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kind, for I thought I knew my unfitness. But about that time Dr. Gauden' (then Lord Bishop of Exeter) published the Life of Mr. Richard Hooker, (so he called it) with so many dangerous mistakes, both of him and his books, that discoursing of them with his Grace, Gilbert, that now is Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, he enjoined me to examine some circumstances, and then rectify the Bishop's mistakes, by giving the world a fuller and a truer account of Mr. Hooker and his books than that Bishop had done: and I know I have done so. And, let me tell the Reader, that till his Grace had laid this injunction upon me, I could not admit a thought of any fitness in me to undertake it but when he had twice enjoined me to it, I then declined my own, and trusted his judgment, and submitted to his commands; concluding that if I did not, I could not forbear accusing myself of disobedience; and indeed of ingratitude for his many favours. Thus I became engaged into the third Life.

For the Life of that great example of holiness Mr. George Herbert, I profess it to be so far a free-will offering, that it was writ chiefly to please myself; but yet not without some respect to posterity; for though he was not a man that the next age can forget, yet many of his particular acts and virtues might have been neglected, or lost, if I had not collected and presented them to the imitation of those that shall succeed us: for I humbly conceive writing to be both a safer and truer preserver

1 Doctor Gauden.] This Life was prefixed to "the Works of Mr. Richard Hooker in eight books of Ecclesiastical Polity, now compleated, as with the sixth and eighth, so with the seventh, out of his own manuscripts, never before published. 1662." Folio.

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of men's virtuous actions than tradition, especially as it is managed in this age. And I am also to tell the Reader, that though this Life of Mr. Herbert was not by me writ in haste, yet I intended it a review before it should be made public: but that was not allowed me, by reason of my absence from London when it was printing; so that the Reader may find in it some mistakes, some double expressions, and some not very proper, and some that might have been contracted, and some faults that are not justly chargable upon me but the printer: and yet I hope none so great as may not by this confession purchase pardon from a good-natured Reader.

And now, I wish that as that learned Jew, Josephus and others, so these men had also writ their own lives: but since it is not the fashion of these times, I wish their relations or friends would do it for them, before delays make it too difficult. And I desire this the more, because it is an honour due to the dead, and a generous debt due to those that shall live, and succeed us; and would to them prove both a content and satisfaction. For, when the next age shall (as this does) admire the learning and clear reason which that excellent casuist Doctor Sanderson (the late Bishop of Lincoln) hath demonstrated in his Sermons and other writings; who, if they love virtue, would not rejoice to know that this good man was as remarkable for the meekness and innocence of his life, as for his great and useful learning; and indeed, as remarkable for his fortitude, in his long and patient suffering (under them that then called themselves the Godly Party) for that doctrine, which he had preached and printed, in the happy days of the nation's and the church's peace: and who would not be con

tent

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tent to have the like account of Doctor Field", that great schoolman, and others of noted learning? And though I cannot hope that my example or reason can persuade to this undertaking, yet I please myself that I shall conclude my Preface, with wishing that it were so.

J. W.

Account of Doctor Field.] Le Neve in the year 1716, edited "Some Short Memorials concerning the Life of that reverend Divine Doctor Richard Field, the learned Author of Five Books of the Church; written by his son Nathaniel Field, Rector of Stourton in the Countie of Wilts," creditable to the memory of the Father, and the filial piety of the son; but yet not extensive enough to preclude the wish for a more detailed narrative of the life of so eminent and amiable a man.

Το

Mr. IZAAC WALTON,

On his Life of Dr. Donne, &c.

WHEN to a nation's loss, the Virtuous die,
There's justly due, from every hand and eye
That can or write or weep, an elegy.

Which though it be the poorest, cheapest way,
The debt we owe great merits to defray,
Yet, it is almost all that most men pay.

And these are monuments of so short date,
That with their birth they oft receive their fate;
Dying with those whom they would celebrate.

And though to verse great reverence is due,
Yet what most poets write proves so untrue,
It renders truth in verse suspected too.

Something more sacred then, and more entire, The memories of virtuous men require,. with their funeral torch expire.

Than what

may

This, History can give; to which alone
The privilege to mate oblivion.

Is granted, when deny'd to brass or stone.

Wherein, my Friend, you have a hand so sure,
Your truths so candid are, your style so pure,
That what you write may Envy's search endure.

Your pen, disdaining to be brib'd or prest,
Flows without vanity or interest;

A virtue with which few good pens are blest.

How happy was my father then! to see
Those men he lov'd, by him he lov'd, to be
Rescu'd from frailties and mortality.

Wotton and Donne, to whom his soul was knit;
Those twins of virtue, eloquence, and wit,
He saw in fame's eternal annals writ.

Where one has fortunately found a place
More faithful to him than his 3 marble was;
Which eating age nor fire shall e'er deface.

A monument, that, as it has, shall last,
And prove a monument to that defac'd;
Itself, but with the world, not to be ras'd.

و

And even in their flow'ry characters,

་ ༠།་

My father's grave, part of your friendship shares; For you have honour'd his in strewing theirs.

Thus, by an office though particular,
Virtue's whole commonwealth obliged are;
For in a virtuous act all good men share.

3 His monument in St. Paul's Church Lefore the late dreadful fire, 1665.

And