then he never failed; and, at other times, left the manage of his Orator's place to his learned friend Mr. Herbert Thorndike, who is now Prebendary of Westminster.

I may not omit to tell, that he had often designed to leave the University, and decline all study, which, he thought, did impair his health; 'for he had a body apt to a consumption, and to fevers, and other infirmities, which he judged were

• Mr. HERBERT THORNDIKE was then Fellow of Trinity College. He was ejected from his Fellowship by the usurped powers, and admitted to the Rectory of Barley in Hertfordshire, July 2, 1642. On the death of Dr. Samuel Ward, he was elected to the Mastership of Sidney College, but was kept out of it by the oppression of the times. For his sufferings and great learning he was installed Prebendary of Westminster, Sept. 5, 1660. In the year following he resigned his living of Barley, and died in 1672. He assisted Dr. Walton in the edition of the Polyglot Bible. Besides his celebrated work of "Just Weights "and Measures; that is, the present State of Religion weighed "in the Balance, and measured by the Standard of the Sanc"tuary." 4to. 1662. He composed other tracts relative to the differences which at that time disturbed the peace of the Church. Some of his works, particularly those which were published in the latter part of his life, gave great offence. He is accused of leaning to the Church of Rome, declaring that Church to be a true Church, the Pope not Antichrist, the Papists not idolaters, whilst his aversion to the Presbyterians and other sectaries exceeded all bounds. Mr. Baxter has described him as speaking once at the Savoy Conference " a few impertinent passionate "words, confuting the opinion that had been received of him " from his first writings, and confirming that which his second " and last writings had given of him." See " Kennet's Register," p. 508, 618.

increased by his studies; for he would often say, "He had too thoughtful a wit: a wit, like a pen"knife in too narrow a sheath, too sharp for his " body." But his mother would by no means allow him to leave the University, or to travel ; and though he inclined very much to both, yet he would by no means satisfy his own desires at so dear a rate, as to prove an undutiful son to so affectionate a mother; but did always submit to her wisdom. And what I have now said may partly appear in a copy of verses in his printed poems; it is one of those that bear the title of "Affliction;" and it appears to be a pious reflection on God's providence, and some passages of his life, in which he says:

" Whereas my birth and spirit rather took
"The way that takes the town:

" Thou didst betray me to a ling'ring book,
" And wrap me in a gown :

" I was entangled in a world of strife,
"Before I had the power to change my life.

"Yet, for I threatened oft the siege to raise,
"Not simp'ring all mine age;

"Thou often didst with academic praise

" Melt and dissolve my rage:

"I took the sweeten'd pill, till I came where
"I could not go away, nor persevere.

" Yet lest perchance, I should too happy be
"In my unhappiness,

"Turning my purge to food, thou throwest me
"Into more sicknesses.

"Thus doth thy power cross-bias me, not making
"Thine own gifts good, yet me from my ways taking.

VOL. II.

E

"Now I am here, what thou wilt do with me
"None of my books will show:

" I read, and sigh, and wish I were a tree,

" For then sure I should grow

" To fruit or shade, at least, some bird would trust
"Her household with me, and I would be just.

" Yet though thou troublest me, I must be meek,
"In weakness must be stout:

"Well, I will change my service and go seek
"Some other master out :

"Ah! my dear God, though I am clean forgot,
"Let me not love thee, if I love thee not.

"G. H."

In this time of Mr. Herbert's attendance and expectation of some good occasion to remove from Cambridge to Court, God, in whom there is an unseen chain of causes, did, in a short time, put an end to the lives of two of his most obliging and most powerful friends, Lodowick Duke of Richmond, and James Marquis of Hamilton; and

This nobleman, who was also Duke of Lenox in Scotland, and Lord Steward of his Majesty's Household, died Feb. 25, 1625, the day on which a new Parliament was to meet. The King, who was his relation, was so much affected at the news of his sudden death, that " he would not adorn himself that day to ride " in his glories to the Parliament, but put it off to the nineteenth " of February following, dedicating some part of that time to the memory of his dead servant."

(Wilson's Life and Reign of King James 1.)

A distinguished favourite of James I. The death of these two noblemen affected the King exceedingly; and when it was not long after him, King James died also, and with them, all Mr. Herbert's Court hopes: so that he presently betook himself to a retreat from London, to a friend in Kent, where he lived very privately, and was such a lover of solitariness, as was judged to impair his health more than his study had done. In this time of retirement, he had many conflicts with himself, whether he should return to the painted pleasures of a Court-life, or betake himself to a study of Divinity, and enter into Sacred Orders'? (to which his dear mother had often persuaded him)-These were such conflicts, as they only can know, that have endured them; for ambitious desires, and the outward glory of this world, are not easily laid aside; but, at last, God inclined him to put on a resolution to serve at his altar.

He did at his return to London, acquaint a Court-friend with his resolution to enter into Sacred Orders, who persuaded him to alter it, as too mean an employment, and too much below his

told him the Marquis was dead, he said, "If the branches be thus " cut down, the stock cannot continue long;" which saying proved too true, for shortly after he fell into a fever, of which he died at Theobald's, March 27, 1625.

It appears from a letter written by Mr. George Herbert to one of his friends, and dated March 18, 1617, Trin. Coll. that he had devoted himself to the study of divinity. "I want books "extremely: you know, Sir, how I am now setting foot into "divinity, to lay the platform of my future life."

birth, and the excellent abilities and endowments of his mind. To whom he replied, "It hath been " formerly adjudged that the domestic servants of "the King of heaven, should be of the noblest " families on earth: and though the iniquity of the " late times have made Clergymen meanly valued, " and the sacred name of Priest contemptible; yet " I will labour to make it honourable, by con

"secrating all my learning, and all my poor "abilities, to advance the glory of that God that

gave them; knowing that I can never do too " much for him that hath done so much for me, as " to make me a Christian. And I will labour to "be like my Saviour, by making humility "lovely in the eyes of all men, and by follow"ing the merciful and meek example of my dear

"Jesus."

This was then his resolution, and the God of constancy, who intended him for a great example of virtue, continued him in it; for within that year he was made Deacon, but the day when, or by whom, I cannot learn: but that he was about that time made Deacon is most certain; for I find by the records of Lincoln, that he was made Prebendary of Layton Ecclesia', in the diocese of Lincoln, July 15, 1626; and that this Prebend

* In "Ecton's List of the prebendal Dignities belonging to the "Church of Lincoln," it is called "Leighton Bromeswold, Ecclesia " P. in Co. Huntingd." In "Bacon's Liber Regis," it is termed "Leighton Bosard, alias Leighton Beaudesert, P. Ecclesiæ "Lincoln.