his judgment upon her and that she might bear at one birth aâ—… many children as ther be dayes in the year which she did before the same years end having never born child before We are now in North Holland where I never saw so many amongst so few sick of Lâ—…prosies and the reason is because they commonly eat abundance of fresh Fish A Gentleman told me that the women of this Countrey when they are delivered ther comes out of the womb a living creature besides the child call'd Zuâ—…chie likest to a Bat of any other creature which the Midwiâ—…s throw into the 〈◊〉 holding sheets before the chimney lest iâ—… should fly away Master Altham desires his service be presented to You and your Lady to Sir Iohn Franklin and all at the Hill the like doe I humbly crave at your hands the Italian and French Manuscripts you pleas'd to favour me withall I leâ—… at Mr. Seiles the Stationer whence if you have them not already you may please to send for them So in all affection I kisse your hands and am Your humble Servitor J. H. Trevere 10th of Apr. 1622. XIV To ' the Right honble the Lord Vicount Colchester after Earl Rivers Right honble THe commands your Lopp pleas'd to impose upon me when I left England and those high favors wherin I stand bound to your Lopp call upon me at this time to send your Lopp â—…om small fruits of my forren Travell Marquis Spinola is return'd from the Palatinat where he was so fortunat that like Caesar 〈◊〉 came saw and overcame notwithstanding that huge Army of the Princes of the Union consisting of forty thousand men wheras his was under twenty but made up of old â—…ough blades and veteran Commanders He hath now chang'd his coaâ—… and taken up his old Commission again from Don Philippo wheras during that expedition he call'd himself Caesars servant I hear the Emperor hath transmitted the upper Palatinat to the Duke of Bavaria as caution for those moneys he hath expended in these wars And the King of Spain is the Emperors Commissary for the lower Palatinat They both pretend that they were bound to obey the Imperiall summons to assist Caesar in these wars the one as he was Duke of Burgundy the other of Bavaria both which Countreys are â—…eudetarie to the Empire els they had incurr'd the Imperiall bun It is'fear'd this German war will be as the Frenchman saith de longue halaine long breath'd â—…or ther are great powers on both sides and they say the King of Denmark is arming Having made a leasurely so journ in this Town I had spare houâ—… to couch in writing a survay of these Countreys which I have now traversd the second time but in regard it would be a great bulk for a Letter I send it your Lopp apart and when I return to England I shall be bold to attend your Lopp for correction of my faults In the interim I rest Antwerp May 1. 1622. My Lord Your thrice humble Serviv J. H. XV A survey of the seventeen Provinces My Lord TO attempt a precise description of each of the seventeen Provinces and of its Progression Privileges and Primitive government were a task of no lesse confusion than labour Let it suffice to know that since Flanders and Holland were erected to Earldoms and
their days in meditation and in preparing themselves for another world Charles the Emperor shew'd them the way who left the Empire to his brother and all the rest of his Dominions to his son Philip the second and so taking with him his two sisters he retir'd into a Monastery they into a Nunnery this doth not suit well with the genius of an Englishman who loves not to pull off his cloaths till he goes to bed I will conclude with some Verses I saw under a huge Rodomontado picture of the Duke of Lerma wherin he is painted like a Giant bearing up the Monarchy of Spain that of France and the Popedom upon his shoulders with this Stanza Sobre les ombros d'este Atlante Yazen en aquestos dias Estas tres Monarquias Upon the shoulders of this Atlas lies The Popedom and two mighty Monarchies So I most humbly kiss your Lordships hands and rest ever most ready Madrid 3 Febr. 1622. At your Lordships command J. H. XII To my Father SIR ALL affairs went on fairly here specially that of the match when Master Endymion Porter brought lately my Lord of Bâ—…istoll a dispatch from England of a high nature wherin the Earl is commanded to represent unto this King how much his Majesty of great Britain since the beginning of these German wars hath labourd to merit well of this Crown and of the whole House of Austria by a long and lingring patience grounded still upon assurances hence that care should be had of his honor his Daughters joynture and grand-childrens patrimony yet how crosly all things had proceeded in the Treaty at Bruxells manag'd by Sir Richard Weston as also that in the Palatinat by the Lord Chichester how in treating time the Town and Castle of Heidelberg were taken Manbeim besieg'd and all acts of Hostility us'd notwithstanding the fair professions made by this King the Infanta at Bruxells and other his Ministers How meerly out of respect to this King he had neglected all Martiall means which probably might have preserv'd the Palatinat those thin Garrisons which he had sent thither being rather for honors sake to keep a footing untill a generall accommodation than that he relyed any way upon their strength And since that there are no other fruits of all this but reproach and scorn and that those good Offices which he us'd towards the Emperor on the behalf of his Son in law which he was so much encouraged by Letters from hence should take effect have not sorted to any other issue than to a plain affront and a high injuring of both their Majesties though in a different degree The Earl is to tell him that his Majesty of great Britain hopes and desires that out of a true apprehension of these wrongs offerd unto them both he will as his dear and loving brother faithfully promise and undertake upon his honor confirming the same under his hand and seal either that Heidelberg shall be within seventy days rendred into his hands as also that ther shall be within the said term of seventy days a suspension of arms in the Palatinat and that a Treaty shall recommence upon such terms as he propounded in November last which this King held then to be reasonable And in case that this be not yeelded unto by the Emperor that then this King joyn forces with his Majesty of England for the recovery of the Palatinat which upon this trust hath been lost or in case his forces at this time be otherwise employ'd that they cannot give his Majesty that assistance he desires and deserves that at least he will permit a free and friendly passage through his Territories for such Forces as his Mejesty of great Britain shall employ into Germany Of all which if the Earl of Bristoll hath not from the King of Spain a direct assurance under his hand and Seal ten days after his audience that then he take his leave and return to England to his Majesties presence els to proceed in the negotiation of the match according to former instructions This was the main substance of his Majesties late letter yet there was a postill added that in case a rupture happen 'twixt the two Crowns the Earl should not com instantly and abruptly â—…way but that he should send advice first to England and carry the busines so that the world should not presently know of it Notwithstanding all these traverses we are confident here that the match will take otherwise my Cake is Dow. There was a great difference in one of the capitulations 'twixt the two Kings how long the children which should issue of this marriage were to continue sub regimine Matris under the tutele of the Mother This King demanded 14 years at first then twelve but now he is come to nine which is newly condescended unto I receiv'd yours of the first of September in another from Sir Iames Crofts wherin it was no small comfort to me to hear of your health I am to go hence shortly for Sardinia a dangerous voyage by reason of Algier Pirats I humbly desire your prayers may accompany Madrid 23 Febr. 1622. Your dutifull Son J. H. XIII To Sir James Crofts Knight SIR YOurs of the second of October came to safe hand with the inclos'd you write that there came dispatches lately from Rome wherin the Pope seems to endevour to insinuat himself into a direct treaty with England and to negotiat immediatly with our King touching the dispensation which he not only labours to evade but utterly disclaims it being by Article the task of this King to procure all dispatches thence I thank you for sending me this news You shall understand there came lately an express from Rome also to this Court touching the business of the match which gave very good content but the dispatch and new instructions which Mr. Endymion Porter brought my Lord of Bristoll lately from England touching the Prince Palatinat fills us with apprehensions of fear Our Ambassadors here have had audience of this King already about those Propositions and we hope that Master Porter will carry back such things as will satisfie Touching the two points in the Treaty wherin the two Kings differ'd most viz. about the education of the children and the exemption of the Infanta's Ecclesiastic servants from secular jurisdiction both these points are clear'd for the Spaniard is com from fourteen years to ten and for so long time the Infant Princes shall remain under the mothers government And for the other point the Ecclesiasticall Superior shall first take notice of the offence that shall be committed by any spirituall person belonging to the Infanta's family and according to the merit therof either deliver him by degradation to the secular justice or banish him the Kingdom according to the quality of the delict and it is the same that is practis'd in this Kingdom and other parts that adhere to Rome The Conde de Monterrey goes Vice-roy to Naples the Marquis de Montesclaros being
trust while I was in this suspence Mr. Secretary Câ—…way sent for me and propos'd unto me that the King had occasion to send a Gentleman to Italy in nature of a moving Agent and though he might have choice of persons of good quality that would willingly undertake this employment yet understanding of my breeding he made the first proffer to me and that I should go as the Kings Servant and have allowance accordingly I humbly thank'd him for the good opinion he pleas'd to conceive of me being a stranger to him and desir'd som time to consider of the proposition and of the nature of the imployment so he granted me four daies to think upon 't and two of them are pass'd already If I may have a support accordingly I intend by Gods grace desiring your consent and blessing to go along to apply my self to this cours but before I part with England I intend to send you further notice The sicknes is miraculously decreas'd in this City and Suburbs for from two and fiftie hundred which was the greatest number that died in one week and that was som fourty daies since they are now fallen to three hundred It was the violent'st â—…t of contagion that ever was for the time in this Island and such as no story can parallell but the Ebb of it was more swift than the Tide My brother is well and so are all your friends here for I do not know any of your acquaintance that 's dead of this furious infection Sir Iohn Walter ask'd me lately how you did and wish'd me to remember him to you So with my love to all my Brothers and Sisters and the rest of my friends which made so much of me lately in the Countrey I rest London 7 Aug. 1626. Your dutifull Son J. H. XXV To the right honble the Lord Conway Principall Secretary of State to his Majesty at Hampton Court Right honble SInce I last attended your Lopp here I summond my thoughts to Counsell and canvas'd to and fro within my self the busines you pleas'd to impart unto me for going upon the Kings Service to Italy I considered therin many particulars First the weight of the imployment what maturity of judgement discretion and parts are requir'd in him that will personat such a man next the difficulties of it for one must send somtimes light out of darknes and like the Bee suck Honey out of bad as out of good Flowers thirdly the danger which the undertaker must convers withall and which may fall upon him by interception of Letters or other cross casualties lastly the great expence it will require being not to remain Sedentary in one place as other Agents but to be often in itinerary motion Touching the first I refer my self to your Honours favourable opinion and the Character which my Lord S. and others shall give of me for the second I hope to overcom it for the third I weigh it not so that I may merit of my King and Countrey for the last I crave leave to deal plainly with your Lopp that I am a Cadet and have no other patrimony or support but my breeding therfore I must breath by the imployment And my Lord I shall not be able to perform what shall be expected at my hands under one hundred pounds a quarter and to have bills of credit accordingly Upon these terms my Lord I shall apply my self to this Service and by Gods blessing hope to answer all expectations So referring the premisses to your Noble consideration I rest London Sept. 8. 1626. My Lord Your very humble and ready Servitor J. H XXVI To my Brother after Dr. Howell now Bishop of Bristoll My brother NExt to my Father 't is fitting you should have cognisance of my affairs and fortunes You heard how I was in agitation for an employment in Italy but my Lord Conway demurr'd upon the salary I propounded I have now wav'd this cours yet I came off fairly with my Lord for I have a stable home emploiment proffer'd me by my Lord Scroop Lord President of the North who sent for me lately to Worcester House though I never saw him before and there the bargain was quickly made that I should go down with him to York for Secretary and his Lordship hath promis'd me fairly I will see you at your House in Horsley before I go and leave the particular circumstances of this busines till then The French that came over with Her Majesty for their petulancy and som misdemeanors and imposing som odd penancy's upon the Queen are all casheer'd this week about a matter of sixscore wherof the Bishop of Mende was one who had stood to be Steward of Her Majesties Courts which Office my Lord of Holland hath It was a thing suddenly don for about one of the clock as they were at dinner my Lord Conway and Sir Thomas Edmonds came with an Order from the King that they must instantly away to Somerset House for there were Barges and Coaches staying for them and there they should have all their Wages paied them to a peny and so they must be content to quit the Kingdom This sudden undream'd of Order struck an astonishment into them all both men and women and running to complain to the Queen His Majesty had taken her before into his Bed-chamber and lock'd the doors upon them untill he had told her how matters stood the Queen fell into a violent passion broke the Glass-Windows and tore her Hair but she was calm'd afterwards Just such a destiny happen'd in France som years since to the Queens Spanish Servants there who were all dismiss'd in like manner for som miscarriages the like was don in Spain to the French therfore 't is no new thing They are all now on their way to Dover but I fear this will breed ill bloud 'twixt us and France and may break out into an ill-favour'd quarrell Master Mountague is preparing to go to Paris as a Messenger of Honour to prepossess the King and Counsell there with the truth of things So with my very kind respects to my Sister I rest Lond. 15 Mar. 1626. Your loving brother J. H. XXVII To the Right honble the Lord S. My Lord I Am bound shortly for York wher I am hopefull of a profitable imployment Ther is fearfull news com from Germany that since Sir Charls Morgan went thither with 6â—…00 men for the assistance of the King of Denmark the King hath receiv'd an utter overthrow by Tilly he had receiv'd a fall off a Horse from a Wall five yards high a little before yet it did him little hurt Tilly pursueth his Victory strongly and is got ore the Elve to Holsteinland insomuch that they write from Hamburgh that Denmark is in danger to be utterly lost The Danes and Germanes seem to lay som fault upon our King the King upon the Parliament that would not supply him with Subsidies to assist his Uncle and the Prince Palsgrave both which was promis'd upon the
rupture of the Treaties with Spain which was done by the advice of both Houses This is the ground that His Majesty hath lately sent out privy Seals for Loan Moneys untill a Parliament may be calld in regard that the King of Denmark is distress'd the Sound like to be lost the Eastland Trade and the Staple at Hamborough in danger to be destroied and the English Garrison under Sir Charls Morgan at Stoâ—…d ready to be starv'd These Loan moneys keep a great noise and they are imprison'd that deny to conform themselves I fear I shall have no more opportunity to send to your Lordship till I go to York therfore I humbly take my leave and kiss your hands being ever My Lord Your obedient and ready Servitor J. H XXVIII To Mr. R. L. Merchant I Met lately with I. Harris in London and I had not seen him two years before and then I took him and knew him to be a man of thirty but now one would take him by his Hair to be near threescore for he is all turnd gray I wonderd at such a Metamorphosis in so short a time hee told me 't was for the death of his Wife that nature had thus antidated his years 't is true that a weighty setled sorrow is of that force that besides the contraction of the Spirits it will work upon the radicall moisture and dry it up so that the Hair can have no moisture at the Root This made me remember a Story that a Spanish Advocat told me which is a thing very remarkable When the Duke of Alva was in Brussels about the beginning of the tumults in the Netherlands he had sat down before Hulst in Flanders and ther was a Provost Marshall in his Army who was a Favorit of his and this Provost had put som to death by secret Commission from the Duke Ther was one Captain Bolea in the Armie who was an intimat friend of the Provosts and one evening late he went to the said Captains Tent and brought with him a Confessor and an Executioner as it was his custom He told the Captain that he was com to execut his Excellencies Commission and Marshall Law upon him the Captain started up suddenly his hair standing at an end and being struck with amazement ask'd him wherin he had offended the Duke the Provest answer'd Sir I com not to expostulat the busines with you but to execut my Commission therfore I pray prepare your self for ther 's your Ghostly Father and Executioner so he fell on his knees before the Priest and having don the Hangman going to put the Halter about his neck the Provost threw it away and breaking into a laughter told him ther was no such thing and that he had don this to try his courage how be could bear the terror of death the Captain lookâ—… ghastly upâ—… him and said then Sir get you out of my Tent for you have don me â—… very ill office The next morning the said Captain Bolea though â—… young man of about thirtie had his hair all turnd grav to the admiration of all the world and of the Duke of Alva himself who questioâ—… him about it but he would confess nothing The next year the Duâ—… was revok'd and in his journey to the Court of Spain he was to pasâ—… by Saragossa and this Captain Bolea and the Provost went alonâ—… with him as his Domestics The Duke being to repose some days in S. ragossa the young old Captain Bolea told him that ther was a thing in that Town worthy to be seen by His Excellency which was a Casa de Locos a Bedlam-house for ther was not the like in Christendom Well said the Duke go and tell the Warden I will be there to morrow in the afternoon and wish him to be in the way The Captain having obtaind this went to the Warden and told him that the Duke would com to visit the House the next day and the chiefest occasion that mov'd him to it was that he had an unruly Provost about him who was subject oftentimes to fits of frenzie and because he wisheth him well he had tried divers means to cure him but all would not do therfore he would trie whether keeping him close in Bedlam for som days would do him any good The next day the Duke came with arâ—…ffling train of Captains after him amongst whom was the said Provost very shining brave being entred into the house about the Dukes person Captain Bolea told the Warden pointing at the Provost that 's the man so hee took him aside into a dark Lobby wher he had plac'd som of his men who muffled him in his Cloak seiz'd upon his gilt Sword with his Hat and Feather and so hurried him down into a Dungeon My Provost had lain there two nights and a day and afterwards it happen'd that a Gentleman comming out of curiosity to see the house peep'd in at a small grate where the Provost was The Provost conjur'd him as he was a Christian to go and tell the Duke of Alva his Provost was there clap'd up nor could be imagin why The Gentleman did the Arrand wherat the Duke being astonish'd sent for the Warden with his prisoner so he brought my Provost en cuerpo Madman like full of straws and Feathers before the Duke who at the sight of him breaking out into a laughter ask'd the Warden why he had made him his Prisener Sir said the Warden 't was by vertue of your Excellenciâ—…s Commission brought me by Captain Bolea Bolea step'd forth and told the Duke Sir you have ask'd me oft how these hairs of mine grew so suddenly gray I have not reveal'd it yet to any soul breathing but now I le tell your Excellency and so sell a relating the passage in Flanders And Sir I have been ever since beating my Brains how to get an equall revenge of him and I thought no revenge to be more equall or corresponding now that you see he hath made me old before my time than to make him mad if I could and had he staied som days longer close Prisoner in the Bedlam House it might haply have wrought som impressions upon his pericranium The Duke was so well pleas'd with the Story and the wittines of the revenge that he made them both friends and the Gentleman who told me this passage said that the said Captain Bolea was yet living so that he could not be less than ninety years of age I thank you a thousand times for the Câ—…phalonia Muscadell and Botargo you sent me I hope to be shortly quit with you for all courtesies in the interim I am York this 1 of May. 1626 Your obliged friend to serve you J H. Postscript I Am sorry to hear of the trick that Sir Iohn Aires put upon the Company by the Box of Hailshot sign'd with the Ambassadors Seal that he had sent so solemnly from Constantinople which he made the world beleeve to be full of Chequins and Turky gold
from the Isle of Ree or as soâ—… call it the I le of Rue for the bitter success wee had there for we had but a â—…t entertainment in that salâ—… Island Our first invasion was magnanimous brave wherat neer upon 200 French Gentlemen perished and divers Barons of quality My Lord Newport had ill luck to disorder our Cavalry with an unruly Horse he had His brother Sir Charls Rich was slain and divers more upon the retreat amongst others great Golonell Gray fell into Salt-pit and being ready to be drownd he cryed out Cens mill escus pour ma rançon a hundred thousand Crowns for my ransom the French-men hearing that preserv'd him though he was not worth a hundred thousand pence Another merry passage a Captain told me that when they were rifling the dead bodies of the French Gentlemen after the first invasion they found that many of them had their Mistresses favors tyed about their genitories The French do much glory to have repell'd us thus and they have reason for the truth is they comported themselves gallantly yet they confess our landing was a notable piece of courage and if our Retreat had been answerable to the Invasion we had lost no honor at all A great number of gallant Gentlemen fell on our side as Sir Iohn Heyden Sir Io. Burrowes Sir George Blundell Sir Alex. Brett with divers Veteran Commanders who came from the Netherlands to this service God send us better success the next time for ther is another Fleet preparing to be sent under the Command of the Lord Denbigh so I kiss your hands and am Lond. 24 of Sept 1627. Your humble Servitor J. H. VI. To the Right Honble the Lord Scroop Earl of Sunderland Lord President of the North. My Lord MY Lord Dâ—…nbigh is returned from attempting to relieve Rochell which is reduc'd to extreme exigent And now the Duke is preparing to go again with as great power as was yet rais'd notwithstanding that the Parliament hath flown higher at him than ever which makes the people here hardly wish any good success to the Expedition because he is Generall The Spaniard stands at a gaze all this while hoping that we may do the work otherwise I think he would find som way to relieve that Town for ther is nothing conduceth more to the uniting and strengthning of the French Monarchy than the reduction of Rochell The King hath been there long in person with his Cardinall and the stupendious works they have rais'd by Sea and Land are beyond belief as they say The Sea-works and booms were traced out by Marquis Spinola as he was passing that way for Spain from Flanders The Parliament is prorogued till Michaelmas term ther weâ—… five Subsidies granted the greatest gift that ever Subjects gave their King at once and it was in requitall that his Majesty pass'd the Petition of Right wherby the liberty of the free-born subject is so strongly and clearly vindicated So that ther is a fair correspondence like to be 'twixt his Majesty and the two Houses The Duke made a notable Speech at the Counsell Table in joy hereof amongst other passages one was that hereafter his Majestie would please to make the Parliament his Favorit and he to have the honor to remain still his servant No more now but that I continue Lond. 25. Sept. 1628. Your Lordships most dutifull Servant J. H. VII To the Right Honble the La Scroope Countess of Sunderland from Stamford Madam I Lay yesternight at the Post House at Stilton and this morning betimes the Post-master came to my beds head and told me the Duke of Buckingham was slain my faith was not then strong enough to believe it till an hour ago I met in the way with my Lord of Rutland your Brother riding Post towards London it pleas'd him to alight and shew me a Letter wherin ther was an exact relation of all the circumstances of this sad Tragaedy Upon Saturday last which was but next before yesterday being Bartholmew yeeve the Duke did rise up in a well disposed humor out of his bed and cutt a Caper or two and being ready and having been under the Barbers hands wher the Murtherer had thought to have don the deed for hee was leaning upon the Window all the while hee went to breakfast attended by a great Company of Commanders where Monsieur Soubize came unto him and whispered him in the ear that Rochell was relieved the Duke seem'd to slight the news which made som think that Soubize went away discontented After Breakfast the Duke going out Colonell Fryer stepped before him and stopping him upon som busines one Lieutenant Felton being behind made a thrust with a common tenpeny knife over Fryers arm at the Duke which lighted so fatally that hee slit his heart in two leaving the knife sticking in the body The Duke took out the knife and threw it away and laying his hand on his Sword and drawn it half out said the Villain hath killd me meaning as som think Colonell Fryer for ther had been som difference 'twixt them so reeling against a Chimney hee fell down dead The Dutchess being with child hearing the noise below cam in her night geers from her Bed Chamber which was in an upper room to a kind of Rayl and thence beheld him weltering in his own bloud Felton had lost his Hat in the croud wherin ther was a Paper sowed wherin he declared that the reason which mov'd him to this act was no grudg of his own though hee had been far behind for his pay and had bin put by his Captains place twice but in regard he thought the Duke an enemy to the State because he was branded in Parliament therfore what he did was for the public good of his Countrey Yet he got clearly down and so might have gon to his horse which was tied to a hedg hard by but he was so amazed that he missd his way and so struck into the pastry where though the cry went that som Frenchman had don 't he thinking the word was Felton he boldly confessed t was he that had don the deed and so he was in their hands Iack Stamford would have run at him but he was kept off by Mr. Nicholas so being carried up to a Tower Captain Minâ—…e toare off his spurrs and asking how he durst attempt such an act making him beleeve the Duke was not dead he answerd boldly that he knew he was dispatchd for â—…was not he but the hand of heaven that gave the stroak and though his whole body had bin coverd over with armour of proof he could not have avoyded it Captain Charles Price went Post presently to the King four miles off who being at prayers on his knees when it was told him yet he never stirrd nor was he disturbd a whit till all divine service was don This was the relation as far as my memory could bear in my Lord of Rutlands Letter who willd me to remember him
at one blow fell to pull out the hair one by one And touching this particular humor from which I disswade you it hath rag'd in me too often by contingent fits but I thank God for it I find it much abated and purg'd Now the only Physic I us'd was a precedent fast and recours to the holy Sacrament the next day of purpose to implore pardon for what was pass'd and power for the future to quell those exorbitant motions those ravings and feavourish fits of the soul in regard ther are no infirmities more dangerous for at the same instant they have being they becom impieties And the greatest symptom of amendment I find in mee is because whensoever I hear the holy name of God blasphem'd by any other it makes my heart to tremble within my brest Now it is a penitentiall Rule that if sins present do not please thee sins pass'd will never hurt thee All other sins have for their object either pleasure or profit or some ayme and satisfaction to body or mind but this hath none at all therfore fie upon 't my dear Captain tâ—…e whether you can make a conquest of your self in subduing this execrable custom Alexander subdued the World Caesar his Enemies Hercules Monsters but he that oâ—…ecomes himself is the true valiant Captain I have herewith sent you a Hymn consonant to this subject because I know you are Musicall and a good Poet. A gradual Hymn of a double cadence tending to the Honor of the Holy Name of GOD. 1. LEt the vast universe And therein ev'ry thing The mighty acts rehearse Of their immortall King His Name extoll what to Nadir from Zenith stir Twixt Pole and Pole 2. Yee Elements that move And alter every hower Yet herein constant prove And symbolize all sower His praise to tell mix all in one for aire and tone To sound this peale 3. Earth which the center art And only standest still Yet move and bear thy part Resound with ecchos shrill Thy Mines of gold with precious stones and unions His fame uphold 4. Let all thy fragrant flowers Grow sweeter by this 〈◊〉 Thy tallest trees and bowers Bud forth and blossom sair Beasts wild and tame whom lodgings yield House dens or field Collaud his Name 5. Yet Seas with Earth that make One globe flow high and swell Exalt your Makers name In deep his wonders tell Leviathan and what doth swim neer bank or brim His glory fcan 6. Yet airy Regions all Ioyn in a sweet concent Blow such a Madrigall May reach the Firmament Winds hail Ice snow and perly drops that hang on crops His wonders show 7. Pure element of fire With holy sparks inflame This sublunary quire That all one Consort frame Their spirits raise to trumpet forth their Makers worth And sound his praise 8. Yee glorious Lamps that roulâ—… In your celestiall Sphears All under his controule Who you on poles up bears Him magnifie yet Planets bright and fixed lights That deck the skie 9. O Heaven Chrystalline which by thy watry but Do'st temper and refine the rest in azurd blue His glory sound thou first Mobile which makst all wâ—â—â—el In circle round 10. Yee glorious souls who raign In sempiternall joy Free from those cares and pain which here did you annoy And him behold in whom all bliss concentred is His laud unfold 11. Blest maid which dost surmount all Saints and Seraphins And raignst as Paramount And chief of Cherubins Chant out his praise who in thy womb nine months took room Though crownd with rayes 12. Oh let my soul and heart my mind and memory Bear in this Hymn a part and joyn with earth and sky Let every wight the whole world ore là ud and adore The Lord of light All your friends heer are well Tom Young excepted who I fear hath not long to live amongst us so I rest York the 1 of Aug. 1628. Your true friend J. H. XIII To Will Austin Esqr. SIR I Have many thanks to give you for that excellent Poem you sent me upon the Passion of Christ surely you wer possess'd with a very strong spirit when you penn'd it you wer becom a true Enthusiasist for Iet me despair if I lye unto you all the while I was perusing it it committed holy rapes upon my soul me â—…ought I felt my heart melting within my brest and my thoughts transported to a true Elysium all the while ther were such flexanimous strong ravishing strains throughout it To deal plainly with you it wer an injury to the public good not to expose to open light such divine raptures for they have an edifying power in them and may be tearm'd the very quintessence of devotion you discover in them what a rich talent you have which should not be buried within the walls of a privat study or pass through a few particular hands but appear in public view and to the sight of the world to the enriching of others as they did me in reading them Therfore I shall long to see them pass from the Bankside to Pauls Churchyard with other precious peeces of yours which you have pleas'd to impart unto me Oxford 20 Augâ—… 1628. Your most affectionate Servitoâ—… J. H. XIV To Sir I. S. Knight SIR YOu writ to me lately for a Footman and I think this bearer will fit you I know he can run well for he hath run away twice from me but he knew the way back again yet though he hath a running head as well as running heels and who will expect a footman to be a stayed man I would not part with him were I not to go â—…ost to the North. Ther be som things in him that answer for his waggeries he will com when you call him go when you bid him and shut the door after him he is faithfull and stout and a lover of his Master He is a great enemy to all doggs if they bark at him in his running for I have seen him confront a huge mastif and knock him down When you go a Countrey journey or have him run with you a hunting you must spirit him with liquor you must allow him also somthing extraordinary for socks els you must not have him to wait at your table for when his grease melts in running hard t is subject to fall into his toes I send him you but for tryall if he be not for your turn turn him over to me again when I com back The best news I can send you at this time is that we are like to have peace both with France and Spain so that Harwich men your Neighbours shall not hereafter need to fear the name of Spinola who struck such an apprehension into them lately that I understand they begin to fortifie I pray present my most humble service to my good Lady and at my return from the North I will be hold to kiss her hands and yours so I am London 25 of May. 1628. Your much obliged Servitoâ—… J. H. XV. To my Father SIR
This new-year scarce would serve me so farewell Cal. Apr. 1629. Your son and servitor J. H. XXVIII To the right honble the Earl of Bristol at Sherburn Castle My Lord I Attended my Lord Cottington before he went on his journey towards Spain and put him in mind of the old busines against the Vice-roy of Sardinia to see whether any good can be don and to learn whether the Conde or his son be Solvent He is to land at 〈◊〉 one of the Kings ships attends him and som Merchant men take the advantage of this Convoy The news that keeps greatest noise now is that the Emperour hath made a favourable peace with the Dane for Tilly had cross'd the Elve and entred deep into Holstein land and in all probability might have carried all before him yet that King had honorable termes given him and a peace is concluded though without the privity of England But I beleeve the King of Denmarc far'd the better because he is Granchild to Charles the Emperours sister Now it seems another spirit is like to fall upon the Emperour for they write that Gustavus King of Swâ—…thland is struck into Germany and hath taken Meclenburgh the ground of his quarrell as I hear is that the Emperour would not acknowledg much less give audience to his Ambassadors he also gives out to com for the assistance of his Allies the Dukes of Pomerland and Meclenburgh nor do I hear that he speaks any thing yet of the Pr. Palsgraves business Don Carlos Coloma is expected here from Flanders about the samâ—… time that my Lord Cottington shall be arriv'd at the Court of Spain God send us an Honourable peace for as the Spaniard saies Nunâ—…avi tan mala paz que no fuesse mejor que la mejor guerra London 20 May. 1629 Your Lordships most humble and ready Servant J. H. XXX To my Cosen I. P. at Mr. Conradus Cousin A Letter of yours was lately deliverd me I made a shift to read the superscription but within I wonderd what language it might be in which 't was written at first I thought 't was Hebrew or som of her Dialects and so went from the liver to the heart from the right hand to the left to read it but could maâ—…e nothing of it then I thought it might be the Chineses language and went to read the words perpendicular and the lines were so crooked and distorted that no coherence could be made Greekâ—… â—… perceiv'd it was not nor Latin or English So I gave it for meere gibbrish and your characters to be rather Hieroglyphicks then Letters The best is you keep your lines at a good distance like those in Chancery-bills who as a Clerk said were made so wide of purpose because the Clients should have room enough to walk between them without justling one another yet this widenes had bin excusable if your lines had bin streight but they were full of odd kind of Undulations and windings If you can write no otherwise one may read your thoughts as soon as your characters It is som excuse for you that you are but a young beginner I pray let it appear in your next what a proficient you are otherwise som blame may light on me that placed you there Let me receive no more Gibbrish or Hieroglyphicks from you but legible letters that I may acquaint your friends accordingly of your good proceedings So I rest Westminst 20 Sept. 1629. Your very loving Cosen J. H. XXXI To the Lo. Viscount Wentworth Lo. President of York My Lord MY last was of the first current since which I receiv'd one from your Lordship and your comands therin which I shall ever entertain with a great deal of cheerfulnes The greatest news from abroad is that the French King with his Cardinal are com again on this side the Hills having don his business in Italy and Savoy and reserv'd still Pignerol in his hands which will serve him as a key to enter Italy at pleasure Upon the highest Mountain 'mongst the Alps he left this ostentous inscription upon a great Marble piller A la memoire eternelle de Lovis treiziesme Roy de France de Navarre Tres-Auguste tres-victorieux tres-heureux Conquerant tres-juste Lequel apres avoir vaincu toutes les Nations de l'Europe Il à encore triumphé les elements Du ciel de la terre Ayant passé deux fois ces-monts au mois de Mars avec son Armee Victorieuse pour remmettre les Princes d'Italie en leurs estats Defendre protegerses Alliez To the eternall memory of Lewis the thirteenth King of France and Navarr most gracious most victorious most happy most just a Conquerer who having orecom all Nations of Europ he hath also triumph'd over the Elements of Heaven and Earth having twise pass'd ore these hills in the month of March with his victorious Army to restore the Princes of Italy to their estates and to defend and protect his Allies So I take my leave for the present and rest Westmin 5 Aug. 1629. Your Lopp most humble and ready Servitor J. H. XXXII To Sir Keneime Digby Knight SIR GIve me leave to congratulat your happy return from the Levant and the great honour you have acquir'd by your gallant comportment in Algier in reescating so many English slaves by bearing up so bravely against the Venetian Fleet in the bay of Scanderoon and making the Pantaloni to know themselves and you better I do not remember to have read or heard that those huge Galleasses of Saint Mark were beaten afore I give you the joy also that you have born up against the Venetian Ambassadour here and vindicated your self of those foule scandalls he had cast upon you in your absence Wheras you desire me to joyne with my Lord Cottington and others to make an Affidavit touching Bartholomew Spinola whither he be Vezino de Madrid viz. free Denison of Spaine I am ready to serve you herein or to do any other office that may right you and tend to the making of your prize good Yet I am very sorry that our Aleppo Merchants suffer'd so much I shall be shortly in London and I will make the greater speed because I may serve you So I humbly kiss my noble Ladies hand and rest Westmin 25 Novemb. 1629. Your thrice-assured Servitor J. H. XXXIII To the Right honble Sir Peter Wicths Ambr. at Constantple. SIR MAster Simon Digby delivered me one from your Lordship of the first of Iune and I was extremely glad to have it for I had receav'd nothing from your Lordship a twelvemonth before Mr. Controuler Sir Tho. Edmonds is lately return'd from France having renew'd the peace which was made up to his hands before by the Venetian Ambassadors who had much labour'd in it and had concluded all things beyond the Alps when the King of France was at Susa to relieve Casal The Monsieur that was to fetch him from Saint Denis to Paris put a kind of jeering complement upon him
30 Ian. 1633. Your much obliged Servitor J. H. XII To the Lord Vicount Wentworth Lord Deputy of Ireland and Lord Precedent of York c. My Lord I Was glad to apprehend the opportunity of this Packet to convey my humble service to your Lordship Ther are old doings in France and t is no new thing for the French to be always a doing they have such a stirring genius The Queen Mother hath made an escape to Brussells and Monsieur to Lorain wher they say he courts very earnestly the Dukes sister a young Lady under twenty they say a Contract is pass'd already but the French Cardinall opposeth it for they say that Lorain Milk seldom breeds good bloud in France Not only the King but the whole Gallican Church hath protestâ—… against it in a solemn Synod for the Heir apparant of the Crown of France cannot marry without the Royall consent This aggravats a grudg the French King hath to the Duke for siding with the Imperialists and for things reflecting upon the Dutchy of Bar for which he is hommogeable to the Crown of France as he is to the Emperor for Lorain A hard task it is to serve two Masters and an unhappy situation it is to lie 'twixt two puissant Monarchs as the Dukes of Savoy and Lorain do So I kiss your Lordships hands and rest My Lord Your most humble and ready Servitor J. H. VVestmin 1 of April 1633. XIII To my most Noble Lady the Lady Cornwallis Madam IN conformity to your commands which sway with me as much as an Act of Parlement I have sent your Ladiship this small Hymn for Christmas day now neer approaching if your Ladiship please to put an Air to it I have my reward 1. Hail holy Tâ—…de VVherin a Bride A Virgin which is more Brought forth a Son The like was don Ne're in the world before 2. Hail spotless Maid Who thee upbraid To have been born in sin Do little waigh What in thee lay Before thou didst Lie-in 3. Three months thy Womb Was made the Dome Of Him whom Earth nor Air Nor the vast mould Of Heaven can hould 'Cause he 's Ubiquitair 4. O would â—…e daign To rest and raign I' th centre of my heart And make it still His domicill And residence in part 5. But in so foul a Cell Can he abide to dwell Yes when he please to move His Herbenger to sweep the Room And with rich Odors it perfume Of Faith of Hope of Love So I humbly kiss your hands and thank your Ladiship that you would command in any thing that may conduce to your contentment Westmin 3 Feb. 1633. Your Lapp s most humble Servitor J. H. XIV 〈◊〉 the Lord Clifford at Knasburgh My Lord I Receiv'd your Lordships of the last of Iune and I return mâ—… most humble thanks for the choice Nagg you pleas'd to send me which came in very good plight Your Lordship desires me to lay down what in my Travells abroad I observ'd of the present condition of the Iews once an Elect peeple but now grown contemptible and strangely squander'd up and down the World Though such a Discours exactly fram'd might make up a Volume yet I will twist up what I know in this point upon as narrow a Bottom as may be shut up within the compass of this Letter The first Christian Countrey that expell'd the Iews was England France followed our example next then Spain and afterwards Portugall nor were they exterminated these Countreys for their Religion but for Villanies and cheatings for clipping Coins poisning of Waters and counterfeiting of Seals Those Countreys they are permitted to live now most in amongst Christians are Germany Holland Bohemia and Italy but not in those parts where the King of Spain hath to do In the Levant and Turkey they swarm most for the gran Vizier and all other great Boshawes have commonly som Iew for their Counsellor or Spie who inform them of the state of Christian Princes possess them of a hatred of the Religion and so incense them to a war against them They are accounted the subtill'st and most subdolous peeple upon Earth the reason why they are thus degenerated from their primitive simplicity and innocence is their often â—…ptivities their desperat fortunes the necessity and hatred to which they have been habituated for nothing depraves ingenuous spirits and corrupts cleer wits more than want and indigence By their profession they are for the most part Broakers and Lombardeers yet by that base and servile way of Frippery trade they grow rich whersoever they nest themselves and this with their multiplication of Children they hold to be an argument that an extraordinary providence attends them still Me thinks that so cleer accomplishments of the Prophecies of our Saviour touching that peeple should work upon them for their conversion as the destruction of their City and Temple that they should becom despicable and the tail of all Nations that they should be Vagabonds and have no firm habitation Touching the first they know it came punctually to pass and so have the other two for they are the most hatefull race of men upon earth insomuch that in Turkie where they are most valued if a Musulman com to any of their houses leave his shoos at the door the Iew dare not com in all the while till the Turk hath don what he would with his Wife For the last 't is wonderfull to see in what considerable numbers they are dispers'd up and down the World yet they can never reduce themselves to such a coalition and unity as may make a Republic Principality or Kingdom They hold that the Iewes of Italy Germany and the Levant are of Benjamins Tribe ten of the Tribes at the destruction of Ieroboams Kingdom were led Captives beyond Euphrates whence they never return'd nor do they know what became of them ever after yet they beleeve they never became Apostats and Gentiles But the Tribe of Iuda whence they expect their Messias of whom one shall hear them discours with so much confidence and self-pleasing conceit they say is setled in Portugall wher they give out to have thousands of their race whom they dispense withall to make a semblance of Christianitie even to Church degrees This makes them breed up their children in the Lusitanian Language which makes the Spaniard have an odd saying that El Portuguez se criò del pedo de un Iudia A Portugues was engendred of a Iews Fart as the Mahuâ—…ans have a passage in their Alcaroâ—… That a Cat was made of a Lions breath As they are the most contemtiblest peeple and have a kind of fulsom sent no better then a stink that distinguisheth them from others so are they the most timorous peeple on earth and so utterly incapable of Arms for they are made neither Souldiers nor Slaves And this their Pusillanimity and cowardise as well as their cunning and craft may be imputed to their various thraldo us contempt and poverty which
them very miserably and he himself as they write died in a poor Hostrey with one Laquay as he was going to Venice to a bank of money he had stor'd up there for a dead lift Your Lordship knows what success the King of Denmark had and our 6000 men under Sir Charles Morgan for while he thought to make new acquests he was in hazard to lose all that he had had not he had favorable Propositions tendred him Ther were never poor Christians perished more lamentably than those 6000 we sent under M. Hamilton for the assistance of the King of Sweden who did much but you know what became of him at last How disastrously the Prince Palatin himself fell and in what an ill conjuncture of time being upon the very point of being restor'd to his Country But now we have as bad news as any we had yet for the young Prince Palatin and his Brother Prince Rupert having got a jolly considerable Army in Holland to try their fortunes in Germany with the Swedes they had advanc'd as far as Munsterland and Westphalia and having lain before Lengua they were forc'd to raise the siege and one Generall Haâ—…zfield pursuing them ther was a fore battell fought wherin Prince Rupert my Lord Craven and others were taken prisoners The Prince Palatin himself with Major King thinking to get over the Weser in a Coach the Water being deep and not sordable he sav'd himself by the help of a Willow and so went a foot all the way to Minden the Coach and the Coach-man being drown'd in the River Ther wer neer upon 2000 slain on the Palsgraves side and scarce the twentieth part so many on Haâ—…zfields Major Gaeuts one of the chiefe Commanders was kil'd I am sorry I must write unto you this sad story yet to countervail â—…t somthing Saxen Weymar thrives well and is like to get Bâ—…isac by help of the French forces All your frends here are well and remember your Lordship often but none more oft than Lond. 5 Iun. 1635. Your most humble and ready Servitor J. H. XXX To Sir Sackvill C. Knight SIR I Was as glad that you have lighted upon so excellent a Lady as if an Astronomer by his Optics had found out a new Star and if a wiâ—…e be the best or worst fortune of a man certaiâ—… you are one of the fortunat'st men in this Island The greatest news I can write unto you is of a bloody Banquet that was lately at Liege wher a great faction was a somenting 'twixt the Imperialists and those that were devoted to France amongst whom one Ruelle a popular Bourgue-master was chief The Count of Warfuzée a vassall of the King of Spains having fled thither from Flanders for som offence to ingratiat himself again into the King of Spains favour invited the said Ruelle to a Feast and after brought him into a privat Chamber wher he had provided a ghostly-father to confess him and so som of the Souldiers whom he had provided before to guard the House dispatch'd the Bourgue-master The Town hearing this broke â—…nto the House cut to peeces the said Count with som of his Souldiers and dragg'd his body up and down the Streets You know such a fate befell Walstein in Germany of late yeers who having got all the Emperours Forces into his hands was found to have intelligence with the Swede therfore the Imperiall Ban was not onely pronounc'd against him but a reward promis'd to any that should dispatch him som of the Emperours Souldiers at a great Wedding in Egra of which Band of Souldiers Colonell Buttler an Irishman was chief broke into his lodging when ho was at dinner kill'd him with three Commanders more that were at Table with him and threw his body out at a Window into the streets I hear Buttler is made since Count of the Empire So humbly kissing your noble Ladies hand I rest Lond. 5 Iun. 1634. Your faithfull servitor J. H. XXXI To Dr. Duppa L. B. of Chichester his Highnes Tutor at St. Iames. My Lord IT is a welbecoming and very worthy work you are about not 〈◊〉 suffer Mr. Ben. Iohnson to go so silently to his grave or rot so suâ—…ly Being newly com to Town and understanding that your Iohnsonus Virbius was in the Presse upon the solicitation of Sir Thomas Hawkins I suddenly fell upon the ensuing Decastic which if your Lordship please may have room amongst the rest Upon my honoured Frend and F. Mr. Ben. Iohnson ANd is thy Glass run out is that Oyl spent Which light to such strong Sinewy labours lent Well Ben I now perceive that all the nine Though they their utmost forces should combine Cannot prevail 'gainst Nights three Daughters but One still must spin one wind the other cut Yet in despight of distaff clue and knife Thou in thy strenuous lines hast got a life Which like thy Bays shall flourish ev'ry age While â—…oc or buâ—…kin shall ascend the Stage Sic vaticinatur Hoellus So I rest with many devoted respects to your Lordship as being Lond. 1 of May 1636. Your very humble Servitor J. H. XXXII To Sir Ed. B. Knight SIR I Receiv'd yours this Maunday-Thursday and wheras amongst other passages and high endearments of love you desire to know what method I observe in the exercise of my devotlons I thank you for your request which I have reason to believe doth proceed from an extraordinary respect unto me and I will deal with you herein as one should do with his Confessor T is true though ther be rules and rubrics in our Liturgy sufficient to guide evry one in the performance of all holy duties yet I beleeve evry one hath som mode and modell or formulary of his own specially for his privat cubicular devotions I will begin with the last day of the week and with the latter end of that day I mean Saturday evening on which I have fasted ever since I was a youth in Venice for being delivered from a very great danger This yeer I use som extraordinary acts of devotion to usher in the ensuing Sunday in Hymns and various prayers of my own penning before I go to bed On Sunday Morning I rise earlier than upon other dayes to prepare my self for the Sanctifying of it nor do I use Barber Tailor Shoo-maker or any other Mechanick that morning and whatsoever diversions or lets may hinder me the week before I never miss but in case of sicknes to repair to Gods holy House that day wher I com before prayers begin to make my self fitter for the work by some praevious Meditations and to take the whole Service along with me nor do I love to mingle speech with any in the interim about news or worldly negotiations In Gods holy House I prostrat my self in the humblest and decent'st way of genuflection I can imagin nor do I beleeve ther can be any excess of exterior humility in that place therfore I do not like those squatting unseemly bold postures
Commands before I go So I am Lond. 2 May 1640. Your most humble Servitor J. H. XLIV To my Lord Herbert of Cherbery from Paris My Lord I Send herewith Dodonas Grove couch'd in French and in in the newest French for though the main version be mine yet I got one of the Academie des beaux Esprits heer to run it over to correct and refine the language and reduce it to the most modern Dialect It took so heer that the new Academy of wits have given a public and far higher Elogium of it than it deserves I was brought to the Cardinall at Ruelle wher I was a good while with him in his privat Garden and it were a vanity in me to insert here what Propositions he made me Ther be som sycophants heer that idolize him and I blush to read what profane Hyperboles are Printed up and down of him I will instance in a few Cedite Richelio mortales cedite Divi Ille homines vincit vincit ille Deos. Then Et si nous faisons des ghirlandes C'est pour en couronner un Dieu Qui soubs le nom de Richelieu Resoit nos â—…oeus nos offrandes Then Richelii adventu Rupellae porta patescit Christo Infernales ut patuere fores Certainly he is a rare man and of a transcendent reach and they are rather miracles than exploits that he hath don though those miracles be of a sanguin Dy the colour of his habit steep'd in bloud which makes the Spaniard call him the gran Caga-fuego of Christendom Divers of the scientific all'st and most famous win here have spoken of your Lordship with admiration and of your great work De veritate and wer those excellent notions and theoricall precepts actually applyed to any particular Science it would be an infinit advantage to the Common-wealth of learning all the World over So I humbly kiss your hands and rest Paris April 1. 1641. Your Lordships most faithfull Servitor J. H. XLV To the Right honble M â— Elizabeth Altham now Lady Digby Madam THer be many sad hearts for the loss of my Lord Robert Digby but the greatest weight of sorrow falls upon your Ladiship Amongst other excellent vertues which the world admires you for I know your Ladiship to have that measure of high discretion that will check your passions I know also that your patience hath been often exercis'd and put to triall in this kind For besides the Baron your Father and Sir Iames you lost your Brother Master Richard Altham in the verdant'st time of his age a Gentleman of rare hopes and I beleeve this sunk deep into your heart you lost Sir Francis Astlâ—…y since a worthy vertuous Gentleman And now you have lost a noble Lord. We all owe nature a debt which is payable som time or other whensoever she demands it nor doth Dame Nature use to seal Indentures or pass over either Lease or Patent for a set term of yeers to any For my part I have seen so much of the world that if she offer'd me a lease I would give her but a small fine for 't specially now that the times are grown so naught that peeple are becom more than half mad But Madam as long as ther are men ther must be malignant humors ther must be vices and vicissitudes of things as long as the world wheels round ther must be tossings and tumblings distractions and troubles and bad times must be recempenc'd with better So I humbly kiss your Ladiships hands and rest Madam Your constant Servant J. H. York 1 of Aug. 1642. XLVI To the Honorable Sir P. M. in Dublin SIR I Am newly return'd from France and now that Sir Edw. Nicholas is made Secretary of State I am put in fair hopes or rather assurances to suceed him in the Clerkship of the Counsell The Duke de la Valette is lately fled hither for sanctuary having had ill luck in Fonta-rabia they say his Proces was made and that he was executed in Effigie in Paris T is true he could never square well with his Eminency the Cardinall for this is a peculiar Title he got long since from Rome to distinguish him from all othér nor his father neither the little old Duke of Espernon the ancient'st Soldier in the world for hee wants but one yeer of a hundred When I was last in Paris I heard of a facetiâ—…us passage ' 〈◊〉 him and the Archbishop of Bourdeaux who in effect is Lord High Admirall of France and 't was thus The Archbishop was to go Generall of a great Fleet and the Duke came to his House in Bourdeaux one morning to visit him the Archbishop sent som of his Gentlemen to desire him to have a little patience for hee was dispatching away som Sea-Commanders and that he would wait on him presently The little Duke took a pett at it and went away to his house at Cadâ—…llac som fifteen miles off The next morning the Archbishop came to pay him the visit and to apologize for himself being com in and the Duke told of it he sent his Chaplain to tell him that he was newly fallen upon a Chapter of Saint Austins de civitate Dei and when he had read that Chapter hee would com to him Som yeers before I was told he was at Paris and Richelieu came to visit him he having notice of it Richelieu found him in a Cardinals Cap kneeling at a Table Altar-wise with his Book and Beads in his hand and Candles burning before him I hear the Earl of Leicester is to com shortly over and so over to Ireland to be your Deputy No more now but that I am Lond. Sept. 7. 1641. Your most faithfull Servitor J. H. XLVII To the Earl of B. from the Fleet. My Lord I Was lately com to London upon som occasions of mine own and I had bin divers times in Westminster-Hall wher I convers'd with many Parlement men of my acquaintance but one morning betimes ther rush'd into my Chamber five armed men with Swords Pistolls and Bills and told me they had a Warrant from the Parlement for me I desir'd to see their Warrant they denyed it I desired to see the date of it they denied it I desired to see my name in the Warrant they denied all at last one of them pull'd out a greasie Paper out of his Pocket and shew'd me only three or four names subscrib'd and no more so they rush'd presently into my Closet and seiz'd on all my Papers and Letters and any thing that was Manuscript and many Printed Books they took also and hurl'd all into a great Hair Trunk which they carried away with them I had taken a little Physic that morning and with very much ado they suffer'd me to stay in my Chamber with two Guards upon me till the Evening at which time they brought me before the Committee for Examination wher I confess I found good respects and being brought up to the close Committee I was order'd to be
I have much ado to man or maintain my self as I told you before yet notwithstanding that the better part of my daies are already threeded upon the string of time I will not despair but I may have a Wife at last that may perhaps enable me to build Hospitalls for although nine long lustres of yeers have now pass'd â—…re my head and som winters more for all my life considering the few Sun-shines I have had may be call'd nothing but winters yet I thank God for 't I find no symptom of decay either in body senses or intellectualls But writing thus extravagantly me thinks I hear you say That this Letter shews I begin to dote and grow idle therfore I will display my self no further unto you at this time To tell you the naked truth my dear Tom The highest pitch of my aym is that by som condition or other I may be enabled at last though I be put to sow the time that others use to reap to quitt scores with the World but never to cancell that precious obligation wherin I am indissolubly bound to live and die From the Fleet 28 of Aprill 1645. Your true constant Frend J. H. AD LIBRUM Sine me Liber ibis in Aulam Hei mihi quòd Domino non licet ire tuo Ovid. To his Book Thou mayest to Court and progress too and fro Oh that thy captiv'd Master could do so A New VOLUME OF FAMILIAR LETTERS Partly Philosopicall Politicall Historicall The second Edition with Additions By JAMES HOVVELL Esq. Ut clavis portam sic pandit Epistola pectus LONDON Printed by W. H. for Humphrey Moseley and are to be sold at his Shop at the Princes Arms in St Pauls Church-yard 1650. To His Highnes IAMES Duke of YORK A Star of the greatest Magnitude in the Constellation of CHARLES-WAYN SIR THis Book was engendred in a Cloud born a Captive and bred up in the dark shades of Melancholy He is a true Benoni the son of sorrow nay which is a thing of wonderment He was begot in the Grave by one who hath been buried quick any time these five and fifty months Such is the hard condition of the Author wherin he is like to continue untill some good Angell roll off the stone and raise him up for Prisoners are capable of a double Resurrection my Faith acertains me of one but my fears make me doubtfull of the other for as far as I see yet I may be made to moulder away solong among these walls till I be carried hence with my feet forward Welcom be the will of God and the Decrees of Heaven Your Highnesses most humble and most obedient Servitr. JAMES HOWELL From the Prison of the Fleet. this May day 1647. THE STATIONER to the Reader IT pleas'd the Author to send me these ensuing Letters as a supplement to the greater volume of Epistolae Ho-Elianae wher they could not be inserted then because most of his papers whence divers of these letters are deriv'd were under sequestration And thus much I had in Commission to deliver Humphrey Moseley A New Volume of FAMILIAR LETTERS I. To Master Tho. Adams SIR I Pray stir nimbly in the busines you imparted to me last and let it not languish You know how much it concerns your credit and the conveniency of a friend who deserves so well of you I fear you will meet with divers obstacles in the way which if you cannot remove you must overcom A luke-warm irresolute man did never any thing well evry thought entangles him therfore you must pursue the Point of your design with heat and set all wheels a going T is a true badge of a generous nature being once embark'd in a busines to hoise up and spread every sayl Main â—…isen sprit and top sayl by that means he will sooner arrive at his Port If the winds bee so crosse and that ther be such a fate in the thing that it can take no effect yet you shall have wherwith to satisfie an honest mind that you left nothing unattempted to compassit for in the conduct of human affairs t is a rule That a good conscience hath always withiâ—…dores enough to reward it self though the success fall not out according to the merit of the endeavor I was according to your desire to visit the late new maried couple more than once and to tell you true I never saw such a disparity between two that wer made one flesh in all my life He handsom outwardly but of od conditons she excellâ—…otly qualified but hard favord so that the one may be compard to a cloth of Tissue Doublet cut upon course Canvas the other to a Buckram Petticoâ—…t lin'd with Sattin I think Clothâ—… had her fingers smutted in snuffing the candle when she began to spin the thread of her life and Lachesis frownd in twisting it up but Aglaia with the rest of the Graces wer in a good humor when they form'd her inner parts A blind man is fittest to hear her sing one would take delight to see her dance if mask'd and it would please you to discours with her in the dark for ther she is best company if your imagination can forbear to run upon her face when you marry I wish you such an inside of a wife but from such an outward Phisnomy the Lord deliver you and Westm. 25 of Aug. 1633. Your faithfull frend to serve you J. H. II. To Mr. B. J. F. B. The fangs of a Bear and the Tusks of a wild Bore do noâ—… bite worse and make deeper gashes than a Goose-quill somtimes no not the Badger himself who is said to be so tenacâ—…s of his bite that he will not give over his hold till hee feels his teeth meet and the bone crack your quill hath prov'd so to Mr. In-Iones but the pen wherwith you have so gash'd him it seems was made rather of a Porcupine than a Goose quill it is so keen and firm You know Anser Apis Vitulus populos Regna gubernant The Goose the Bee and the Calf meaning Wax Parchment and the Pen rule the world but of the three the Pen is most predominant I know you have a commanding one but you must noâ—… let it tyrannize in that manner as you have don lately som give out ther was a hair in 't or that your inâ—… was too thick with Gall els it could not have so bespartered and shaken the reputation of â—… Royall Architect for reputation you know is like a fair structâ—… long time a rearing but quickly ruin'd If your spirit will not let you retract yet you shall do well to repress any more copies of the Satyr for to deal plainly with you you have lost som ground at Court by it and as I hear from a good hand the King who hath so great a judgment in Poetry as in all other things els is not well pleased therwith Dispense with this freedom of Westmin 3 Iuly 1635. Your respectfull S. and Servitor J. H. III.
they lost one another how they might be retreevd and meet again Fire said wher you see smoak ther you shall find me Water said wher you see marsh and morish low grounds there you shall find me but Fame said take heed how you lose me for if you do you will run a great hazard never to meet me again ther 's no retreeving of me It imports you also to conform your self to your Commanders and so you may more confidently demand obedience when you com to command your self as I doubt not but you may do in a short time The Hoghen Moghen are very exact in their polemicall government their pay is sure though small 4. s. a week being too little a hire as one sayd to kill men At your return I hope you will give a better account of your doings than he who being ask'd what exploits he had don in the Low Countrys answerd that he had cut off a Spaniards leggs reply being made that that was no great matter it had bin somthing if he had cut off his head O said he you must consider his head was off before excuse me that I take my leave of you so pleasantly but I know you will take any thing in good part from him who is so much Westmin 3. Aug. 1634. Your truly affectionat Cosen J. H. XV. To Cap. B. Much endear'd Sir THer is a true saying that the spectator oft times sees more than the gamester I find that you have a very hazardous game in hand therfore give it up and do not vie a farthing upon 't Though you be already imbarqued yet ther is time enough to strike sail and make again to the port otherwise t is no hard matter to be a Prophet what will becom of you ther be so many ill favoured quicksands and rocks in the way as I have it from a good hand that one may easily take a prospect of your shipwrack if you go on therfore desist as you regard your own safety and the seasonable advice of your Westminst 1 May 1635. J. H. XVI To Mr. Thomas W. at his chamber in the Temple SIR YOu have much streightned that knot of love which hath bin long tied between us by those choice manuscripts you sent me lately amongst which I find divers rare pieces but that which afforded me most entertainment in those miscellanies was Doctor Henry Kings Poems wherin I find not onely heat and strength but also an exact concinnity and evennes of fancy they are a choice race of brothers it seems the same Genius diffuseth it self also a among the sisters It was my hap to be lately where Mistress A. K. was and having a paper of verses in her hand I got it from her they were an Epitaph and an Anagram of her own composure and writing which took me so far that the next morning before I was up my rambling fancy fell upon these lines For the admitting of Mistris Anne King to be the tenth Muse. Ladies of Helicon do not repine I adde one more unto your number nine To make it even I among you bring No meaner than the daughter of a King Fair Basil-Ana quickly passe your voice I know Apollo will approve the choice And gladly her install for I could name Som of less merit Goddesses became 〈◊〉 Anna King F. C. soares higher and higher every day in pursuance of his platonic love but T. Man is out with his you know whom he is fallen to that aversness to her that he swâ—…ares he had rather see a Basilisk than her This shews that the sweetest wines may turn to the tartest vinegar no more till wee meet Westmin 3 Feb. 1637. Yours inviolably J. H. XVII To the Lord C. My Lord THer are two sayings which are father'd upon Secretary Walsingham and Secretary Cecil a pair of the best weighd Statesmen this Island hathbred one was used to say at the Councell Table My Lords stay a little and we shall make an end the sooner the other would oft-times speak of himself It shall never be said of me that I will dâ—…fer till to morrow what I can do to day At first view these sayings seem'd to clash with one another and to be diametrically opposite but being rightly understood they may be very well reconcil'd Touching the first 'T is true that hast and choler are enemies to all great actions for as it is a principle in Chimistry that omnis festinatio est a Diabolo all hast comes from Hell so in the consultations contrivings and conduct of any busines of State all rashnes and precipitation comes from an ill spirit Ther cannot be a better pattern for a grave and considerat way of deliberation than the ancient course of our High Court of Parliament who when a Law is to be made which concerns the welfare of so many thousands of men after a mature debate and long discussion of the point beforehand cause the bill to be read solemnly three times in the House ere it be transmitted to the Lords and there also 't is so many times canvas'd and then presented to the Prince That which must stand for law must be long stood upon because it imposeth an universall obedience and is like to be everlasting according to the Ciceronian maxime Deliberandum est diu quod statâ—…endum est semel such a kind of cunctation advisednes and procrastination is allowable also in all Councells of State and War for the day following may be able commonly to be a master to the day passed such a world of contingencies human actions are subject unto yet under favour I beleeve this first saying to meant of matters while they are in agitation and upon the anvill but when they have receiv'd form and are fully resolv'd upon I beleeve then nothing is so advantagious as speed And at this I am of opinion the second saying aimes at for when the weights that use to hang to all great businesses are taken away 't is good then to put wings unto them and to take the ball before the bound for Expedition is the life of action otherwise Time may shew his bald occiput and shake his posteriors at them in deâ—…ision Among other Nations the Spaniard is observ'd to have much phlegme and to be most dilatory in his proceedings yet they who have pryed narrowly into the sequell and success of his actions do find that this gravity reservednes and tergiversations of his have turn'd rather to his prejudice than advantage take one time with another The two last matrimoniall treaties we had with him continued long the first 'twixt Ferdinand and Henry the seventh for Catherine of Aragon seven yeers That 'twixt King Iames and the now Philip the fourth for Mary of Austria lasted eleven yeers and seven and eleven's eighteen the first took effect for Prince Arthur the latter miscarried for Prince Charles and the Spaniard may thank himself and his own slow pace for it for had he mended his pace to perfect
first I will now hoise saile for the Netherlands whose language is the same dialect with the English and was so from the beginning being both of them derived from the high Dutch The Danish also is but a branch of the same tree no more is the Swedish and the speech of them of Norway and Island Now the high Dutch or Teutonic Tongue is one of the prime and most spacious maternall languages of Europe for besides the vast extent of Germany it self with the Countreys and Kingdoms before mentioned wherof England and Scotland are two it was the Language of the Goths and Vandalls and continueth yet of the greatest part of Poland and Hungary who have a dialect of hers for their vulgar tongue yet though so many dialects and subdialects be deriv'd from her she remains a strong sinewy Language purâ—… and incorrupt in her first centre towards the heart of Germany Som of her Writers would make the World beleeve that shee was the Longuage spoken in Paradise for they produce many Words and proper names in the five books of Moses which fetch their Etymology from her as also in Persia to this day divers radicall words are the same with her as Fader Mocder Broder Star And a Germain Gentleman speaking heerof one day to an Italian that she was the Language of Paradise sure said the Italian alluding to her roughnes then it was the tongue that God Almighty chid Adam in It may be so replied the Germain but the devill had tempted Eve in Italian before A full mouthd language she is and pronounc'd with that strength as if one had bones in his tongue insteed of nerfs Those Countreys that border upon Germany as Bohemia Silesia Poland and those vast Countreyes North-Eastward as Russia and Muscovia speak the Slavonic Language And it is incredible what I have heard som Travellers report of the vast extent of that language for besides Slavonia it self which properly is Dalmatia and Libinâ—…ia it is the vulgar speech of the Macedonians Epirots Bosnians Servians Bulgarians Moldavians Rascians and Podolians nay it spreads her self over all the Easterne parts of Europe Hungary and Walachia excepted as far as Constantinople and is frequently spoken in the Seraglio among the Ianizaries nor doth â—…e rest there but crossing the Hellespont divers nations in Asia have her for their popular tongue as the Circassians Mongrelians and Gazaâ—…ites Southward neither in Europe or Asia doth she extend her self further to the North parallel of forty Degrees But those Nations which celebrate divine Service after the Greek Ceremony and profess obedience to the Patriark of Constantinople as the Russ the Muscovit the Moldavian Ruscian Bosnian Servian and Bulgarian with divers other Eastern and North-East peeple that speak Slavonic have her in a different Character from the Dalmatian Croation Istrian Polonian Bohemian Silesian and other Nations towards the West these last have the Illirian Character and the invention of it is attributed to St. Ierom the other is of Cyrists devising and is call'd the Servian Character Now although ther bee above threescore severall Nations that have this vast extended language for their vulgar speech yet the pure primitive Slavonic dialect is spoken only in Dalmatia Croatia Liburnia and the Countreys adjacent wher the ancient Slavonians yet dwell and they must needs be very ancient for ther is in a Church in Prague an old Charter yet extant given them by Alexander the great which I thought not amiss to insert heer We Alexander the great of King Philip founder of the Grecian Empire Conqueror of the Persians Medes c. and of the whole world from East 〈◊〉 West from North to South Son of great Jupiter by c. so calld Tâ—… you the noble stock of Slavonians and to your Language because 〈◊〉 have been unto us a help true in faith and valiant in war we confiâ—… all that tract of earth from the North to the South of Italie from 〈◊〉 and our Successors to you and your posterity for ever And if any other Nation be found there let them be your slaves Dated at Alexandria thâ—… 12. of the Goddess Minerva witnes Ethra and the eleven Princâ—… whom we appoint our Successors With this rare and one of thâ—… ancientest record in Europe I will put a period to this second account I send your Lordship touching Languages My next shall be of Greece Italy Fance and Spain and so I shall shake hands with Europe till when I humbly kiss your hands and rest West 2 of Aug. 1630. My Lord Your most obliged Servitor J. H. LVIII To the Right Hon. the E. R. My Lord HAving in my last rambled through high and low Germaâ—… Bohemy Denmark Poland Russia and those vast North-Eaâ—… Regions and given your Lordship a touch of their Languages foâ—… 't was no Treatise I intended at first but a cursory short literall account I will now pass to Greece and speak somthing of that large and learned Language for 't is she indeed upon whom the beanâ—… of all scientificall knowledg did first shine in Europe which she afterward diffus'd through all the Western world The Greek tongue was first peculiar to Hellas alone but iâ—… tract of time the Kingdom of Macedon and Epire had her then shâ—… arrived on the Isles of the Egean Sea which are interjacent and divide Asia and Europe that way then shee got into the fifty threâ—… Isles of the Cyclades that lye 'twixt Negrepont and Candy and so go up to the Hellespont to Constantinople She then crossed over to Anatolia wher though she prevail'd by introducing multitudes of Colonies yet she came not to be the sole vulgar speech any where therâ—… as far as to extinguish the former languages Now Anatolia is thâ—… most populous part of the whole earth for Strabo speaks of sixteen severall nations that slept in her bosom and 't is thought the two and twenty Languages which Mithrydates the great Polyglot King of Pâ—…ntus did speak wer all within the circumference of Anatolia in regard his dominions extended but a little further She glided then along the Maritime coasts of Thrace and passing Byzantium got into the out-lets of Danube and beyond her also to Taurica yea beyond that to the River Phosis and thence compassing to Trebizond she took footing on all the circumference of the Euxine Sea This was her course from East to North whence we will return to Candy Cyprus and Sycily thence crossing the Phare of Messina she got all along the Maritime Coasts of the Tirrhâ—…ne Sea to Calabria she rested her self also a great while in Apulia Ther was a populous Colony of Greeks also in Marseilles in France and along the Sea Coasts of Savoy In Afric likewise Cyrâ—…ne Alexandria and Egypt with divers other were peepled with Greeks and three causes may be alleged why the Greek tongue did so expand her self First it may be imputed to the Conquests of Alexander the Great and the Captains he left behind him for Successors Then
pray that for want of a better thing to comply with the Season this may pass for a New-years gift which I wish may carry with it as many good Omens as it doth Orizons that a thousand benedictions may fall upon you and your Noble Family this New yeer and all the yeers of your life which I pray may be many many many because I have long since resolv'd to live and die My Lord Your most humble and obedient faithfull Servit r JAMES HOVVEL Calendis Ian. 1650. Additionall Letters Of a fresher Date I. To the R. H. Ed. Earl of Dorset Lo. Chamberlain of His Majesties Household c. at Knowles My Lord HAving so advantagious a hand as Doctor S. Turner I am bold to send your Lordship a new Tract of French Philosophy call'd L'usage de Passions which is cryed up to be a choice peece It is a Morall Discours of the right use of Passions the Conduct wherof as it is the principall Employment of Virtu so the Conquest of them is the difficultst part of Vaâ—…or To know one's self is much but to conquer one's self is more We need not pick quarrells and seek enemies without doors we have too many Inmates at home to exercise our Prowess upon and ther is no man let him have his humors never so well ballanc'd and in subjection unto him but like Muscovia wives they will oftentimes insult unless they be check'd yet wee should make them our Servants not our Slaves Touching the occurrences of the times since the King was snatch'd away from the Parlement the Army they say use him with more civility and freedom but for the main work of restoring him he is yet as one may say but Tantaliz'd being brought often within the sight of London and so off again ther are hopes that somthing will be don to his advantage speedily because the Gregarian Soldiers and gross of the Army is well-affected to him though som of the chiefest Commanders be still averss For forren News they say St. Mark bears up stoutly against Mahomet both by land and sea In Dalmatia he hath of late shaken him by the Turban ill-favoredly I could heartily wish that our Army heer were there to help the Republic and combat the Common enemy for then one might be sure to dye in the bed of Honor. The Commotions in Sicily are quash'd but those of Naples increase and 't is like to be a more raging and voracious â—…ire than Vesuvius or any of the sulphurious Mountains about her did ever belch out The Catalan and Portuguez bait the Spaniard on both sides but the first hath shrewder teeth than the other and the French and Hollander find him work in Flanders And now my Lord to take all Nations in a lump I think God Almighty hath a quarrell lately with all Man kind and given the reines to the ill Spirit to compass the whole earth for within these twelve yeers ther have the strangest revolutions and horridst things happen'd not only in Europe but all the world over that have befallen man-kind I dare boldly say since Adam fell in so short a revolution of time Ther is a kind of popular Planet reigns every where I will begin with the hottest parts with Afric where the Emperor of Ethiopia with two of his Sons was encountred and kild in open field by the Groom of his Camells and Dromedaries who had leavied an Army our of the dreggs of the peeple against him and is like to hold that ancient Empire in Asia The Tartar broke o're the four hundred mil'd wall and rush'd into the heart of China as far as Quinzay and beleagerd the very Palace of the Emperor who rather than to becom Captif to the base Tartar burnt his Castle and did away himself his thirty wives and children The great Turk hath been lately strangled in the Seraglio his own house The Emperor of Moscovia going in a solemn Procession upon the Sabbath day the rabble broke in knock'd down and cut in peeces divers of his chiefest Counsellors Favorits and Officers before his face and dragging their bodies to the Market-place their heads were chopp'd oft thrown into Vessells of hot water and so set upon Poles to burn more bright before the Court gate In Naples a common fruteâ—…er hath raised such an Insurrection that they say above 60M have bin slain already upon the streets of that City alone Catalonia and Portingall have quite revolted from Spain Your Lordship knows what knocks have been 'twixt the Pope and Parma The Pole and the Cosacks are hard at it Venice wrastleth with the Turk and is like to lose her Maiden head unto him unless other Christian Princes look to it in time and touching these three Kingdoms ther 's none more capable than your Lordship to judge what monstrous things have happend so that it seems the whol earth is off the hinges and which is the more wonderful all these prodigious passages have fallen out in less than the compas of 12 yeers But now that all the world is together by the eares the States of Holl would be quiet for advice is com that the peace is concluded and interchangably ratified 'twixt them and Spain but they defer the publishing of it yet till they have collected all the Contribution money for the Army The Spaniard hopes that one day this Peace may tend to his advantage more than all his Wars have don these fourscore yeers relying upon the old Prophecie Marte triumphabis Batavia Pace peribis The King of Denmark hath buried lately his eldest Son Christian so that he hath now but one living viz. Frederic who is Arch-Bishop of Breme and is shortly to be King Elect. My Lord this Letter runs upon Universalls because I know your Lordship hath a public great soul and a spacious understanding which comprehends the whole world so in a due posture of humility I kiss your hands being My Lord Your most obedient and most faithfull Servitor J. H. From the Fleet this 20 of Ian. 1646. II. To Mr. En. P. at Paris SIR SInce we are both agred to truck Intelligence and that you are contented to barter French for English I shall bee carefull to send you hence from time to time the currentest and most staple stuff I can find with weight and good measure to boot I know in that more subtill air of yours tinsell somtimes passes for Veniceâ—…eads â—…eads for Perl and Demicastors for Bevers But I know you have so discerning a judgment that you will not suffer your self to be so cheated they must rise betimes that can put tricks upon you and make you take semblances for realities probabilities for certainties or spurious for tru things To hold this litterall correspondence I desire but the parings of your time that you may have somthing to do when you have nothing els to do while I make a busines of it to be punctuall in my answers to you let our Letters be as Eccho's let them bound back and make
so well deserv'd of his Church heer the goodliest pile oâ—… stones in the Christian world of that kind Of all the men of our times you are one of the greatest examples of Piety and constant Integrity which discovers a noble souâ—… to dwell within you and that you are very conversant with heaven so that me thinks I see St. Paul saluting and solacing you in thesâ—… black times assuring you that those pious works of Charity yoâ—… have don and daily do and that in such a manner that the lifâ—… hand knows not what the right doth will be as a triumphant Chariot to carry you one day up to heaven to partake of the same beatitude with him Sir among those that truly honor you I am one and have been so since I first knew you therfore as a small testimony heerof I send you this fresh fancy compos'd by a Noble Personage in Italian of which language you are so great a Master For the first part of the Discours which consists of a Dialog 'twixt the two first Persons of the Holy Trinity ther are exampleâ—… of that kind in som of the most Ancient Fathers as Apollinariuâ—… and Nazianzen and lately Grotius hath the like in his Tragedy oâ—… Christs Passion which may serve to free it from all exceptions So most affectionatly kiss your hands and am Sir Your very humble and ready Servant J. H. Fleet 25 Martii 1646. XX. To Sir Paul Neale Knight upon the same subject SIR SAint Paul cannot reascend to Heaven before he gives you also a salute my Lord your father having bin a star of the greatest magnitude in the Firmament of the Church If you please to observe the manner of his late progress upon earth which you may do by the guidance of this discours you shall discover many things which are not vulgar by a curious mixture of Churâ—…h and State-affaires you shall feel heerin the pulse of Italy how it beats at this time since the beginning of these late Wars 'twixt the Pope and the Duke of Parma with the grounds procedure and success of the said War together with the interest and grievances the pretences and quarrells that most princes there have with Rome I must confes my Genius hath often prompted me that I was never cut out for a Translator ther being a kind of servility therin For it must needs be somwhat â—…dious to one that hath any free-born thoughts within him and genuin conceptions of his own wherof I have som though shallow ones to enchain himself to a verball servitude and the sense of another Moreover Translations are but as turn-coated things at best specially among languages that have advantages one of the other as the Italian hath of the English which may be said to differ one from the other as silk doth from cloth the common wear of both Countries where they are spoken And as cloth is the more substantiall so the English toung by reason 't is so knotted with consonants is the stronger and the more sinewy of the two But silk is more smoâ—…th and slik so is the Italian toung compar'd to the English Or I may say Translations are like the wrong side of a Turky carpet which useth to be full of thrums and knots and nothing so even as the right side Or one may say as I spake elsewhere that Translations are like Wines tane off the lees and powr'd into other vessels that must needs lose somwhat of their first strength and brisknes which in the powring or passage rather evaporates into air Moreover touching Translations it is to be observ'd that evry language hath certain Idiomes proverbs and peculiar expressionâ—… of its own which are not rendible in any other but paraphrastically therfore he overacts the office of an Interpreter who doth esslave himself too strictly to words or phrases I have heard of an exces among Limmers call'd too much to the life which happens when one aimes at similitudes morethan skill So in version of languages one may be so over-punctuall in words that he may mar the matter The greatest fidelity that can be expected in a Translator is to keep still a foot and entire the tru genuin sense of the Author with the main design he drives at And this was the principall thing which was observ'd in this Version Furthermore let it not be thought strange that ther are som Italian words made free denizens of England in this discours for by such meanes our language hath grown from time to time to be so copious and still growes more rich by adopting or naturalizing rather the choicest forren words of other Nations as a Nosegay is nothing els but a tuft of flowers gatherd from divers beds Touching this present version of Italian into English I may say 't is a thing I did when I had nothing to do 'T was to find somthing wherby to pass away the slow houres of this sad condition of captivity I pray be pleas'd to take this as a small argument of the great respects I ow you for the sundry rare and high vertues I have discover'd in you as also for the obligations I have to your noble Lady whose hands I humbly kiss wishing you both as the season invites me a good New yeer for it begins but now in Law as also a holy Lent and a healthfull Spring Fleet 25 Martij Your much obliged and ready Servant J. H. XXII To Dr. W. Turner SIR I Return you my most thankfull acknowledgments for that collection or farrago of prophecies as you call them and that very properly in regard ther is a mixture of good and bad you pleas'd to send me lately specially that of Nosterdamus which I shall be very chary to preserve for you I could requite you with â—…ivers predictions more and of som of the British Bâ—…rds which were â—…hey translated to English would transform the world to wonder They sing of a Red Parlement and white King of a race of peeple which should be called Pâ—…ngruns of the fall of the Church and divers other things which glance upon these times But I am none of those that afford much faith to rambling Prophecies which as was said elsewhere are like so many od graines sown in the vast field of Time wherof not one in a thousand comes to grow up again and appear above ground But that I may correspond with you in som part for the like courtesie I send you these following prophetic verses of White-Hall which were made above twenty yeers ago to my knowledg upon a Book call'd Balaams Ass that consisted of som invectives against King Iames and the Court in 〈◊〉 quo tuâ—…c It was compos'd by one Mr Williams a Counsellor of the Temple but a Roman Catholic who was hang d drawn and quarter'd at Charing Cross for it and I believe ther be hundreds that have copies of these verses ever since that time about the Town yet living They were these Som seven years since Christ