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And that the knowledge of their marriage might not fall like an unexpected tempest on those that were unwilling to have it so, but that pre-apprehensions might make it the less enormous, it was purposely whispered into the ears of many that it was so, yet by none that could attest it: but to put a period to the jealousies of Sir George, (doubt often begetting more restless thoughts than the certain knowledge of what we fear) the news was, in favour to Mr. Donne, and with his allowance, made known to Sir George by his honourable friend and neighbour, Henry Earl of Northumberland; but it was to Sir George so immeasurably unwelcome, and so transported him, that, as tho' his passion of anger and inconsideration might exceed theirs of love and error, he presently engaged his sister, the Lady Elsemore, to join with him to procure her lord to discharge Mr. Donne of the place he held under his Lordship. This request was followed with violence; and though Sir George was remembered that errors might be overpunished, and desired therefore to forbear till second consideration might clear some scruples, yet he became restless until his suit was granted, and the punishment executed: and though the Lord Chancellor did not, at Mr. Donne's dismis ion, give him such a commendation as the great Emperor Charles V. did of his Secretary Eraso, when he presented him to his son and successor, Philip II. saying, "That in his "Eraso he gave to him a greater gift than all his estate,

"and all the kingdoms which he then resigned to him;" yet he said, " he parted with a friend, and "such a secretary as was fitter to serve a king than a subject."

2 And yet this physie of Mr. Donne's dismission was not strong enough to purge out all Sir George's choler, for he was not satisfied till Mr. Donne and his some time compupil in Cambridge that married him, namely, Samuel Brook, (who was after doctor in divinity, and master of Trinity College) and his brother, Mr. Christopher Brook, some time Mr. Donne's chamberfellow in Lincoln's-inn, who gave Mr. Donne his wife, and witnessed the marriage, were all committed, and to three several prisons.

Mr. Donne was first enlarged, who neither gave rest to his body or brain, nor to any friend in whom he might hope to have an interest, until he had procured an enlargement for his two imprisoned friends.

..He was now at liberty, but his days were still cloudy; and being past these troubles, others did still multiply upon him; for his wife was (to her extreme sorrow) detained from him; and tho', with Jacob, he endured not an hard service for her, yet he lost a good one, and was forced to make good his title to her, and to get possession of her, by a long and restless suit in law, which proved troublesome and chargeable to him, whose youth, and travel, and needless bounty, had brought his estate into a narrow compass.

It is observed, and most truly, that silence and submission are charming qualities, and work most upon passionate men; and it proved so with Sir George; for these, and a general report of Mr. Donne's merits, together with his winning behaviour, (which, when it would entice, had a strange kind of elegant irresistible art) these and time had so dispassionated Sir George, that, as the world had approved his daughter's choice, so he also could not but see a more than ordinary merit -in his new son; and this at last melted him into so much remorse, (for love and anger are so like agues as to have hot and cold fits; and love in parents, though it may be quenched, yet is easily rekindled, and expires not till death denies mankind a natural heat) that he laboured his son's restoration to his place, using to that end both his own and his sister's power to her lord; but with no success; for his answer was, "That tho' he was unfeignedly sorry for what he had "done, yet it was inconsistent with his place and "credit to discharge and re-admit servants at the re66 quest of passionate petitioners."

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Sir George's endeavour for Mr. Donne's re-admission was by all means to be kept secret: (for men do more naturally reluct for errors than submit to put on those blemishes that attend their visible acknowledgment) but, however, it was not long before Sir George appeared to be so far reconciled as to wish their happiness, and not to deny them his paternal

Volume I.

B

blessing, but yet refused to contribute any means that might conduce to their livelihood.

Mr. Donne's estate was the greatest part spent in - many and chargeable travels, books, and dear-bought experience; he out of all employment that might yield a support for himself and wife, who had been curiously and plentifully educated; both their natures generous, and accustomed to confer, and not to receive, courtesies: these, and other considerations, but chiefly that his wife was to bear a part in his sufferings, surrounded him with many sad thoughts, and some ap、 parent apprehensions of want.

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But his sorrows were lessened, and his wants prevented, by the seasonable courtesy of their noble kinsman, Sir Francis Wolly of Pirford in Surrey, who entreated them to a cohabitation with him, where they remained with much freedom to themselves, and equal content to him, for many years; and as their charge. increased, (she had yearly a child) so did his love and bounty.

It hath been observed by wise and considering men, that wealth bath seldom been the portion, and never the mark,, to discover good people; but that almighty God, who disposeth all things wisely, hat, of his abundant goodness, denied it (he only knows why) to many whose minds he hath enriched with the greater blessings of knowledge and virtue, as the fairer testimonies of his love to mankind: and this was the pre

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sent condition of this man of so excellent erudition and endowments, whose necessary and daily expences were hardly reconcileable with his uncertain and narrow estate which I mention, for that at this time there was a most generous offer made him for the moderating of his worldly cares, the declaration of which shall be the next employment of my pen.

God hath been so good to his church as to afford it, in every age, some such men to serve at his altar as have been piously ambitious of doing good to mankind; a disposition that is so like to God himself, that it owes itself only to him who takes a pleasure to behold it in hiscreatures. These times he did bless with many such, some of which still live to be patterns of apostolical charity, and of more than human patience. I have said this, because I have occasion to mention one of them in my following discourse, namely, Dr. Morton, the most laborious and learned Bishop of Durham, one that God hath blessed with perfect intellectuals, and a cheerful heart, at the age of ninety-four years, and is yet living; one that, in his days of plenty, had so large a heart as to use his large revenue to the encouragement of learning and virtue, and is now (be it spoken with sorrow) reduced to a narrow estate, which he embraces without repining, and still shews the beauty of his mind by so liberal a hand, as if this were an age in which "to-morrow were to care for itself.". I have taken a pleasure in giving the reader a short but true cha

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