have been many writers who have amused themselves with the King's wearisome folios and pedantic frivolities, who have been, in fact, greatly his inferiors in real learning and natural capacity.

"In that curious repository, the Nugæ Antiquæ," says Horace Walpole, "are three letters which exhibit more faithful portraits of Queen Elizabeth and James I. than are to be found in the most voluminous collections." From this agreeable miscellany I have selected the following letter, addressed by Sir John Harrington to Sir Amias Paulet. It introduces us at once behind the scenes, and affords an interesting sketch of the character of James, and no despicable view of his literary attainments and conversational powers.

"MY LOVING COUSIN,

"January, 1670.

"It behoveth me now to write my journal, respecting the gracious command of my sovereign Prince, to come to his closet; which matter, as you so well and urgently desire to hear of, I shall, as suiteth my best ability, relate unto you, and is as followeth :-When I came to the presence-chamber and had gotten good place to see the lordly attendants, and bowed my knee to the Prince, I was ordered by special messenger, and that in secret sort, to wait awhile in an outward chamber, whence, in near an hour waiting, the same knave led me up a passage, and so to a small room, where was good order of paper, ink, and pens, put in a

6

board for the Prince's use. Soon upon this, the Prince his Highness did enter, and in much good humour asked if I was cousin to Lord Harrington, of Exton ?' I humbly replied: His Majesty did some honour in inquiring my kin to one whom he had so late honoured and made a baron;' and moreover did add, we were both branches of the same tree.' Then he discoursed much of learning, and showed me his own in such sort, as made me remember my examiner at Cambridge. He sought much to know my advances in philosophy, and uttered profound sentences of Aristotle, and such like writers, which I had never read, and which some are bold enough to say, others do not understand; but this I must pass by. The Prince did now press my reading to him part of a Canto in Ariosto; praised my utterance, and said he had been informed of many as to my learning in the time of the Queen. He asked me what I thought pure wit was made of, and whom it did best become? Whether a King should not be the best clerk in his own country; and if this land did not entertain good opinion of his learning and good wisdom? His Majesty did much press for my opinon touching the power of Satan in matter of witchcraft, and asked me with much gravity, if I did truly understand why the devil did work more with ancient women than others? I did not refrain from a scurvy jest, and even said (notwithstanding to whom it was said) that we were taught hereof in Scripture, where it

is told that the devil walketh in dry places. His Majesty, moreover, was pleased to say much, and favouredly, of my good report for merit and good conceit; to which I did covertly answer, as not willing a subject should be wiser than his Prince, nor even appear so.

"More serious discourse did next ensue, wherein I wanted room to continue, and sometime some to escape; for the Queen, his mother, was not forgotten, nor Davison neither. His His Highness told

me her death was visible in Scotland before it did really happen, being, as he said, spoken of in secret by those whose power of sight presented to them a bloody head dancing in the air. He then did remark on this gift (second sight), and said he sought out of certain books a sure way to attain knowledge of future chances. Hereat he named many books which I did not know, nor by whom written; but advised me not to consult some authors which would lead me to evil consultations. I told his Majesty the power of Satan had, I much feared, damaged my bodily frame, but I had not further will to court his friendship for my soul's hurt. We next discoursed somewhat upon religion, when at length he said: 'Now, Sir, you have seen my wisdom in some sort, and I have pried into yours; pray you do me justice in your report, and in good reason, I will not fail to add to your understanding in such points as I may find you lack amendment.' I made courtesy hereat, and withdrew down the passage

and out at the gate, amidst the many varlets and lordly servants who stood around. Thus, you have the history of your neighbour's high chance and entertainment at court; more of which matter when I come home to my own dwelling, and talk these affairs in a corner. I must press to silence hereon, as otherwise all is undone. I did forget to tell that his Majesty much asked concerning my opinion of the new weed, tobacco, and said it would, by its use, infuse ill qualities on the brain, and that no learned man ought to taste it, and wished it forbidden. I will now forbear further exercise of your time, as Sir Robert's man waiteth for my letter to bear to you, from your old neighbour,

Friend and Cousin,

JOHN HARRINGTON.*

* Nugæ Antiquæ, vol. i. p. 366.

CHAPTER VII.

James's Pride in his Discriminative Powers-his Discernment in examining the Accusation of Lady Exeter by Lady Lake and her Daughter.-Discovery of the hidden Meaning in Lord Mounteagle's Letter.-The King's personal Appearance— his Indifference as to Dress-his Hunting Costume.-Equestrian Processions.-The King's Addresses to the People in passing from Whitehall to Westminster-his Cowardice.Lampoons. James's Melancholy and Irritability-his passionate Conduct to his Servant John Gib.-Gib's Resentment. James's Remorse.

James prided himself highly on his discriminative powers, especially in nice points concerning the administration of justice, in which he fancied that he bore an especial resemblance to Solomon. The following story is not only illustrative of the times, but affords a tolerable notion of the King's boasted powers of discernment. The eldest daughter of Sir Thomas Lake,* Secretary of State, was married to Lord Rosse, or Rous, Ambassador Extraordinary to Spain. Lord Rosse, in consequence of some family misunderstandings, afterwards retired

* He was originally secretary to Walsingham, and was afterwards employed to read the classics to Queen Elizabeth. He was actually engaged in this office when the Countess of Warwick informed him that the Queen was dead.-Sanderson, P. 446.