five remaining years of his life. Having furnished himself with many materials from the Cotton collection, the Tower of London, and other repositories (many of which, in his hand-writing, are in Trinity college library) he returned with Usher to Ireland, and immediately published a tract entitled "Archiepiscoporum Cassiliensium et Tuamensium Vitæ, duobis expressæ commentariolis," Dublin, 1626, 4to; and two years after, "De præsulibus Lagenia, sive provinciæ Dubliniensis, lib. unus," ibid. 1628, 4to, both which he afterwards inserted in his larger account of the Irish bishops. About the same time he published "Cœnobia Cistertientia Hiberniæ,", which was afterwards included in his "Disquisitiones de Hibernia." In the latter end of 1628 he went again to Eugland, and carried with him some MSS. which he knew would be acceptable to sir Robert Cotton: and in this second journey added considerably to his own collections, by his acquaintance with Selden and other men of research and liberality. About the end of the summer 1629 he returned home,. and soon after received the honour of knighthood from the hands of the lords justices.

His

On his father's death in 1632, he succeeded him in his estate and in the office of auditor-general, of which, in 1643, he procured from the marquis of Ormond, then lord lieutenant, a reversionary grant for his son, also called James, who died in 1689. It appears by a letter which the marquis wrote on this occasion that sir James, even when his majesty's affairs were most neglected, and when it was not safe for any man to shew himself for them, then appeared very zealously and stoutly for them," and, in a word, demonstrated his loyalty in the worst of times. studies, however, were now somewhat interrupted by the duties of his office, on, which he entered in 1633, on the arrival of the lord-deputy Wentworth, afterwards earl of Strafford, who took him into his particular confidence, and consulted him upon all occasions. To render him more useful in the king's service, he called him to the privycouncil, and there he had frequent opportunities of shewing his address and talents in the most important affairs. This year (1633) he published "Spenser's view of the state of Ireland," and dedicated it to the lord-deputy, as he did afterwards Meredith Hanmer's "Chronicle," and Campion's "History of Ireland."

His talents were not more valued by Strafford, than by

the whole body of the clergy. When the two houses of convocation in Jan. 1634 petitioned his majesty, and the lord-deputy, for the settlement of some impropriations in the possession of the crown on a resident clergy, they annexed a schedule of particulars to their petition, setting forth a true state of what they requested. Lest the crown should be deceived in the matters prayed for, they requested that the same should be referred to some able commissioners therein named to examine the contents of the schedule; of whom they desired that sir James Ware should be one, which was accordingly granted, and a report made in their favour. Of the clerical character, sir James held an opinion equally just and humane, for in-his office of auditor-general, he always remitted the fees to clergymen and their widows.

In 1639, notwithstanding the hurry of public business, he published "De Scriptoribus Hiberniæ, lib. duo," Dublin, 4to. It is unnecessary to say much of this outline of the history of Irish writers, as it has since been so ably translated, enlarged, and improved by Mr. Harris, forming nearly a half of his second folio. In the same year, sir James was returned a member of parliament for the university of Dublin: of his conduct here, we shall only notice that when a ferment was raised in both houses against the earl of Strafford, sir James exerted his utmost zeal in his defence. When the Irish rebellion broke out in 1641, he closely attended the business of the council, and we see his name to many orders, proclamations, and other acts of state against the rebels. He engaged also with others of the privy-council, in securities for the repayment of considerable sums advanced by the citizens of Dublin, for the support of the English forces sent to quell the rebellion. The marquis of Ormond, lieutenant-general of these forces, reposed great trust in sir James, and advised with him on all important occasions. In 1642, when Charles I. wished for the assistance of these troops against his rebellious subjects at home, he determined on a cessation with the rebels for one year, and in this the marquis of Ormond, sir James Ware, and others of the privy council concurred, rather, however, as a measure of necessity than prudence. This news was very acceptable at the king's court, then held at Oxford, but the measure was condemned by the parliaWhile the treaty of peace with the Irish rebels was pending, the marquis of Ormond, having occasion to send

ment.

some persons in whom he could confide to the king at Oxford, to inform his majesty of the posture of his affairs in Ireland, and to know his pleasure in relation to those particulars of the treaty which remained to be adjusted, fixed upon lord Edward Brabazon, sir Henry Tichborne, and sir James Ware, as persons acceptable to the king, and not inclined to favour either the popish or parliamentary interest. They arrived at Oxford in the end of 1644, and, while here, such time as sir James could spare from the business on which he was sent, was employed by him in the libraries, or in the company of the men of learning. The university complimented him with the honorary degree of doctor of laws.

While these commissioners were returning to Ireland, they were taken by one of the parliament ships, and sir James, finding there were no hopes of escaping, threw overboard his majesty's dispatches to the marquis of Ormond. He and his companions were then brought to London and imprisoned ten months in the Tower, but were at last released, in exchange for some persons imprisoned in Dublin, for an attempt to betray the town of Drogheda to the Scotch covenanters. During his tedious imprisonment, sir James amused himself by writing "An imaginary voyage to an Utopian island," which was never published, but the MS. remained for many years in the family. When discharged he returned to Dublin, and had an order from the lord-lieutenant and council on the treasury for 7182. for the expences of his journey. As the king's affairs now became desperate in both kingdoms, he sent instructions to the marquis of Ormond to make peace with the Irish catholics "whatever it cost, so that his protestant subjects there may be secured, and his regal authority preserved." In what manner this was to be effected belongs to the history of the times. It was on the part of Charles an unfortunate measure, but it was thought a necessary one. Peace was accordingly concluded with the catholics by the earl of Glamorgan, whose conduct in the affair has been well illustrated by Dr. Birch in his "Inquiry into the share king Charles 1. had in the Transactions of the earl of Glamorgan," Lond. 1747 and 1756, 8vo. In the mean time Glamorgan being thought to have exceeded his commission, secretary Digby then in Ireland, accused him at the council-table, Dec. 26, 1645, of suspicion of treason. He was then arrested, and sir James, the earl of Roscommon,

and lord Lambert, were appointed a committee to inquire into his conduct, and take his examination, which in January following was transmitted to the king.

During the remainder of the troubles, sir James remained firm to the king's interest, and zealously adhered to the marquis of Ormond, who ever after entertained a great affection for him. He continued, in Dublin, till the marquis, by the king's orders, surrendered that place to the parliamentary power in June 1647. At this time sir James Ware was considered as a man of such consequence, that the parliament insisted on his being one of the hostages for the performance of the treaty; and accordingly he repaired, with the earl of Roscommon, and col. Arthur Chichester, to the committee for the management of Irish affairs at Derby-house, London; but as soon as the treaty was concluded, and the hostages permitted to depart, he returned to Dublin, and lived for some time in a private station, being deprived of his employment of auditor-general. He was, however, disturbed in this retirement by Michael Jones, the governor of Dublin, who, jealous of his character and consequence, sent him a peremptory order to depart the city, and transport himself beyond seas into what country he pleased, except England. Having chosen France for the place of his exile, Jones furnished him with a pass for himself, his eldest son, and one servant, signed April 4, 1649. He landed at St. Malo's, whence he removed not long after to Caen in Normandy, and then to Paris, and contracted an acquaintance there with some of the literati, and particularly with Bochart, whose works he much esteemed, and thought his "Hierozoicon" a suitable present for the library of the university of Dublin. After continuing in France about two years, he left it in 1651, and by licence from the parliament came to London on private business, and two years after went to Ireland to look after his estates.

Having now leisure to prosecute his favourite studies, the return to which was now consoling as well as gratifying, he took several journeys to London to publish them, the art of printing being at that time in a very low condition in Ireland. In May 1654 he published the first edition of his antiquities, under the title of " De Hibernia et antiquitatibus ejus Disquisitiones," Lond. 8vo, and a much enlarged and corrected edition in 1658. He also collected the works ascribed to St. Patrick, and published them, with

notes, under the title "Opuscula Sancto Patricio, qui Hibernos ad fidem Christi convertit, adscripta, &c." Lond. 1656, 8vo.

On the restoration, he was, by special order from his majesty, replaced in his office of auditor-general, and a parliament being summoned in May 1661, he was unanimously elected representative of the university of Dublin. He was very instrumental in the parliamentary grant of 30,000l. to the marquis, now duke, of Ormond, who distinguished him in a very particular manner. By his grace's interest, he was made one of the four commissioners of appeal in causes of the excise, and new impost raised by the statute of 14th and 15th Charles II. with a salary of 150. He was also appointed one of the commissioners for the execution of the king's declaration for the settlement of the kingdom, and for the satisfaction of the several interests of adventurers, soldiers, and others, and was, by the king's instructions, made of the quorum in this commission, without whose presence and concurrence no act could be done in execution of the declaration. His majesty, in consideration of his faithful services for a great number of years, and perhaps not forgetting a handsome sum of money which he had sent him in his exile, was graciously pleased to offer to create him a viscount of the kingdom of, Ireland, but this he refused, and likewise a baronetcy. At his request, however, the king granted him two blank baronet's patents, which be filled up and disposed of to two friends, whose posterity, Harris says, "to this day enjoy the honours," but he does not mention their names.

Returning again to his studies, he began with some pieces of the venerable Bede, published under the title of "Venerabilis Bedæ epistolæ duæ, necnon vitæ abbatum Wiremuthensium et Gerwiensium, &c." Dublin, 1664. The same year he published the Annals of Ireland for four reigns, "Rerum Hibernicarum Annales regnantibus Henrico VII. Henrico VIII. Edwardo VI. et Maria, &c." ibid. 1664, fol.; and the year following his history of the bishops of Ireland, entitled ، De Prasulibus Hibernia Commentarius, &c." ibid. 1665, fol. He was preparing other matters respecting Ireland, but was prevented by his death which took place Dec. 1, 1666, in the seventy-third year of his age. He was buried in the church of St. Werburg, in the city of Dublin, in a vault belonging to his family.

As an antiquary, sir James Ware must ever be held in