greate grandfather was a merchante of the staple in E. 4. his tyme, and H. 7.; and died aged fowerescore in H. 8. his time. That hee was a merchante in all them ages I can shewe his books of accompts: whence he was discendede shall also appeare, when he shalbe depraved. But be it so he was a merchante in the baseste kinde, will your lordshipe thearfore argue me to bee condempned that are a fourthe discente removed? I am certaine in your lordshipes readings you find many from more base and vild trades, as potteres, collieres, sheppards, swinherdes, &c. some risen to be greate emperours and princes. Many otheres from inkeeperes, butcheres, and other mechannical occupacions, by their vertue and the favour of the times, to be sole governers of greate comonewelthes; who yf their births be upbraided, they will answer with Socrates and otheres, and peradventure will say, 'Let them that are noble from the beginninge reprove ' other menes unnoblenes.' "For my owne particuler, I cannot but greeve at my hard fortune, beinge by theis signes and demonstrationes assured of your lordshipes heavie displeasure againste me, well knowinge howe forcible it is; your lordshipe beinge the greatest magestrate of this tyme, to overthrowe the state of a poore gentleman. Nevere the lesse, my innocencie dothe comforte me for with an unpartiall eie havinge ones [once] viewed my desertes to your lordshipe, I can fynd non meritinge • Or wool-stapler; wool being the staple commodity of England. your disfavour in any measur; but rather your good oppinion. "Whearfore, yf your lordshipe have conceived ill againste me, or of me, call me to answere: or yf by any malicious enemys your lordshipe have byne provoked, I hombly beseeche your lordshipe, put me to myn appologie. And so, fearinge leste I have byn too tedious, I cease to trouble your lordshipe. "JOHN HOLlis. "From Sandwich the 25 of June, 1597."] 2 EDWARD CECYLL, VISCOUNT WIMBLEDON, A MARTIAL lord in the reigns of king James and king Charles, followed the wars in the Netherlands for the space of thirty-five years, and was a general of great reputation till his miscarriage in the expedition to Cales. He was second son of the earl of Exeter, and grandson of Burleigh. King Charles made him of his privy council, governor of Portsmouth, and a peer 3. He has barely a title 4 to this catalogue, and yet too much to be omitted. In the king's library are two tracts in manuscript drawn up by his lordships, one intituled, "The Lord Viscount Wimbleton his Method how the Coasts of the Kingdom may be defended against any Enemy, in case the Royal [Third, says Bolton, Extinct Peerage, p. 308.] 3 [He was created baron Cecil, of Putney in Surrey, 1625; and viscount Wimbledon, in the year following. His lordship married three wives, but dying without a male heir, his titles died with him. Ib.] * [Why barely a title? when three tracts written by this peer are still extant,and were all pointed out by lord Orford himself.] > Casley's Catalogue, p. 276. |