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office of a brother in getting it for 500l. will take up some weeks, if not months, If he had not been brother-in-law, and a and then you may suppose what time they descendant of the founder of the Garter, will take up in the thorough reformation he had not gotten it so low." Nine years of the grievances. The great business of after J. Skeffington writes to Walter Wrot- the week has been the raising of the 100,tesley, March 6, 1641, offering a baronetcy, 000l. for the maintenance of the King's ar"the King having given a warrant with my and the relief of the northern counties. liberty to nominate a gentleman whom he The money is borrowed some part from or I think fit; gives him the first offer for the City of London; 50,000l. is offered to 3001.; " but six days after Thomas Pudsey be lent by one Mr. Hamson, one of the writes to tell Walter not to think of the fermors of the Customs; for so many thoubaronetcy. "It is thought those which sand pounds that shall be lent they are to have been made shall be cauld in question, be secured by bond of some gentlemen of and nothing shall be done but by Parlia- the House until the Act be passed, and ment. The King is gone, as we heard, for then the gentlemen are to have in their Yorke, and so for Scotland. Many of the bonds. Yesterday the great charge the Lords have been with him to intreat him House of Commons has against the Lord to come to the toune, but all will not do. Lieutenant of Ireland was delivered to the It is reported that he will not come to the Lords in the Painted Chamber by Mr. toune until the Queen doth return, and Pim." About a year and a half after this that she hath made him take an noth a demand was made for college plate in (oath); but he has taken the prince along support of the monarchical cause. Acwith him, which the Parliament are very cordingly we find in Mr. Riley's report on sorry for it." A month before Pudsey the MSS. of Exeter College, Oxford, sevwrites: "Strafford's tryal will be to-mor- eral letters and papers relating to this derow senet. It is thought he will not come mand. The Rector and Fellows sent a peoff well, for the axe or the rope may sarve tition to the King that they considered his turne. The Bishop of Oxford is dead, themselves bound to keep their plate. But and our bishop is not well. I think all on being reminded that "the commonhave quesie stomachs, for they stand upon wealth of learning" was in danger," and their good behaviour; for in the House the colleges themselves not likely to outsome are for bishops and some for none, live his Majesty, if he shall be destroyed and if there be any they are to be allowed in this rebellion," they submitted. The a partickelar stipant, so that their pride following receipt was forwarded them: will be abated. The Prince of Orange's "Received of the Rector and Fellowes of son is to come over very shortly and marry with our King's eldest daughter; the rightings are drawn all redy.' On February 11, 1611, Thomas Crompton says:- "On Tuesday, as it is reported, 4000 Kentish men, horse and foot, came thro' London, and went to the Parlt. House. They had all papers in their hatts, but the superscription as yet to us unknown. It is imagined they came on behalf of Sir E. Dering, Knight of the Shire, many being sorry for the censure and imprisonment upon him." On December 10, same year, he says, "The King is pleased with the entertainment in the City. Rewards and honours for the City."

Among the letters of the Dryden family in the possession of Sir Henry Dryden, Bart. (of Canons Ashby, county Northampton), is a letter dated Nov. 26, 1640, from Westminster. Sir John Dryden writes to his uncle, Richard Knightley, that he shall have his prayers, tho' he can not be so serviceable either to him or the country that hath set him (Dryden) in that place of trust. . . . "I suppose that the petitions that come from several counties

ye Colledge of Exeter, in Oxford, in plate for his Majesty's service, by them presented as followeth in white 2081b. 4oz. 8dwt.; for guilt plate 381b. Ooz. 3dwt.; total, 2461b. 5oz. 1dwt. (Signed) Wm. Parkhurst, Thos. Bushell." The college had already given the King 3001. in the previous year. The Rector informed Mr. Riley that of the ancient college plate, a silver saltcellar and an ostrich egg, set in silver gilt, are the only articles which survived the requisition. From an Inventory Book of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, for 1610, it seems that Fellows entered their rooms partly furnished by the college. "In three cloister chamber, now Mr. Gorselton's. Imprimis, a fayre standing bedsted, with carved vallance, and a testerne waynscotted and a truckle-bed under it, with mats and cords to both." The latter was for the scholar, as, according to the original statutes, the scholars slept in a bed placed below the Fellows."

Sir George Osborn, Bart. of Chicksands, Beds, has a most interesting collection of letters and papers relating to the defence of Castle Cornet, in Guernsey, during the

The MS. volume, Sir Edward Southcote's Memoirs, in the library of the monastery of the Dominican Friars at Woodchester, near Stroud, contains details of the adventures of Sir Edward's father, Sir John, at the eventful period of the civil war. From Mr. Stevenson's Report we make an extract or two:

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civil war, for the King. Some of these have been printed in a work published at Guernsey in 1851. Pages 158 to 165 of the Report are occupied with a description of a very curious journal of events during the same unhappy period. It is entitled Journal et Recueil des choses les plus remarquables en l'ile de Jersey, arrivées pendant les Guerres civiles sous les règnes des rois The first adventure in which Sir John was Charles Premier et Charles Second. Par engaged was while serving in a corps de réserve. Jean Chevalier, vingtenier de la ville de St.- The enemy (the Parliamentary army) observing Helier. It commences in 1643, and con- this body of nearly 1,000 horse, fired at them tains a good deal of information respect- with cannon, which killed several of their men ing the residence of Charles Prince of and horses He found it very unpleasant to Wales and others in Jersey. The prince stand still in cold blood to be thus shot at in arrived in April 1616, having been obliged sight of the two armies, which were now closely to quit Pendennis, though he had been in-engaged; but this was their fate for nearly an vited "in a loving and tender way to re- its way through the enemy and "nailed up' hour. By that time the King's army had forced pair to the Parliament's quarters," which invitation, it is needless to say, was de- to give way the reserves were called up to purthe cannon. As Oliver's troops were beginning clined without thanks. His retinue con- sue. sisted of about three hundred persons, of John made use of his little battle-axe, a weapon This was the first occasion upon which Sir which a full account is given in the Jour- carried by all the King's troops. It hung to the nal. The prince was extremely affable, wrist by a ribbon, and did not hinder the use of and soon became very popular; he was pistol or sword. It was a "dead doing thing," then about sixteen years of age. The loy- and, like the mason's "laithing hammer," had al Sir George Carteret had his patent of a sharp little axe on one side and a hammer on knighthood confirmed, and was afterwards the other. It was a new invention. created a baronet, with as much ceremony army being at no great distance from Perry as their affairs would allow. Now and Hall, our hero went thither to see his brother then his highness dined in state, persons and did not dismount till he reached the table and sister Stanford. He rode up the staircase, being admitted to gaze upon him, and the where they were sitting at supper. They were display of gold and silver plate seems to much pleased with his frolic, and glad to see have astonished the worthy chevalier. An him. elegantly appointed pinnace was sent from of the army, and took prisoner Captain Hall, At Newbury he was in the main body St. Malo, in which the prince cruised about who commanded what was called Oliver's own the bay. The prince left in June for troop, whom he carried first to Newbury, and France. The news of the King's death on next (when news came that the King's army had January 30, 1649, reached Jersey on the been defeated) to Reading. Eight or ten days 9th of February. In a few days the re- afterwards Southcote accepted as Hall's ransom port was confirmed, and we are told "the a fine managed horse, a suit of armour, a diapublic announcement was made, and caused mond ring, and a promise to the effect that if he consternation throughout the island. The in his turn were made prisoner he should immeloyal portion of the community expressed Sir John was made a knight. After the siege diately be released without exchange. For this the deepest grief, and the malcontents of Oxford "he was exceedingly anxious to enwere too much astounded to take advan- ter the service of Prince Rupert, who was the tage of the circumstance." The prince, greatest beau as well as the greatest hero in the now king, came over on the 17th of Sep- royal army. His mode of fighting was to charge tember, and took up his residence, as be- right through the enemy and then to fall upon fore, in Castle Elizabeth. He conciliated their rear, slaughtering them with scarcely any all by the grace of his manners; and of opposition. One very cold morning he took a the review of the insular army, 5000 in very fine laced handkerchief out of his pocket number, Chevalier says: "Et comme le and tied it about his neck; hence originated the roi passait devant les soldats ils levaient habit of wearing laced cravats. In all his atleurs chapeaux en haut, criant Vive le tacks he was successful. A little black dog alroi! sauve le roi! Dieu le mette sur ways followed him into the field, which the son trône !' Tellement aussi des cris de Roundheads fancied was the devil, and took it joie étaient faits par le peuple comme sa In the fatal battle of Naseby the Prince forced very ill that he would set himself against them." Majesté passait devant eux.' Charles re- his way through the body of horse that opposed mained here five months, the brilliant Duke him and "nailed up of Buckingham being sent by the Queen-while, the main body of the rebels' horse broke "their cannon, but, meanmother to hasten his departure. in upon the foot of the King's army and made

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a fearful carnage, leaving upwards of 20,000 | rest, translated from the French by Mr. dead, wounded and prisoners. The writer of Fraser: the letter afterwards visited the ground and was shown the windmill in which the King got to see the battle, and the hawthorn bush where Oliver placed himself for the like purpose.

In the same volume is a curious account of the living of the writer's grandfather at Standon:

His

Walter Lord Aston, grandfather to the present lord, married the Lady Mary Weston. father was many years ambassador in Spain. The estate of Standon coming to him through his wife, a descendant of the great Sir Ralph Sadler, he removed thither and there began his magnificent way of living; he had 101 persons in his family. The writer resided there for three or four months every summer, from the time he was six until about his fourteenth year The table was served with three courses, each of twenty dishes; and these were brought up by twenty men, who stamped up the great stair like thunder at every course. My lord had four servants behind his own chair. He was very curious in his wine; but first of all drank at one draught a whole quart either of malt drink or wine and water, as a remedy for stone and gravel. At all the inns he lodged at in travelling they kept a quart glass called my lord Aston's glass. Sir Edward Southcote saw one at the Altar Stone at Banbury not many years ago. The servants all dined together in the hall, and what was left was thrown together into a tub, which two men took on their shoulders to the court gate, where every day forty or fifty poor people were served with it. When my lord did not go hawking in the afternoon, he always played at ombre with his two sons for an hour, and at four o'clock returned to a covered seat in his vineyard. There he sat alone, and none durst approach him. At five o'clock his chariot, with a pair of his six grey Flanders mares (the chariot was made so narrow that none could sit by him) took him "a trole" about the park for five or six miles. He returned at seven, and by eight would be in bed. He always lay in bed without pillow, bolster, or night-cap. Winter and summer he rose at four, and entertained himself with books till it was time to go a-hunting or hawking at wild ducks. He would never allow any but hunted venison at his table. Every day but Sunday one buck was killed at the least, but most commonly a brace. He never made or returned any visit, the court and address of that county being made to him.

There are thirteen letters by Charles I. in the muniments of the Duke of Montrose at Buchanan Castle; but as these are of no particular interest, we pass on to note those addressed to James Marquis of Montrose, by Queen Henrietta Maria, and Elizabeth, Queen of Bohemia sister of Charles I. One letter from Henrietta Maria will suffice as a specimen of the VOL. XXVI. 1201

LIVING AGE.

Paris, 10th March, 1649. Having received his letter by Pooley, and seen by it the assurances of the continuance of the Marquess's affection for the service of the King, her son, as he had always shown for that of the late King, her husband, whose murder ought to arouse in all his servants the passion of seeking doubted not that he would be well pleased to all means to avenge a death so abominable, she would do all that lay in his power, and conjured find opportunities, and that for that effect he him to unite with all those of his nation who regarded that death with just indignation, and to forget all past differences.

Elizabeth, Queen of Bohemia, the Queen of Hearts, was the eldest daughter of James I., and married, in 1613, Frederick, Elector Palatine and King of Bohemia. Of ten letters we select this:

The Hagh, 9th December, 1649. Had received the Marquis's of the 4th of November this last week, and the next day, by Sir William Fleming, one from the King of the same date from Jersey; who assured her he was not changed in his affections nor his design, which he would show to the world very suddenly. Robert le Diable (her son Prince Rupert) is about Sillie with seven good ships. She doubted not but the Marquis had seen by that time the proclamation against Morton and Kinnoull, and all the adherents of "that detestable bloodie murderer and excommunicated traitour, James Gream." The Turks never called the Christians so. In a P.S. the Queen adds "Oulde Bramford says he is now too oulde to be a knave, having been honest ever."

We observe from another part of the Report that Sir C. Cottrell was steward of the household to the Queen of Bohemia, and Mr Cottrell-Dormer (of Rousham, near Oxford) possesses many interesting letters and papers relating to the residence of the royal family abroad.

A very interesting collection of letters and papers relating to the Cromwell family is in the possession of Mrs. Prescott (née Cromwell Russell) of Oxford Square. This lady is a lineal descendant of the Protector, and possesses two swords used by him, a hat worn when he dissolved the Long Parliament, a beautiful cabinet of Florentine mosaic, presented to him by the Grand Duke of Tuscany, and a medicine cabinet of black wood with silver cups. Among the letters we note one, dated June 15, 1655: "Order to Mr. Waterhouse to pay Mr. Robert Walker 241. for a draught of his Highnesses picture (Signed, Simon Cannon), and the receipt below, signed by H. Walker." 1658,

in which representatives of the Ormonde line were engaged from the twelfth to the fifteenth century."

Important sixteenth century MSS., mentioned in the Report, are contained in Lord Calthorpe's collection. These are known as the Yelverton MSS., formed by Robert Beale, Clerk of the Council to Queen Elizabeth, and many important papers relating to Mary Queen of Scots are contained in them. Documents relating to the same century are in the collections of Messrs. Bromley Davenport and Cottrell Dormer. A MS. found by Mr. W. H. Turner, of Turl Street, Oxford, now in the Bodleian, is an exceedingly interesting illustration of the usages of the period. It is an inventory, circa 1551, of the effects of John, Viscount Lisle, and Earl of Warwick, afterwards Duke of Northumberland, beheaded in 1553. The destination of all the articles is given; and it will surprise many to learn that the old coats were chiefly given to his sons, the old shirts were cut up to make handkerchiefs for his lordship; articles lost or stolen when staying at different houses are duly recorded; and it is quite evident that economy was by no means unstudied in this nobleman's establishment. A number of entries in the MSS. of the Corporation of Abingdon relate to payments made to players. We transcribe a few of these. "1551. Item. Geven in reward to my Lord of Wostars (Worcester's) players vis. xd. Item, geven in reward to therle of Darbes players vs. 1580. Item, paid to my Lord of Shrosbures playars vis. 1579. Item, geven in reward to the Lord Barcleys playars, at the commandment of Mr. Mayot, mayor, and by the hands of Mr. Leonell Bostock

vs.

Item, geven the tomblars that plad befor Mr. Mayor and his company in reward iiis. ixd. Item, paid to therle of Baths playars in reward vs.' There are many entries of this nature, showing that the worshipful mayor and corporation of the borough were not above witnessing such dramatic representations.

We now select and arrange in chronological order the most interesting documents in the Report, relating to the great events of the seventeenth century, so as to form a series of new illustrations of the history and manners of a most eventful period.

The Camden Society are to be congratulated in having just published a selection from the valuable MSS. of the Hon. G. M. Fortescue, of Dropmore. The collection seems to have been made by John Packer, Secretary to the Duke of Buckingham,

and contains letters from Buckingham, Secretaries Lake, Calvert, Naunton, and Conway, the Earls of Suffolk, Middlesex, and Nottingham; and last, not least, letters from James I. and his daughter Elizabeth of Bohemia. More than five hundred of these letters are catalogued in the Report. Mr. Fitzmaurice points out that the most interesting is James's letter to the Commissioners for the trial of Sir Walter Raleigh. The king tells them he has read their letter, and objects to both the courses which they propose. A narrative of his proceedings not sufficient, and a public calling of him before the Council will make him too popular, and will be too much honour for him. He recommended that he should be called before those who have hitherto examined him, and charged, and after the sentence for his execution a declaration can be issued!

In the collection of Mr. Ormsby-Gore (of Brogyntyn, Salop) there is a vellum roll thirty feet long, showing "the funerall proceeding of Queen Anne from Denmark House in the Stronde to Westminster Abbey the 27 daie of May 1619," giving the order of the procession with banners, &c., beautifully coloured. Among the letters of this period in this collection is a copy, circa 1621, of one from James I. to Secretary Calvert, reproving the Commons about their assertion of their privileges. They said it was their inheritance, the monarch that it was by the grace and permission of his ancestors. Here we have the high regal ideas of the Stuarts which occasioned the downfall of their house. Mr. Fitzmaurice states that since the publication of the First Report, the immense collection of Mr. Harvey, of Ickwell Bury, Beds, of printed pamphlets, broadsides, &c., relating to the political history of the seventeenth century, has been catalogued. He says, "It is probably as complete a collection as any can be of the publications of that time relating to the current events of the day, and it is luckily also in an admirable state of preservation."

Passing on to the reign of Charles I. we find in the report of Lord Wrottesley's MSS. an evidence that Charles was not much better than his father in the sale of dignities: "London, near Essex Gate. 1632. Sir William Devereux to Sir Hugh Wrottesley. Understands that somebody had possessed him that Sir Thomas Blother, of the Privy Chamber, offered him to be a baronet for 300l., and that the King would make many for 2001. or 300l.; that the King was reserved; one offered 8001., and coulă not get it. Thought he had performed the

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office of a brother in getting it for 500. will take up some weeks, if not months, If he had not been brother-in-law, and a and then you may suppose what time they descendant of the founder of the Garter, will take up in the thorough reformation he had not gotten it so low." Nine years of the grievances. The great business of after J. Skeffington writes to Walter Wrot- the week has been the raising of the 100,tesley, March 6, 1641, offering a baronetcy, 000l. for the maintenance of the King's ar"the King having given a warrant with my and the relief of the northern counties. liberty to nominate a gentleman whom he The money is borrowed some part from or I think fit; gives him the first offer for the City of London; 50,000l. is offered to 300;" but six days after Thomas Pudsey be lent by one Mr. Hamson, one of the writes to tell Walter not to think of the fermors of the Customs; for so many thoubaronetcy. "It is thought those which sand pounds that shall be lent they are to have been made shall be cauld in question, be secured by bond of some gentlemen of and nothing shall be done but by Parlia- the House until the Act be passed, and ment. The King is gone, as we heard, for then the gentlemen are to have in their Yorke, and so for Scotland. Many of the bonds. Yesterday the great charge the Lords have been with him to intreat him House of Commons has against the Lord to come to the toune, but all will not do. Lieutenant of Ireland was delivered to the It is reported that he will not come to the Lords in the Painted Chamber by Mr. toune until the Queen doth return, and Pim." About a year and a half after this that she hath made him take an noth a demand was made for college plate in (oath); but he has taken the prince along support of the monarchical cause. Acwith him, which the Parliament are very cordingly we find in Mr. Riley's report on sorry for it." A month before Pudsey the MSS. of Exeter College, Oxford, sevwrites: Strafford's tryal will be to-mor- eral letters and papers relating to this derow senet. It is thought he will not come mand. The Rector and Fellows sent a peoff well, for the axe or the rope may sarvetition to the King that they considered his turne. The Bishop of Oxford is dead, themselves bound to keep their plate. But and our bishop is not well. I think all on being reminded that "the commonhave quesie stomachs, for they stand upon wealth of learning" was in danger, "and their good behaviour; for in the House the colleges themselves not likely to outsome are for bishops and some for none, live his Majesty, if he shall be destroyed and if there be any they are to be allowed in this rebellion," they submitted. The a partickelar stipant, so that their pride following receipt was forwarded them: will be abated. The Prince of Orange's Received of the Rector and Fellowes of son is to come over very shortly and marry ye Colledge of Exeter, in Oxford, in plate with our King's eldest daughter; the right- for his Majesty's service, by them presentings are drawn all redy." On February ed as followeth in white 2081b. 4oz. 8dwt.; 11. 1611, Thomas Crompton says:-"On for guilt plate 381b. Ooz. 3dwt.; total, Tuesday, as it is reported, 4000 Kentish 2461b. 5oz. 1dwt. (Signed) Wm. Parkmen, horse and foot, came thro' London, hurst, Thos. Bushell." The college had and went to the Parlt. House. They had all papers in their hatts, but the superscription as yet to us unknown. It is imagined they came on behalf of Sir E. Dering, Knight of the Shire, many being sorry for the censure and imprisonment upon him." On December 10, same year, he says, "The King is pleased with the entertainment in the City. Rewards and honours for the City."

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already given the King 3007. in the previous year. The Rector informed Mr. Riley that of the ancient college plate, a silver saltcellar and an ostrich egg, set in silver gilt, are the only articles which survived the requisition. From an Inventory Book of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, for 1610, it seems that Fellows entered their rooms partly furnished by the college. "In three cloister chamber, now Mr. GorAmong the letters of the Dryden family selton's. Imprimis, a fayre standing bedin the possession of Sir Henry Dryden, sted, with carved vallance, and a testerne Bart. (of Canons Ashby, county North-waynscotted and a truckle-bed under it, ampton), is a letter dated Nov. 26, 1640, with mats and cords to both." The latter from Westminster. Sir John Dryden was for the scholar, as, according to the writes to his uncle, Richard Knightley, that he shall have his prayers, tho' he can not be so serviceable either to him or the country that hath set him (Dryden) in that place of trust. . . . "I suppose that the petitions that come from several counties

original statutes, the scholars slept in a bed placed below the Fellows."

Sir George Osborn, Bart. of Chicksands, Beds, has a most interesting collection of letters and papers relating to the defence of Castle Cornet, in Guernsey, during the

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