was given him by John, then Lord Bishop of that See'. And now he had a fit occasion to show that piety and bounty that was derived from his generous mother, and his other memorable ancestors, and the occasion was this. This Layton Ecclesia is a village near to Dr. JOHN WILLIAMS, afterward Archbishop of York, was then Bishop of Lincoln, the last ecclesiastic who was Lord Keeper of the Great Seal. Of him it was said, that "He never "saw the book of worth he read not; he never forgot what he "read; he never lost the use of what he remembered; every "thing he heard or saw was his own, and what was his own he "knew how to use to the utmost." Whatever discrepancy of opinion there may be, in justly appreciating the character of this Prelate, it must be owned that he was a munificent patron of learning and learned men. Twelve persons from one Society, that of Trinity College in Cambridge, were distinguished by him, and advanced to preferment. Among these we observe Dr. Creighton, Mr. George Herbert, Dr. Anthony Scattergood, Mr. James Duport, Mr. Herbert Thorndike, names dear to literature. When the See of Exeter was vacant, he seized the opportunity of gratifying two worthy Divines, his old friends, "who had been both bred in the house of wisdom with Lord "Chancellor Egerton," Dr. Carew, who had been his Chaplain, and Dr. Dunn, who had been his Secretary, "a laureat wit, "neither was it possible that a vulgar soul should dwell in such "promising features." These two prevailed by the Lord Keeper's commendation against all pretenders; the Bishopric of Exeter was conferred upon Dr. Carew, and Dr. Dunn succeeded him in the Deanery of St. Paul's. (Hackel's Life of Archbishop Williams.)—Mr. Herbert did not long continue Orator after his promotion to this Prebend, Mr. Robert Creighton his successor being appointed in 1627. Spalden", in the county of Huntingdon, and the greatest part of the parish-church was fallen down, and that of it which stood was so decayed, so little, and so useless, that the parishioners could not meet to perform their duty to God in public prayer and praises; and thus it had been for almost 20 years, in which time there had been some faint endeavours for a public collection, to enable the parishioners to rebuild it, but with no success, till Mr. Herbert undertook it; and he by his own and the contribution of many of his kindred, and other noble friends, undertook the reedification of it, and made it so much his whole business, that he became restless till he saw it finished as it now stands: being for the workmanship a costly Mosaic; for the form an exact cross; and for the decency and beauty, I am assured, it is the most remarkable parish-church that this nation affords. He lived to see it so wainscotted, as to be exceeded by none; and, by his order, the readingpew and pulpit were a little distant from each other, and both of an equal height: for he would Mr. Spalden, or Spalding, is a town in Lincolnshire. Walton has mistaken the name for Spaldwick, or Spaldick, in Huntingdonshire. * It appears from a recent survey of this church, that the reading-desk is on the right-hand in the nave, just as you enter the chancel, and that its height is seven feet four inches; and that the pulpit is on the left-hand, and exactly of the same height. They are both pentagonal. The church is at present chiefly Spalden", in the county of Huntingdon, and the greatest part of the parish-church was fallen down, and that of it which stood was so decayed, so little. and so useless, that the parishioners could not meet to perform their duty to God in public prayer and praises; and thus it had been for almost 20 years, in which time there had been some faint endeavours for a public collection, to enable the parishioners to rebuild it, but with no success, till Mr. Herbert undertook it; and he by his own and the contribution of many of his kindred, and other noble friends, undertook the reedification of it, and made it so much his whole business, that he became restless till he saw it finished as it now stands: being for the workmanship a costly Mosaic; for the form an exact cross; and for the decency and beauty, I am assured, it is the most remarkable parish-church that this nation affords. He lived to see it so wainscotted, as to be exceeded by none; and, by his order, the readingpew and pulpit were a little distant from each other, and both of an equal height: for he would Mr. Spalden, or Spalding, is a town in Lincolnshire. Walton has mistaken the name for Spaldwick, or Spaldick, in Huntingdonshire. * It appears from a recent survey of this church, that the reading-desk is on the right-hand in the nave, just as you enter the chancel, and that its height is seven feet four inches; and that the pulpit is on the left-hand, and exactly of the same height. They are both pentagonal. The church is at present |