sity of an hour long in latin, and my Lincoln journey hath set me much behind hand: neither can I so much as go to Bugden, and deliver your letter, yet have I sent it thither by a faithful messenger this day: I beseech you all, you and my dear mother and sister to pardon me, for my Cambridge necessities are stronger to tie me here, than yours to London: if I could possibly have come, none should have done my message to Sir Fr: Nethersole for me; he and I are ancient acquaintance, and I have a strong opinion of him, that if he can do me a courtesy, he will of himself; yet your appearing in it, affects me strangely. I have sent you here inclosed a letter from our master on my behalf, which if you can send to Sir Francis before his departure, it will do well, for it expresseth the university's inclination to me; yet if you cannot send it with much convenience, it is no matter, for the gentleman needs no incitation to love me.

The orator's place (that you may understand what it is) is the finest place in the university, though not the gainfullest; yet that will be about £30 per annum, but the commodiousness is beyond the revenue; for the orator writes all the university letters, makes all the orations, be it to King, Prince, or whatever comes to the university; to requite these pains, he takes place next the doctors, is at all their assemblies and meetings, and sits above the proctors, is regent, or non-regent at his pleasure, and such like gaynesses, which will please a young man well.

I long to hear from Sir Francis, I pray Sir send the letter receive from him to me as soon as

you

you can, that I may work the heads to my purpose. I hope I shall get this place without all your London helps, of which I am very proud, not but that I joy in your favours, but that you may see, that if all fail, yet I am able to stand on mine own legs. Noble Sir, I thank you for your infinite favours, I fear only that I have omitted some fitting circumstance, yet you will pardon my haste, which is very great, though never so, but that I have both time and work to be your extreme servant,

GEORGE HERBERT.

IX.

I

SIR,

HAVE received the things you sent me, safe;

and now the only thing I long for, is to hear of my dear sick sister: first, how her health fares, next, whether my peace be yet made with her concerning my unkind departure. Can I be so happy, as to hear of both these that they succeed well? Is it not too much for me? Good Sir, make it plain to her, that I loved her even in my departure, in looking to her son, and my charge. suppose she is not disposed to spend her eye-sight on a piece of paper, or else I had wrote to her; when I shall understand that a letter will be seasonable, my pen is ready. Concerning the orator's place all goes well yet, the next Friday it is tried,

I

and accordingly you shall hear. I have forty businesses in my hands: your courtesy will pardon the haste of your humblest servant,

GEORGE HERBERT.

Trinity College, January 19, 1619.

X.

SIR,

I UNDERSTAND by Sir Francis Nethersole's

letter, that he fears I have not fully resolved of the matter, since this place being civil may divert me too much from divinity, at which, not without cause, he thinks I aim: but, I have wrote him back, that this dignity hath no such earthiness in it, but it may very well be joined with heaven: or if it had to others, yet to me it should not, for aught I yet knew; and therefore I desire him to send me a direct answer in his next letter. I pray Sir therefore, cause this enclosed to be carried to his brother's house of his own name (as I think) at the sign of the Pedlar and the Pack on London Bridge, for there he assigns me. I cannot yet find leisure to write to my Lord, or Sir Benjamin Ruddyard; but I hope I shall shortly, though for the reckoning of your favours, I shall never find time and paper enough, yet am I your readiest servant,

GEORGE HErbert.

Trinity College, October 6, 1619.

I remember my most humble duty to my mother,

who cannot think me lazy, since I rode 200 miles to see a sister, in a way I knew not, in the midst of much business, and all in a fortnight, not long since.

I

XI. TO THE TRULY NOBLE SIR J. D.

SIR,

UNDERSTAND by a letter from my brother Henry, that he hath bought a parcel of books for me, and that they are coming over. Now though they have hitherto travelled upon your charge, yet if my sister were acquainted that they are ready, I dare say she would make good her promise of taking five or six pounds upon her, which she hath hitherto deferred to do, not of herself, but upon the want of those books which were not to be got in England; for that which surmounts, though your noble disposition is infinitely free, yet I had rather fly to my old ward, that if any course could be taken of doubling my annuity now, upon condition that I should surcease from all title to it, after I entered into a benefice, I should be most glad to entertain it, and both pay for the surplusage of these books, and for ever after cease my clamorous and greedy bookish requests. It is high time now that I should be no more a burden to you, since I can never answer what I have already received; for your favours are so ancient, that they prevent my memory, and yet still grow upon your humblest servant, GEORGE HERbert.

I remember my most humble duty to my mother. I have wrote to my dear sick sister this week already, and therefore now I hope may be excused.

I pray, Sir, pardon my boldness of inclosing my brother's letter in yours, for it was because I know your lodging, but not his.

XII. TO THE RIGHT HON. LADY ANNE, COUNTESS OF PEMBROKE AND MONTGOMERY, AT COURT.

MADAM,

WHAT

HAT a trouble hath your goodness brought on you, by admitting our poor services! now they creep in a vessel of Metheglin, and still they will be presenting or wishing to see, if at length they may find out something not unworthy of those hands at which they aim. In the mean time a priest's blessing, though it be none of the court style, yet, doubtless, Madam, can do you no hurt wherefore the Lord make good the blessing of your mother upon you, and cause all her wishes, diligence, prayers and tears, to bud, blow, and bear fruit in your soul, to his glory, your own good, and the great joy of, madam, your most faithful servant in Christ Jesu,

Dec. 10. 1631. Bemerton.

GEORGE HERBERT.

Madam, your poor colony of servants present their humble duties.