and observation are poured into it, the whole is so judiciously and naturally blended, as not to have the slightest appearance of pedantry or ostentation.

Such also was Hooker; a man capable of the greatest things, yet in his deportment the simplest and most humble man alive. His birth was lowly, but though his parents had a large family they laudably exerted themselves in giving him a good education, and it is related of him, that when he was a school-boy, he was inquisitive to enquire into the grounds and reasons of things, asking Why this was, and that was not to be remembered ?' Why this was granted, and that denied?' Yet this sagacious spirit was mixed, says one of his biographers, with so remarkable a sweetness and serenity of temper, as endeared him to his preceptor, and made him predict that he would become a great man. Hooker's uncle was chamberlain of Exeter, and being very intimate with bishop Jewell, of Salisbury, he entreated him to become his nephew's patron, which the good prelate consented to, and sent him accordingly to Corpus Christi college, Oxford, where he obtained the place of bible clerk, and followed his studies with unremitted attention.

Hooker's biographer relates a curious anecdote of him and his patron, which, as a picture of the manners of those times, as well as of the characters of the two parties, will be found amusing; and it may to observe here by the way,

be proper

that Goldsmith has made a pleasing use of the story in his Vicar of Wakefield.'

Mr. Hooker, having had a severe illness at college, on his recovery, took a journey from Oxford to Exeter, to see his good mother, being accompanied by a countryman and companion of his own college, and both on foot; which was then either more in fashion, or want of money, or their humility made it so but on foot they went, and took Salisbury in their way, purposely to see the good bishop, who made Mr. Hooker and his companion, dine with him at his own table; and at parting his lordship gave him good counsel, and his benediction, but forgot to give him money; which, on considering, he sent a servant in haste to call Richard back, and said to him, Richard, I sent for you back to lend you a horse which hath carried me many a mile, and I thank God, with much ease.'* He then delivered

The editor cannot resist the pleasure of relating an anecdote, somewhat resembling the above, of that acute divine, and politician, the late Dr. Josiah Tucker, dean of Gloucester. He was the son of a poor farmer in Cardiganshire, who pinched himself to give Josiah an university education, and that he might go to college respectably, he gave him his own and only horse. Upon his return, Josiah found how much other stood in need of the animal, and for the future

ver go to Oxford any other way than on foot, with at his back. I have heard the good dean often repleasantly the particulars of his pedestrian excura Aberystwith to St. John's college.

her proposed marriage with the duke of Anjou.--The letter may be seen in the Cabala; and it was written, in Wood's opinion, by the desire of Sir Philip's uncle, Robert earl of Leicester. But it does appear extraordinary that so very young a man as Sir Philip then was, should meddle in a concern of this kind, and for which another person had his right hand cut off. This remonstrance occasioned, however, his retirement from court in the summer of 1580, and it was during this seclusion that he wrote his celebrated romance, entituled "Arcadia," addressed to his sister, Mary, countess of Pembroke.

In 1582 he received the honour of knighhood, and in 1585 he projected an expedition to South America, with that famous navigator, Sir Francis Drake, but the queen refused her consent, and made him the same year governor of Flushing, and general of the horse. The English forces were then engaged in assisting the Dutch to shake off the Spanish yoke, and Sir Philip distinguished himself in this service with great skill and valour. In July 1586, he surprised Axil, and preserved the lives and honour of the English army at the enterprize of Gravelin. So great, indeed, was his reputation on the continent, that it is said, an offer was made him of the crown of Poland, which advancement was hindered by his sovereign, not out of jealousy, but from an unwillingness to lose the jewel of her times. Such is the story, but the foundation on which it rests is

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