On which sad occasion also she compiled a copy of ele- CHAP. gant verses in Greek. XXII. I must enter here a memorial of the brave and good sir Anno 1584. Philip Sidney, one of the finest gentlemen in this reign. 278 To whom Dr. David Powel dedicated his book of history of Sir Philip Sydney. Cambria, or Wales, set forth this year. Where, instead of extolling his noble birth and virtuous qualities, (the ordinary practice of those that write epistles dedicatory before their books,) it is to be remarked, how this author chose to play the part of a grave divine, &c. to direct his style, “ To "admonish him to employ and use his parts and accom"plishments to those ends for which they were bestowed upon him from above, rather than otherwise, vainly with "suspicion of flattery, to speak of them; after this manner: "First, I would have you consider with yourself, that you have received all the good gifts you have at the hand "of Almighty God, who is the giver of all goodness: for "the which your duty is to render most humble and hearty "thanks unto his divine Majesty. The end also for the "which they are given unto you is at no time to be forgotten; that is, the setting forth the glory of God, and "for the benefit of your country. He exhorted him, that "he should also call to remembrance, that they were talents "delivered unto him of credit, to use for a time: for the "which he must render an account, when it should please "the owner to call him to it. That the more he had, the "greater his account would be. And then added, Use them "therefore, and hide them not in a napkin. For they are "the better for the wearing. The more you use them, the more they will increase. The more you lay out, the richer you shall be. Have always before your eyes the glory of "God: never forget the same in any thing you do. Seek "the weal-public of your country: labour to do it good in any thing you may, while you have time so to do. you have but a while to remain herea. 66 go after the common course of nature. 66 66 For a Away you must This was, as it were, propheti "brance of your account, when the stewardship is ended, cally spok never out of your mind." en for sir Philip was BOOK I. He added: "These be the chief points, leading the right 66 path to true nobility. These things you shall find set out Anno 1584." at large in that book wherewithal you" [speaking to sir Philip] are most delighted." [Meaning surely the holy not much scriptures.] slain at Zutphen, above a year after. Secretary Walsingham. 66 Further, for the backing his grave and godly counsel to this young gentleman, he excites him by illustrious patterns, after this manner. "For the putting these things in prac"tice, I am to lay down two examples to you to imitate. "The which because they are domestic, ought to move you "to be the more willing to follow them. The one in your own noble father, [sir Henry Sidney,] who always hath "been, and yet is, more inclined and bent to do good to his 66 country, than to benefit or enrich himself; as Wales and "Ireland, besides his own, can bear him witness. The other "is, your honourable father-in-law, sir Francis Walsing“ham, her majesty's chief secretary; a man, for his zeal of "God's glory, and love towards them that fear God unfeign❝edly, well known to the world. Follow their steps, with the 279" remembrance of the noble house out of the which you are descended by your honourable mother, [daughter of "John duke of Northumberland;] and then you cannot do "amiss. Emanuel "Labour, by the example of your father, to discover and "bring to light the actions of the famous men of elder "times; who, with conference of the state and government " of all ages, will bring you to the perfect experience of the "things which you have learned out of Aristotle, Plato, and "Cicero, by your travail in philosophy." I must add the mention of one person more of note, viz. Demetrius. Emanuel Demetrius, or De Meteren, a Dutchman by nation, born at Antwerp, but lived in England, and was a member of the Dutch church, London: a worthy person, and excellent historian, who writ the history of the Netherlands, called, Belgica Historia; and whose name and family remained long afterwards here, merchants of good repute, even to these times. He was dear to our historian Camden. The custom in those times, and since too, was, XXII. that learned men commonly kept an album, as they called it, CHAP. being a pocket paper-book: in which their friends wrote their names, with the addition of some motto or other, or Anno 1584. sentence, in token of friendship, and loving remembrance. This gentleman's album is still preserved (or lately was there) in the strangers' church in St. Austin Friars. And therein Camden writ, dated this year, 1584, (any thing of Camden being worth recording,) these verses, and what followed. Jussit amor; scribam: sed amorem claudere versu Demetri, tuus est Camdenus amicus amico. Nec magis esse suus, quam tuus esse potest. τὸ μηδὲν, ἄγαν, ἄγαν με τέρπει. On the page facing the other page is a pair of scales, held by a hand out of the clouds, with this motto; Pondere non numero. And these words by him written underneath: Amicitiæ sacrum, Domino Emanueli Demetrio, viro cum virtute, tum eruditione ornatissimo, amico optimo et bene merentissimo, in perpetuum amicitiæ inchoate monumentum, Guilielmus Camdenus Londinensis L. M. LONDINI KALENDIS SEPTEMBRI. M. D. LXXXIIII. This I transcribed from the said MS. many years ago, shewn me by the Dutch minister, and an elder of that church. BOOK Anno 1584. 210 Quarter London. CHAP. XXIII. Account of the quarter sessions at London. Books. A Defence of the English Catholics' Execution of Justice in the Land. A Declaration of Parry's Treasons. Bullinger's Decads in English. An Answer to the Abstract. A Declaration of ecclesiastical Discipline. The ancient History of Wales; by David Powel, D. D. Description of Lincoln; by Lambard. Guevara's Epistles; translated out of Spanish. A Sermon of Wimbledon, anno 1388. THIS paper following was sent in to the lord treasurer by sessions at Mr. Fleetwood, recorder of London, being a short account Criminals. of their sessions about Michaelmas. Which may serve for a specimen, what wickedness and crimes were committed even in those days; and that there were criminals then of all sorts, as well as afterwards; clergy as well as laity; and of both sexes. A transcript of the paper follows. "At Bridewell, on Saturday, [the recorder sitting there,] "we had a minister's wife of Cardiganshire; who confessed, "that she was greatly sought unto by young women, (maid"servants she meant,) when they were gotten with child. "She confessed, that she gave them saven, &c. "One Higham, an old fellow, that is both an excommu"nicate for putting away his wife; and also for such other "like part: he hath this year gotten three of the laundry "maids with child in the Fleet, being there a prisoner. He "stowteth out the matter with us, and will not find the chil"dren; but writeth lewd letters unto us. "Sessions of goale were of livery the Monday after: "Mr. Dockwray's son, of Chamber-house in Barkshire, "was arraigned for stealing of a portmanton, with 847. in "the same; taken out of an inn in London. But he was ❝ acquitted. "There was one Heton, a preacher, who contended to be parson of St. Andrew's, Holbourn, (being maintained by "some of the parish,) did confront Mr. Vice-chamberlain "[sir Christopher Hatton] therein: was brought to us for "sodomy; a lewd vice; which he hath been often accused CHAP "of before this time. We bailed him. For my part, I was XXIII. "loath to have that vice openly spoken of, until further Anno 1584. "consideration were had thereof. This Heton's father was "at Newgate arraigned and convicted for incest with his "own daughter: and stood upon the pillory for the same." Now lastly, for the books that came forth this year, these that follow are some of them. forth this A defence of English catholics that suffer for their faith. 281 Made by Dr. Allen, called cardinal Allen; in favour of Books set those papists, Jesuits, and seminary priests, that had been year. executed for treason. This book was answered by Dr. Bilson; as we shall hear the next year. There came forth also A declaration of the favourable dealings of her majesty's commissioners, &c. This book was published against slanderous reports and libels, to defame her majesty and her subjects: this Declaration is extant in Holinshed's Chronicle. In this tract it is said, that Campion the Jesuit affirmed at the bench where he was tried, saying, "This place hath no power to inquire or judge of "the holy fathers' authority." And other answer he and other seminaries would not make. This was occasioned by a popish book, set forth the year before, viz. 1583, called, A treatise of schism. And was printed by Will. Carter, of the city of London; being a seditious and traitorous book, in English. For which he was indicted, and condemned of high treason, and executed at Tyburn, January the 10th. This book was written by Gregory Martin, some time of St. John's college, Oxon, and contemporary with Campion. In that book the women at court were exhorted to act the same against the queen, as Judith had done, with commendation, against Holophernes. examina These aforesaid commissioners were appointed for the ex- Commisamination of certain traitors; and of tortures, unjustly re- sioners for ported to have been done upon them for matters of religion. tion of The reports were, that heathenish and unnatural tyranny, and cruel tortures, were executed upon them that lately suf traitors. |