EDWARD THE SIXTH. [1547-1553.] In the British Museum there is a large folio volume in MS. of the exercises of this excellent Prince, in Greek, in Latin, and in English, with his fignature to each of them, as King of England, in the three different languages. Edward's abilities, acquirements, and difpofition were so tranfcendent, that they extorted an eulogium upon them from the cynic Cardan himself, who, in his once-celebrated book "De Geni"turis," thus defcribes the young Prince, with whom he had several converfations upon the subjects of fome of his books, particularly on that "De Rerum Varietate:"-" The child was fo "wonderful in this refpect, that at the age of "fifteen he had learned, as I was told, seven dif"ferent languages. In that of his own country, "that of France, and the Latin language, he 66 was perfect. In the converfations that I had "with him (when he was only fifteen years of "age) he spoke Latin with as much readiness "and elegance as myself. He was a pretty good "logician, he understood natural philosophy “and mufic, and played upon the lute. The "good and the learned had formed the highest expectations of him, from the sweetness of his ઃઃ difpofition and the excellence of his talents. "He had begun to favour learning before he was a great fcholar himself, and to be ac"quainted with it before he could make use of it. "Alas the wretched state of mortals! not only 66 England, but the whole world has to lament "his being taken from us fo prematurely. We "owed much to him as it was, but alas! how "much more was taken away from us by the "artifice and malignity of mankind. Alas! "hów prophetically did he once repeat to me, • Immodicis brevis eft ætas, et rara fenectus? "Alas! he could only exhibit a fpecimen, not cc a pattern, of virtue. When there was occa fion for this Prince to affume the King, he "appeared as grave as an old man, though at "other times he had the manners and behaviour "of his own age. He attended to the business "of the State, and he was liberal like his Father, "who, whilst he affected that character, gave "into the extreme of it. The fon, however, "had never the fhadow of a fault about him " he had cultivated his mind by the precepts of philofophy." Fuller, in his "Worthies," has preferved the following letter of this Prince, addreffed to Mr. Barnaby Fitzpatrick, Gentleman of his Bedchamber, 4 ; chamber, and who had been brought up with him. It exhibits a specimen no lefs of the sweetness of his temper, than of the excellence of his understanding. 66 "We have received your letters of the eighth "of this present moneth, whereby we understand "how you are well entertained, for which we " are right glad; and alfoe how you have been once to goe on pilgrimage; for which cause we have thought good to advertize you, that "hereafter, if any fuch chance happen, you fhall "defire leave to go to Mr. Pickering, or to "Paris for your business: and if that will not "serve, to declare to fome man of eftimation, "with whom you are best acquainted, that as you are loth to offend the French King be"cause you have been fo favourably used, so "with fafe confcience you cannot do any fuch "thing, being brought up with me, and bound to obey my laws; alfo, that you had com"mandment from me to the contrary. Yet, if 66 you be vehemently procured, you may go as "waiting on the King, not as intending to the "abuse, nor willingly feeing the ceremonies, and "fo you look on the maffe. But in the mean "feafon regard the Scripture, or fome good "book, and give no reverence to the masse at ❝ all. 13 "all. Furthermore, remember when you may "conveniently be abfente from court, to tarry "with Sir William Pickering, to be inftructed "by him how to use yourself. For women, as "far forth as you may, avoid their company: yet, if the French King command you, you 66 66 may fometime dance (fo measure be your "meane); elfe apply yourself to riding, fhooting, ❝tennis, or fuch honest games, not forgetting "fometimes (when you have leisure) your learn ing, chiefly reading of the Scriptures. This I "write not doubting but you would have done, "though I had not written but to spur you on. "Your exchange of 1200 crowns you fhall re"ceive either monthly or quarterly, by Bartho"lomew Campaigne's factor in Paris. He hath "warrant to receive it by, here, and hath writ"ten to his factors to deliver it you there. We "have figned your bill for wages of the Cham"ber, which Fitzwilliam's hath. Likewife we "have fent a letter into Ireland, to our Deputy, "that he fhall take furrender of your father's "lands; and to make again other letters patent "that thofe lands fhall be to him, you, and • your heirs, lawfully begotten, for ever; adjoyning thereunto two religious houses you fpake for. Thus fare you well! From Weft"minster, the 20 of December 1551." ઃઃ re The The following refpectful and elegant little Latin letter of his to one of his Mothers-in-law, is in the British Museum. "Fortaffe miraberis me tam fæpe ad te scri"bere, idque tam brevi tempore, Regina nobi“liffima, et mihi chariffima, fed eâdem ratione <6 potes mirari me erga te officium facere. Hoc "autem nunc facio libentius, quia eft mihi ido"neus fervus tuus, et ideò non potior non dare "ad te literas ad folvendum ftudium erga te. "Optime valeas, Regina Nobiliffima, "Hunsdona, vicef. quarto Maii, "Tibi obfequentiffimus filius "Illuftriffimæ Reginæ "Matri meæ." The order for the Coronation of King Edward in the book of the Council is as follows: "The Archbishop of Canterbury shall shew "the King to the people at four parts of the great pulpit or stage to be made for the King; "and fhall fay, Sirs, here I prefent King Ed"ward, rightful and undoubted inheritor by the "laws of God and man to the royal dignity and crown imperial of this realm; whofe confecration, inunction, and coronation is appointed 66 by all the Nobles and Peers of this land to be "this day. Will ye ferve at this time, and give ❝ your 14 |