"fore him. Indeed, he was a moft eloquent 66 man, of rare wifdom and learning, as ever I "knew England to breed, and one that joyed as much in learned men and good witts; from "whofe lippes I have feen to proceed more

grave and natural eloquence, than from all "the Orators of Oxford or Cambridge."

"Queen Elizabeth came, in one of her pro"greffes, to vifit Sir Nicholas Bacon, at his "houfe at Redgrave, and faid to him, My "Lord, how fmall a houfe you have! He re"plied, Madam, my houfe is fmall; but you "have made me too great for it."

EARL OF ESSEX.

AT the age of fixteen, Lord Effex took the degree of Mafter of Arts at Cambridge, and kept his public act. "His Father," fays Sir Henry Wotton," died with a very cold conceit of him; "fome fay, through his affection to his fecond "fon Walter Devereux, who was indeed a "diamond of his time, and both of a kindly and "delicate temper and mixture. But it seems, "the Earl, like certain vegetables, did bud and "open flowly; Nature fometimes delighting to play

play an after-game as well as Fortune, which "had both their turns and tides in course."

This amiable and accomplished Nobleman is thus defcribed by Sir Henry Wotton:

"As he grew more and more attentive to "business, he became less curious of his dress, "fo that thofe about him had a conceit, that "fometimes when he went up to the Queen, he "fcarce knew what he had on. For his manner "of dreffing was this: his chamber being com"monly filled with friends or fuitors of one kind

or other, when he was up he gave his legs,

arms, and breaft to his ordinary fervants, to "button and dress him with little heed, his head "and face to his barber, his eyes to his letters, "his ears to petitioners, and many times all at 66 once. Then the Gentleman of his robes. "throwing his cloke over his shoulders, he "would make a step into his closet, and after a "short prayer he was gone. Only in his baths "he was fomewhat delicate."

Lord Effex was a scholar, and an extremely elegant writer in profe and in verfe. His advice to the Earl of Rutland on his travels is admirable, and, from the excellent obfervations which it contains, may be still perused with advantage and inftruction.

Effex's liberal behaviour to Lord Bacon will ever endear his memory to all lovers of the writings of that great man: on Queen Elizabeth's refusing the place of Solicitor General to him, though Lord Effex had importuned her very much to give it to him, he sent for Mr. Bacon, and told him, "I know that you are the least part "of your own matter, but you fare ill because 66 you have chofen me for your mean and de"pendance. You have fpent your time and "thoughts in my matters. I die, if I do not "fomewhat towards your fortune. You fhall "not deny to accept a piece of land, which I "will bestow upon you." Mr. Bacon answered, "that for his fortune it was no great matter, "but that his Lordship's offer made him call to "mind what used to be faid when he was in "France of the Duke of Guife, that he was the "greatest ufurer in that kingdom; because he "had turned all his eftates into obligations, "having left himself nothing, and to have only "bound numbers of perfons to himself. Now,

my Lord," faid he, "I would not have you "imitate this courfe, nor turn your eftate thus, "by

by greatest gifts to obligations; for you will "find many bad debtors." The Earl bade him take no care for that, and preffed his offer; upon which Mr. Bacon faid, "I fee, my Lord, that I "must be your homager, and hold land of your

"gift. But do you know the manner of doing • homage in this land? It is always with a faving "of his faith to the King and the other Lords; "and therefore, my Lord, I can be no more <c yours than I was, and it must be with the "ancient favings; and if I grow to be a rich 66 man, you will give me leave to give it back "again to fome of your unrewarded followers."

"This land," fays Dr. Birch, in his entertaining Memoirs of Queen Elizabeth, “ was "Twickenham park and garden, which was fold "afterwards for one thousand eight hundred "pounds, and was thought to be worth more."

The hatred between Lord Effex and Sir Walter Raleigh is well known: Sir Walter had landed at Fayal in the Island of Madeira, in direct contradiction to the precife commands of Lord Effex, who commanded in that expedition; and who, being preffed by fome perfons to bring him to a Court Martial, nobly replied, " I would "do it immediately, if he were my friend."

Queen Elizabeth was very irrefolute respecting the execution of Lord Effex. Her pride was hurt at his not imploring her to pardon him.

When Effex was told by Dr. Barlow, that his popularity had spurred him on to his fate, and that

all

that the people had deceived him; he faid, "True, Sir, a man's friends will fail him ; "popularity and truft in man is vain, whereof myself have had late experience."

66

Secretary Cecil acknowledged, that his Lordfhip fuffered with great patience and humility; only (notwithstanding his refolution that he must die) the conflict between the flesh and the fpirit did appear thus far, that he was fain to be helped, otherwife no man living could pray more chrif tianly than he did.

MATTHEW PARKER,

ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY.

THIS learned Man, the fecond Proteftant Archbishop of Canterbury, was diftinguished by his hatred to the Puritans, and by his extreme defire to effect an uniformity of habits and of ceremonies in the Church.

The two following Letters difplay the Archbishop's character to advantage: the first fhews his abhorrence of impofture; and the other exhibits a specimen of the spirit and refolution with which he oppofed innovation.