Mr. URBAN,

Feb. 7.

THE memory of the good and wise ought not to die while it is in the power of any one to preserve it. An accident has recalled to my mind the name and character of JoHN, first VISCOUNT SCUDAMORE; and in looking for some memorial of him where most expected to find it, he seems to be passed over without a note or remark. I allude to T. Warton's edition of "Comus," and Todd's " Life of Milton," in which I expected something to have been said of this accomplished and virtuous Nobleman, as the Ambassador at Paris, who introduced the great Poet in his juvenile travels to the learned and celebrated Grotius.

Almost all I shall have to say of this amiable and pious Peer will be borrowed from "A View of the Antient and present State of the Churches of Door, Home-Lacy, and Hempsted, &c. By Matthew Gibson, M. A. Rector of Door." From the press of your learned Predecessor, W. Bowyer, 1727, 4to. pp. 238.

The Scudamores are very antient in Herefordshire, and early ramified into two branches, seated at HomeLacy and Kentchurch, of whom I believe it cannot be exactly and satisfactorily ascertained at what time they branched from the common stock. Sir John Scudamore, of Ewyas and Home-Lacy, was Escheator of Herefordshire, &c. 13 Rich. II. and married Alice, daughter and co-heir of Owen Glendower. His descendant, John Scudamore, esq. was one of the four Gentlemen-ushers to King Henry VIII. He rebuilt Home-House, and had a chapel consecrated in it by Bp. Skypp, 1 Edward VI. He lived to a great age, and was much respected in the beginning of Queen Elizabeth's reign. His grandson, Sir John Scudamore, was Gentleman Usher to Queen Elizabeth, Standard Bearer to the Band of Gentlemen Pensioners,

represented the county of Hereford in five several Parliaments, and was High Sheriff in 1581. He was a spe

cial benefactor to the Bodleian Library at Oxford, of whom the Founder thanks him for "his sweet conversation, and many kind deserts; and professes that he owed him a duty as well as friendship." His son, Sir James Scudamore, was another of Sir Thomas Bodley's most esteemed friends: he is said to have been one of the most renowned men in England for chivalry. In the reign of Queen Elizabeth Camden reckons him among those who were knighted for their valour at the siege of Cadiz. Fuller mentions him as a man famous and fortunate in his time; and no time (says Gibson) certainly will ever be able to obliterate or obscure the brave and generous character that is given of him under the title of Sir Scudamore* in Spenser's "Fairy Queen." He had a daughter, Mary, married to Sir Giles Brydges, of Walton Castle (created a Baronet 1627, ancestor to the late Duke of Chandos), and two sons, John and Barnaby.

John, eldest son, was born at Homme, 1600, was educated under a domestic tutor; and being fitted for the University at 16, was entered at Magdalen College at Oxford. At 17 he obtained licence to travel into foreign parts. After his return, he continued to be studious, and formed a particular friendship with Bp. Laud. In his 21st year he was chosen to represent his native county in Parliament. The same year (1621) he was created a Baronet; and on July 1, 1628, 4 Charles I. advanced to the Irish Peerage, by the titles of Baron Scudamore, of Dromore, and Viscount Scudamore, of Sligo. He attended

*This is noticed in the last Edition

of Spenser by Todd, who refers to Gibson, and also to a curious passage regarding Sir James, in Higford's "Institutions of a Gentleman."

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In 1635 his Lordship was appointed Ambassador to Lewis XIII. of France. In this high office Lord Clarendon reflects on him as giving umbrage to the Hugonots. Notwithstanding this, he exerted himself in a plan of uniting all the Protestant Churches against their common enemy, the Church of Rome; and having formed an intimate friendship with Grotius, enjoyed that learned man's advice upon this subject.

In his Lordship's Minutes is the following curious passage:

"Feb. 1, 1638-9. The Prince of Condè returning me a visit, and speaking of the affairs of Scotland, said, 'It is the humour of those Puritans never to be satisfied; but when they have gotten one thing, still to demand another. The King should therefore fall upon them suddenly, and cut off three or four heads, and then he will have peace. Whereas if he suffer them to get strength, he will be constrained to yield to disadvantageous conditions, and that will be the beginning of more troubles. This the Prince desired me to remember, and represent to his Majesty from one who wished his felicity and repose; and by his own experience of suppressing the Norman rebels, thought this the likeliest means to procure his Majesty's and the kingdom's tranquillity and peace"!" A time of adversity soon followed.

liberty, property, and the free exercise of his religion. He was taken in Hereford by Sir William Waller in 1643, sent up prisoner to the Parlia ment, had some of his houses ruined by the rebels, his estates sequestered, his goods and chattels sold, with a long train of miseries and misfortunes; besides three years and ten months imprisonment, he suffered in his estate to the value of 37,6907. During this period he was eminent for his charity to the distressed Clergy, whom he bountifully relieved. He was zealous for the doctrine and discipline of the Church of England, and the exact conformity of his life to both. His great abilities in most parts of Learning, and his encouragement of several learned men, procured him an universal affection and esteem; and more especially established him such an interest and respect in his native country, as hardly any before him had, or hardly any will have again. His endowments of the Churches of Door, Home-Lacy, and Hemsted, have alone immortalized his name. His Lordship died June 8, 1671, æt. 71, and was buried at Home Lacy.

His only surviving son, James Scudamore, represented the County of Hereford in Parliament at the Restoration of King Charles II. and so continued till his death, which hap pened before that of his father, leaving an only son, Jons, who succeeded his grandfather as SECOND VISCOUNT SCUDAMORE, served in several Parliaments for Herefordshire, and died 28 July, 1697.

His son JAMES, born 1684, succeeded as THIRD VISCOUNT SCUDAMORE. After he came of age he was elected to represent his native county in every Parliament till his death, except the last, when he was returned for the city of Hereford. He died December 2, 1716, æt. 33, when the title expired, as he left an only daughter and heir, Frances, born August 4, 1711, grandmother of the present Duchess Dowager of Norfolk.

His arms were, Gules, three stirrups Or. Crest: Out of a Crown Or, a lion's paw erased, Sable. Molto: Scuto amoris divini.

Mr. URBAN,

0. Y.

Feb. 3.

was reduced from a state of great prosperity and honour, to the loss of

Reviewer, vol. LXXXVI. ii, 534, re

specting