dated three days before) came to his fon's hands the very morning after the night in which the robbery was committed; and when the City and Univerfity were both in a perplexed inqueft of the thieves, then did Sir Henry Wotton fhew his father's letter, and by it fuch light was given of this work of darkness, that the five guilty persons were presently discovered and apprehended, without putting the University to fo much trouble as the cafting of a figure.

And it may yet be more confiderable, that this Nicholas and Thomas Wotton fhould both (being men of holy lives, of even tempers, and much given to fafting and prayer) foresee and foretel the very days of their own death. Nicholas did fo, being then feventy years of age, and in perfect health. Thomas did the like in the fixty-fifth year of his age; who being then in London (where he died), and foreseeing his death there, gave direction in what manner his body should be carried to Bocton; and though he thought his uncle Nicholas worthy of

that

that noble monument which he built for him in the Cathedral Church of Canterbury; yet this humble man gave direction concerning himself, to be buried privately, and especially without any pomp at his funeral.

This is fome account of this family, which feemed to be beloved of God.

BUT it may now feem more than time that I return to Sir Henry Wotton at Oxford; where, after his optic lecture, he was taken into fuch a bofom friendship with the learned Albericus Gentilis, (whom I formerly named) that, if it had been poffible, Gentilis would have breathed all his excellent knowledge, both of the mathematics and law, into the breast of his dear Harry, for fo Gentilis used to call him : and though he was not able to do that, yet there was in Sir Henry fuch a propenfity and connaturalnefs to the Italian language, and those studies whereof Gentilis was a great mafter, that his friendship between them did daily increase, and proved daily advantageous to Sir Henry,

for

for the improvement of him in feveral sciences during his ftay in the University.

From which place, before I fhall invite the reader to follow him into a foreign nation, though I muft omit to mention divers perfons that were then in Oxford, of memorable note for learning, and friends to Sir Henry Wotton; yet I must not omit the mention of a love that was there begun betwixt him and Dr. Donne, fometime Dean of St. Paul's; a man of whofe abilities I fhall forbear to fay any thing, because he who is of this nation, and pretends to learning or ingenuity, and is ignorant of Dr. Donne, deferves not to know him. The friendship of these two I must not omit to mention, being fuch a friendship as was generously elemented; and as it was begun in their youth, and in an University, and there maintained by correspondent inclinations and studies, so it lasted till age and death forced a separation.

In Oxford he stayed till about two years after his father's death; at which time he was about the twenty-fecond year of his age and having to his great wit

added

added the ballast of learning, and knowledge of the arts, he then laid afide his books, and betook himself to the ufeful library of travel, and a more general converfation with mankind; employing the remaining part of his youth, his industry, and fortune, to adorn his mind, and to purchase the rich treasure of foreign knowledge of which, both for the fecrets of nature, the difpofitions of many nations, their several laws and languages, he was the poffeffor in a very large measure; as I shall faithfully make to appear, before I take my pen from the following narration of his life.

In his travels, which was almost nine years before his return into England, he ftayed but one year in France, and most of that in Geneva, where he became acquainted with Theodore Beza (then very aged) and with Isaac Cafaubon, in whose house, if I be rightly informed, Sir Henry Wotton was lodged, and there contracted a moft worthy friendship with that man of rare learning and ingenuity.

Three of the remaining eight years

were

were spent in Germany, the other five in Italy, (the ftage on which God appointed he should act a great part of his life ;) where both in Rome, Venice, and Florence, he became acquainted with the most eminent men for learning and all manner of arts; as picture, fculpture, chymistry, architecture, and other manual arts, even arts of inferior nature; of all which he was a moft dear lover, and a moft excellent judge.

He returned out of Italy into England about the thirtieth year of his age, being then noted by many both for his perfon and comportment; for indeed he was of a choice fhape, tall of ftature, and of a moft perfuafive behaviour; which was fo mixed with fweet difcourfe and civilities, as gained him much love from all perfons with whom he entered into an acquaint

ance.

And whereas he was noted in his youth to have a sharp wit, and apt to jeft; that, by time, travel, and converfation, was fo polished, and made fo ufeful, that his company feemed to be one of the delights

VOL. I.

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