ing sister. He writes from Cambridge, January 19, 1619: "The things you sent me came safe, and now the only thing I long for is to hear of my dear sick sister." Sir Francis Nethersole was going abroad on the King's business, and Herbert, who had long known him at Cambridge, was desirous of procuring his interest. Sir John Danvers undertook to employ his influence in effecting this object. In a letter to that gentleman, he alludes to the fears Sir Francis Nethersole had expressed, lest the "civil nature" of the Oratorship should divert him from the pursuit of divinity. SIR,-I understand from Sir Francis Nethersole's letter, that he fears I have not fully resolved of the matter, since this place being civil, may divert me too much from divinity, at which, not without cause, he thinks I aim. But, I have wrote him back, that this dignity hath no such earthiness in it, but it may very well be joined with heaven; or if it had to others, yet to me it should not, for ought I yet knew; and therefore, I desired him to send me a direct answer in his next letter. I pray, Sir, therefore, cause this enclosed to be carried to his brother's house, of his own name (as I think), at the sign of the Pedler and the Pack, on London Bridge, for these he assigns me. I cannot yet find leisure to write to my Lord, or Sir Benjamin Ruddyard; but I hope I shall shortly. Though for the reckoning of your favours I shall never find time and paper enough, yet I am Your readiest servant, October 6, 1619, Trin Coll. GEORGE HERBERT. I remember my most humble duty to my mother, who cannot think me lazy, since I rode two hundred miles to see a sister, in a way I knew not, in the midst of much business, and all in a fortnight, not long since. The Lord to whom Herbert refers, was probably the Earl of Pembroke. Sir Benjamin Ruddyard was a member of St. John's College, Oxford, where, according to Wood, he laid "the seeds of an excellent poet." This praise is not merited; but some of his poems were reprinted by Sir Egerton Brydges in 1817*. He was the friend of Ben * Poems of the Earl of Pembroke, and Sir Benjamin Ruddyard, 1817. Jonson, and of the distinguished men of his day. He sat also in the Parliaments of Charles the First, and it was here that he gained for himself the respect of all true lovers of their country. The speeches delivered by him on the 17th of February, 1642; and on the propriety of sending "propositions of peace to his Majesty," ought to be perpetually had in remembrance. They breathe the manly and chivalrous dignity of an English gentleman, chastened by the pure and high-minded earnestness of a true Christian. "Wherefore, Master Speaker," he says, at the conclusion of the last-mentioned speech, “let us, as wise men, as charitable Christians, as loving subjects, send propositions of peace to the King. I do verily believe that God will bless us more in a treaty than in more blood. His will be done." When the Independents obtained the "upper hand," he was ejected from the House of Commons, and retired to his estate at East Woodhay, where he resided till his death in 1658. On the 21st of October, 1619, according to Zouch, Herbert was chosen public orator; but Cole, in his MS. collections, fixes the election on the 21st of January, which must be the correct date, for Herbert writes to Sir John Danvers, January 19;-"Concerning the oratorship all goes well yet; the next Friday it is tried*." He was now in his twenty-sixth year, and inferior to few members of the university in talents or acquirements. * Herbert was a contributor to the Lacryma Cantabrigienses in Obitum Serenissimæ Reginæ, &c., Cantab. 1619. Quo te felix Anna modo deflere licebit? Cui magnum imperium gloria major erat: Quis nisi cum manibus Briareus oculisque sit Argus, G. HERBERT, Coll. Trin. Socius, p. 81. To a more than a common proficiency in the academic studies, he united an intimate knowledge of the French, Italian, and Spanish languages. An opportunity of distinguishing himself soon occurred. In 1620, James presented copies of the new editions of his works to the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and the letter in which Herbert, as orator, acknowledged the receipt of the Basilicon Doron, immediately procured the favour of the King, who expressed a desire to know the writer's name, and on hearing it, he asked the Earl of Pembroke if he knew him. The Earl replied, that he "knew him very well, and that he was his kinsman, but that he loved him more for his learning and virtue, than for that he was of his name and family." James is reported to have smiled, and to have asked permission that he might love him too, adding that "he took him to be the jewel of that university." Her The partiality of James to his hunting-seat, at Royston, frequently took him into the vicinity of Cambridge, and when he visited the University he was always welcomed by Herbert, who grew so much into favour, observes Walton, that he had "a particular appointment to attend his Majesty at Royston ;" and after discoursing with him, the King told Pembroke that he "found the Orator's wisdom and learning much above his age and wit." bert could not have anticipated, when only five years before he was "ranked" with all the students of Trinity, on "each side the entrance," as James passed into the college, that he should soon become the associate of his monarch. But prosperity, through a flowery path, is not exempt from peril. The condescension of his royal master, and the seductive charms of the court, dazzled for a season the eyes of the poet; the old cloisters of Trinity lost their charm, and we are told, that he seldom looked towards Cambridge, except when the King was there, and "then he never failed." Walton, who wrote about Herbert with " the tenderness of a brother, describes his feelings "as a laudable desire to be something more than he was." The oratorship had been to both his predecessors the steppingstone to political honours, for Sir Robert Naunton was made Secretary of State, and Sir Francis Nethersole was treading in the same path. Herbert may, therefore, be pardoned for surrendering his mind to dreams which must ever hold out allurements to the young and enthusiastic. His flattery of James was only in accordance with the temper of the age. Bishop Andrews and Lord Bacon offered the same incense. His anticipations were now, indeed, so highly raised, that he would gladly have resigned the oratorship if he could have gained his mother's consent. In one of his poems, apparently written at this time, he refers to his situation with evident dissatisfaction: Whereas my birth and spirit rather took Thou didst betray me to a ling'ring book, I was entangled in a world of strife, Before I had the power to change my life. Yet, for I threatened oft the siege to raise, Thou often didst with academic praise I took the sweetened pill, till I came where Now I am here, what thou wilt do with me, None of my books will show ; I read and sigh, and wish I were a tree, For then sure I should grow To fruit or shade; at least some bird would trust But amid all his " gaynesses," he never ceased to recollect and lament the afflictions of his sister. How full of brotherly love is the following: FOR MY DEAR SICK SISTER. MOST DEAR SISTER,-Think not my silence forgetfulness, or that my love is as dumb as my papers; though businesses may stop my hand, yet my heart, a much better member, is always with you, and, which is more, with our good and gracious God incessantly begging some ease of your pains, with that earnestness that becomes your griefs, and my love. God, who knows and sees this writing, knows also my soliciting him has been much, and my tears many for you: judge me, then, by those waters, and not by my ink, and then you shall justly value Your most truly, Most heartily, Affectionate brother and servant, December 6, 1620, Trin. Coll. And the consolations addressed to his mother, while labouring under a long and painful illness, testify the warmth and steadfastness of his piety. MADAM,-At my last parting from you I was the better content, because I was in hope I should myself carry all sickness out of your family; but since I know I did not, and that your share continues, or rather increaseth, I wish earnestly that I were again with you; and I would quickly make good my wish, but that my employment doth fix me here, it being now but a month to our Commencement; wherein my absence, by how much it naturally augmenteth suspicion, by so much shall it make my prayers the more constant and the more earnest for you to the God of all consolation. In the meantime I beseech you to be cheerful, and comfort yourself in the God of all comfort, who is not willing to behold any sorrow but for sin. What hath affliction grievous in it more than for a moment? Or why should our afflictions here have so much power or boldness as to oppose the hope of our joys hereafter? Madam, as the earth is but a point in respect of the heavens, so are earthly troubles compared to heavenly joys; therefore, if either age or sickness lead you to those joys, consider what advantage you have over youth and health, who are now so near those true comforts. Your last letter gave me earthly preferment, and, I hope, kept heavenly for yourself. But would you divide and choose too? Our College customes allow not that; and I should account myself most happy if I might change with you: for I have always observed the thread of life to be like other threads, or skeins of silk, full of snarles and incumbrances. Happy is he, whose bottom is wound up, and laid ready for work VOL. I. |