Characters from the Histories & Memoirs of the Seventeenth Century Part 4

He was of an imperious nature, and nothinge wary in disoblieginge and provokinge other men, and had to much courage in offendinge and incensinge them, but after havinge offended and incensed them, he was of so unhappy a feminine temper that he was always in a terrible fright and apprehension of them. He had not that application, and submissyon and reverence for the Queene as might have bene exspected from his wisdome and breedinge, and often crossed her praetences and desyres, with more rudenesse then was naturall to him; yett he was impertinently sollicitous to know what her Majesty sayd of him in private, and what resentments shee had towards him; and when by some confidents (who had ther ends upon him from those offices) he was informed of some bitter exspressions fallen from her Majesty, he was so exceedingly afflicted and tormented with the sense of it, that sometimes by pa.s.sionate complaints and representations to the Kinge, sometimes by more dutifull addresses and expostulations with the Queene in bewaylinge his misfortunes, he frequently exposed himselfe, and left his condition worse then it was before: and the eclarcicement commonly ended in the discovery of the persons from whome he had received his most secrett intelligence. He quickly lost the character of a bold, stoute, and magnanimous man, which he had bene longe reputed to be, in worse tymes, and in his most prosperous season, fell under the reproch of beinge a man of bigg lookes, and of a meane and abjecte spiritt....

To conclude, all the honours the Kinge conferred upon him, as he made him a Barren, then an Earle, and Knight of the Gartar, and above this, gave a younge, beautifull Lady, neerely allyed to him and to the Crowne of Scotlande, in marriage to his eldest Sunn, could not make him thinke himselfe greate enough; nor could all the Kings bountyes nor his owne large accessions, rayse a fortune to his Heyre, but after six or eight yeeres spent in outward opulency, and inward murmur and trouble, that it was no greater, after vast summes of mony and greate wealth gotten and rather consumed then injoyed, without any sense or delight in so greate prosperity, with the agony that it was no greater, He dyed unlamented by any, bitterly mentioned by most, who never pretended to love him, and sevearely censured and complayned of, by those who exspected most from him, and deserved best of him, and left a numerous family, which was in a shorte tyme worne out, and yett outlyved the fortune he left behinde him.

[Footnote 1: In the MS. the words 'he travelled into forrainge parts'

occur after 'Middle temple', as well as after 'const.i.tuted'. The whole sentence is faulty. 'After this' is inserted in the edition of 1702 before 'he betooke'.]

[Footnote 2: 'as' inserted in late hand in MS. in place of 'and'.]

[Footnote 3: 'off' added in later hand in MS.; 'notice of', ll. 2, 6, ed. 1704.]

6.

THE EARL OF ARUNDEL.

_Thomas Howard, fourteenth Earl of Arundel._

_Born 1586. Died 1646._

By CLARENDON.

The Earle of Arrundell was the next to the officers of State, who in his owne right and quality, praeceded the rest of the councell. He was a man supercilious and prowde, who lyved alwayes within himselfe, and to himselfe, conversinge little with any, who were in common conversation, so that he seemed to lyve as it were in another nation, his house beinge a place, to which all men resorted, who resorted to no other place, strangers, or such who affected to looke like strangers, and dressed themselves accordingly. He resorted sometimes to the Courte, because ther only was a greater man then himselfe, and went thither the seldomer, because ther was a greater man then himselfe. He lived toward all Favorites and greate officers without any kinde of condescention, and rather suffred himselfe to be ill treated by ther power and authority (for he was alwayes in disgrace, and once or twice prysoner in the tower) then to descende in makinge any application to them; and upon these occasyons, he spent a greate intervall of his tyme, in severall journyes into forrainge partes, and with his wife and family had lyved some yeeres in Italy, the humour and manners of which nation he seemed most to like and approve, and affected to imitate. He had a good fortune by descent, and a much greater from his wife, who was the sole daughter upon the matter (for nether of the two Sisters left any issue) of the greate house of Shrewsbury, but his exspences were without any measure, and alwayes exceeded very much his revennue. He was willinge to be thought a scholar, and to understande the most misterious partes of Antiquity, because he made a wounderfull and costly purchase of excellent statues whilst he was in Italy and in Rome (some wherof he could never obtayne permission to remoove from Rome, though he had payd for them) and had a rare collection of the most curious Medalls; wheras in truth he was only able to buy them, never to understande ihem, and as to all partes of learninge he was almost illiterate, and thought no other parte of history considerable, but what related to his owne family, in which no doubt ther had bene some very memorable persons.

It cannot be denyed, that he had in his person, in his aspecte and countenance, the appearance of a greate man, which he preserved in his gate and motion. He wore and affected a habitt very different from that of the tyme, such as men had only beheld in the pictures of the most considerable men, all which drew the eyes of most and the reverence of many towards him, as the image and representative of the primitive n.o.bility, and natife gravity of the n.o.bles, when they had bene most venerable. But this was only his outsyde, his nature and true humour beinge so much disposed to levity, and vulgar delights, which indeede were very despicable and childish: He was never suspected to love anybody, nor to have the least propensity to justice, charity, or compa.s.sion, so that, though he gott all he could, and by all the wayes he could, and spent much more then he gott or had, he was never knowne to give any thinge, nor in all his imployments (for he had imployments of greate profitt as well as honour, beinge sent Amba.s.sadour extraordinary into Germany, for the treaty of that Generall peace, for which he had greate appointments, and in which he did nothinge of the least importance, and which is more wounderfull, he was afterwards made Generall of the Army raysed for Scotlande, and receaved full pay as such, and in his owne office of Earle Marshall, more money was drawne from the people by his authority and praetence of jurisdiction, then had ever bene extorted by all the officers praecedent) yett I say in all his offices and imployments, never man used, or imployed by him, ever gott any fortune under him, nor did ever any man acknowledge any obligation to him. He was rather thought to be without religion, then to inclyne to this or that party of any. He would have bene a proper instrument for any tyranny, if he could have a man tyrant enough to have bene advized by him, and had no other affection for the nation or the kingdome, then as he had a greate share in it, in which like the greate Leviathan he might sporte himselfe, from which he withdrew himselfe, as soone as he decerned the repose therof was like to be disturbed, and dyed in Italy, under the same doubtfull character of religion, in which he lyved.

7.

THE EARL OF PEMBROKE.

_William Herbert, third Earl of Pembroke._

_Born 1580. Died 1630._

By CLARENDON.

w.i.l.l.yam Earle of Pembroke was next, a man of another molde and makinge, and of another fame and reputation with all men, beinge the most universally loved and esteemed, of any man of that age, and havinge a greate office in the courte, made the courte itselfe better esteemed and more reverenced in the country; and as he had a greate number of frends of the best men, so no man had ever wickednesse to avow himselfe to be his enimy. He was a man very well bredd, and of excellent partes, and a gracefull speaker upon any subjecte, havinge a good proportion of learninge, and a ready witt to apply it, and inlarge upon it, of a pleasant and facetious humour and a disposition affable, generous, and magnificent; he was master of a greate fortune from his auncestors, and had a greate addition by his wife (another daughter and heyre of the Earle of Shrewsbury) which he injoyed duringe his life, shee outlivinge him, but all served not his exspence, which was only limited by his greate minde, and occasions to use it n.o.bly; he lyved many yeeres aboute the courte, before in it, and never by it, beinge rather regarded and esteemed by Kinge James then loved and favored, and after the fowle fall of the Earle of Somersett, he was made L'd Chamberlyne of the Kings house more for the Courtes sake, then his owne, and the Courte appeared with the more l.u.s.tre, because he had the goverment of that Province. As he spente and lived upon his owne fortune, so he stoode upon his owne feete, without any other supporte then of his proper virtue and meritt, and lyved towards the favorites with that decency, as would not suffer them to censure or reproch his Masters judgement and election, but as with men of his owne ranke. He was exceedingly beloved in the Courte, because he never desyred to gett that for himselfe, which others labored for, but was still ready to promote the praetences of worthy men, and he was equally celebrated in the country, for havinge receaved no obligations from the courte, which might corrupt or sway his affections and judgement; so that all who were displeased and unsatisfyed in the courte or with the Courte, were alwayes inclined to putt themselves under his banner, if he would have admitted them, and yett he did not so rejecte them, as to make them choose another shelter, but so farr to depende on him, that he could restrayn them from breakinge out beyounde private resentments, and murmurs. He was a greate lover of his country, and of the religion and justice which he believed could only supporte it, and his frendshipps were only with men of those principles; and as his conversation was most with men of the most pregnant parts and understandinge, so towards any who needed supporte or encouragement, though unknowne, if fayrely recommended to him, he was very liberall; and sure never man was planted in a courte, that was fitter for that soyle, or brought better qualityes with him to purify that heyre.

Yett his memory must not be so flattered, that his virtues and good inclinations may be believed without some allay of vice, and without beinge clowded with greate infirmityes, which he had in to exorbitant a proportion: He indulged to himselfe the pleasures of all kindes, almost in all excesses; whether out of his naturall const.i.tution, or for wante of his domestique content and delight (in which he was most unhappy, for he payed much to deere for his wife's fortune, by takinge her person into the bargayne) he was immoderately given up to women,[1] but therin he likewise retayned such a pouer and jurisdiction over his very appet.i.te, that he was not so much transported with beauty and outwarde allurements, as with those advantages of the minde, as manifested an extraordinary witt, and spirit, and knowledge, and administred greate pleasure in the conversation; to these he sacrificed himselfe, his pretious tyme, and much of his fortune, and some who were neerest his trust and frendshipp, were not without apprehension that his naturall vivacity, and vigour of minde, begann to lessen and decline, by those excessive indulgences. Aboute the tyme of the death of Kinge James or presently after, he was made L'd Steward of his Majestys house, that the Staffe of Chamberlyne might be putt into the hands of his brother, the Earle of Mountgomery, upon a new contracte of frendshipp with the Duke of Buckingham, after whose death he had likewise such offices of his, as he most affected, of honour and commaunde, none of profitt, which he cared not for; and within two yeeres after he dyed himselfe, of an Apoplexy, after a full and cheerefull supper.

[Footnote 1: The words 'to women' occur twice in the MS., before 'whether out' and after 'given up'.]

8.

SIR FRANCIS BACON.

_Lord Keeper 1617. Lord Chancellor 1618. Baron Verulam 1618, and Viscount St. Albans 1621._

_Born 1561. Died 1626._

By BEN JONSON.

[Sidenote: _Dominis Verula.n.u.s._]

_One_, though hee be excellent, and the chiefe, is not to bee imitated alone. For never no Imitator, ever grew up to his _Author_; likenesse is alwayes on this side Truth: Yet there hapn'd, in my time, one n.o.ble _Speaker_, who was full of gravity in his speaking. His language, (where hee could spare, or pa.s.se by a jest) was n.o.bly _censorious_. No man ever spake more neatly, more presly, more weightily, or suffer'd lesse emptinesse, lesse idlenesse, in what hee utter'd. No member of his speech, but consisted of the owne graces: His hearers could not cough, or looke aside from him, without losse. Hee commanded where hee spoke; and had his Judges angry, and pleased at his devotion. No man had their affections more in his power. The feare of every man that heard him, was, lest hee should make an end.

9.

By ARTHUR WILSON.

Not long after comes the great _Lord Chancellor Bacon_ to a _Censure_, for the most _simple_, and _ridiculous follies_, that ever entred into the _heart_ of a _Wise man_. He was the true _Emblem_ of _humane frailty_, being _more_ than _a man_ in some things, and less than a _woman_ in others. His _crime_ was _Briberie_, and _Extortion_ (which the King hinted at in his Speech, when he _facetiously_ sayd, _He thought the Lords had bribed the Prince to speak well of them_) and these he had often condemned others for as a _Judge_, which now he comes to suffer for as a _Delinquent_: And they were proved, & aggravated against him with so many _circ.u.mstances_, that they fell very _fouly_ on him, both in _relation_ to his _Reception_ of them, and his expending of them: For that which he raked in, and scrued for one way, he scattered and threw abroad another; for his Servants, being young, prodigall and expensive Youths, which he kept about him, his Treasure was their common Store, which they took without stint, having free accesse to his most retired Privacies; and his indulgence to them, and familiarity with them, opened a _gap_ to infamous _Reports_, which left an unsavoury _Tincture_ on him; for where such _Leeches_ are, there must be _putrid bloud_ to fill their _craving Appet.i.tes_. His _gettings_ were like a _Prince_, with a strong hand; his _expences_ like a _Prodigall_, with a weak head; and 'tis a wonder a man of his n.o.ble, and Gallant Parts, that could fly so high above _Reason_, should fall so far below it; unlesse that _Spirit_ that _acted_ the first, were too proud to stoop, to see the _deformities_ of the last. And as he affected his men, so his Wife affected hers: Seldome doth the Husband deviate one way, but the Wife goeth another.

These things came into the _publique mouth_, and the _Genius_ of the _Times_ (where _malice_ is not _corrivall_) is the great _Dictator_ of all _Actions_: For _innocency_ it self is a _crime_, when _calumny_ sets her mark upon it. How prudent therefore ought men to be, that not so much as their _garments_ be defiled with the _sour breath_ of the _Times_!

This poor _Gentleman_, mounted above _pity_, fell down below it: His _Tongue_, that was the glory of his time for _Eloquence_, (that tuned so many sweet _Harrangues_) was like a forsaken _Harp_, hung upon the _Willows_, whilst the _waters_ of _affliction_ overflowed the _banks_.

And now his high-flying _Orations_ are humbled to _Supplications_,...

He was of a _middling stature_, his countenance had in-dented with _Age_ before he was old; his _Presence_ grave and comely; of a high-flying and lively _Wit_, striving in some things to be rather admired than understood, yet so quick and easie where he would express himself, and his _Memory_ so strong and active, that he appeared the _Master_ of a large and plenteous _store-house_ of _Knowledge_, being (as it were) _Natures Midwife_, stripping her _Callou-brood_, and clothing them in new _Attire_. His _Wit_ was quick to the last; for _Gondemar_ meeting him the _Lent_ before his _Censure_, and hearing of his _Miscarriages_, thought to pay him with his _Spanish Sarcasms_ and _Scoffs_, saying, _My Lord, I wish you a good Easter_; _And you my Lord_, replyed the _Chancellor_, _a good Pa.s.seover_: For he could neither close with his _English Buffonerie_, nor his _Spanish Treaty_ (which _Gondemar_ knew) though he was so wise as publiquely to oppose neither. _In fine, he was a fit Jewel to have beautified, and adorned a flourishing Kingdom, if his flaws had not disgraced the l.u.s.tre that should have set him off._

10.

By THOMAS FULLER.

[Sidenote: An essay at his character.]

None can character him to the life, save himself. He was _in parts_, more than a Man, who in any Liberal profession, might be, whatsoever he would himself. A great Honourer of _antient Authors_, yet a great Deviser and Practiser of new waies in Learning. Privy Counsellor, as to King JAMES, so to _Nature_ it self, diving into many of her abstruse Mysteries. New conclusions he would _dig out_ with _mattocks_ of _gold & silver_, not caring what his experience cost him, expending on the _Trials of Nature_, all and more than he got by the _Trials at the Barre_, Posterity being the better for his, though he the worse for his own, dear experiments. He and his Servants had _all in common_, the _Men_ never wanting what their _Master_ had, and thus what came _flowing_ in unto him, was sent _flying_ away from him, who, in giving of rewards knew no _bounds_, but the _bottome_ of his own purse. Wherefore when King James heard that he had given _Ten pounds_ to an _under-keeper_, by whom He had sent him a _Buck_, the King said merrily, _I and He shall both die Beggars_, which was condemnable Prodigality in a _Subject_. He lived many years after, and in his Books will ever survive, in the reading whereof, modest Men commend him, in what they doe, condemn themselves, in what they doe not understand, as believing the fault in their own eyes, and not in the object.