nephew, by whose death not only your lordship, and all other his friends and kinsfolks, but even her majesty, and the whole realm besides, do suffer no small loss and detriment. Nevertheless, it may not bring the least comfort unto you, that as he bath both lived and died in fame of honour and reputation to his name, in the worthy service of his prince and country, and with as great love in his life, and with as many tears for his death, as ever any had; so hath he also by his good and godly end so greatly testified the assurance of God's infinite mercy towards him, as there is no doubt but that he now liveth with immortality, free from the cares and calamities of mortal misery; and in place thereof, remaineth filled with all heavenly joys and felicities, such as cannot be expressed so as I doubt not, but that your lordship in wisdom, after you have yielded some while to the imperfection of man's nature, will yet in time remember how happy in truth he is, and how miserable and blind we are, that lament his blessed change. Her majesty seemeth resolute to call home your lordship, and intendeth presently to think of some fit personage that may take your place and charge. And in my opinion, her majesty had never more cause to wish you here than now; I pray God send it speedily. I shall not need to enlarge my letter with any other matters, for that this messenger, your lordship's wholly devoted, can sufficiently inform you of all. And so wishing all comfort and contentation unto your lordship, I rest your lordship's wholly for ever, to use and command as your own. From the Court, this 3d of November, 1586. Your lordship's most assured to command. LETTER XVIII. SIR HENRY HOBART, KNIGHT AND BARONET, To Robert Earl of Leicester. MY VERY GOOD LORD, I HAVE received your lordship's letter, wherein I find all that could be expected; for I find an entire loving father in your sorrow: I find a true Christian in your patience: and I find a noble disposition, in that it pleaseth you to acknowledge the love which was repaid to that Christian soul in a full measure, not only by her husband, but by us, and all that belong unto us; whereof I would your lordship were an eye witness, to see the many unfeigned mourners, of my wife, children, kinsmen, allies, and friends, which though they do increase and daily revive the grief, yet I must confess it is a kind of contentment, when we see others join in that affection that we like and hold dear. But for my son, I must say true, his sorrow keeps no bounds, and when it will end I know not, and yet I cannot find in my heart to blame it. There are two things, that may much allay our sorrows; we have cause to joy that she died in the favour of God and men; for she lived most virtuous, and was in her devotions with zeal to her last breath and This sir Henry Hobart was great-grandson of sir James Hobart, attorney-general, and of the privy council to King Henry the Seventh, who is celebrated by Camden, and other historians, for his piety, charity, and public benefactions. His eldest surviving son, John, married Philipa, daughter of the earl of Leicester, on the occasion of whose death the present Jetter was written. she lived as long as was possible; for it appears, by that last act of her opening (which was guided by Dr. Harvey) that she had been preserved hitherto by art and care, and now all would not serve, and so she was overcome. For the two motherless children, there lies a charge upon me (for I will not quit myself from my part) to see to them, which I will not neglect. And for your lordship, I pray you let me find no change of affection on your part, and your lordship shall be assured that I will ever continue your lordship's poor friend to do you service. LETTER XIX. THE COUNTESS OF LEICESTER, To her husband, Robert Earl of Leicester.. MY DEAREST HEART, YOUR letters come now so rarely to me, as I suffer more in your absence than I did; for when I received almost every week 'those dear testimonies of your well being, and your kindness to me, it did ease much those discomforts that your absence doth bring. This is the first letter that I send by London; for the last week my brother's being here forced me to omit writing. He came on Monday, and left us again on Thursday, in which time we were so continually together, as I could not make my dispatch. I perceive no alteration in him, neither do I find him much engaged in friendship with any of the great ones. Cottington, I perceive, is in declination with him, and so will he be with many more, except his power be greater than most believe it is. Of my brother I inquired, what he had heard concerning you; he told me, nothing to your prejudice; but that it was said, Seignior Condée had persuaded you to be more inclinable to France than is well thought on here; and that you were more earnest to engage the king in a war than the wise here do think fit. But I hope your proceedings are unblamable, and that your master, who understands them best, will find them such as shall give him perfect satisfaction. I long extremely to hear what you think will be the conclusion of your labour; for the world among us affirm confidently that the king will not be engaged in any war, and that the elector shall return into Holland with a pension of 12,000l. a year; but perhaps many things are unknown to those that I converse with, and therefore credit my intelligence no farther than you find there is cause. My sister is yet here, and so she intends to be till the latter end of Christmas; but I cannot brag much of her kindness to me, for it is very little, and certainly stays here for other considerations than my company. My brother was very earnest in persuading me to come to London, which I have promised to do in the latter end of February, though I know not how to accommodate myself handsomely for that place; but my special want is a gentleman usher, which I am unwilling to take. If Daniel behave himself well with you, which I beseech you to let me know; for if he be not worth keeping, I would inquire after another, and so free myself from him; but if he be good, I will suffer much rather than take a new one, and I will do any thing rather than wish him from you, if he does you service. It would joy me much to receive some hope of that Lord's addresses to Doll, which once you writ of to me; for, next to what concerns you, I confess she is considered by me above any thing of this world; but you shall have the first place, or rather the whole possession of her heart, who is most faithfully your own, Penshurst, 19th Dec. 1636. Give Algernon a blessing, and offer my service to Mr. Croft. Your companion Watt (Montague) is expected here every day. LETTER XX. THE COUNTESS OF LEICESTER TO THE EARL HER HUSBAND. MY DEAREST HEART, FOR my exceptions to your silence, I humbly ask your pardon; for since I have received three letr ters from you, the one by Mr. Auger, who I have not yet seen, but he writ to me with much civility; and, I hear, that he speaks of you with all the honour, estimation, and affection, that can be, which shall make him as welcome to me as either of my brothers. Two letters more I have had since his arrival, but that which was first written came last to my hands, for my Lord of Holland sent it to me yesterday: and the other, which was dated the 27th January, was received by me the 4th of February. They all brought such contentment to me as nothing but your own person can give me a joy beyond it; and though you reproach me for chiding, yet I hope the considera |