R. Boyl, Esquier, that profound Philosopher, accomplished Humanist, and excellent Divine, I had almost sayd Lay-Bishop, as one hath stiled S: H. Savil, whose works alone may make a librarie.*

The Female branches also (if it be lawfull so to call them whose virtues were so masculine, souls knowing no difference of sex) by their Honours and Graces (by mutuall reflections) gave, and received lustre, to, and from, her.

The eldest of which, the Lady Alice, was married to the Lord Baramore.

The second, the Lady Sarah, to the Lord Digby, of Ireland.

The third, the Lady Lætitia, to the eldest son of the Lord Goring, who died Earle of Norwich. The fourth, the Lady Joan, to the Earle of Kildare, not only primier Earle of Ireland, but the ancientest house in Christendome of that degree, the present earle being the six and twentieth, or the seven and twentieth of lineal descent And, as I have heard, it was that great antiquary, King Charles the First, his observation, that the three ancientest families of Europe for nobility, were the Veres in England, Earls of Oxford, and the Fitz-Geralds in Ireland, Earls of Kildare,

*Why does he not mention Lord Killimeke, who was slain at the great battell of Lis arrill, in Ireland?

and Momorancy in France. "Tis observable, that the present Earle of Kildare is a mixture of blood of Fitz-Geralds and Veres.

The fifth, the Lady Katharine, who was married to the Lord Viscount Ranelaugh, and mother to the present generous Earle of Ranelaugh, of which family I could have added an eminent remark, I meet with in Fuller's "Worthies."

This Lady's character is so signalized by her known merit among all persons of honour, that as I need not, so I dare not attempt beyond this one word-she was our Lady's Friend-Sister.

The sixth, the Lady Dorothy Loftus.

The seaventh, (the number of perfection) which shutt-up and crown'd this noble train (for the eighth, the Lady Margaret, died unmarried), was our excellent Lady Mary, married to Charles Earle of Warwick; of whom, if I should use the language of my text, I should neither despair their pardon, nor fear the reproach of rudeness. Many daughters, all his daughters, did virtuously but thou PROV. 31; 29, 30, 31.

But sheet needed neither borrowed shades, nor reflexious lights, to set her off, being personally great in all naturall endowments and accomplishments of soul and body, wisdome, beautie, favour, and virtue.

Great by her tongue, for never woman used

* Jones.

+ Ma. Countess of Warwick.

one better, speaking so gracefully, promptly, discreetly, pertinently, holily, that I have often admired the edifying words that proceeded from her mouth.

Great by her pen, as you may (ex pede Herculem) discover by that little* tast of it, the world hath been happy in, the hasty fruit of one or two interrupted houres after supper, which she professed to me, with a little regret, when she was surprised with its sliding into the world without her knowledge, or allowance, and wholly beside her expectation.

Great by being the greatest mistresse and promotress, not to say the Foundress and Inventress of a new science—the art of obliging; in which she attain'd that sovereign perfection, that she reigned over all their hearts with whom she did

converse.

Great in her nobleness of living and hospitality.

Great in the unparalleled sincerity of constant, faithfull, condescending friendship, and for that law of kindness which dwelt in her lips and heart. Great in her dexterity of management.

Great in her quick apprehension of the difficulties of her affaires, and where the stress and pinch lay, to untie the knot, and loose and ease them. Great in the conquest of herselfe.

*Her Ladyship's Pious Meditations.

Great in a thousand things beside, which the world admires as such: but she despised them all, and counted them but loss and dung in comparison of the feare of God, and the excellency of the knowledge of Chr. Jesus.

THE HON. ROBERT BOYLE, ESQ.

The... son of Richard Boyle, first Earle of Corke, was borne at Lismor, in the county of Corke, the... day of . . . . A . . . . He was nursed by an Irish nurse, after the Irish manner, wher they putt the child into a pendulous satchell instead of a cradle, with a slitt for the child's head to peepe out. He learn't his Latin....

went to the university of Leyden. Travelled to France, Italy, Switzerland. I have often heard him say that after he had seen the antiquities and architecture of Rome, he esteemed none any where els. He speakes Latin very well, and very readily as most men I have mett with. I have heard him say that when he was young, he read Cowper's Dictionary," wherein I thinke he did very well, and I beleeve he is much beholden to him for his mastership of that language. His father in his will, when he comes to the settlement and provision for his son Robert, thus, Item, to my son Robert, whom I beseech God to

over

blesse with a particular blessing, I bequeath, &c. Mr. R. H. who has seen the rentall sayes it was 3000lib. p: annTM The greatest part is in Ireland. His father left him the mannor of Stalbridge, in com. Dorset, where is a great free-stone house; it was forfeited by the Earle of Castlehaven. He is very tall (about six foot high) and streight, very temperate, and vertuouse, and frugall: a batcheler, keepes a coach, sojournes att his sister's, the Lady Ranalagh. His greatest delight is Chymistrey. He has at his sister's a noble laboratory, and severall servants (prentices to him) to looke to it. He is charitable to ingeniouse men that are in want, and foreigne chymists have had large proofe of his bountie, for he will not spare for cost to gett any rare secret. At his owne costs and chardges he gott translated and printed the New Testament in Arabique, to send into the Mahumetan countreys. He has not only a high renowne in England, but abroad, and when foreigners come hither, 'tis one of their curiosities to make him a visit.

WILLIAM LORD BRERETON.

This vertuous and learned lord (who was my most honoured and obligeing friend) was educated at Breda, by Jo. Pell, D.D. then Math. Professor